Our Smiths graduates are stepping up to the plate

'Life is not a spectator sport' - Jackie Robinson 

At Smiths we're committed to developing and empowering the next generation of talent. In August, our finance team welcomed university graduates from across the UK to our 2024 Finance Graduate Scheme.  Our scheme combines mastering specific core finance skills with achieving an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualification, AND gaining real world work experience on critical projects.

Our graduates will spend their first year with one of our business unit finance teams, and then six months at a second assignment in another office, followed by three half-year rotations in various group finance functions. The rotations provide an exciting mix of experiences to enable our grads to hone intangible skills in communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and empathy. Recent grads have rotated through Sydney, Tennessee, and Paris supporting important business initiatives.

The scheme has been a springboard for many careers. For example, Suzie Hardy started at Smiths in the 2004 cohort.  She now heads up Financial Planning and Analysis for Smiths Group as well as leading the Finance Graduate Scheme. Martin Hough, who joined the scheme in 1999, is now Financial Controller in Flex-Tek.  And Adam Powell, a Senior Finance Director in our John Crane business, joined in our 2005 cohort. 

When I spent time with our latest cohort in August, I told them that I remembered clearly my summer internship at Goldman Sachs, in the summer of 1995 while in an MBA programme.  It was challenging and inspiring; and it changed my career direction and trajectory.  After completing my summer internship and MBA, I then spent 25 years in investment banking before becoming CFO at Smiths Group.  I also shared some simple but powerful thoughts about making the most of the Finance Graduate Scheme and the importance of taking on stretch assignments and thinking critically, as well as asking for support when needed.

As Jackie Robinson, who was the first African American to play major league baseball, famously said, ‘Life is not a spectator sport.'  I challenged our new graduates to 'step up to the plate' and make the most of every assignment - show up, actively engage, think critically, and speak up.

I specifically encouraged them to speak up whenever they need more challenge and – equally – to speak up if they are ever feeling overwhelmed. It can be a fine line – and talking openly enables us to better ensure that they have the support they need to reach their full potential at Smiths.

I'm excited to see what impact our 2024 finance graduates will have.  Welcome to Ifrah Abdirahman, Damil Angus, Max Dexter, Thomas Dryden and Fabienne Merten.

I think you'll 'hit it out of the park....'

Clare Scherrer is Chief Financial Officer at Smiths Group plc

To find out more about or apply for our 2025 Finance Graduate Programme, check out our careers website.