Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Furnishings, Fixtures & Appliances / Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew

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FY2015 Annual Report · Smith & Nephew
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Better outcomes
Supporting healthcare professionals 
for over 150 years

ANNUAL REPORT 2015

SMITH & NEPHEW ANNUAL REPORT 2015 

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www.smith-nephew.com 

OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

Smith & Nephew supports healthcare 
professionals in more than 100 
countries in their daily efforts to 
improve the lives of their patients.

We do this by taking a pioneering 
approach to the design of our 
advanced medical products and 
services, by securing wider access 
to our diverse technologies for more 
customers globally, and by enabling 
better outcomes for patients and 
healthcare systems.

Front cover image: 
The ACCU-PASS◊ DIRECT was designed with size in mind, allowing surgeons to suture through the smallest tissues. To keep  
the operative site in focus, our Arthroscopes and VideoArthrocopes utilise wide-angle lens technology for optimal depth of field. 

 
SMITH & NEPHEW ANNUAL REPORT 2015 
SMITH & NEPHEW ANNUAL REPORT 2015 

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www.smith-nephew.com 

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11

OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS
OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE
OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS
OUR FINANCIALS

What’s in this report

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT 

>  2 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE  
OFFICER’S REVIEW 

>  4 

CHIEF FINANCIAL  
OFFICER’S REVIEW

>  6 

8 

SMITH & NEPHEW ANNUAL REPORT 2015 

www.smith-nephew.com

SMITH & NEPHEW ANNUAL REPORT 2015 

OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR GLOBAL BUSINESS

www.smith-nephew.com 

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>

10 

SMITH & NEPHEW ANNUAL REPORT 2015 

www.smith-nephew.com

SMITH & NEPHEW ANNUAL REPORT 2015 

OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

www.smith-nephew.com 

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Smith & Nephew is a leading global 
medical technology business

Products from our nine franchises are used by 
healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries.

We manage our business through global functions 
and regional selling businesses, meeting the distinct 
needs of both our Established and Emerging Markets.

We support healthcare professionals in their 
daily efforts to improve the lives of their patients

THE  
PRODUCTS 
 WE TAKE TO 
MARKET

REVENUE

KNEE IMPLANTS

$883m

HIP IMPLANTS 

$604m

SPORTS MEDICINE JOINT REPAIR

$606m

ARTHROSCOPIC ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

$573m

TRAUMA & EXTREMITIES

$497m

OTHER SURGICAL BUSINESSES

$205m

ADVANCED WOUND CARE

$755m

ADVANCED WOUND DEVICES

$167m

ADVANCED WOUND BIOACTIVES

$344m

OUR 
GEOGRAPHIES

UNITED STATES

The United States is the Group’s largest market. Due to its 
commercial importance to the Group its revenue is reported 
separately. The United States is also home to a number of 
manufacturing facilities.

REVENUE

$2,217m

EMPLOYEES

5,868

OTHER ESTABLISHED MARKETS

Other Established Markets comprise commercial  
operations in Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan and New 
Zealand, which accounted for 37% of Group revenue in 2015. 
We have manufacturing facilities in Canada and Europe.

REVENUE

$1,702m

EMPLOYEES

4,706

EMERGING MARKETS

Emerging Markets includes our commercial businesses 
in China, Asia, India, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Latin 
America. These generated 15% of Group revenue in 2015.  
We have manufacturing facilities in China, India and Russia.

REVENUE

$715m

EMPLOYEES

5,070

>    SEE MORE ABOUT THE PRODUCTS  
WE TAKE TO MARKET ON PAGE 16

>    SEE MORE ABOUT OUR GEOGRAPHIC  

MARKET AREAS ON PAGE 40

HOW WE  
DO THIS

OUR STRATEGY 
MAXIMISES 
PERFORMANCE

OUR 
ASSETS AND 
ACTIVITIES

OUTCOMES

PIONEERING APPROACH

We take a pioneering approach in order to create 
and supply the most exciting and differentiated 
products and services to our customers. It sets us 
apart	and	keeps	us	at the	forefront	of	our	industry.

ENSURING WIDER ACCESS

We’re committed to forging a path to create wider 
access to the latest technologies through new  
and exciting approaches to our global markets.  
We support healthcare professionals by making 
our products available for use with their patients, 
by designing, manufacturing and providing 
accessible products.

ENABLING BETTER OUTCOMES

We provide high quality products, medical 
education and services that are designed  
to help drive better clinical outcomes,  
supporting our customers in improving  
the lives of patients worldwide.

BUILD A STRONG POSITION IN ESTABLISHED MARKETS

Build upon existing strong positions, 
win market share through greater 
product and commercial innovation 
and	drive	efficiencies	to	liberate	
resources.

FOCUS ON EMERGING MARKETS

Deliver leadership in the Emerging 
Markets by building strong, direct 
customer relationships, widening 
access to our premium products 
and developing	portfolios	designed	
for the	economic	mid-tier	population.

INNOVATE FOR VALUE

Deliver pioneering products and 
business models that improve clinical 
and economical outcomes and widen 
access across geographies and 
patient groups.

SIMPLIFY AND IMPROVE OUR OPERATING MODEL

Pursue	maximum	efficiency	in	
everything we do, streamline our 
operations and manufacturing, 
remove duplication and build strong 
global functions to support our 
commercial teams.

SUPPLEMENT ORGANIC GROWTH WITH ACQUISITIONS

Build our platform by acquiring 
complementary technologies, 
manufacturing and distribution in the  
Emerging Markets and complementary 
products or businesses in our higher 
growth segments.

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Innovation is part of our culture,  
and we invest 5% of our revenue  
to	find	new	products	that	will	 
help healthcare providers improve  
patient lives.

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE

We are focused on doing business  
the right way, and apply strict  
business principles to the way we  
deal with our clients and partners.

MANUFACTURING & QUALITY

We operate our global manufacturing  
efficiently,	and	to	the	highest	possible	 
standards to ensure  
product quality at sensible pricing.

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Every year, thousands of healthcare  
professionals attend our training  
courses around the world. Education  
is a fundamental part of our vision.

SALES & MARKETING

We support our customers in over  
100 countries.	Our	sales	teams	are	 
highly specialised with an in-depth  
knowledge across	the	 
full range of product franchises.

OUR PEOPLE

Engaging, developing and retaining  
our 15,000 employees is important  
to us and we work hard to be  
an employer of choice as well  
as a responsible corporate citizen.

We evaluate our performance  
against our strategic priorities.

>    FOR MORE DETAIL, INCLUDING OUR KPIS,  

SEE THE FOLLOWING TWO PAGES

Our products help improve the  
quality of patients’ lives.

>    SEE OUR PRODUCT FRANCHISES  

ON PAGES 16 TO 27

We support our customers and develop  
their skills by providing training.

>    READ ABOUT OUR PROGRAMMES  

ON PAGES 34 TO 35

We aim to recruit, develop  
and retain the best people.

>    READ ABOUT OUR 15,000 EMPLOYEES  

ON PAGES 36 TO 37

We are committed to being  
a sustainable business.

>    READ ABOUT OUR PROGRESS IN 2015 

ON PAGES 38 TO 39

MAP KEY

	 Group	head	office	

  Global manufacturing

  Group distribution

	 Regional	head	offices

• 

 Commercial	offices	
(by country)

We continue to invest in acquisitions that provide opportunities to supplement organic growth, strengthen  
our technology and product portfolios and further establish our business in the Emerging Markets.

TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION

COLOMBIA ACQUISITION

RUSSIA ACQUISITION

Acquisition of Blue Belt Technologies, 
securing a leading position in the 
fast-growing area of orthopaedic 
robotics-assisted surgery.

Acquisition of EuroCiencia Colombia, 
Smith & Nephew’s sole distributor for 
orthopaedic reconstruction, trauma and 
sports medicine products in Colombia 
since 2006.

Acquisition of the trauma and 
orthopaedics business of DeOst LLC 
and DC LLC, a manufacturing company 
in the DeOst Group which has 
distributed Smith & Nephew’s products 
in Russia since 2009.

>    OUR GLOBAL BUSINESS 

ON PAGE 8

>    OUR BUSINESS MODEL CREATES VALUE  

ON PAGE 10

Strategic report includes pages 2-49

OVERVIEW

2  Chairman’s statement
3 
Financial highlights
4  Chief Executive Officer’s review
6  Chief Financial Officer’s review

OUR BUSINESS

8  Our global business
10  Our business model
12  Our KPIs
14  Our global market

* 

 These sections and pages 49, 113, 115, 117  
and 171 to 194 form the Director’s Report.

OUR PERFORMANCE

16  Our products
28  Our resources
36  Our people*
38  Sustainability*
40  Financial review 
42  Principal risks

GOVERNANCE

50  Our Board of Directors*
54  Our Leadership Team*
68  Corporate Governance Statement*
72  Audit Committee Report*
78  Directors’ Remuneration Report

OUR FINANCIALS AND  
OTHER INFORMATION

104   Directors’ responsibilities for  

the accounts*

105  Independent auditor’s US report
106  Independent auditor’s UK report
111  Critical accounting policies
112  Group accounts
119  Notes to the Group accounts
167  Company accounts
168  Notes to the Company accounts
175  Other financial information
185  Information for shareholders

>    FULL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
CONTENTS ON PAGE 103

 
 
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OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS
OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE
OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS
OUR FINANCIALS

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

A strong performance, demonstrating our  
actions are translating into positive outcomes

Dear Shareholder,

I am delighted to present Smith & 
Nephew’s 2015 Annual Report. During 
the year the Group made good financial 
and strategic progress. The increase 
in underlying revenue growth, trading 
profit margin and adjusted earnings 
year-on-year reflect management’s 
actions to improve both our commercial 
performance and operational efficiency.

Revenue was $4.6 billion, up 4% on an 
underlying basis before adjusting for currency 
and the benefits from acquisitions. Trading 
profit was $1.1 billion. The trading profit margin 
was 23.7%, up 80bps on the previous year. 
Adjusted earnings per share were 85.1¢, 
up 2%.

The Board is proposing a final dividend for the 
year of 19.0¢ per share, giving a total dividend 
distribution for 2015 of 30.8¢, up 4% year-on-
year and slightly ahead of earnings growth, 
reflecting our confidence in the business.

Strategy
We have continued to pursue the same 
strategy as in previous years, building a strong 
position in Established Markets, focusing 
on Emerging Markets, innovating for value, 
simplifying and improving our operating model 
and supplementing organic growth with 
acquisitions. The Board’s oversight ensures 
that management remains focused on these 
strategic priorities and that investments are 
made in line with these objectives

In 2015, the Board has continued our 
programme of understanding the business 
more deeply. We scheduled a number of 
sessions at the Board meetings held in 2015 
looking at different aspects of our business, 
including reviews of our European business 
with a focus on Iberia, our Emerging Markets 
business with a focus on China, and the 
development of products for the mid-tier. Our 
Board site visit to Durban, South Africa gave 
us insights into one of our oldest and fastest 
growing overseas businesses.

Our annual Strategy Review in September 
included presentations and discussions on a 
wide range of different areas of our business. 
This meeting underpins our confidence 
in management’s strategic priorities and 
future progress.

Members of the Board also attend significant 
management meetings. For instance, during 
2015, I attended the Managing Director’s 
meeting and Robin Freestone attended the 
CEO led meeting for top talent. We also attend 
investor presentations.

Corporate governance
As a Board, we feel strongly that good 
corporate governance lies at the heart of a well-
run Company. Openness and transparency, 
accountability and responsibility should run 
through everything that we do, both as a Board 
and throughout the business as a whole. The 
Board and I aim to set the tone at the top which 
pervades throughout the organisation.

Later in this report, as well as the standard 
corporate governance disclosures we are 
required to make, you will find reports from Ian 
Barlow, Michael Friedman, myself and Joseph 
Papa, the Chairmen of our Board Committees 
on the activities of these committees 
throughout the year (pages 68 to 79). These 
reports explain where we focused our work in 
2015 and our plans for 2016. 

