Smiths Group Management Change in Medical Division

Lawrence Kinet, Group Managing Director - Medical, steps down from that role today and assumes personal responsibility for the international marketing of the Smiths Medical diabetes product range. Mr Kinet leaves the Smiths Board with immediate effect.

Einar Lindh, who retired from the Smiths Board in January 2005, rejoins the company to lead Smiths Medical on an interim basis. Mr Lindh, whose distinguished career with Smiths included 12 years in senior roles within the Medical division, will report to Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief Executive of Smiths Group.

Mr Butler-Wheelhouse said: "Lawrence has expressed a wish, as he approaches his planned retirement from Smiths, to concentrate on the 'Cozmo' product range which he was instrumental in launching. I am pleased that we are able to respond with this organisational change.

The search for Lawrences successor is already under way. Meanwhile we are very fortunate to have Einar Lindh available to us. Einars track record at Smiths Group, latterly as head of the Specialty Engineering division, is well known and his past experience within Medical will be invaluable. I look forward to working with Einar to secure the full potential of our Medical business."

The company will issue its normal year end trading statement in early August 2005.

ENDS