Smiths Group appoints Philip Bowman as Chief Executive

Smiths Group plc announces that Philip Bowman is appointed Chief Executive with effect from 10 December 2007. He will join the Board on that date. Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, who has been Chief Executive since November 1996, will retire on that date.
 
Donald Brydon, Chairman, Smiths Group, said: “I am delighted that Smiths has attracted such an able Chief Executive as Philip Bowman. Philip has previously led two FTSE100 companies and it is clear that he has the vision to take Smiths to the next phase in its development. After a full search, the Board concluded that Philip is the best possible candidate to build and grow the Group for the future.

“Keith Butler-Wheelhouse continues as Chief Executive until December, by which time he will have served Smiths in that role for 11 years. In that time he has presided over a transformation of the business to one that has world leading market positions and excellent prospects. For this he has my, and the Board’s, gratitude.”

Philip Bowman said: “I look forward enormously to joining a great British Multinational company and leading a team that has an enviable reputation for transforming cutting edge research into world leading products. I relish the challenge to build on this capability and deliver the next stage of the company’s development in the growing global markets that it serves.”

ENDS