Risk management and  
the Viability Statement
During 2015, we spent time considering what 
work would need to be done to make us 
feel comfortable in making the new Viability 
Statement. Both the Board and the Audit 
Committee received papers from the Group 
Risk Officer during the year and we discussed 
risk in depth at our Annual Strategy Meeting 
in September. 

Smith & Nephew’s transformation  
is delivering stronger growth.

 
 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

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OUR FINANCIALS

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Board succession planning
We continued the work we started in 2014 in 
refreshing the Board following the retirement 
of some longer-serving directors. Vinita Bali 
joined the Board at the end of 2014. She was 
followed by Erik Engstrom in January 2015 and 
Robin Freestone in September 2015. After the 
changes to Board composition made over the 
past two years, we are confident that we now 
have a Board with the appropriate balance of 
skills, experience and diversity to lead Smith & 
Nephew through the next stage of our history.

Olivier Bohuon
In February we announced that our Chief 
Executive Officer, Olivier Bohuon, had been 
diagnosed with a highly treatable form of 
cancer. Olivier will remain Chief Executive 
Officer and be actively involved in running 
the Company through much of his treatment 
period, which is expected to be completed 
by late autumn. The Board has approved 
provisional governance procedures to ensure 
the effective operation of Smith & Nephew 
during the treatment period, and I will provide 
executive oversight if required.

Sir John Buchanan
It is with great sadness that we learnt of the 
passing of our former Chairman of the Board, 
Sir John Buchanan, during the year. Sir John 
was a wise, distinguished and respected 
colleague who served Smith & Nephew and 
many other companies with great distinction. 
His legacy of integrity, strong values and high 
standards will live on here at Smith & Nephew.

Thank you for placing your trust in us as a Board 
by holding shares in Smith & Nephew. The 
Board takes our responsibilities very seriously 
and look forward to continuing to govern the 
Company in 2016 and returning good results for 
you, our shareholders.

Yours sincerely,

Roberto Quarta
Chairman

REVENUE1 

TRADING PROFIT1,2 

$4,634m
+4%

$1,099m
+5%

DIVIDEND PER SHARE 

OPERATING PROFIT 

30.8¢
+4%

$628m
–16%

ADJUSTED EARNINGS PER SHARE 
EPSA2

EARNINGS PER SHARE 
EPS

85.1¢
+2%

45.9¢
–18%

CASH CONVERSION 

R&D EXPENDITURE AS A 
PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE

85%
+15%

>    OUR PERFORMANCE 
ON PAGES 12 TO 13

>    DETAIL OF NON-GAAP MEASURES 

ON PAGES 177 TO 178

5%

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are after adjusting for the effects 
of currency translation and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions 
and exclusion of disposals. 

2  These are non-GAAP financial measures. Explanations of these non-GAAP financial 

measures are provided on pages 177 to 178.

 
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CHIEF EXECUTIVE  
OFFICER’S REVIEW

2015 was a good year

These strong results demonstrate the 
anticipated positive effects of our actions 
coming through across the Group. Where  
we have invested to improve existing 
businesses we are beginning to reap 
the benefits.

Dear Shareholder,

Smith & Nephew delivered an improved 
performance in 2015 through focused 
innovation, better commercial execution 
and greater efficiency. We began to reap 
the benefits of our investments and 
operational improvements across the 
Group as we continued to deliver against 
our strategic priorities.

A stronger commercial 
performance
Geographically, we drove growth in all of our 
regions in 2015. In our Established Markets we 
delivered 5% growth in the United States, our 
largest market, a significant improvement on 
the previous year. We successfully stabilised 
our European business which delivered a 
better outturn year-on-year, and our Australia, 
New Zealand and Japan region delivered 
good growth, led by the Advanced Wound 
Management businesses.

In the Emerging Markets we delivered 11% 
revenue growth in 2015 despite the slow-down 
in China. Whilst we expect growth in China 
to remain below previous levels in the near 
term, it remains a very attractive market and 
we are committed to building our business 
here. We continued to successfully deliver 
strong revenue growth across the rest of the 
Emerging Markets. 

Global franchise highlights in 2015 included the 
performance of Sports Medicine, which was 
strengthened by the ArthroCare acquisition. 
The Advanced Wound Management 
businesses delivered a significantly better 
outcome following new management initiatives. 
Orthopaedic Reconstruction grew ahead of the 
market driven by our Knee Implant franchise. 

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE  
OFFICER’S REVIEW

We are further strengthening our commercial 
platform by aligning under a newly created role 
of Chief Commercial Officer tasked with driving 
commercial excellence across the organisation 
globally. We are also bringing all of our US 
Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, 
Trauma and Advanced Wound Management 
businesses under one leader, completing 
the roll-out of our ‘single managing director’ 
model globally.

Focused on innovation 
We continue to innovate for value. Through our 
Research and Development (‘R&D’) strategy 
we deliver pioneering products and services, 
and drive innovation across the markets we 
serve. In 2015, we reiterated our commitment to 
innovation by announcing a single global R&D 
organisation, to be led by a new President of 
Global R&D, reporting to me.

We launched many new products in 2015 
and made good progress with our innovative 
business models, including Syncera◊, our value 
solution for orthopaedic reconstruction. We 
have a strong new product line-up for this year. 
With increased focus on R&D we will apply 
more resource to the development of disruptive 
products and services that increasingly define 
Smith & Nephew and will help drive our 
success in the future.

Successful acquisition track record
Smith & Nephew has established a successful 
acquisition track record in recent years. 
With Healthpoint Biotherapeutics, acquired 
in 2012, our third year return on capital has 
exceeded our weighted average cost of capital, 
despite certain issues we had to address 
with regard to facilities acquired. ArthroCare, 
acquired in 2014, is performing in-line with our 
expectations and we are ahead of our plan to 
deliver $85 million of synergies by 2017.

In 2015, we continued to invest in acquisitions 
that provide opportunities to supplement our 
organic growth, strengthening our technology 
and product portfolios and our Emerging 
Markets business. Blue Belt Technologies, 
announced in October 2015, has given us 
a leading position in the fast-growing area 
of robotics-assisted orthopaedic surgery. In 
Russia we acquired a trauma and orthopaedics 
distribution business that includes mid-tier 
manufacturing. In Colombia, one of the largest 
economies in Latin America, we acquired our 
distributor for orthopaedic reconstruction, 
trauma and sports medicine products. 

Proud of our heritage
Smith & Nephew is 160 years old. From our 
roots in Hull, UK, we have become a global 
business that is proud to support healthcare 
professionals in their daily efforts to improve 
their patients’ lives in more than 100 countries.

Our longevity is due in large part to the 
excellence of our employees. As I visit our sites 
and meet our teams I am constantly impressed 
by their integrity and dedication to our core 
values of innovation, trust and performance. 
I thank them all for their work. I know we 
were all proud when our commitments to 
act sustainably and responsibly were again 
recognised by the FTSE4Good and Dow Jones 
Sustainability indices.

Excited by our prospects 
Whilst we are pleased with our progress in 
2015, it was just one step on our journey. I am 
confident that we will continue to build an ever 
more successful company, a medical device 
company that is truly like no other. 

Yours sincerely,

Olivier Bohuon
Chief Executive Officer

REVENUE1

$4.6bn
+4%

2011 
4,270

 2012 
4,137

2013 
4,351

2014 
4,617

2015 
4,634

TRADING PROFIT MARGIN1,2

+80bps

2011 
22.5

2012 
23.3

2013 
22.7

2014 
22.9

2015 
23.7

>    OUR PERFORMANCE 
ON PAGES 12 TO 13

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are after adjusting for the effects 
of currency translation and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions 
and exclusion of disposals.

2  This is a non-GAAP financial measure. Explanations of non-GAAP financial measures 

are provided on pages 177 to 178.

 
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CHIEF FINANCIAL  
OFFICER’S REVIEW

Re-invigorating Smith & Nephew

Striving to achieve ever greater  
efficiencies is an important element  
of Smith & Nephew’s strategy. 
It liberates resources for investment, 
and benefits our margin.

TRADING PROFIT1,2

$1,099m
+5%

EARNINGS PER SHARE 
(ADJUSTED)2

85.1¢
+2%

Dear Shareholder,

Group revenue in 2015 was 
$4,634 million (2014 – $4,617 million), 
an increase of 4% on an underlying basis 
and flat on a reported basis. Foreign 
exchange movements reduced revenue 
by 8% partially offset by acquisitions, 
which added 4% to the reported 
growth rate.

Revenue growth was 5% in the US, 1% across 
our Other Established Markets and 11% in the 
Emerging Markets. 

Trading profit was $1,099 million (2014 – 
$1,055 million). The trading profit margin was 
23.7% (2014 – 22.9%), up 80bps, reflecting 
the benefits from the Group Optimisation 
programme and synergies from the 
ArthroCare acquisition.

Reported operating profit of $628 million 
(2014 – $749 million) is after integration and 
acquisition costs, as well as restructuring 
and rationalisation costs, amortisation and 
impairment of acquired intangibles and legal 
and other items incurred in the full year. 
The 2015 operating profit was lowered by a 
$203 million accounting charge relating to a 
legal settlement and provision explained below.

The tax rate for the full year is 26.8% on trading 
results (2014 – 27.7%), a 90bps reduction 
year-on-year. We expect the tax rate on trading 
results to be 26.5% or slightly lower for 2016, 
barring any changes to tax legislation. 

Adjusted earnings per share was 85.1¢ (170.2¢ 
per American Depositary Share (‘ADS’)) 
compared to 83.2¢ last year, up 2%, which 
would have been up 9% at constant exchange 
rates. Basic earnings per share was 45.9¢  
(91.8¢ per ADS) (2014 – 56.1¢), primarily 
in recognition of the metal-on-metal 
accounting charge.

Trading cash flow was $936 million in the year. 
The trading profit to cash conversion ratio was 
85% (2014 – 74%), a year-on-year improvement 
in working capital management.

Net debt was $1,361 million, down from 
$1,613 million at the end of Q4 2014. This 
represents a reported net debt/EBITDA ratio of 
1.0x. The Blue Belt acquisition was completed 
after the year end for $279 million.

2011 
961

 2012 
965

2013 
987

2014 
1,055

2015 
1,099

2011 
73.7

2012 
74.8

2013 
76.9

2014 
83.2

2015 
85.1

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are 
after adjusting for the effects of currency translation 
and the inclusion of the comparative impact of 
acquisitions and exclusion of disposals. 

2  These are non-GAAP financial measures. Explanations 
of these non-GAAP financial measures are provided on 
pages 177 to 178.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

Outlook
In 2016, we expect to deliver continued good 
underlying revenue growth as we benefit 
from our investments in existing businesses, 
acquisitions and pioneering technologies.

We would have expected our trading profit 
margin to reach or exceed 24% in 2016, 
including the 60bps dilution from investing in 
the Blue Belt Technologies product pipeline. 
However, our margin will be reduced by a 
significant –120bps transactional currency 
headwind based on current exchange rates, 
as highlighted in our Q3 results.

We have a clear strategy that is re-invigorating 
Smith & Nephew and I am confident that we 
will continue to execute successfully in 2016 
and beyond. 

Yours sincerely,

Julie Brown
Chief Financial Officer

Enhancing Group efficiency 
We continue to simplify and improve our 
operating model, becoming more efficient in 
2015. Our programme to realise more than 
$120 million of annual savings is progressing 
ahead of plan, and had delivered $100 million 
of annualised benefits at year end. The 
suspension of the Medical Device Excise Tax 
will present us with opportunities to accelerate 
investment in our quality and regulatory 
systems and health economics teams, 
particularly in support of the US market. 

