Smith+Nephew announces change of CEO

22 October 2019 | News

The Board has announced that Roland Diggelmann has been appointed as the Company’s new CEO

Smith+Nephew has announced that Namal Nawana will step down from the Board and his position as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by mutual agreement on 31 October 2019 to pursue other opportunities outside of the UK.

The Board has announced that Roland Diggelmann has been appointed as the Company’s new CEO and will take on his new responsibilities on 1 November 2019. Namal will be employed and provide advice and assistance to Roland in his new role until 31 December 2019 to help ensure a smooth transition.

Roland joined Smith+Nephew’s Board as a Non-Executive Director in March 2018, since when he has gained deep insight into the Company and its management team. His career has been spent in medical technology, most recently as CEO of Roche Diagnostics.

Prior to his 11-year career at Roche Diagnostics, Roland spent 12 years in the orthopaedics sector, serving in strategy and leadership roles at Sulzer Orthopedics and Zimmer, now Zimmer Biomet.

Roberto Quarta, Chairman of Smith+Nephew said, “On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to welcome Roland Diggelmann as Smith+Nephew’s incoming CEO. I am certain that Roland’s leadership qualities, combined with his excellent track record of delivering results in an innovation-led business, his deep expertise in the medical devices industry, and his knowledge of Smith+Nephew, make him the right person to build on the Company’s success into the future.”

"During his time with Smith+Nephew, Namal has substantially transformed the business with a new strategy, purpose and culture, and renewed commitment to innovation, returning it to an improved growth trajectory. I would like to thank Namal for his leadership and many contributions to the Company, our employees, customers and stakeholders.”

Roland Diggelmann said, “I am honoured to have been asked to lead Smith+Nephew at an exciting time for the business. As Non-Executive Director I have seen first-hand the strength of the Group’s people and its portfolio of leading technologies. I look forward to playing my part in shaping the future of the company and driving the next stage of growth.”

Namal Nawana said, “There is clear momentum behind our strategy laid out last year, underlined by the Company’s performance generated by our team during 2019. I am proud to be leaving Smith+Nephew in a strong position for the next phase of its development.” 

With immediate effect, Roland will cease to be a Non-Executive Director and steps down from the Audit Committee and Culture and Compliance Committee of the Board.

 

Comments

× Your session has been expired. Please click here to Sign-in or Sign-up
   New User? Create Account