Directorate Change

Smiths Group PLC
25 May 2004

Smiths Group plc
765 Finchley Road  London  NW11 8DS
T:[phone]  F:[phone]
www.smiths-group.com

News Release
London, 25 May 2004
For immediate release

Smiths appoints David Challen as non-executive director

Smiths Group plc today announced the appointment of Mr David Challen CBE as a
non-executive director.  Mr Challen, vice-Chairman of Citigroup European
Investment Bank and former Chairman of J Henry Schroder & Co Ltd, will join the
Smiths board on 1 June 2004.

It is anticipated that Mr Challen with succeed Sir Colin Chandler as chairman of
the audit committee of the Smiths Group Board at the conclusion of the company's
AGM on 16 November 2004, following Sir Colin's retirement from Smiths.

The move follows the recent appointments of Donald Brydon as Chairman designate,
and of Peter Jackson and Lord Robertson of Port Ellen as non-executive
directors.

Commenting on the appointment, Smiths Chairman Keith Orrell-Jones said; 'David's
in-depth knowledge of finance and his broad commercial experience will be great
assets to Smiths and I am delighted to welcome him to the team.  We continue to
build the strength of the Board to match code requirements and plan a smooth
succession of senior roles'.

David Challen is a non-executive director of Anglo American plc, where he is
chairman of the audit committee.

Smiths Group designs and manufactures safety critical systems and products, and
has market leading positions in aerospace systems, detection systems, medical
devices, mechanical seals, and interconnect products.

For further information, visit www.smiths-group.com



Notes to Editors:

David Challen, who began his career in advertising with J Walter Thompson, held
various positions at Schroders becoming a director in 1979 and Chairman of J
Henry Schroder & Co Ltd in 1997.  He was co-Chairman of Schroder Salomon Smith
Barney from 2000 - 2002.

David Challen has extensive international experience in the financial sector and
securities markets and has been responsible for advising boards of many major
companies, both British and foreign, on capital raising, mergers and
acquisitions and general financial matters.

Mr. Challen is a non-executive director of Anglo American plc and is Chairman of
the Audit Committee.

He is a member of the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers and was until recently a
member of the Financial Reporting Council.  In 2002 he received a CBE for
services to the financial sector.

Company Advisors:

The company was advised in respect of this appointment by Oxygen, the search
consultants. This is the third Board appointment handled by Oxygen for Smiths
Group this year.

Contact:

Smiths Group
Bernard Carey            [phone]
Caroline Harris          [phone]

Investor Relations
Russell Plumley:         [phone]



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