W H Smith's international chairman to retire

W H Smith's international chairman and business development director Louis de Bourgoing will retire next month. 

After nine years with the retailer De Bourgoing will step down from his role in mid-August. W H Smith says a replacement will be announced in due course with De Bourgoing to work with the chain on a consultancy basis. 

De Bourgoing has been credited for being "instrumental" in the firm's international expansion. When he first started at the chain in 2010, W H Smith had only one overseas store in Paris. 

W H Smith's international managing director Phil McNally paid tribute to his colleague who "leaves behind a strong legacy". 

McNally said: “When Louis joined W H Smith, the company had one overseas store. In nine years, Louis has been instrumental in the international expansion of W H Smith; we now have over 315 W H Smith stores in 30 countries, not including the recent InMotion acquisition in North America. We would like to thank Louis for everything he has achieved during his time at W H Smith, he leaves behind a strong legacy.”

Prior to working at W H Smith, De Bourgoing spent 11 years at travel retailer Lagardère Services and before that was deputy c.e.o. at Hachette Livre.