Acquisitions
We completed the acquisition of ArthroCare 
on 29 May 2014, further strengthening our 
Sports Medicine franchises. This business is 
performing in-line with our expectations. We 
are ahead of our plan to deliver $85 million 
of synergies by 2017 and have achieved 
almost all our targeted cost savings. Revenue 
synergies will continue to be delivered over the 
coming years.

Just after the year end, on 4 January 2016, 
we acquired Blue Belt Technologies for 
$279 million, giving us a leading position in 
the fast-growing area of orthopaedic robotics-
assisted surgery. We expect strong revenue 
growth from Blue Belt Technologies. Investment 
in the combined R&D programmes and 
supportive clinical evidence will dilute Group 
trading profit margin by around 60bps in 
2016, with the BlueBelt Technologies business 
becoming profitable in 2018. 

CHIEF FINANCIAL  
OFFICER’S REVIEW

Legal settlement and provision
During the fourth quarter of 2015, 
Smith & Nephew settled the majority of US 
metal-on-metal hip claims, without admitting 
liability with the net cash cost after insurance 
recoveries being $25 million. These claims 
principally related to Smith & Nephew’s 
portfolio of modular metal-on-metal hip 
products (such as the R3 metal liner), which 
are no longer on the market. 

We have taken an accounting charge of 
$203 million to cover both this net cost and 
also the present value of the estimated costs to 
resolve all other known and anticipated claims 
over the coming years. This amount does not 
include associated legal fees or any possible 
insurance recovery on these other claims as 
such recoveries cannot be recognised for 
accounting purposes until virtually certain. The 
Group carries considerable product liability 
insurance and we will continue to defend 
claims vigorously. The estimate is based on 
an actuarial model with assumptions relating 
to the number of claims and outcomes, and is 
subject to revision as circumstances evolve. 

Capital returns
The efficient use of capital on behalf of 
shareholders is important to Smith & Nephew. 
The Board believes in maintaining an efficient, 
but prudent, capital structure, while retaining 
the flexibility to make value enhancing 
acquisitions. This approach is set out in our 
Capital Allocation Framework which we used 
to prioritise the use of cash and ensure an 
appropriate capital structure. 

Our commitment, in order of priority, is to: 

1.  continue to invest in the business to drive 

organic growth; 

2.  maintain our progressive dividend policy; 

3.  realise acquisitions in-line with strategy; and 

4.  return any excess capital to shareholders. 

This is underpinned by maintaining leverage 
ratios commensurate with solid investment 
grade credit metrics. 

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR GLOBAL BUSINESS

Smith & Nephew is a leading global 
medical technology business

MAP KEY

	 Group	head	office	

  Global manufacturing

  Group distribution

	 Regional	head	offices

• 

 Commercial	offices	
(by country)

We continue to invest in acquisitions that provide opportunities to supplement organic growth, strengthen  
our technology and product portfolios and further establish our business in the Emerging Markets.

TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION

COLOMBIA ACQUISITION

RUSSIA ACQUISITION

Acquisition of Blue Belt Technologies, 
securing a leading position in the 
fast-growing area of orthopaedic 
robotics-assisted surgery.

Acquisition of EuroCiencia Colombia, 
Smith & Nephew’s sole distributor for 
orthopaedic reconstruction, trauma and 
sports medicine products in Colombia 
since 2006.

Acquisition of the trauma and 
orthopaedics business of DeOst LLC 
and DC LLC, a manufacturing company 
in the DeOst Group which has 
distributed Smith & Nephew’s products 
in Russia since 2009.

 
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OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS
OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE
OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS
OUR FINANCIALS

OUR GLOBAL BUSINESS

Products from our nine franchises are used by 
healthcare professionals in more than 100 countries.

We manage our business through global functions 
and regional selling businesses, meeting the distinct 
needs of both our Established and Emerging Markets.

THE  
PRODUCTS 
 WE TAKE TO 
MARKET

REVENUE

KNEE IMPLANTS

$883m

HIP IMPLANTS 

$604m

SPORTS MEDICINE JOINT REPAIR

$606m

ARTHROSCOPIC ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES

$573m

TRAUMA & EXTREMITIES

$497m

OTHER SURGICAL BUSINESSES

$205m

ADVANCED WOUND CARE

$755m

ADVANCED WOUND DEVICES

$167m

ADVANCED WOUND BIOACTIVES

$344m

OUR 
GEOGRAPHIES

UNITED STATES

The United States is the Group’s largest market. Due to its 
commercial importance to the Group its revenue is reported 
separately. The United States is also home to a number of 
manufacturing facilities.

REVENUE

$2,217m

EMPLOYEES

5,868

OTHER ESTABLISHED MARKETS

Other Established Markets comprise commercial  
operations in Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan and New 
Zealand, which accounted for 37% of Group revenue in 2015. 
We have manufacturing facilities in Canada and Europe.

REVENUE

$1,702m

EMPLOYEES

4,706

EMERGING MARKETS

Emerging Markets includes our commercial businesses 
in China, Asia, India, Russia, Middle East, Africa and Latin 
America. These generated 15% of Group revenue in 2015.  
We have manufacturing facilities in China, India and Russia.

REVENUE

$715m

EMPLOYEES

5,070

>    SEE MORE ABOUT THE PRODUCTS  
WE TAKE TO MARKET ON PAGE 16

>    SEE MORE ABOUT OUR GEOGRAPHIC  

MARKET AREAS ON PAGE 40

 
 
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OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS
OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE
OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS
OUR FINANCIALS

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

We support healthcare professionals in their 
daily efforts to improve the lives of their patients

HOW WE  
DO THIS

OUR STRATEGY 
MAXIMISES 
PERFORMANCE

BUILD A STRONG POSITION IN ESTABLISHED MARKETS

PIONEERING APPROACH

We take a pioneering approach in order to create 
and supply the most exciting and differentiated 
products and services to our customers. It sets us 
apart	and	keeps	us	at the	forefront	of	our	industry.

ENSURING WIDER ACCESS

We’re committed to forging a path to create wider 
access to the latest technologies through new  
and exciting approaches to our global markets.  
We support healthcare professionals by making 
our products available for use with their patients, 
by designing, manufacturing and providing 
accessible products.

ENABLING BETTER OUTCOMES

We provide high quality products, medical 
education and services that are designed  
to help drive better clinical outcomes,  
supporting our customers in improving  
the lives of patients worldwide.

Build upon existing strong positions, 
win market share through greater 
product and commercial innovation 
and	drive	efficiencies	to	liberate	
resources.

FOCUS ON EMERGING MARKETS

Deliver leadership in the Emerging 
Markets by building strong, direct 
customer relationships, widening 
access to our premium products 
and developing	portfolios	designed	
for the	economic	mid-tier	population.

INNOVATE FOR VALUE

Deliver pioneering products and 
business models that improve clinical 
and economical outcomes and widen 
access across geographies and 
patient groups.

SIMPLIFY AND IMPROVE OUR OPERATING MODEL

Pursue	maximum	efficiency	in	
everything we do, streamline our 
operations and manufacturing, 
remove duplication and build strong 
global functions to support our 
commercial teams.

SUPPLEMENT ORGANIC GROWTH WITH ACQUISITIONS

Build our platform by acquiring 
complementary technologies, 
manufacturing and distribution in the  
Emerging Markets and complementary 
products or businesses in our higher 
growth segments.

 
 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR BUSINESS MODEL

OUR 
ASSETS AND 
ACTIVITIES

OUTCOMES

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Innovation is part of our culture,  
and we invest 5% of our revenue  
to	find	new	products	that	will	 
help healthcare providers improve  
patient lives.

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE

We are focused on doing business  
the right way, and apply strict  
business principles to the way we  
deal with our clients and partners.

MANUFACTURING & QUALITY

We operate our global manufacturing  
efficiently,	and	to	the	highest	possible	 
standards to ensure  
product quality at sensible pricing.

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Every year, thousands of healthcare  
professionals attend our training  
courses around the world. Education  
is a fundamental part of our vision.

SALES & MARKETING

We support our customers in over  
100 countries.	Our	sales	teams	are	 
highly specialised with an in-depth  
knowledge across	the	 
full range of product franchises.

OUR PEOPLE

Engaging, developing and retaining  
our 15,000 employees is important  
to us and we work hard to be  
an employer of choice as well  
as a responsible corporate citizen.

We evaluate our performance  
against our strategic priorities.

>    FOR MORE DETAIL, INCLUDING OUR KPIS,  

SEE THE FOLLOWING TWO PAGES

Our products help improve the  
quality of patients’ lives.

>    SEE OUR PRODUCT FRANCHISES  

ON PAGES 16 TO 27

We support our customers and develop  
their skills by providing training.

>    READ ABOUT OUR PROGRAMMES  

ON PAGES 34 TO 35

We aim to recruit, develop  
and retain the best people.

>    READ ABOUT OUR 15,000 EMPLOYEES  

ON PAGES 36 TO 37

We are committed to being  
a sustainable business.

>    READ ABOUT OUR PROGRESS IN 2015 

ON PAGES 38 TO 39

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR KPIS

How we performed

OUR 
PERFORMANCE 
AGAINST OUR 
STRATEGY

BUILD A STRONG POSITION 
IN ESTABLISHED MARKETS

Established Markets for Smith & Nephew 
are Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, 
New Zealand and the US.

Geographically, we delivered 5% growth 
in the United States, our largest market, a 
significant improvement on the previous 
year. We successfully stabilised our 
European business, which delivered a 
better outcome year-on-year, and our 
Australia, New Zealand and Japan region 
delivered good growth, led by the Advanced 
Wound Management businesses. 

Global franchise highlights included good 
performances from Sports Medicine, 
strengthened by the ArthroCare acquisition; 
the Advanced Wound Management 
businesses, following new management 
initiatives; and Orthopaedic Reconstruction, 
which grew ahead of the market driven by 
our Knee Implant franchise. 

We are further strengthening our 
commercial platform by aligning under a 
newly created role of Chief Commercial 
Officer, tasked with driving commercial 
excellence across the organisation. We 
are also bringing all of our US Orthopaedic 
Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, Trauma 
and Advanced Wound Management 
franchises under one leader, completing 
the roll-out of our single managing director 
model globally. 

FOCUS ON EMERGING MARKETS 

Our Emerging Markets represent those 
outside of the Established Markets, 
including the BRIC group of Brazil, Russia, 
India and China. These countries now 
represent 15% of Smith & Nephew’s 
revenue, up from 8% in 2010, reflecting our 
continuing effort to rebalance our business 
and build share in higher growth markets. 
The overall percentage of Group revenue in 
2015 compared to 2014 has been impacted 
by the strengthening of the US dollar.

In the Emerging Markets we delivered 
11% revenue growth in 2015 despite the 
significant slow-down in China. Whilst 
we expect growth in China to remain 
below previous levels in the near-term, it 
remains a very attractive market and we are 
committed to building our business there.

We continued to deliver strong revenue 
growth across the rest of the Emerging 
Markets, led by South Africa, India and the 
Middle East. Excluding China, Emerging 
Markets growth would have been in-line 
with the trend of the last five years.

We enhanced our commercial footprint 
and product portfolio. In Russia we 
acquired a trauma and orthopaedics 
distribution business that includes mid-tier 
manufacturing. In Colombia, one of the 
largest economies in Latin America, we 
acquired our distributor for orthopaedic 
reconstruction, trauma and sports 
medicine products. 

REVENUE FROM  
ESTABLISHED MARKETS1

REVENUE FROM EMERGING  
& INTERNATIONAL MARKETS1

$3,919m 
2015

2014

2013

2012

+3%
3,919m

3,940m

3,788m

3,654m

$715m 
2015

2014

2013

2012

+11%
715m

677m

563m

483m

AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROUP REVENUE

15% 

2015

2014

2013

2012

15%

15%

13%

12%

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR KPIS

INNOVATE FOR VALUE 

SIMPLIFY AND IMPROVE  
OUR OPERATING MODEL

SUPPLEMENT ORGANIC  
GROWTH WITH ACQUISITIONS

We continued to innovate for value in 2015. 
Through our Research and Development 
(‘R&D’) strategy we deliver pioneering 
products and services, and drive innovation 
across the markets we serve. Products 
such as the JOURNEY◊ II Total Knee System 
and our VERILAST◊ bearing surface provide 
our customers with unique features and 
successfully differentiate Smith & Nephew.

