St Jude Medical to introduce new business structure

St Jude Medical has announced a number of major changes to its business structure and leadership team to bolster its future growth prospects.

The company has elected to merge its two operating divisions into one integrated research and development organisation, while combining its manufacturing and supply chain operations worldwide.

As part of this, Michael Rousseau – previously the company's group president – has been promoted to chief operating officer, while implantable electronic systems division president Eric Fain will succeed him in his former role.

Meanwhile, Scott Thome has been named vice-president of global operations and supply chain, Lisa Andrade becomes chief marketing officer and Jeff Dallager takes up the post of vice-president and corporate controller.

The restructuring comes after a successful 12 months that saw St Jude Medical gradually improve its year-on-year performance over the course of 2013. This was achieved in part through the streamlining and efficiency measures the firm has been gradually introducing.

St Jude Medical chairman, president and chief executive officer Daniel Starks, said: "The changes we announced today will help us build on that success to further leverage our scale, align on our highest priorities and improve execution of our long-term growth programme."