Smiths non-executive director to retire at AGM

Smiths Group plc announces that Peter Jackson, the Company's Senior Independent Director for the past five years and a member of the Board since December 2003, will retire from the Board at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company on 17 November 2009.

He will be succeeded as Senior Independent Director by David Challen, CBE, who has been a member of the Board since 2004 and is Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Smiths Chairman Donald Brydon, CBE, said: "The Board has benefited from Peter's wisdom, guidance and perspective over the years and I would like to thank him for his role in the success of Smiths. I also welcome the appointment of David as his successor as Senior Independent Director."