Clubcard boss goes as axe falls on WH Smith marketing line-up

WH Smith loyalty card chief Richard Howe is among the 24 marketing redundancies that have been made by the retailer as part of chief executive Kate Swann’s business restructure.

A WH Smith spokeswoman has denied that the future of Clubcard, which has 2.5 million active customers, is under review.

Swann’s restructure is now complete, with 270 redundancies, both voluntary and compulsory, being made. The marketing department has been reduced from 72 to 48.

Many of the roles that have disappeared were linked to the retailer’s concept store in Guildford, which will continue to be used to test new ideas.

Clubcard manager Andrea Jerome, who reported to Howe, has also left after taking voluntary redundancy.

WH Smith has merged Clubcard and local marketing and is looking to recruit a controller in charge of Clubcard, publications, local marketing and events to whom the new Clubcard manager Rachel Knight will report.

The retailer is still searching for a commercial director to whom new marketing director Stephen Clarke, who joins from Argos, will report (MW March 18).

His role was created earlier this year following the departure of brand director Muriel Stirling (MW January 15).