Smiths Group appoints GKN automotive boss as new CEO

7th Jul 2015 07:18

Technology firm Smiths Group has appointed the head of GKN's automotive division as its new chief executive.Andrew Reynolds Smith, who currently leads the driveline systems and powder metal components unit of GKN, will join Smiths on 25 September.The announcement followed Philip Bowman's decision last December to give the board early notification of his intention to retire as Smiths' CEO at the end of 2015 following eight years on the job.Smiths chairman Sir George Buckley said he was "delighted" to appoint the new CEO."Andrew has almost 20 years' experience running large, complex global industrial engineering operations with a track record of delivering turnarounds and above market growth rates," he said."His career has equipped him to grow businesses through innovation and technical excellence as well as through targeted M&A. Smiths will greatly benefit from his engineering insight and leadership skill."Smith joint GKN in 2002 and has held a number of senior positions across its automotive businesses. He was appointed to the board in 2007 and become the CEO of automotive operations in 2011.