Zimmer appointments ‘offer boost to strategy implementation’

Zimmer has announced that two key board appointments will be of significant value to the firm as it looks to better work with management and carry out the company’s strategy.

Earlier this week, the orthopaedic firm announced the appointment of Robert A Hagemann and Cecil B Pickett to its board of directors.

Mr Pickett is currently president of research and development and a director of Biogen Idec, having held this position since September 2006.

Prior to this, he held a number of senior research and development posts at Schering-Plough and Merck and is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences.

Mr Hagemann is vice-president and chief financial officer of Quest Diagnostics and has held this role since August 1998, being promoted to senior vice-president in 2003.

John McGoldrick, chairman of the board of directors at Zimmer, said: “Bob’s financial acumen and Cecil’s scientific record will be of great value as we work with management to set Zimmer’s course and to implement our strategy.”

He added that he was delighted that these two men had chosen to join the company’s board.

Last month, Zimmer announced plans to expand its global manufacturing network with the construction of a 100,000 sq ft plant in Shannon, Ireland.