We launched many new products in 2015 
and have a strong new product line-up  
for 2016 as the result of our internal 
programmes and recent acquisitions. 
We also made good progress with our 
innovative business models, including 
Syncera, our value solution for orthopaedic 
reconstruction. This completed its US pilot, 
and we now have a number of trained 
and fully operational customer sites. We 
are encouraged by the reception from 
healthcare providers. 

The total investment in R&D in the year 
was reduced when we stopped the 
phase 3 programme for HP802-247 
(announced 2014).

In 2015, we reiterated our commitment to 
innovation by announcing a single global 
R&D organisation to be led by a new 
President of Global R&D. With increased 
focus on R&D we will apply more resource 
to the development of disruptive products 
and services that increasingly define Smith 
& Nephew and will help drive our success 
in the future.

During 2014, we launched a Group 
Optimisation programme to target 
$120 million of efficiencies. We identified 
four main areas of activity:
1)  Examining our supporting functions such 
as Finance, HR, IT and Legal to ensure 
that we are operating most effectively to 
support business growth.

2) Driving procurement savings to get the 
most value from the money we spend.

3) Optimising our footprint to ensure 

it matches our strategy and 
future aspirations.

4) Further simplifying our operating model, 
including aligning our management 
structure so that we can make decisions 
more quickly and effectively. 

We have made significant progress 
delivering this programme, and at the end 
of 2015 were ahead of plan, having realised 
$100 million of annualised benefits. 

We continue to look at opportunities 
to improve efficiency, creating global 
commercial and R&D organisations and 
implementing our single managing director 
model in the US at the start of 2016. The 
suspension of the Medical Device Excise 
Tax will present us with opportunities to 
accelerate investment in our quality and 
regulatory systems and health economics 
teams, particularly in support of the 
US market. 

Smith & Nephew has established a 
successful acquisition track record in 
recent years. Our two largest acquisitions 
are performing strongly. With Healthpoint 
Biotherapeutics, acquired in 2012 for 
$782 million, our third year return on capital 
has exceeded our plan and also our 
weighted average cost of capital, despite 
certain issues we had to address with 
regard to facilities acquired. ArthroCare, 
acquired in 2014 for $1.5 billion, is 
performing in-line with our expectations 
in-line with our expectations. We are 
ahead of our plan to deliver $85 million 
of synergies by 2017 and have achieved 
almost all our targeted cost savings.

In 2015, we continued to invest in 
acquisitions that provide opportunities 
to supplement our organic growth, 
strengthening our technology and 
product portfolios and our Emerging 
Markets business. Blue Belt Technologies 
announced in October 2015, has given us a 
leading position in the fast growing area of 
robotics-assisted orthopaedic surgery. Its 
NAVIO◊ surgical system provides robotics-
assistance in partial knee replacement 
surgery and we intend to expand it into 
total knee, bi-cruciate retaining knee and 
revision knee implants, potentially delivering 
significant further upside. 

We also completed the acquisition of the 
ZUK◊ partial knee system in the US market 
during the year. This has given us access 
to many new customers and is highly 
complementary to Blue Belt Technologies.

R&D EXPENDITURE1

TRADING PROFIT1,2

ACQUISITION PERFORMANCE

$222m

2015

2014

2013

2012

$1,099m 

222m

235m

231m

171m

2015

2014

2013

2012

+5%

1,099m

1,055m

987m

965m

Healthpoint
Third year return on capital exceeded 
our weighted average cost of capital.

AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROUP REVENUE

TRADING PROFIT MARGIN2

4.8%

2015

2014

2013

2012

23.7% 

+80bps

4.8%

5.1%

5.3%

4.1%

2015

2014

2013

2012

23.7

22.9

22.7

23.3

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are 

after adjusting for the effect of currency translation and 
the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions 
and exclusion of disposals.

2  Explanations of these non-GAAP financial measures 

are provided on pages 177 to 178.

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR GLOBAL MARKET

Our marketplace is driven by longer-term trends

Ageing populations are placing  
greater burdens on healthcare  
systems as chronic diseases  
become more prevalent.

It is expected that by 2050, the number of 
people aged 60 or over will total 2 billion. 
However, although we are living longer, we are 
not necessarily as healthy. In 2014, the World 
Health Organisation (‘WHO’) estimated that 
more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight. 
Of these, over 600 million were classified as 
obese. Overweight and obesity are the major 
risk factors for diseases such as diabetes and 
musculoskeletal disorders. 

Additionally, WHO estimates that by 2020, 
people aged 60 years and older around the 
world will outnumber children younger than five 
years. This changing dynamic will decrease the 
level of funds available for healthcare raised 
through taxes.

Therefore, governments and healthcare 
providers are under pressure to look for ways 
to reduce their overall healthcare expenditure, 
while at the same time maintaining the quality 
of care and treatment provided.

Customers 
We market our products largely to 
healthcare providers. 

In certain parts of the world, including the 
UK, much of Continental Europe, Canada 
and Japan, healthcare providers are often 
government organisations funded by tax 
revenues. In the US, our major customers are 
public and private hospitals, which receive 
revenue from private health insurance and 
government reimbursement programmes. 
Medicare is the major source of reimbursement 
in the US for knee and hip reconstruction 
procedures and for wound treatment regimes. 
In the Emerging Markets, demand is driven by 
self-pay patients. 

New commercial purchasing models are being 
adopted by health systems as a solution to 
improving resource allocation. There is a shift 
towards ‘payment for performance’ schemes, 
where financial incentives are provided to 
healthcare administrators as well as surgeons 
to increase better health outcomes and reduce 
the overall cost of delivery. Healthcare providers 
are implementing incentives for reduced 
hospital stay or preventing readmissions.

However, product innovation remains of vital 
importance with increasing focus on products 
which simplify and increase the efficiency of 
procedures as well as robotics which increase 
precision and enhance procedure outcomes. 

With this increased focus on health outcomes, 
governments are beginning to impose 
penalties on healthcare facilities holding them 
accountable for acute patient re-admissions or 
for infections acquired within the health system.

Pricing pressures also remain pertinent. In 
many cases, highly regulated markets employ 
various controls on pricing. 

Pricing of products is largely influenced in 
most developed markets by governmental 
reimbursement programmes. Initiatives 
sponsored by government agencies, legislative 
bodies and the private sector to limit the growth 
of healthcare costs are ongoing and include 
price regulation, excise taxes and competitive 
pricing. Governments and healthcare providers 
are increasingly requesting health economic 
data to justify the pricing of products and 
procedures or reimbursement requests. More 
collaboration between industry and data 
research institutions is emerging as a result.

Regulatory standards 
and compliance in the 
healthcare industry
Alongside healthcare provision and payment 
becoming more complex, the regulation of the 
medical device industry is also intensifying. 
Regulatory requirements are important in 
determining whether substances and materials 
can be developed into effective products in an 
environmentally sustainable way.

National regulatory authorities administer 
and enforce a complex series of laws 
and regulations that govern the design, 
development, approval, manufacture, 
labelling, marketing and sale of healthcare 
products. They also review data supporting 
the safety and efficacy of such products. Of 
particular importance is the requirement in 
many countries that products be authorised 
or registered prior to the placement on market 
and that such authorisation or registration 
be subsequently maintained. The industry 
is focusing its resources on meeting the 
increased regulatory pressure around 
the world.

Global medical 
device market grew 

+3%

A strong US 
Dollar is making 
American devices 
more expensive to 
overseas buyers.

The US 
accounts for 43% 
of the global medical 
device market.

 
 
 
 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR GLOBAL MARKET

The major regulatory agencies for Smith & 
Nephew’s products include the Food and Drug 
Administration (‘FDA’) in the US, the Medicines 
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 
in the UK, the Ministry of Health, Labour and 
Welfare in Japan, the China Food and Drug 
Administration and the Australian Therapeutic 
Goods Administration.

In general, with the aforementioned industry 
trends, safety standards and regulations in 
the medical device industry are becoming 
more stringent. Regulatory agencies are 
intensifying audits of manufacturing facilities 
and the approval time for new products has 
lengthened. Legislation covering corruption 
and bribery such as the UK Bribery Act and the 
US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act also apply to 
all our global operations. We are committed to 
ensuring a high level of regulatory compliance 
and to doing business with integrity and we 
welcome the trend towards higher standards 
in the healthcare industry. We and other 
companies in the industry are subject to regular 
inspections and audits by regulatory agencies 
and notified bodies, and in some cases, 
remediation activities have required and will 
continue to require significant financial and 
resource investment. See ‘Legal proceedings’ 
on page 147.

Seasonality
Orthopaedic and sports medicine procedures 
tend to be higher in the winter months when 
accidents and sports related injuries are 
highest. Conversely, elective procedures tend 
to slow down in the summer months due to 
holidays. Due to the nature of our product 
range, there is little seasonal impact on our 
advanced wound management franchises.

Competitors
We compete against both local and 
multinational corporations in the global medical 
devices market, including some with greater 
financial, marketing and other resources. 
Our competitors vary across our franchises 
as illustrated in the market segment and 
leadership charts.

HIPS & KNEES

SPORTS MEDICINE1

E

F

G

D

C

PRODUCT STREAMS 

A ZIMMER BIOMET 

B DEPUY SYNTHES2 

C  STRYKER 

D OTHERS 

E SMITH & NEPHEW 

F MICROPORT 

G EXACTECH 

G

F

A
A

A

E

D

B

C

B

%

PRODUCT STREAMS 

34.9

A ARTHREX 

20.8

B SMITH & NEPHEW 

19.2

C DEPUY MITEK2 

12.8

D OTHERS 

10.3

E  STRYKER 

1.2

0.8

F LINVATEC 

G ZIMMER BIOMET 

%

30.4

23.3

14.6

12.9

10.7

4.7

3.4

TRAUMA & EXTREMITIES

ADVANCED WOUND MANAGEMENT

E

F

E

D

C

B

PRODUCT STREAMS 

A DEPUY SYNTHES2 

B STRYKER 

C ZIMMER BIOMET 

D SMITH & NEPHEW 

E  OTHERS 

A

D

C

B

%

PRODUCT STREAMS 

45.9

A  OTHERS 

24.7

B ACELITY 

11.3

9.1

C SMITH & NEPHEW 

D MOLNLYCKE 

9.0

E CONVATEC 

F COLOPLAST 

A

%

37.0

21.0

18.0

12.0

8.0

4.0

Data: 2015 estimates generated by Smith & Nephew based on publicly available sources and internal analysis. 
1  Representing access, resection and repair products. 
2  A division of Johnson & Johnson.

 
 
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OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS
OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE
OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE
GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS
OUR FINANCIALS

OUR PRODUCTS

The products we take to market

Smith & Nephew has nine global 
product franchises.

