Appointment of Group Managing Director Specialty Engineering and details of Finance Director transit

SMITHS Group plc today announced that Paul Cox has been appointed the new Group Managing Director, Specialty Engineering with effect from 1 August 2006, in succession to John Langston who is due to become Finance Director of Smiths Group in September 2006.

Paul Cox joined Smiths in January 2005, as President, Smiths Interconnect from Andrew Corporation in Chicago, Illinois, where he had led both its Satellite Communications and Antenna Products divisions. Prior to joining Andrew Corporation, he worked for 15 years at EMS Technologies in Norcross, Georgia, rising to become Senior Vice President of its Space and Technology Division. He is a US citizen and holds a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering gained at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He and his family will be relocating to London.

Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief Executive of Smiths Group, said: "I am delighted that Paul will be heading up our Specialty Engineering Division. He brings a strong track record of business leadership and success. With the support of his colleagues, he will continue to build on the growth already achieved across the Specialty Engineering division.

Also with effect from 1 August 2006, John Langston will become Finance Director-designate, working full-time alongside Alan Thomson, the Companys outgoing Finance Director, until the latters retirement on 6 September after which he will remain available to Smiths Group on a consulting basis for up to one year.

ENDS