Smith and Nephew appoints non-executive director

Smith and Nephew has announced the appointment of Dr Michael Friedman as a non-executive member of the board of directors, effective as of April 11th 2013.

Dr Friedman has acted as chief executive officer of the prestigious California-based cancer research and treatment institution City of Hope for the last ten years and has also previously served as deputy commissioner and acting commissioner at the US Food and Drug Administration.

He is also currently an independent director for Celgene and MannKind, meaning he has extensive expertise in healthcare matters.

The new director will help Smith and Nephew capitalise on changing healthcare industry conditions in established markets, and its growing presence in emerging territories.

Sir John Buchanan, chairman of Smith and Nephew, said: "He brings exceptional clinical and commercial experience of the US healthcare environment, a wealth of understanding of the US regulatory system and more than ten years' board experience."

Earlier this month, the company announced its financial results for the 2012 full-year period, during which it generated revenues of $4.14 billion (2.71 billion pounds).