Knee implants

REVENUE BY PRODUCT

I

H

A

G

F

E

B

C

D

GLOBAL PRODUCT FRANCHISES 

$4,634m

A  KNEE IMPLANTS 

B  HIP IMPLANTS 

C  SPORTS MEDICINE JOINT REPAIR 

$883m

$604m

$606m

D  ARTHROSCOPIC ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES  $573m

E  TRAUMA & EXTREMITIES 

F  OTHER SURGICAL BUSINESSES 

G  ADVANCED WOUND CARE 

H  ADVANCED WOUND DEVICES 

I  ADVANCED WOUND BIOACTIVES 

$497m

$205m

$755m

$167m

$344m

A KNEE IMPLANTS

B HIP IMPLANTS

C SPORTS MEDICINE 

JOINT REPAIR

D ARTHROSCOPIC 

ENABLING 
TECHNOLOGIES

E TRAUMA & 
EXTREMITIES

F OTHER SURGICAL 
BUSINESSES

G ADVANCED 

WOUND CARE

H ADVANCED WOUND 

DEVICES

I ADVANCED WOUND 

BIOACTIVES

2015  
$ million
883
604
606

2014  
$ million
873
654
576

2013  
$ million
865
653
496

573

542

441

497

506

486

205

147

74

755

805

843

167

192

213

344

322

280

Total

4,634

4,617

4,351

REVENUE

$883m

% 
INCREASE1
5%

% 
OF GROUP

19%

Smith & Nephew offers an innovative 
range of products for specialised 
knee replacement procedures. Knee 
replacement surgery involves replacing 
the worn, damaged or diseased portion of 
a knee with an artificial joint. It is a routine 
operation for knee pain most commonly 
caused by arthritis. Every year more than 
two million patients receive total, partial or 
revision knee replacements.

Smith & Nephew’s knee systems include 
the LEGION◊/GENESIS◊ II Total Knee System, 
a comprehensive system designed to allow 
surgeons to address a wide range of knee 
procedures from primary to revision and our 
JOURNEY II Family of Active Knees. JOURNEY 
II has been engineered to empower patients 
with a renewed active lifestyle by breaking 
through traditional knee replacement barriers 
and delivering function, motion and durability 
through PHYSIOLOGICAL MATCHINGTM. 

These systems also feature VERILAST 
Technology, our advanced bearing surface. 
The LEGION Primary Knee with VERILAST 
Technology has been laboratory-tested to 
30 years of simulated wear. 

Our knee systems also utilise our VISIONAIRE◊ 
Patient-Matched Instrumentation. With 
VISIONAIRE Instrumentation, a patient’s MRI 
and X-rays are used to create customised 
cutting guides that allow the surgeon to achieve 
optimal mechanical axis alignment of the 
new implant. VISIONAIRE cutting guides also 
help to save time by reducing the number of 
procedural steps and instruments used in the 
operating room.

Our Knee Implant franchise delivered a strong 
performance in 2015. We grew revenue by 5% 
globally. In the US, our largest market, revenue 
growth of 6% was driven by our JOURNEY II 
Total Knee System and the benefits of a US 
marketing campaign for VERILAST Technology, 
featuring both hips and knees.

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are after adjusting for the effects 
of currency translation and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions 
and exclusion of disposals. Explanations of non-GAAP financial measures are 
provided on pages 177 to 178.

 
 
 
 
 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR PRODUCTS

Increased value and 
efficiency to hospitals 
and ASCs

In August 2014 we announced Syncera, 
a disruptive orthopaedic supply chain 
model providing increased value and 
efficiency to hospitals and ambulatory 
surgery centres (‘ASC’) performing knee 
and hip replacement surgeries. 

Syncera offers a different channel strategy 
providing attractive economics through 
clinically proven products and cutting-edge 
technology solutions within the primary 
reconstructive hip and knee marketplace. 
Its innovative business model brings value 
solutions to the operating room (‘OR’) with 
pioneering point-of-care technology that 
links and interfaces with the entire hospital 
or ASC supply chain systems. Recently 
acquired Syncera software platforms 
improve training time for OR staff and drive 
down cost in instrument sterilisation.

By using Syncera, a hospital performing  
400 total hip and knee surgeries over 
a 3-year period, can realise estimated 
savings of $4 million.

Since launching our pilot in the United 
States, we have secured strong reference 
sites with hospital and surgeon advocates, 
now trained and fully operational with 
Syncera. These sites have purchased 
instruments and implant inventory and are 
using our software.

In August 2015 we had Syncera customers 
with potential to perform more than 3,000 
annualised Syncera procedures. Our 
progress has also given us confidence to 
move forward with our plans outside of the 
US, with pilots launched in Europe in 2015.

During 2015, we acquired the Zimmer® 
Unicompartmental High Flex Knee (‘ZUK’) 
system in the US market. ZUK is a clinically 
proven uni knee replacement introduced 
globally in 2004, and expands our access 
to the attractive area of partial knee 
joint reconstruction. 

In early 2016 we completed the acquisition 
of Blue Belt Technologies, securing a 
leading position in the fast-growing area of 
orthopaedic robotics assisted surgery. Blue 
Belt Technologies’ Navio® surgical system 
provides robotics assistance in partial knee 
replacement surgery. 

For Smith & Nephew, this acquisition is 
expected to create a strong combined partial 
knee portfolio from which to accelerate our 
growth in partial knee replacement surgery. 
We anticipate significant upside from a range 
of new product launches that will expand 
into indications beyond partial knees. These 
include a total knee system, due to launch 
in 2017, and revision knee and bi-cruciate 
retaining knee systems. 

ANTHEM GLOBAL KNEE 

The unique design of the ANTHEM◊ Total 
Knee System creates a knee offering fit for 
all ethnicities. Based on both intraoperative 
measurements and the analysis of CT 
images from patients. ANTHEM utilises the 
ORTHOMATCH instrumentation platform, 
reduces weight, footprint and unnecessary 
cost without compromising on quality or 
clinical outcomes. Currently in limited market 
release, ANTHEM will provide an advanced and 
globally relevant knee implant that is accessible 
to all orthopaedic surgeons and patients in 
emerging markets.

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

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OUR FINANCIALS

OUR PRODUCTS

The products we take to market continued

Hip implants

REVENUE

$604m

% 
INCREASE1
0%

% 
OF GROUP

13%

1  The underlying percentage increases/
decreases are after adjusting for the 
effects of currency translation and the 
inclusion of the comparative impact of 
acquisitions and exclusion of disposals. 
Explanations of non-GAAP financial 
measures are provided on pages 
177 to 178.

Smith & Nephew’s Hip Implant franchise 
offers a range of specialist products for 
reconstruction of the hip joint. This may 
be necessary due to conditions such as 
arthritis, causing persistent pain, and/
or as a result of hip fracture. Every year 
more than two million patients undergo 
total, resurfacing and revision hip 
replacement procedures.

For Hip Implants, Smith & Nephew has 
developed a range of primary hip systems. 
Core systems include the ANTHOLOGY◊ Hip 
System, SYNERGY◊ Hip System, the SMF◊ 
Femoral Hip System, POLARSTEM◊ Femoral 
Hip System, the R3◊ Acetabular System and 
the POLARCUP◊ Dual Mobility Hip System. 
This diversity exemplifies our commitment 
to providing surgeons with implant and 
instrumentation options that meet the 
specific demands of their preferred surgical 
approach, most notably the direct anterior or 
posterolateral approach. 

Smith & Nephew’s portfolio includes the 
REDAPT Revision Femoral System. The need 
to perform a revision can occur for a variety 
of reasons including infection, dislocation, or 
failure of the implants to achieve biologic fixation. 
REDAPT turns such complex hip revisions 
into efficient, reproducible surgeries, allowing 
surgeons to effectively recreate a patient’s 
unique functionality, while quickly and easily 
addressing issues such as poor bone quality.

In 2015, we announced our decision voluntarily 
to remove from the market certain smaller sizes 
of the BIRMINGHAM HIP◊ Resurfacing (‘BHR’) 
System. This was a decision we made based 
on our own post-market surveillance and 
clinical follow-up. Many thousands of patients 
have benefited from BHR over the years. It 
continues to demonstrate very good clinical 
performance in male patients under 65 years 
of age and remains an important option for 
surgeons treating these patients. 

Our Hip Implants franchise revenue remained 
flat in 2015. Excluding the headwind from the 
changes to BHR, performance would have 
increased by 1%.

This year saw the launch of collared and 
valgus versions of our popular POLARSTEM 
Cementless Hip Stem System. These new stem 
options join the expanding POLARSTEM family 
of implants which has been in use clinically 
since 2002.

 
 
 
 
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OXINIUM passes  
a million units

This year also saw worldwide sales of 
our proprietary OXINIUM◊ Oxidized 
Zirconium metal alloy for joint 
replacements surpass one million units. 
The OXINIUM material is a ceramicised 
metal that offers patients better 
wear-reduction and durability than 
other conventional cobalt chrome or 
ceramic implants. 

OXINIUM Technology, a point of 
differentiation for Smith & Nephew, 
combines the enhanced wear resistance 
of a ceramic bearing with the superior 
toughness of a metallic bearing. When 
combined with highly cross-linked 
polyethylene (‘XLPE’) it results in our 
proprietary VERILAST Technology. 

In Hip Implants, VERILAST Technology 
has been shown in various national joint 
replacement registries to have displayed 
best in class survivorship rates when 
compared to implants made from any 
other materials.

In Knee Implants, the LEGION Primary 
Knee with VERILAST Technology has been 
laboratory-tested to 30 years of simulated 
wear. While lab testing is not the same as 
clinical performance, the tests showed 
significant reduction in wear compared to 
conventional technologies.

In 2015, we invested in our OXINIUM 
production facility in Memphis, USA to 
enable us to meet the strong demand for 
Smith & Nephew products featuring this 
unique material.

 
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The products we take to market continued

The combination of Blue Belt 
Technologies with Smith 
& Nephew’s Knee Implant 
franchise has a powerful 
rationale. It reinforces our 
distinctive orthopaedic 
reconstruction strategy, 
which combines cutting 
edge innovation, disruptive 
business models and a strong 
Emerging Markets platform to 
drive outperformance.

Shaping the future of 
surgery with robotics

In 2015, we announced the acquisition 
of Blue Belt Technologies, securing a 
leading position in the fast-growing area 
of robotics-assisted surgery. Robotics 
is expected to become increasingly 
mainstream across orthopaedic 
reconstruction in the foreseeable future. 

Blue Belt Technologies’ Navio® surgical 
system provides robotics-assistance in 
unicondylar or partial knee replacement 
surgery through a unique hand-held, 
robotic bone-shaping device. Navio 
brings a high degree of implant placement 
accuracy, combined with attractive 
economics and ease of use. 

The acquisition will complement existing 
products and R&D programmes, creating 
a platform from which we can shape this 
exciting new area of surgery. It creates a 

strong combined partial knee portfolio from 
which to accelerate growth in the attractive 
area of partial knee replacement surgery, 
with further opportunities for a range of 
new products. A total knee variant is due 
to be launched in 2017, bringing Navio to 
surgeons performing total knee procedures 
and supporting Smith & Nephew products 
such as JOURNEY II. A revision knee version 
is in the pipeline to bring this technology 
to this highly complex and fast-growing 
area currently not served by robotics. A 
bi-cruciate retaining knee programme will 
support our existing development work in 
this potential major new market. Bi-cruciate 
knee implants are technically demanding, 
and we expect they will offer patients 
more natural motion and greater stability 
by preserving the anterior and posterior 
cruciate ligaments.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

OUR PRODUCTS

Sports Medicine Joint Repair 

REVENUE

$606m

% 
INCREASE1
7%

% 
OF GROUP

13%

Our Sports Medicine Joint Repair 
franchise offers surgeons a broad array 
of instruments, technologies and implants 
necessary to perform minimally invasive 
surgery of the joints, including the repair 
of soft tissue injuries and degenerative 
conditions of the knee, hip and shoulder. 
Our franchise operates in a large, growing 
market where unmet clinical needs lend 
room for procedural and technological 
innovation. Smith & Nephew is well 
positioned both to innovate and to reach 
customers globally. 

Our position within the global Sports Medicine 
Joint Repair market was strengthened 
significantly in 2014, with the acquisition of 
ArthroCare Corporation. The transaction 
added technology and highly complementary 
products to our existing portfolio, including new 
shoulder anchor innovation.

