Half-year figures from books and stationery retailer WH Smith were hailed a ‘triumph’ for outgoing boss, Bradford University graduate Kate Swann (pictured).
She shrugged off tough high street conditions to deliver a five per cent rise in profits.
In her last set of results before stepping down this summer, Miss Swann announced pre-tax profits of £69 million for the six months to February 28 as her strategy to prioritise profits over sales continued to pay off.
Trading profits in the high street chain – which includes stores in Bradford, Keighley, Skipton and Leeds-Bradford Airport – rose two per cent despite a five per cent fall in like-for-like sales, while its stores based in travel sites such as airports, train stations and motorway service areas overcame a four per cent slide in comparable sales to post a seven per cent profit rise.
Miss Swann sits on the advisory board at the University of Bradford School of Management and in 2007 received an honorary doctorate from the university.
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