12 December 2011 -- Smith & Nephew plc (LSE: SN, NYSE: SNN), the global medical technology business, today announces that Ajay Piramal will join the Board as a Non-Executive Director from 1 January 2012.
Mr Piramal is the Chairman of Piramal Group, the Mumbai-based conglomerate. Piramal Group spans the healthcare, original drug discovery, glass manufacturing, financial services and real estate industries and operates across India, USA, Canada, UK and China, amongst other territories. Its businesses include global healthcare and pharmaceutical company Piramal Healthcare Ltd and Piramal Glass Limited, both of which are listed on the National Stock Exchange of India and the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Mr Piramal is also Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Indian Institute of Technology (appointed 4th March 2010), a Member of the Board of Dean’s Advisors at the Harvard Business School (appointed 25th July 2011) and Chairman of Pratham India, the largest non-governmental organisation in the Indian education sector, which assists 33 million children annually through its “Read India” campaign (appointed 24th June 2002).
John Buchanan, Chairman of Smith & Nephew, commented:
“Ajay brings unique and highly valuable experience to Smith & Nephew, having built a world-class medical and industrial enterprise and he is one of India’s most respected businessmen. His industry and market knowledge, especially from working in locations such as India and China, will enrich the Board and help the executive team to deliver Smith & Nephew’s growth plans for the emerging markets. I am delighted he is joining our Board and very much look forward to working with him.”
In addition to his current roles, Mr Piramal has held a number of senior public service positions in India. These include serving on the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Task Force on Pharmaceuticals & Knowledge-Based Industries (2002), the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Council for Trade & Industry (2003) and the Board of Trade for India (2002). He was also a Member of the Central Board of Directors of the State Bank of India (1995-2007), India’s largest commercial bank.
He has held a number of global healthcare leadership positions, including membership of the World Economic Forum’s Governors’ Forum on Healthcare (2002-2007) and chairing the Drugs and Pharmaceutical Council of the National Council of Confederation of Indian Industry (2004- 2009).
Other than details of the directorships disclosed above, Mr Piramal has no further disclosures under paragraph 9.6.13 (1) to 9.6.13 (6) of the Listing Rules.
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About Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business with global leadership positions in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine, Trauma and Clinical Therapies. The Company has distribution channels, purchasing agents and buying entities in over 90 countries worldwide. Annual sales in 2010 were nearly $4.0 billion.
Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people’s lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust.
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