Key products in this franchise include the 
FAST-FIX◊ family of meniscal repair systems, 
the ENDOBUTTON◊ family for knee ligament 
reconstruction, HEALICOIL◊ PK, FOOTPRINT◊ PK 
and TWINFIX◊ Suture anchors for repairs of the 
hip and rotator cuff.

Sports Medicine Joint Repair delivered revenue 
growth of 7% in 2015. We produced double-
digit growth in the US, driven by the benefits of 
our combined portfolio following the acquisition 
of ArthroCare. Our overall performance was 
held back by conditions in China, where we 
saw a slowdown in capital and consumable 
sales compounded by de-stocking in our 
distribution channel.

In 2015, Smith & Nephew launched its Q-FIX◊ 
All-suture anchor for procedures like rotator 
cuff repair in the shoulder and labral repair in 
the shoulder and hip, all procedures in which 
anatomic space is very limited. The new anchor 
delivers performance characteristics that meet 
or exceed those of much larger, hard anchors.2 

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are after adjusting for the effects of currency 

translation and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions and exclusion of disposals. 
Explanations of non-GAAP financial measures are provided on pages 177 to 178.

2  (P/N 54231-01 Rev. A; P/N 49193-01 Rev. A; P/N 51963-01 Rev. A)

ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR2015 also saw the launch of a suite of products for Rotator Cuff Repair (‘RCR’), including ULTRATAPE◊, a suture (available loose or pre-loaded into Smith &Nephew implants) that provides greater tendon-to-bone contact and may enhance repair; FIRSTPASS◊ ST, a sterile-packaged retrograde suture passer that eliminates the steps of loading and unloading needles and cartridges; and MULTIFIX◊ S, an all-PEEK knotless screw-in anchor that accommodates multiple suture limbs and/or ULTRATAPE. All of these new products can be used together or in conjunction with existing products from the Smith & Nephew portfolio in a single procedure, significantly expanding the breadth of our Rotator Cuff Repair Solutions. >  SEE THE FULL RANGE OF PRODUCTS  ONLINE WWW.SMITH-NEPHEW.COM 
 
 
 
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OUR FINANCIALS

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The products we take to market continued

Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies

Trauma & Extremities

REVENUE

$573m

% 
INCREASE1
0%

% 
OF GROUP

12%

1  The underlying percentage increases/
decreases are after adjusting for 
the effects of currency translation 
and the inclusion of the comparative 
impact of acquisitions and exclusion of 
disposals. Explanations of non-GAAP 
financial measures are provided on 
pages 177 to 178.

Our Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies 
(‘AET’) franchise offers a high performance 
array of minimally invasive surgery-
enabling systems and devices.

AET platforms work in concert to facilitate 
access to various joint spaces, visualise the 
patient’s anatomy, resect degenerated or 
damaged tissue and prepare the joint for a 
soft tissue repair construct. Products in this 
franchise are often used in conjunction with 
products from our Sports Medicine Joint 
Repair franchise.

Systems include anatomic repair-aiding 
limb positioners and holders, high definition 
endoscopes and image capture systems, 
Key products include the SPIDER2/T-MAX 
procedure-enabling limb positioning systems, 
DYONICS◊ Shaver Blades, single-use blades 
that provide superior resection due to their 
sharpness and virtually eliminate clogging with 
their debris evacuation capabilities, DYONICS 
large and small bone cordless powered 
instruments and accessories, ACUFEX◊ Hand 
Held Instruments, and a wide range of high 
performance COBLATION◊ Technology radio 
frequency (‘RF’) probes that ablate, resect and 
coagulate soft tissue and enable hemostasis of 
blood vessels. 

COBLATION TECHNOLOGY

In 2015, COBLATION Technology made a strong 
contribution to AET’s overall performance. 
The COBLATION process involves the creation 
and application of an energy field called 
‘glow discharge plasma’, which acts to ablate 
molecules in the tissue.
COBLATION Technology provides advantages to 
the surgeon by operating at lower temperatures 
than other RF-based technologies, and allowing 
for precise removal of soft tissue with minimal 
damage to untargeted tissue.

REVENUE

$497m

% 
INCREASE1
2%

% 
OF GROUP

11%

THE EVOS MINI FRAGMENT PLATE

The EVOS Mini Fragment Plate and Screw System 
is a dedicated Trauma mini fragment system. This 
is a stainless steel highly versatile system with a 
multitude of plate geometries and longer screw 
lengths than standard mini fragment systems 
(up to 80 mm). 
Complementing this is our VLP MINI-MOD Small 
Bone Plating System for the fixation of small 
bones and small bone fragments, specifically 
designed to match the contour of small bones 
needed in treating hand, wrist, elbow, foot and 
ankle fractures. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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OUR PRODUCTS

Other Surgical Businesses

REVENUE

$205m

% 
INCREASE1
10%

% 
OF GROUP

5%

Our Trauma & Extremities franchise offers 
both internal and external fixation and 
tissue repair devices, as well as other 
products used in the stabilisation of 
severe fractures and deformity correction 
procedures. In 2015, the franchise 
delivered 2% revenue growth.

For extremities and limb restoration, we offer 
the TAYLOR SPATIAL FRAME◊ Circular Fixation 
System as well as a range of plates, screws, 
arthroscopes, instrumentation, resection 
and suture anchor products for orthopaedic 
surgeons including foot and ankle and hand 
and wrist specialists, and trauma surgeons. 

For Trauma, the principal internal fixation 
products are the TRIGEN◊ family of IM nails 
(TRIGEN META-NAIL System, TRIGEN Humeral 
Nail System, TRIGEN SURESHOT◊, and TRIGEN 
INTERTAN◊), EVOS◊ Plating System and the 
PERI-LOC◊ Plating System. 

Exclusively for our TAYLOR SPATIAL FRAME◊ 
device, our new iADJUST◊ was released this 
year and is an easy-to-use and one-of-a-kind 
mobile app designed to simplify the frame 
adjustment process for both physicians 
and patients. 

We introduced the TRIGEN META-TAN◊ Nail 
System. This expands the clinically proven 
TRIGEN Nail portfolio with a versatile design 
that addresses a wide range of femoral 
fractures ranging from specific hip fractures to 
mid-shaft fractures and challenging fractures 
near the knee. 

The Other Surgical Businesses franchise 
includes our Gynaecology and our Ear, 
Nose & Throat (‘ENT’) businesses. This 
franchise delivered revenue growth of 
10% in 2015. 

Our primary Gynaecology product is the 
TRUCLEAR◊ System, a first-of-its kind 
hysteroscopic tissue removal system, 
providing safe, efficient, effective removal of 
intra-uterine tissue. Backed by proprietary 
intellectual property and strong clinical 
evidence differentiating it from the competition, 
the TRUCLEAR System has established itself 
as a leader in hysteroscopic tissue removal. 
The pioneering solution includes a total 
hysteroscopy system that allows surgeons to 
see and treat simultaneously. This approach 
is designed to enable a shift to in-office 
treatment, supporting a reduction in total 
healthcare expenditures. 

Within ENT we offer a wide variety of products 
including our COBLATION Technology for 
tissue removal and hemostasis, various 
articulating instruments and implants for 
sinus surgery such as balloon sinuplasty, and 
our RAPIDRHINO◊ Carboxymethylcellulose 
(‘CMC’) Technology which is featured in both 
dissolvable and removable nasal and sinus 
dressings, and epistaxis treatment products. 

During 2015, we launched our new 
NASASTENT◊ Dissolvable Nasal Dressing, 
a structural intranasal splint used to minimise 
bleeding and prevent post-operating 
adhesions after sinus surgery. Unlike other 
nasal dressings which fragment as they 
degrade, once the NASATENT dressing 
absorbs sufficient nasal fluid, it converts into 
hydrocolloidal gel that simply drains from the 
cavity as part of the natural outflow.

The Ear, Nose & Throat (‘ENT’) business 
we acquired as part of ArthroCare 
improved its growth rate under new 
management in 2015.

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are 
after adjusting for the effects of currency translation 
and the inclusion of the comparative impact of 
acquisitions and exclusion of disposals. Explanations 
of non-GAAP financial measures are provided on 
pages 177 to 178.

 
 
 
 
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The products we take to market continued

Advanced Wound Care

REVENUE

$755m

% 
INCREASE1
8%

% 
OF GROUP

16%

Two core technologies drive our infection 
management portfolio, namely: silver 
and iodine. 

Our silver-based products (ACTICOAT◊, 
DURAFIBER◊ Ag and ALLEVYN Ag) continue 
to gain market share due to their overall ability 
to reduce wound infection, their rapid onset 
of action (ACTICOAT) and their ease of use. 
ACTICOAT is very well positioned to address 
urgent cases at risk for infection such as 
burns, which are highly prevalent in developing 
countries, or acute trauma. 

Our iodine based product IODOSORB◊ has a 
long history of accumulating clinical evidence 
for its potentially transformative role in 
combating biofilms (layers of bacteria and other 
forms of infection) which are cited as impeding 
the healing of chronic wounds in 60% of cases 
globally. Through its unique mode of action, 
IODOSORB has proven to be very effective on 
addressing the issue of biofilms.

Smith & Nephew’s Cornerstone range offers 
a wide selection of wound care products, 
which means we have one of the most 
comprehensive ranges of wound care solutions 
in the industry. These products include our 
film and post-operative dressings, skincare 
products and gels.

OPSITE◊ is one of our most successful and 
pioneering franchises and has become the 
global standard of care in post-operative 
dressings. IV3000, a specialist premium 
dressing for intravenous lines, continues to 
perform well. SECURA◊ and PROSHIELD◊ are 
proven preventative skin care products which 
help maintain and protect skin integrity. 

The Advanced Wound Care (‘AWC’) 
franchise consists of several groups of 
brands, including exudate management, 
infection management and our 
Cornerstone range of products. As a 
whole, this franchise produced revenue 
growth of 8% in 2015. 

Exudate management products focus on 
effectively locking away wound fluid and thus 
helping to create an optimal wound healing 
environment. This will reduce the burden a 
wound has on the patient and help them to 
get on with their lives and at the same time 
diminish costs for materials and nursing time. 

Our key growth brand in this space is ALLEVYN◊ 
Life, an innovative dressing designed to 
improve the quality of life for patients with 
chronic wounds, as well as helping healthcare 
professionals reduce the costs of frequent 
dressing changes. 

During 2015, we continued to invest in 
significant new clinical and health economic 
evidence with a number of studies being 
published demonstrating superior outcomes 
for ALLEVYN LIFE. This includes a UK study 
showing how ALLEVYN LIFE enabled a 
reduction in home care nurse visits from 
three to one per week2, and a US study 
showing a 69% reduction in hospital acquired 
pressure ulcers saving a facility over $1 million 
per annum3.

ALLEVYN LIFE

ALLEVYN Life dressing is a multi-layered design 
incorporating hydrocellular foam, hyper-absorber 
lock away core and masking layer which has 
been designed for people and their everyday 
life. Its unique protection properties also mean 
it is a powerful tool when used prophylactically 
to help prevent pressure ulcers which are a 
preventable condition. In the US, pressure ulcer 
care is estimated to approach $11 billion annually, 
with a cost of between $500 and $70,000 per 
individual pressure ulcer4.

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are after adjusting for the effects of currency translation 

and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions and exclusion of disposals. Explanations of non-GAAP 
financial measures are provided on pages 177 to 178.

2   Joy, H. et al. A collaborative project to enhance efficiency through dressing change practice. Poster presented at 

Wounds UK 2014.

3   Swafford, K., Culpepper, R. and Dunn, C. Use of a comprehensive pressure ulcer prevention programme to reduce the 
incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers in an intensive care unit setting. E-Poster presented at EWMA 2015.
4  National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure Injury 
Alliance. Prevention and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers: Clinical Practice Guideline. Emily Haesler (Ed.) Cambridge 
Media; Osborne Park, Western Australia; 2014.

