GLOBAL technology firm Smiths Group, which started life as a family jeweller and clockmaker, has celebrated 100 years as a listed company by opening the trading session of the London Stock Exchange yesterday.

Smiths Group was first floated as S Smith & Sons on July 21, 1914, days before the outbreak of the First World War.

It is now one of the top 100 companies listed in London, with a market value of £4.8 billion and more than 23,000 employees in over 50 countries.