Hans Snook returns to the fray with Carphone Warehouse

Hans Snook, the former chief executive of Orange, is set to return to the telecoms world by becoming Carphone Warehouse's non-exec chairman.

Snook left his post at the helm of the mobile giant towards the end of 2000, although he stayed on with the company in an advisory capacity until December 2001.

He will take up his position with Carphone Warehouse on 1 May. Founder Charles Dunstone remains as chief executive.

Carphone Warehouse also announced today that its full-year pre-tax profits will be in line with expectations, at between £45m and £50m, according to reports.

The company is also planning to close 89 of its least profitable stores in Europe, including around 30 in the UK. They will be replaced by another 100 outlets, which will be designed to attract higher value customers and will be located in out-of-town locations and shopping centres. The company will write down £20m to cover the cost of the shutdowns and £12m to restructure the business.

The company also warned that revenue levels from data services are now not likely to significant until next year.

The number of users it connected in the UK and continental Europe between 18 January and 16 March 16 fell to 574,000 from 587,000.