Appointment of CEO

RNS Number : 7051Z

Smiths Group PLC

25 May 2021

 

 

 

 

News Release

London , 25 May 2021

For immediate release

Appointment of Chief Executive Officer and Smiths Medical process progressing

Smiths Group plc ("Smiths" or "the Group") announces that, after an extensive search process by the Nomination Committee of the Board, Paul Keel has been appointed as the Group's Chief Executive Officer and to the Board. He will take on his new responsibilities with immediate effect.

The Board also announces that Andy Reynolds Smith will step down from his position as Chief Executive Officer and from the Board with immediate effect.  Andy will continue to be available up until the end of the fiscal year to ensure a smooth handover.  The change has been mutually agreed as the right time to provide new leadership as Smiths enters into its next growth phase.

Paul Keel previously worked at 3M Company ("3M") between 2004 and 2020, within the US and UK.  During this period, he led a number of global businesses including the $5 billion revenue Consumer Business Group, as well as several enterprise-wide functions including Strategy & Business Development, Marketing & Sales, as well as Manufacturing & Supply Chain.  Paul's other experiences include senior roles at General Electric, McKinsey & Company and General Mills. He is a graduate of Carleton College and Harvard Business School.  Paul will be relocating to the UK.

The Board remains committed to the separation of Smiths Medical.  It is actively engaging with all options to maximise value for all stakeholders and to provide the company with an enhanced platform for future growth.

There is no change to the comments on current trading at Smiths' interim results announcement in March and our expectations for the full year remain unchanged.

Sir George Buckley, Chairman of Smiths Group , said: "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Andy for his leadership and contribution to the Group, its employees, customers and stakeholders for almost six years.  The Board wishes Andy well and continued success in the future.

I am also delighted to welcome Paul to Smiths.  He has a strong track record of delivering results in other innovation-led and diversified global industrial technology businesses.  His international experience positions him well to build on the progress made during Andy's tenure and allows Smiths to deliver on its significant potential as it enters its next growth phase."

Paul Keel, Chief Executive Officer of Smiths Group , said: "It is a great honour to lead Smiths at this exciting time in its 170-year history.  Smiths' global reach, deep engineering capabilities and proven business model position it well for continued success.  I look forward to moving back to the UK, and I am delighted to join Smiths' valued employees around the world in shaping its very exciting future."

 

This announcement is made pursuant to LR 9.6.11 of the Listing Rules. Smiths Group confirms there is no further information to be disclosed under the requirements of LR 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules in relation to Paul Keel's appointment.

This announcement includes inside information as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014.

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Smiths Group is John Mills, Company Secretary.

Andy Reynolds Smith's Remuneration Arrangements

Information relating to the payments to be made to Andy Reynolds Smith in connection with him stepping down as Chief Executive Officer will be disclosed on Smiths Group's website and in the Company's Directors' Remuneration Reports in accordance with the Company's statutory obligations.

Paul Keel's Remuneration Arrangements

Paul Keel will receive an annual salary of £875,000; a payment in lieu of pension at a rate in line with the UK workforce; a bonus opportunity of 180% of salary (with 1/3^rd of any earned bonus deferred into shares for three years); performance shares with an annual grant value of up to 300% of salary, subject to performance conditions measured over a three-year period with a further two-year holding period.  Paul Keel will also be entitled to benefits in line with the Group's current policy and relocation support for a three-year period.

Paul Keel's employment contract requires 6 months' notice of termination by him and 12 months by the Company.  The Company may also terminate his employment by making a payment in lieu of notice (PILON) in respect of any unserved period of notice.  The service contract contains specific provisions enabling a reduction in any phased PILON payments in the event that he finds alternative employment during the notice period.

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Investor enquiries	Media enquiries
Jemma Spalton, Smiths Group [phone] [e-mail]	Richard Mountain, FTI Consulting [phone] [e-mail]	Alex Le May, FTI Consulting [phone] [e-mail]

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 213800MJL6IPZS3ASA11

About Smiths Group

Smiths is a global technology company listed on the London Stock Exchange (SMIN) and operates a sponsored level one ADR programme (SMGZY). Its businesses share common characteristics (well-positioned in growing markets, technology-led, asset-light, digitising, with a high proportion of aftermarket revenues) and a common operating model (The Smiths Excellence System). For more information visit www.smiths.com.

 

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