 
 
 
 
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Wound education  
and excellence

Smith & Nephew is proud to support 
its customers in the Emerging Markets 
through professional education. In this 
way we ensure the safe and effective 
use of our products and help healthcare 
professionals create better outcomes 
for patients.

In India, we have invested in a ‘Nursing 
Education and Excellence in Wound Care’ 
programme that brings senior nursing Key 
Opinion Leaders (‘KOL’) together with the aim 
of expanding knowledge and education in 
wound care. This supports the evolving trend 
towards more highly skilled and empowered 
wound care nurses and tissue viability nurses 
in hospitals.

Management of wounds is also an increasing 
area of focus for surgeon customers. In 
Turkey, our ‘Approaches in General Surgery 
Training’ course, run in conjunction with 
the Turkish Surgery Association, provided 
a forum to learn about wound healing. 
Attendees were able to learn about the 
benefits of Smith & Nephew advanced 
wound care products.

Improving the skills of burn surgeons is also 
an important focus for Smith & Nephew. 
In South Africa, our courses are led by 
KOL surgeons and cover the entire burn 
continuum, including burn wound infection, 
anaesthesia in burns, fluid resuscitation, 
pain management, inhalational burns and 
theatre time. We also run a bi-annual ‘Burns & 
Scientific Symposium’, providing an academic 
forum for burn surgeons to congregate and 
share best practice.

Through training and education, 
we seek to ensure the safe and 
effective use of our products to 
create better outcomes for patients.

41

Nursing Key Opinion Leaders 
attended our first Nursing 
Education and Excellence in 
Wound Care event held in 
Jaipur, India.

 
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The products we take to market continued

Advanced Wound Devices

REVENUE

$167m

% 
DECREASE1
3%

% 
OF GROUP

4%

Our Advanced Wound Devices (‘AWD’) 
franchise is comprised of our Negative 
Pressure Wound Therapy (‘NPWT’) and 
surgical debridement businesses. In 2015, 
revenue from this franchise fell by 3%.

In 2014, our traditional NPWT RENASYS system 
experienced challenges as a result of the FDA 
requiring suspension of commercial activity 
in the US while new product approvals were 
obtained. During 2015, we made progress 
securing the required approvals and began 
supporting existing customers. The impact of 
the RENASYS distribution hold was a significant 
headwind to overall performance in this 
franchise in 2015. 

Outside the US, RENASYS maintained its strong 
presence. The RENASYS product offering now 
includes multiple device options, a choice of 
foam or gauze dressings, along with a range of 
drains and specialty kits. 

PICO SYSTEM

Easy to use, PICO simplifies the application 
of NPWT and provides an active intervention 
to help promote healing, leading to improved 
outcomes in more wound types. 2015 has seen 
PICO growth accelerate in markets around 
the world, driven by strong clinical and health 
economic evidence.

In Q4, 2015 we launched outside the US the 
next generation of RENASYS called TOUCH◊ 
offering touchscreen technology. We expect 
to launch in 2016 in the US. We are also in 
the final stages of developing the first NPWT 
device to communicate continuously through 
the cloud. This will enable more efficient 
fleet management for institutions and care 
providers, lower maintenance costs and the 
provision of clinically relevant information in 
real time.

Our PICO◊ system, our single-use, canister-free 
NPWT solution, performed strongly in 2015. 
PICO brings the effectiveness of traditional 
NPWT in a modern, small portable system2.  
It is designed for both open wounds and 
closed incisions and leverages our leading 
dressing technology.

2015 has seen PICO growth accelerate 
in markets around the world, driven by 
strong value proposition that resonates with 
healthcare payers and providers. PICO reduces 
the risk of infection and other complications 
and lowers readmissions for surgical site 
infections2. It also offers simpler logistics 
and lower cost and may reduce nursing 
time and complexity3 as well as increasing 
patient mobility4.

The VERSAJET Hydrosurgery system, a 
mechanical debridement device used by 
surgeons to excise and evacuate non-viable 
tissue, bacteria and contaminants from wound, 
burns and soft tissue injuries, also performed 
well in 2015. 

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are after adjusting for the effects 
of currency translation and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions 
and exclusion of disposals. Explanations of non-GAAP financial measures are 
provided on pages 177 to 178.

2  Bullough L, et al. Reducing C-Section wound complications. Clinical Svcs J 2015 Apr: 

43-47. 

3  Hurd, T. Evaluating the costs and benefits of innovation in chronic wound care products 

and practices. Ostomy Wd Mgt June 2013; S2-15. 

4  Hurd, T. Use of a portable, single-use negative pressure wound therapy device in home 
care patients with low to moderately exuding wounds. Ostomy Wd Mgt Mar 2014; 30-36.

 
 
 
 
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The acquisition of Healthpoint 
Biotherapeutics in 2012 gave 
us a strong position in this fast 
growing segment.

SANTYL®

For some patients living with wounds can be 
challenging. SANTYL Ointment is an FDA-
approved prescription medicine that removes 
dead tissue from wounds so they can start to 
heal. Healthcare professionals have prescribed 
SANTYL Ointment for more than 20 years to 
help clean many types of wounds, including 
chronic dermal ulcers (such as pressure ulcers, 
diabetic ulcers, and venous ulcers) and severely 
burned areas. SANTYL is available in the US 
and Canada.

Advanced Wound Bioactives

REVENUE

$344m

% 
INCREASE1
7%

% 
OF GROUP

7%

Our Advanced Wound Bioactives (‘AWB’) 
franchise focuses on the development 
and commercialisation of novel, cost-
effective biopharmaceuticals to provide a 
unique approach to debridement, dermal 
repair and tissue regeneration. 

Bioactives represent the fastest growing 
segment of chronic wound care, illustrating 
how greater understanding of wound 
biology is driving the development of new 
biopharmaceuticals designed to stimulate the 
body’s own regenerative processes. The AWB 
business is well-positioned to benefit from 
this market growth with its focus on generating 
clinical evidence, a highly trained specialised 
sales force, strong performance of best-in-
class products and award winning educational 
resources. AWB revenue growth in 2015 
was 7%.

Currently, products on the market include 
Collagenase SANTYL® Ointment (the only 
FDA-approved biologic enzymatic debriding 
agent for chronic dermal ulcers and severe 
burns), OASIS® Wound Matrix and Ultra Tri-
Layer Matrix (a naturally-derived, extracellular 
matrix replacement products indicated for the 
management of both chronic and traumatic 
wounds) and REGRANEX® (becaplermin) Gel 
0.01% (an FDA-approved platelet-derived 
growth factor for the treatment of Diabetic 
Foot Ulcers). 

The US is the largest market and represents 
the current focus for our AWB franchise.  
Smith & Nephew is also committed to 
advancing the care and treatment of wounds 
through the development of potential new 
Bioactives and support of industry-leading 
continuing education from THE WOUND 
INSTITUTE®. 

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are after adjusting for the effects 
of currency translation and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions 
and exclusion of disposals. Explanations of non-GAAP financial measures are 
provided on pages 177 to 178.

 
 
 
 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

The resources we need to deliver our products

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Innovation is part of our culture and 
we invest 5% of our revenue to find 
new products that will help improve 
people’s lives.

>

READ MORE  
ON THIS PAGE

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE

We are focused on doing business 
the right way and apply strict 
business principles to the way we 
deal with our clients and partners. 

>

READ MORE ON  
THE FOLLOWING PAGE

MANUFACTURING & QUALITY

We operate our global manufacturing 
efficiently, and the highest possible 
standards to ensure highest product 
quality at sensible pricing.

>

READ MORE ON  
PAGES 30 TO 33

TRAINING & EDUCATION

Every year, thousands of healthcare 
professionals attend our training 
courses around the world. Education 
is a fundamental part of our vision.

>

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 34

SALES & MARKETING

We support our clients in over 
100 countries. Our sales teams are 
highly specialised with an in-depth 
knowledge across the full range of 
product franchises.  

>

READ MORE  
ON PAGE 35

OUR PEOPLE

Engaging, developing and retaining 
our 15,000 employees is important 
to us and we work hard to be an 
employer of choice as well as 
a responsible corporate citizen.

>

READ MORE ON  
PAGES 36 TO 37

Research & 
Development

Our Research and Development (‘R&D’) 
strategy is at the heart of our business 
model. Through it we deliver pioneering 
products and services, and drive 
innovation across the markets we serve.

In 2015, we reiterated our commitment to R&D 
by announcing a single global organisation to 
be led by a new President of Global Research 
and Development, reporting directly to the 
Chief Executive Officer. 

The new global R&D team will focus on 
delivering a broader portfolio of more 
meaningfully disruptive products and services, 
as well as a greater utilisation of digital 
technologies in medical devices. It will also 
enable better product life cycle management 
and alignment and sharing of resources across 
our franchises. 

We are already highly disciplined in project 
selection. Our R&D experts in the UK, US, 
Europe, China and India have extensive 
customer and sector knowledge, which is 
augmented by ongoing interaction with our 
marketing teams. Strict criteria are applied to 
ensure new products fulfil an unmet clinical 
need, have a strong commercial rationale, and 
are technologically feasible. The R&D function 
works closely with the manufacturing and 
supply chain management teams to ensure 
we can produce new products to clinical, cost 
and time specification. Our products undergo 
clinical and health economic assessments both 
during their development and post launch.

In 2015, we invested $222 million in R&D, 
in-line with our commitment, set out in 2011, to 
increase our investment level to around 5% of 
revenue. We expect to maintain this proportion 
going forward, but to realise greater benefit 
through our new structure. We have a strong 
new product pipeline for 2016, with many 
innovations scheduled. 

We invest in scouting for new technologies, 
identifying complementary opportunities in our 
core and adjacent segments. The acquisition 
of robotics-assisted surgical business Blue 
Belt Technologies, announced in 2015, is an 
example of this activity. 

We also invest in small companies developing 
compelling technologies in our franchise areas 
through our incubation fund. In addition to 
funding, we bring our expertise to help the 
development process, including supporting 
clinical studies, and typically secure preferred 
access to technology as it nears market 
readiness. Recent investments include exciting 
early-stage but high-potential technologies in 
sports medicine, extremities and trauma.

INVESTMENT 
IN RESEARCH & 
DEVELOPMENT

$222m

With increased focus on R&D, we will 
apply more resource to the development 
of disruptive products and services that 
increasingly define Smith & Nephew and 
will help drive our success in the future.

 
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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

Ethics & 
Compliance

Code of Conduct and 
Business Principles
Smith & Nephew earns trust with patients, 
customers, healthcare professionals, 
authorities and the public by acting in an 
honest and fair manner in all aspects of 
its operations. 

We expect the same from those with whom 
we do business, including distributors and 
independent agents that sell our products. 
Our Code of Conduct and Business Principles 
(‘Code’) governs the way we operate to achieve 
these objectives.

Smith & Nephew takes into account ethical, 
social, environmental, legal and financial 
considerations as part of its operating 
methods. We have a robust whistle-blowing 
system in all jurisdictions in which we operate. 
We are committed to upholding our promise 
in our Code that we will not retaliate against 
anyone who makes a report in good faith. 

New employees receive training on our Code, 
and we assign annual compliance training to 
employees. We also require our distributor and 
agents or higher-risk vendors and suppliers 
to complete training on our Code. Finally, we 
assign role-based training to targeted groups 
including people managers, distributor or 
agent relationship managers, members of our 
Finance team and selected Sales groups. 

Finally, we launched a new face-to-face training 
programme for managers in the Sales & 
Marketing functions. The key objectives of this 
workshop are to teach managers how to build 
a culture of trust within their department and 
how to identify and respond appropriately to 
compliance questions and ethical dilemmas.

New distributors and other higher risk 
third parties are subject to screening and 
are contractually obligated to comply with 
applicable laws and our Code of Conduct. 
Compliance training and certifications are 
included in this process. In 2015, we created a 
Code of Conduct module that was designed 
specifically to address the needs of our 
distributors and agents. We also introduced 
Additional Compliance Standards to provide 
greater details on Code requirements. We 
continue our oversight of independent agents 
and distributors with on-site assessments to 
review compliance controls and monitor books 
and records. 

