Smith and Nephew, the global medical technology business, announced the appointment of Namal Nawana as CEO.
He will join the company and be appointed to the board as an executive director 7 May 2018.
Most recently, Namal was CEO of medical diagnostics company Alere, here he led the successful turnaround of this global business and oversaw its $5.3 billion acquisition by Abbott in 2017. He joined Alere as Chief Operating Officer in December 2012.
Prior to Alere, Namal spent more than 15 years at Johnson & Johnson, primarily in its Medical Devices & Diagnostics segment, in a number of progressively senior commercial leadership roles across markets including in the USA, Asia and Europe.
In 2011 he became Worldwide President of DePuy Synthes Spine, where he oversaw a transformation programme including substantial margin improvement and the integration of Synthes following its acquisition in 2012.
Namal will succeed Olivier Bohuon, who will step down from the Board on 7 May. During his notice period, Bohuon will be available in an advisory capacity to provide advice and assistance to Namal in his new role, to help ensure a smooth transition.
Namal Nawana said: “I am passionate about the medical devices industry where I have worked all my life and it is an honour to become the new Chief Executive of Smith and Nephew, a company I greatly admire. I am most excited by its portfolio of innovation which I believe gives an excellent platform from which to drive the business forward into its next exciting chapter.”
Nawana is an independent member of the board of Hologic.