Brand chief takes leave of WH Smith

WH Smith brand communications director Katie Spriggs is leaving her job: the retailer has appointed Sainsbury’s marketer Richard Cristofoli in her place.

It is not known whether Spriggs has a job to go. WH Smith claims that Spriggs, a former Ocado marketer, has only been employed on an interim basis. However, when Spriggs joined the retailer in October last year, no mention was made of the fact that her position was temporary.

During her tenure, Spriggs oversaw an advertising and media review in conjunction with interim marketing director Stephen Robertson, and appointed Delaney Lund Knox Warren and Carat.

Industry speculation had linked Spriggs with the position of marketing director at the retailer, but this went to Stephen Clarke, product marketing manager at Argos and a former colleague of chief executive Kate Swann.