Our leadership

Sir George has had a long career in engineering and innovation, holding the role of Chairman and CEO of 3M, a US-based global technology company and Dow Jones 30 component, prior to joining Smiths. Earlier in his career Sir George was Chairman and CEO of Brunswick Corporation and Chief Technology Officer for appliances, motors and controls at Emerson Electric Company. Sir George has a PhD in Electrical Engineering and his extensive experience of large, multi-industry businesses operating in global markets supports his effective Chairmanship of the Board.

Role Profile - Chairman

- Non-executive Director, Hitachi, Ltd.
- Non-executive Chairman, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

Andy joined Smiths as Chief Executive in September 2015. Before joining Smiths Andy spent over a decade at GKN plc, a complex global engineering group, where he held the role of Chief Executive of the Automotive division and was a member of the Board. His previous experience includes senior management roles at Ingersoll Rand, Siebe plc (now Schneider Electric) and Delphi Automotive Systems. Andy’s former appointments as Chairman of the CBI Manufacturing Council and as a member of the Government Ministerial Advisory Group for Manufacturing enhance the in-depth industry knowledge he brings to the Board.

Role Profile - Chief Executive

John Shipsey was appointed to the Board and as Chief Financial Officer on 1 January 2018. John was Chief Financial Officer for Dyson, a diversified global technology company, prior to joining Smiths. He was part of the team leading Dyson’s global growth, particularly in Asia. Prior to that, John spent 13 years at Diageo plc in a number of senior finance and strategy roles, including Finance Director for its Iberia region and Chief Financial Officer of Schieffelin & Somerset, a US joint venture between Diageo and LVMH. John is a Chartered Accountant and has valuable experience leading innovative companies with a global presence.

Bruno Angelici was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director on 1 July 2010. Bruno’s career has included senior management roles in pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Bruno retired from AstraZeneca in 2010 as Executive Vice President, International, responsible for Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and MEA. Bruno’s extensive experience brings a deeper understanding of the healthcare environment and industry to the Board. Bruno has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a degree in Law from Reims University.

- Non-executive chairman, Vectura Group plc

Olivier Bohuon was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director on 1 July 2018. Prior to joining Smiths Olivier was Chief Executive at Smith & Nephew plc, a multinational medical equipment manufacturing company. His significant experience at global pharmaceutical and MedTech companies, including as CEO at Pierre Fabre Group and President of Abbott Pharmaceuticals, enables different perspectives to be considered during Board discussions. Olivier is a member of the French Academy of Pharmacy and the French Academy of Technologies, and has extensive business and leadership experience. He also has an MBA and a doctorate in Pharmacy.

- Non-executive Director, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
- Non-executive director, Virbac SA
- Non-executive Chairman, LEO Pharma

Professor Dame Ann Dowling was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director on 19 September 2018. Dame Ann has had a distinguished academic career and is currently a Deputy Vice Chancellor and an Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, where she served as Head of Engineering for five years until 2014. She served as the President and Chairman of Trustees of the Royal Academy of Engineering from 2014 to 2019. Dame Ann’s contribution to engineering research is internationally recognised, and her knowledge and background offer a different perspective to Board discussions. Dame Ann has a degree in mathematics and a PhD in engineering.

- Non-executive director, BP plc

Tanya Fratto was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director on 1 July 2012. Tanya has valuable experience in product innovation and sales and marketing across a range of sectors. Until 2010 she was CEO of Diamond Innovations Inc., a manufacturer of products for the material removal industry. Prior to this, Tanya held various senior positions during a successful 20-year career with GE, a multinational conglomerate. Tanya has extensive knowledge of operating in the US, a key region for the Group, is a qualified electrical engineer with a BSc in Electrical Engineering.

