Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

Smiths Group plc (“Smiths” or “the Group”), announces that the Board has appointed Roland Carter as the Group’s Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of Smiths. Roland will take on his new responsibilities with immediate effect.

Paul Keel has decided to step down from his position as Chief Executive Officer and from the Board with immediate effect. Paul, who will be available to support a short handover, is returning to the USA where most of his family is based to take on a new role as chief executive of a US public company.

This appointment demonstrates the robust succession planning process that the Board has put in place, which cultivates internal talent. Roland is a highly respected leader who has a strong and consistent track record of leading innovation and growth and has been with Smiths for more than 30 years.

Since 2018, Roland has led Smiths Detection. Here he has been instrumental in developing its order book that has grown to be the largest in its history, underpinned by the recent technological innovation of the CTiX advanced baggage screening system. He has also notably increased Smiths Detection’s aftermarket revenue stream to greater than 50% of sales.

In his previous role as President of Smiths Asia Pacific, he established the foundations for the current organisation and focus on that region where he set up Smiths Group’s first joint venture in China. Similarly, he was the architect of critical elements of Smiths Interconnect and refocused that business through acquisition and divestment.

Roland has had a keen focus on innovation throughout his career, and he has been instrumental in developing Smiths Detection’s leading products alongside its sustainability and circular economy credentials. He is a chartered engineer, with extensive international experience and a deep knowledge of Smiths Group’s end markets and industry sectors.

Steve Williams, Chairman of Smiths Group, said: “We are delighted that Roland will become the next CEO of Smiths. Roland is a highly experienced and well-regarded leader with a deep knowledge of our business and end markets having been at Smiths for more than 30 years. Roland has a strong track record of performance and brings both continuity and progression in our journey towards delivering substantial shareholder value. I am looking forward to working together to achieve this goal.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Paul for his leadership and significant contribution to Smiths over the last three years. Paul has repositioned Smiths as a growth company and leaves the business well-placed to deliver on its potential. We wish him every future success.”

Roland Carter, Chief Executive Officer of Smiths Group, said: “It is a privilege to be appointed as the new Smiths CEO. The business has continued to deliver growth, improved execution and is now well placed for further strategic, financial and operational progress. I look forward to continuing to work with the Board, our customers, the leadership teams and all our employees, to deliver strong performance. It is an exciting time for Smiths.” 

Paul Keel said: “It has been a tremendous honour to have led this wonderful company over the past three years, working alongside our many talented employees, and I am proud of everything we have achieved together. I'm excited for what lies ahead for Smiths and to see Roland continue to build on its successes and deliver further value for all Smiths Group’s stakeholders.”

Jerome de Chassey, currently Vice President, Commercial at Smiths Detection, succeeds Roland Carter as President of Smiths Detection.

This announcement is made pursuant to LR 9.6.11 of the Listing Rules. Smiths Group confirms there is no further information to be disclosed under the requirements of LR 9.6.13 of the Listing Rules in relation to Roland Carter’s appointment.

This announcement includes inside information as defined in Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation No. 596/2014.

The person responsible for arranging the release of this announcement on behalf of Smiths Group is Matthew Whyte, Company Secretary.

Remuneration arrangements

Paul Keel’s remuneration on stepping down from the Company:

The below information is provided in accordance with section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006.

Further to Paul Keel’s resignation, in line with Smiths Directors' Remuneration Policy, he will forego his entitlement to AIP annual bonus for FY24. All unvested awards under the LTIP will lapse in accordance with the rules of that plan.  Paul Keel will retain the 56,891 shares that vested in October 2023, but they continue to be subject to the contractual holding period until 10 October 2025. Three deferred bonus awards as follows: 5,378 shares vesting November 2024; 14,941 shares vesting October 2025 and 26,010 shares vesting October 2026 will be preserved and will vest on their respective expected vesting dates. Paul Keel will be required to maintain a shareholding of 92,660 shares (inclusive of the above shares under the holding period and the deferred bonus awards) for a period of two years until 31 March 2026. Although Paul Keel will step down from his position as CEO and as a Director of Smiths with immediate effect, to facilitate a short handover, he will remain an employee and will continue to be paid his salary until 31 March 2024. He will not receive a payment in lieu of notice.

Roland Carter’s remuneration on appointment: Roland Carter will receive an annual salary of £940,000; a payment in lieu of pension at 12% in line with the UK workforce; a bonus opportunity of 200% of salary (with 1/3rd of any earned bonus deferred into shares for three years); an LTIP award with an annual grant of a fixed number of shares of 189,900 shares, subject to performance conditions measured over a three-year period with a further two-year holding period. Roland Carter’s employment contract requires 6 months' notice of termination by him and 12 months by the Company. He will also be entitled to other benefits in line with the Group's current Directors’ Remuneration Policy.

ENDS

IR contacts

Siobhán Andrews, Smiths Group
+44 (0) 7920 230093
Siobhan.andrews@Smiths.com

Media contacts

Tom Steiner, Smiths Group
+44 (0)7787 415891
tom.steiner@Smiths.com

Alex Le May, FTI Consulting
+44 (0)7702 443 312
Smiths@fticonsulting.com

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 213800MJL6IPZS3ASA11

About Smiths Group

For over 170 years, Smiths Group has been pioneering progress by improving our world through smarter engineering. We serve millions of people every year, to help create a safer, more efficient, and better-connected world, across four major global markets:  Energy, General Industry, Safety & Security and Aerospace. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Smiths employs more than 15,000 colleagues in over 50 countries. For more information visit www.smiths.com.