Celebrating 175 years: Smiths honoured at the London Stock Exchange
Smiths marked its 175th anniversary with a special ceremony at the London Stock Exchange, celebrating its long-standing heritage in the UK and ongoing commitment to engineering excellence and innovation.
Senior leaders, colleagues and trusted partners gathered at the Exchange to commemorate this milestone.
Roland Carter, Chief Executive Officer of Smiths Group, opened proceedings by reflecting on the significance of the moment:
“It is a real pleasure to be here at the London Stock Exchange – and it is fitting that we are gathered here on such a special time for Smiths – our 175th year anniversary.”
Founded in 1851, Smiths has been listed in London for well over a century. From its origins in precision instrumentation to its position today as a global engineering business, the company has consistently focused on solving complex challenges that matter.
Across its history, Smiths has contributed to some of the most important moments in modern engineering – from enabling early advances in aviation to supporting industrial safety and efficiency through breakthrough technologies.
Roland added: “Very few companies can credibly claim a history that spans the Industrial Revolution, the dawn of aviation, the space age and the digital era. And yet Smiths has not just endured, but led.”
Today, Smiths operates globally, supporting customers across critical sectors including energy, industrials, construction and aerospace. While its footprint is international, the company remains proudly headquartered in the UK, with its London listing forming a consistent foundation for growth over decades.
The event also highlighted the company’s ambition for the future: to strengthen its position as a leading engineering company developing the next generation of STEM talent.
“As we look forward, our ambition is clear. We want Smiths to be a national engineering champion, and a place where the next generation of engineering talent can thrive”, Roland noted.
A defining feature of the success of Smiths is its people. During the ceremony, recognition was given to long-serving colleagues whose dedication has shaped the company’s culture and performance over many years.
“We are proud to have colleagues who have been with Smiths for decades – some for over 40 years. That level of commitment speaks volumes about our culture and is a huge part of why Smiths has such an amazing heritage, and a strong future ahead of us.”
The ceremony concluded with a sense of shared pride and momentum, marking not only a significant anniversary but also the ongoing evolution of a company that continues to adapt and lead in a changing world.
Roland concluded: “Here at the London Stock Exchange, in our 175th year, we have a lot to be proud of – and even more to look forward to. Here’s to Smiths. And here’s to another 175 years.”
Find out more about Smiths’ history.
