She will take control of strategic leadership for the region, where there are some 48,000 employees managed by more than 50 different businesses.
Smith has had a wide-ranging international HR and commercial career. Until recently she was the HR director for Stansted Airport, and was one of the senior team involved in its £1.5 billion sale to Manchester Airports Group in February 2013.
Smith takes over from the Liz Ogden who has been covering the post part-time along with her role as G4S's director of organisational development.
