Smiths Group management changes

Smiths Group plc today announces the appointment of Richard Ingram as President of Smiths Detection, replacing Brian Jones who is appointed to the new post of Group Commercial Director.  Both moves take effect on 1 May 2014.

A 51 year-old Briton, Ingram was until recently CEO at Zodiac Aerospace - Electrical Systems. He has held senior roles in a number of aviation and automotive companies including Goodrich Corporation and TRW.

Jones, Interim President of Detection for the past six months, will use his new role to strengthen the commercial skills of the Group and to leverage growth potential across all five businesses.  He will focus on all aspects of growth including: sales and marketing effectiveness, alignment of product development to customer needs, and emerging market expansion.  He was Chief Information Officer of Smiths Group for five years until October 2013.

Smiths Chief Executive Philip Bowman said: “Richard is an engineer with a strong commercial focus and a proven track record in customer-facing roles.  He has successfully led international teams and multi-site operations involving advanced technologies and complex programme management.  His skills and experience are ideally suited to improve performance and contract execution at Smiths Detection.

“I would like to thank Brian who in such a short time has built an improved foundation for taking Detection forward.  I am delighted he has accepted this important new role.  With our increased focus on growing revenue, now is the time to strengthen and enhance co-ordination across the Group’s growth initiatives.  Brian brings a commercial awareness that will drive greater customer intimacy, a deeper knowledge of what products satisfy market needs, and the capacity to develop these as effectively as possible.”

Stuart Beesley, who replaced Jones on an interim basis in October, is confirmed as Smiths Group Chief Information Officer.  Beesley has worked for 20 years in various senior roles across the Group, most recently in Business Information Services and Smiths Medical.

Ingram, Jones and Beesley will be members of the Executive Committee reporting to the Chief Executive.