Directors' responsibilities

Smiths Group PLC
29 July 2004

29 July 2004



Smiths Group today announced that Board member John Langston, currently group
managing director Detection, will succeed Einar Lindh as group managing director
Specialty Engineering, effective from 1 August 2004, in preparation for Mr
Lindh's retirement at the end of January 2005.



At the same time, Stephen Phipson, currently managing director of Smiths
Interconnect, the hi-tech communications arm of Specialty Engineering, has been
appointed to succeed Mr Langston as group managing director Detection, again
effective 1 August 2004.  He will join Smiths' chief executive's committee.



Commenting on these appointments, Smiths chief executive Keith Butler-Wheelhouse
said; 'Making these appointments now allows a smooth transition of management
responsibilities at the start of our new financial year.  Having established the
Detection division and mapped out a strategy for growth, John's skills and
experience make him the logical successor to Einar at Specialty Engineering.  I
am particularly pleased too, that we are able to appoint Stephen from within the
Group, to lead the Detection business to its next stage of development and
growth.'



Smiths Group designs and manufactures performance 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



Contact:



Media

Bernard Carey
Caroline Harris
Tel: [phone]                               Tel: [phone]



Investor Relations
Russell Plumley:
Tel: [phone]


Notes



Biographies of John Langston and Einar Lindh appear on the Smiths Group website

http://www.smiths-group.com/board.asp



Biography, Stephen Phipson

With an MSc in Operations Management, Stephen has held several senior roles in
the electronics industry including positions at Philips and Plessey. Prior to
Smiths, he was managing director of Radiall UK, a global supplier of microwave
components and systems.  He joined Smiths in 1997 as managing director of Smiths
Interconnect, which has grown threefold both organically and through focussed,
mainly US, acquisitions.  Smiths Interconnect, a global leader in the supply of
application specific high reliability electronic components and subsystems, has
operations in Europe, the USA, Central America, Japan and China.




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