Statement re CEO

Smiths Group PLC
11 November 2003


Smiths Group chief executive to stay until 2008; Smiths appoints Peter Jackson
as non-executive director


The Smiths Group Board today announced that chief executive Keith
Butler-Wheelhouse had agreed to continue in post for an additional two years,
deferring his retirement until age 62 in March 2008.

Speaking at the company's Annual General Meeting today, Smiths Group chairman
Keith Orrell-Jones said; ' This will allow Keith not only to continue to lead
the company for the next four and a half years, but also to oversee succession
to the posts of other executive directors, four of whom are due to retire by
mid-2007.'

Saying that he was delighted that Mr. Butler-Wheelhouse had accepted the Board's
invitation to serve until 2008 he added;' The company will continue to benefit
from his vision and energy over this period. By deciding these matters now, the
Board is able to provide for constructive and orderly succession.'


New non-executive appointed
At the meeting the chairman also announced the appointment of Mr. Peter Jackson
as a non-executive director of Smiths Group. Mr. Jackson, chief executive of
Associated British Foods, will join the Smiths Board on 1 December 2003.

Commenting on this appointment, Mr. Orrell-Jones said;' Peter has extensive
experience of general management, and before that of employee relations, in a
variety of industries. I look forward to the valuable contribution he will
assuredly make as a director at Smiths.'

Smiths Group has market-leading positions in aerospace systems, detection
systems, medical devices, mechanical seals, and interconnect products.

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


Enquiries:

Press:

Bernard Carey      Bernard Carey                T. [phone] or 
                                                M.+ 44 (0)7769 88 79 66

Caroline Harris                                 T. [phone] or 
                                                M. [phone]

Investors:         Russell Plumley              T. [phone] or 
                                                M. [phone]


Notes to Editors:

Biographies and photography attached. A statement on Smiths current outlook was
also made at AGM (see www.smiths.com).



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