WH Smith and housebuilder Berkeley both choose City veterans as their next chairmen

Two of London’s biggest companies have recruited City veterans to chair their boards.

Michael Dobson, who previously worked as chairman and chief executive of investment giant Schroders, has joined the board of FTSE 100 housebuilder Berkeley with immediate effect.

He will take on the chairman role following the annual general meeting on September 6, replacing Glyn Barker, who was appointed in 2020 for two years to steady the ship following the death of Berkeley’s founder and then-chairman Tony Pidgley.

Heavyweights: Michael Dobson has joined the board of housebuilder Berkeley and Court, while WH Smith announced the appointment of Annette Court as its chairman

Berkeley shares rose 0.1 per cent, or 4p, to 4276p. Meanwhile, FTSE 250 newsagent WH Smith announced the appointment of Annette Court as its chairman.

Court, who currently chairs insurance group Admiral and was previously head of Direct Line, will join in September before becoming chairman on December 1.

She will succeed long-serving incumbent Henry Staunton, who is retiring after nine years in the role. 

WH Smith shares rose 1.4 per cent, or 21.5p, to 1576.5p.