Future for bricks and mortar retail businesses to be discussed at Growth Summit

With the future looking uncertain for Britain’s high streets, the CEO of Swindon-based WHSmith will explain how his company has sustained year on year profits for 15 years – through recessions, the digital revolution, and economic uncertainty.

Since Steve Clarke took over as CEO in 2013, shares in WHSmith have tripled, the brand has continued to grow, and the business is emerging into new markets internationally, with a turnover of £1.2m.

Steve’s leadership has helped the company buck the trend and continue to thrive in a struggling high street and retail marketplace. Steve attributes much of the retailer’s success to:

• making the general well-being and mental health of staff a priority
• dedicated and committed staff across the stores, distribution centres and Head Offices
• not making lots of store closures
• focusing on profitable sales

In May, Steve announced he was stepping down from the role, from November 1 this year.

He will be the keynote speaker at the Business Growth Summit from The Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which will be held on Thursday, October 3 at Cineworld, Regent Circus, Swindon.

For more information, or to book a place, visit https://swlep.co.uk