6 February 2014

Directorate Change

Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, today announces in accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.11(2) R, that Richard De Schutter will retire as Senior Independent Director and Non-Executive Director, and that Ajay Piramal will retire as Non-Executive Director of Smith & Nephew plc at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 10 April 2014.

Sir John Buchanan, Chairman of Smith & Nephew commented:

“On behalf of the Board and management at Smith & Nephew, I would like to thank both Richard and Ajay for their significant contributions to the business. Richard, in his role as Senior Independent Director, has provided outstanding service and wise counsel to the Board through a period of significant growth and change.  Ajay has provided valuable insight into the emerging markets as we build our presence. We wish them both well in their future endeavours.”

Following the Annual General Meeting on 10 April 2014, and subject to his re-election as a Director of Smith & Nephew plc at the Annual General Meeting, Brian Larcombe will be appointed Senior Independent Director, in place of Richard De Schutter.  

Contact:

Investors

Phil Cowdy
Smith & Nephew
+44 (0) 20 7401 7646

Media

Charles Reynolds
Smith & Nephew
+44 (0) 20 7401 7646

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business dedicated to helping healthcare professionals improve people's lives. With leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine and Trauma & Extremities, Smith & Nephew has around 11,000 employees and a presence in more than 90 countries. Annual sales in 2013 were more than $4.3 billion. Smith & Nephew is a member of the FTSE100 (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN).

Forward-looking Statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements that may or may not prove accurate.  For example, statements regarding expected revenue growth and trading margins, market trends and our product pipeline are forward-looking statements.  Phrases such as "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. For Smith & Nephew, these factors include: economic and financial conditions in the markets we serve, especially those affecting health care providers, payers and customers; price levels for established and innovative medical devices; developments in medical technology; regulatory approvals, reimbursement decisions or other government actions; product defects or recalls; litigation relating to patent or other claims; legal compliance risks and related investigative, remedial or enforcement actions; strategic actions, including acquisitions and dispositions, our success in performing due diligence, valuing and integrating acquired businesses; disruption that may result from transactions or other changes we make in our business plans or organisation to adapt to market developments; and numerous other matters that affect us or our markets, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or reputational nature.  Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20-F, for a discussion of certain of these factors.

Any forward-looking statement is based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date of the statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew are qualified by this caution.  Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in circumstances or in Smith & Nephew's expectations.

Trademark of Smith & Nephew.  Certain marks registered US Patent and Trademark Office. 

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