- Non-executive director, Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
- Non-executive director, Ashtead Group plc
- Non-executive director, Mondi Group

Bill Seeger was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director in May 2014. Bill was appointed Chair of the Remuneration Committee on 1 July 2018, and as Senior Independent Director at the 2018 AGM. Bill has had a long and successful career in finance in the engineering sector, gaining an in-depth knowledge of global markets. Bill’s extensive experience in global engineering businesses supports the Board’s robust decision-making. Bill was Group Finance Director at GKN plc, a global engineering group, until his retirement in 2014. At GKN he also held the roles of CEO of the Propulsion Systems Division, and CFO of the Aerospace Division. Prior to that, Bill spent 28 years at TRW, a US-based automotive and aerospace group, where he held various senior finance positions. Bill has a BA in economics and an MBA.

Role Profile - Senior Independent Director

- Non-executive director, Spectris plc
- Lecturer, UCLA Anderson School of Management

Mark Seligman was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director on 16 May 2016. Mark is a former senior investment banker and has extensive experience in corporate finance and capital markets which supports Board discussions regarding the Group’s portfolio management. He held various roles at Credit Suisse during his executive career, including Chairman of UK Investment Banking. Mark also brings non-executive experience to the Board, having served as senior independent director and audit committee chairman at FTSE100 companies. Mark is a Chartered Accountant, and has an MA in philosophy, politics and economics.

- Senior Independent Director, Kingfisher plc
- Senior Independent Director, The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc
- Alternate member, Panel on Takeovers and Mergers for the Association for Financial Markets in Europe

Noel Tata was appointed to the Board as a non-executive director on 1 January 2017. Noel is the Managing Director of Tata International Limited, a global trading and distribution company and a trading arm of the Tata Group, a privately-owned multinational holding company. He has had a long and successful career in global business with extensive experience of high growth economies, including Asia and Africa which are key markets for Smiths’ growth strategy. Noel has a BA in Economics.

With the exception of Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd, each of the following companies forms part of the Tata Group. All of the companies are listed on the Bombay and Indian National Stock Exchanges.

- Non-independent, non-executive chairman, Tata Investment Corporation
- Non-independent, non-executive chairman, Trent Ltd
- Non-independent, Vice Chairman, Titan Company Ltd
- Non-independent, non-executive chairman, Voltas Ltd
- Non-executive director, Kansai Nerolac Paints Ltd

Pam Cheng will join the Board as an independent non-executive director on 1 March 2020. She will stand for election by shareholders at the 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Pam is Executive Vice-President, Operations and Information Technology at AstraZeneca. Prior to joining AstraZeneca in 2015, Pam was President of MSD (Merck & Co., Inc.) in China. Pam was responsible for MSD's entire business in the country, including sales & marketing, commercial operations, R&D and Manufacturing. Previously she held various engineering and project management positions at Universal Oil Products, Union Carbide Corporation and GAF Chemicals. Pam’s experience in the areas of manufacturing, supply chain and technology gained with large global businesses in strategically important regions for Smiths will further strengthen the Board’s discussions on embedding world class operations. Pam holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in chemical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey and an MBA in marketing from Pace University in New York.

Non-executive director, Codexis. Inc.

Karin Hoeing will join the board as an independent non-executive Director on 2 April 2020. On joining the Board Karin will become a member of the Remuneration Committee. 

Karin Hoeing is BAE Systems plc Group Human Resources Director and joined the company in February 2018 from Schlumberger, the multi-national oil services company, where she was President, Wireline, responsible for leading one of the company’s major international business divisions. Prior to her appointment as President, Wireline, Karin held a number of senior HR, marketing, technology and line management leadership positions across Europe, the Middle East and Asia, during a career spanning more than 20 years at the company.

Karin is a German national and holds a degree of Diploma Geophysics (MSc Geophysics) from the University of Hamburg, Germany.

John has gained corporate governance and legal experience in a wide range of international businesses. He joined Smiths in 2018, having previously held senior roles in a variety of sectors, most recently at Anglo American plc, RSA Insurance Group plc and Cadbury plc. He has an LLB and is a Fellow of the ICSA: Governance Institute and a qualified solicitor.