Winner's story: Gilberto Baldi

Gilberto reflects on how his childhood dream of being part of a global organisation became a reality and how that journey continues to inspire him today. In his entry, he also shares how he’s experienced the Smiths values in action including customer focus and passion.

As a child, I was a dreamer. I admired people who worked for big companies - organisations that operated globally, created real impact and connected people from different parts of the world. I imagined what it would be like to be part of that universe: to collaborate with colleagues from other countries, to learn from different cultures, and to contribute to something much bigger than myself. At that time, it felt inspiring, but very far from my reality.

That dream stayed with me as I grew.

When I joined John Crane, part of Smiths, I realised that the world I once admired from afar had become part of my daily life. More than joining a global company, I became part of a culture built on integrity, respect and ownership. From the beginning, I had the opportunity to connect with colleagues from different countries - people who, just like me, are passionate about what they do and committed to doing the right thing.

One moment that truly brought this journey full circle happened last year, when HR colleagues from across Latin America came together in Mexico to design our regional HR strategy. Sitting in the same room, exchanging ideas, respecting different perspectives, and collectively taking ownership of our future was incredibly meaningful. It was a powerful example of Smiths values in action - collaboration, customer focus and passion for continuous improvement.

What motivates me the most is knowing that our work makes a difference. By supporting our people and building strong partnerships, we enable Smiths to deliver tailored solutions to customers around the world, always guided by ethics and trust.

Today, being part of Smiths motivates me every single day. I wake up knowing that I am living something I once only dreamed about. That young boy who admired global companies and imagined a life of impact could hardly believe that one day he would be part of it.

For me, Smiths is more than a company. It is the bridge between who I dreamed of becoming and who I am today.

I am proud to be part of this story and grateful to contribute to 175 years of Smiths.