Smith+Nephew CFO John Rogers to Depart to Head Finance at Baxter

Smith+Nephew announced that after completion of its first half results that CFO John Rogers informed the board of his intent to leave his position to become executive VP and finance chief at global medical device company Baxter International.

Rogers will depart the company on September 30. He will immediately step down from the board of directors and a search has begun for his successor.

Rogers became the Watford, England-based company’s finance chief in the first quarter of 2024. Before that, he was CFO of WPP plc, J Sainsbury plc, and CEO of Argos, Habitat and Sainsbury’s clothing and general merchandise businesses.

On September 29, Rogers relocated from the UK to the U.S. for convenience and support of Smith+Nephew’s largest market.

Senior VP and group controller Pierre Palassian will serve as interim CFO until a successor is named.

Palassian boasts over 20 years of experience in finance leadership roles. He previously led Smith+Nephew’s finance function for its Global Operations, R&D, Advanced Wound Management, Sports Medicine, International Markets and Emerging Markets organizations.

He joined Smith+Nephew in June 2017, after holding senior roles at Abbvie and Abbott Labs.

“I would like to thank John for his many contributions over the last three years as we’ve delivered the 12-Point Plan, improved our financial performance and developed the RISE strategy,” said CEO Deepak Nath. “He has been a valued colleague and a highly regarded member of our Executive Committee.”

Earlier this week, the company launched its new Flow Flextend Coblation Wand, which is used for arthroscopic RF resection in the hip, knee, and shoulder. Smith+Nephew reported $1.6 billion in second-quarter revenue, up 2.8% year over year, driven by Sports Medicine strength and offset by softness in U.S. Orthopaedics and Advanced Wound Bioactives.