Smith and Nephew names Reed Elsevier chief as new board member

Smith and Nephew has announced the appointment of Erik Engstrom to its board as a non-executive director, effective as of January 1st 2015.

Mr Engstrom is the chief executive officer of publishing and information company Reed Elsevier, a position he has occupied since 2009. Prior to this, he headed up Elsevier, the division specialising in scientific and medical information.

The Swedish national's former employers include General Atlantic Partners, Random House and Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing. He holds a number of qualifications in business, having attended the Stockholm School of Economics and Harvard Business School.

His work in successfully reshaping Reed Elsevier's business in terms of portfolio and geographies led Smith and Nephew to select him for this directorial role.

Roberto Quarta, chairman of Smith and Nephew, said: "His deep understanding of how technology can be used to transform a business will be invaluable as we develop new commercial models that deliver attractive economics for patients, payers and healthcare providers."

The firm also recently announced the appointment of Vinita Bali as another new non-executive director, effective from December 1st 2014.