Smith+Nephew CFO Relocates to U.S.

Smith+Nephew’s chief financial officer (CFO) has left the company’s mother country.

CFO John Rogers recently relocated from the United Kingdom and is now based in the United States (effective Sept. 29), the orthopedic device behemoth announced this week.

More than half of Smith+Nephew’s revenue is generated by the United States, and it is expected to continue to be a major contributor to the company’s future growth. Given the significant amount of time the CFO already spends in the United States and in recognition of the U.S. market’s importance to Smith+Nephew’s strategy and operations, Rogers relocated to America (with the board’s blessing).

Having the CFO based in the United States will further enhance executive leadership and oversight of the region’s operations, reinforcing Smith+Nephew’s commitment to financial performance and operational excellence. This relocation will also foster closer collaboration with other U.S.-based senior leaders, thus supporting focused execution of the company’s business strategy. Rogers will continue to spend a significant portion of his time at Smith+Nephew’s global headquarters in the United Kingdom, and at its sites worldwide.

Since Rogers will be employed under a local U.S. employment contract, his compensation will be adjusted accordingly to align to local market practice and with the remuneration policy approved by shareholders at Smith+Nephew’s 2024 Annual General Meeting for executive directors based and employed in the United States.

The main elements of Rogers’ new remuneration arrangements are as follows:

• His base salary will be reduced from £750,375, or $1,013,006 at current exchange rates, to $875,000;
• His pension cash allowance will be reduced from 12% to 7.5% of base salary to align with pension provision of U.S. employees;
• His existing target bonus opportunity remains unchanged at 107.5% of base salary;
• His target Performance Share Plan award will increase from 137.5% to 150% of base salary applicable from Jan. 1, 2026; and
• Rogers is now eligible for an annual Restricted Share Plan award of 125% of base salary. The 2025 award will be pro-rated to allow for U.S. service over the vesting period.

The support provided to Rogers as he moves overseas to the United States will follow the Remuneration Policy and is consistent with support other employees receive when moving internationally within the organization, according to Smith+Nephew.

Smith+Nephew is focused on the repair, regeneration, and replacement of soft and hard tissue. Its 17,000 employees make a difference to patients’ lives through the firm’s product portfolio, and the invention and application of new technologies across three global business units—Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, and Advanced Wound Management. Founded in Hull, U.K., in 1856, Smith+Nephew currently operates in about 100 countries and generated $5.8 billion in 2024 sales. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100.