SPOTLIGHT 
ON TRUST 
CERTIFICATES

30

Global compliance programme
Smith & Nephew has implemented a world-
class Global Compliance Programme that 
helps our businesses comply with laws and 
regulations. Our comprehensive compliance 
programme includes global policies and 
procedures; on-boarding and annual training 
for employees and managers; monitoring and 
auditing processes; reporting channels and 
recognition for demonstrating our values.

Through our global intranet, we provide 
resources and tools to guide employees to 
make decisions that comply both with the law 
and our Code. We conduct advance review 
and approval for significant interactions with 
healthcare professionals or government 
officials. We regularly assess existing and 
emerging risks in the countries in which 
we operate. 

Managing directors are required to complete 
an annual certification to the CEO to confirm the 
implementation of required policies. Managers 
and employees make an annual compliance 
certification and conflict of interest disclosure, 
and executive management, managers and 
employees have a compliance performance 
objective customised to their role and seniority. 

In order to reinforce our value of trust, in 
2015, we implemented a programme where 
employees nominate their peers for actions 
that earn trust. Approximately 30 ‘Spotlight on 
Trust Certificates’ were awarded to employees 
from more than 10 countries. Two employees 
received additional recognition from the CEO. 

Secondly, during our annual manager 
certification this year, managers were required 
to have an ‘ethics/compliance conversation’ 
with some of their direct reports. They were 
given centrally-created materials focusing 
on the importance of earning trust and then 
provided with specific, topic-based scenarios 
to discuss with their staff actions that would 
demonstrate this core Smith & Nephew value. 
This model enhanced dialogue on ethics, 
compliance and the importance of earning trust 
with our actions between managers and staff. 

 
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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

The resources we need to deliver our products continued

Manufacturing & Quality

Global manufacturing  
in Hull 

Smith & Nephew was founded in 
Hull in 1856. We are very proud of our 
heritage in Hull and the site remains a 
cornerstone of Smith & Nephew. We are 
delivering new programmes and actively 
working on bringing new processes to 
Hull in order to maximise the benefits 
from our highly skilled workforce and to 
continue to create a sustainable future 
for the site. 

Since 2011, we have invested approximately 
£50 million in capital projects at our 
Hull site. This has included bringing 
the manufacturing of our complex 
silver coating technology for ACTICOAT 
to Hull and installing a Film Extrusion 
manufacturing line. The core technology 
for this manufacturing process has been 
developed in Hull and is a bespoke piece 
of equipment, specially made for the 
manufacture of our unique film for a range 
of wound dressings, including ALLEVYN 
and IV3000. 

New flood defences
In 2013, our Hull facility was badly impacted 
by highly unusual levels of flooding, with 
the site incurring damage across its entire 
ground floor, including in the manufacturing 
facility and office areas. We worked to 
ensure manufacturing for customers was 
re-established as soon as possible, and it 
was through great teamwork that the facility 
was able to recover quickly. Since then, 
we have invested £3 million into new flood 
defences to help to protect us against any 
repeat events.

Focus on development
In Hull we manufacture some of the most 
high-technology wound care products on 
the market. Over the last few years we have 
introduced pioneering products such as 
PICO, DURAFIBER and ALLEVYN Life, all of 
which are manufactured in Hull. 

Our future plans for Hull include a focus 
on the development and launch of new 
products and the operation of complex 
manufacturing processes. Work is 
underway to bring more new product 
development work to Hull. 

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

Global Operations
We operate manufacturing facilities in a 
number of countries across the globe, and a 
number of central distribution facilities in key 
geographical areas. Products are shipped to 
individual country locations which hold small 
amounts of inventory locally for immediate 
supply to meet customer requirements. We 
have a defined manufacturing and facility 
footprint plan in-line with our commercial 
strategy, which is reviewed on a regular basis. 

We continue to implement improved processes 
such as ‘Lean Manufacturing’ throughout 
our factories, the global supply chain and the 
supporting operations to improve and sustain 
the levels of safety, quality, delivery, productivity 
and efficiency. We have numerous Core 
Competences including materials technology, 
precision machining, high volume and 
automated manufacturing for various products 
from our franchises.

Our manufacturing facilities
Our largest manufacturing operation is 
based in Memphis, Tennessee US. The 
Memphis facilities produce key products 
and instrumentation in our Knee Implants, 
Hip Implant and Trauma franchises. These 
include the JOURNEY II and LEGION◊ knees, 
the ANTHOLOGY◊ Primary Hip System and 
key Trauma products such as the PERI-
LOC◊ Ankle Fusion Plating System and 
TRIGEN◊ Intramedullary Nails. In addition to 
this, Memphis is home to the design and 
manufacturing process of the VISIONAIRE 
patient matched instrumentation sets, and 
OXINIUM◊ Oxidized Zirconium, a patented 
metal alloy available for many of our knee and 
hip implant systems. 

Our Mansfield, Massachusetts, US facility 
focuses on sports medicine related products 
for minimally invasive surgery including the 
FAST FIX◊ 360 Meniscal Repair System, 
FOOTPRINT◊ PK Suture Anchor, DYONICS 
Platinum Shaver Blades, ENDOBUTTON◊ CL 
Ultra and the HEALICOIL◊ PK suture anchor.

The Aarau, Switzerland; Tuttlingen, 
Germany; Beijing, China; Warwick, UK and 
Sangameshwar, India facilities manufacture a 
number of surgical device products including 
key reconstruction and trauma products, 
the PLUS◊ knee and hip range and the 
BIRMINGHAM◊ Hip Resurfacing System.

Our Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US facility 
produces and services electro/mechanical 
capital equipment as well as single use sterile 
devices and also assembles our NPWT 
devices using components which are brought 
in from third parties. Our Costa Rica facility 
manufactures COBLATION technology.

The majority of our wound management 
products are manufactured at our facilities in 
Hull, UK; Suzhou, China; and Curaçao.

The products manufactured at our Hull site 
cover the therapies of exudate management 
(foam products – principally ALLEVYN), burns 
treatment (ACTICOAT) and wound closure 
(OPSITE film products). In 2015, we closed our 
facility in Alberta (Canada) which provided 
specific expertise in the addition of silver 
coatings onto the ACTICOAT burns range and 
transferred the process to our Hull site. 

Manufacturing of our Advanced Wound 
Bioactive products takes place in Curaçao 
and at various third party facilities in the US. 
The products are distributed from a third party 
logistics facility in San Antonio, Texas US. 

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

The resources we need to deliver our products continued

Manufacturing & Quality continued

Procurement
We procure raw materials, components, 
finished products and packaging materials 
from suppliers in various countries. These 
purchases include metal forgings and castings 
for orthopaedic products, optical and electronic 
sub-components for sports medicine products, 
active ingredients and semi-finished goods 
for Advanced Wound Management as well as 
packaging materials across all product ranges.

Suppliers are selected, and standardised 
contracts negotiated, by a centralised 
procurement team wherever possible, with a 
view to ensuring value for money based on the 
total spend across the Group. On an ongoing 
basis, we work closely with our key suppliers to 
ensure high quality, delivery performance and 
continuity of supply.

We outsource certain parts of our 
manufacturing processes where necessary to 
obtain specialised expertise or to lower cost 
without undue risk to our intellectual property. 
Suppliers of outsourced products and services 
are selected based on their ability to deliver 
products and services to our specification, and 
adhere to and maintain an appropriate quality 
system. Our specialist teams work with and 
monitor suppliers through on-site assessments 
and performance audits to ensure the required 
levels of quality, service and delivery.

Global Supply Chain
In 2015, we further centralised and realigned 
our Global Supply Chain function. We made 
these enhancements to ensure that our 
products reach our internal and external 
customers where and when they are needed, 
in a compliant and efficient manner. Bringing 
together people, knowledge and expertise 
helps us meet our objectives and our 
customers’ expectations, driving us to become 
more competitive, responsive and integrated. 

We operate three main holding warehouses, 
one in each of Memphis (Tennessee, US), Baar 
(Switzerland) and Singapore. These facilities 
consolidate and ship to local country and 
distributor facilities.

Our distribution hubs for advanced wound 
products are located in Neunkirchen (Germany) 
and Derby (UK) for international distribution, 
Bedford (UK) for UK domestic distribution and 
Lawrenceville (Georgia, US) for US distribution.

Quality Assurance 
and Regulatory Affairs
Smith & Nephew takes a global approach 
to managing quality to ensure we have 
the same high standards everywhere we 
do business. This includes having strong 
manufacturing quality management in place 
at every Smith & Nephew location. With a 
single organisation and Quality Management 
System, manufacturing quality processes 
can be harmonised with quality controls that 
are applied consistently and to a very high 
standard across all locations. This ensures 
ever-improving product quality and a more 
stable and predictable supply chain for 
our customers. 

The same holds true for our suppliers, who 
provide a substantial part of our products. 
A single Supplier Quality Assurance (‘QA’) 
organisation is being built to harmonise 
supplier’s QA requirements across the globe, 
while instituting Scorecard-style performance 
reports to them and working with, or replacing, 
those that do not meet our quality standards.

We also take a global approach to Regulatory 
Affairs, coordinating product registration across 
our geographic markets. With the increased 
frequency of regulatory visits this global 
approach and a close working relationship with 
our Quality team are vital. The suspension of 
the Medical Device Excise Tax in the US will 
present us with opportunities to accelerate 
investment in our quality and regulatory 
systems and health economics teams, 
particularly in support of the US market.

GLOBAL 
MANUFACTURING 
PLANTS

13

 
 
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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

Our quality journey  
to delivering products

For 160 years Smith & Nephew has 
had a proud tradition of supporting 
healthcare professionals in their efforts 
to improve patients’ lives. Continuing 
this tradition depends on our ability 
to adapt and respond to the needs of 
our customers, and to the increasing 
rigour of regulatory authorities, so 
that we consistently deliver high-
quality products that improve patient 
outcomes. Expectations change and 
what was good enough in the past may 
not be in the future.

With this in mind, in 2014 we introduced 
an Integrated Quality, Health, Safety and 
Environmental Management System (‘IMS’)
to enhance and harmonise our quality 
systems and processes and help embed 
a culture of quality Company-wide. 

We take a global approach to ensure we 
have the same high standard everywhere 
we do business. 

Quality is a never-ending journey, we 
constantly strive for improvement and 
are proud of the progress we have 
already made.

 
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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

The resources we need to deliver our products continued

Training & Education

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping 
healthcare professionals improve the 
quality of care for patients. We are 
proud to support the professional 
development of surgeons and nurses by 
providing them with medical education 
and training on our Advanced Surgical 
Devices and Advanced Wound 
Management products.

Every year, thousands of customers attend 
our state-of-the-art training centres in the US, 
UK and China and Smith & Nephew courses 
at multiple hospitals and facilities around 
the world.

In 2015, we provided training to more than 
40,000 surgeons. Working under expert 
guidance, attendees refine techniques and 
learn new skills, to ensure the effective use 
of our products. We also support healthcare 
professionals through our online resources 
such as the Global Wound Academy, The 
Wound Institute and, for surgeons, our 
Education and Evidence website.

SURGEON TRAINING 
OCCURRENCES BY S&N

40,000

The Wider Scope  
of Arthroscopy

Every year, Smith & Nephew hosts a Sports 
Medicine fellowship meeting, ‘The Wider 
Scope of Arthroscopy’, at its Andover, 
Massachusetts facility. The meeting unites 
promising new doctors (fellows) together 
with renowned orthopaedic surgeons to 
review, discuss and practice current and 
forward-looking surgical techniques in the 
areas of hip, knee and shoulder repair. 
The forum helps up-and-coming surgeons 
develop trust and gain the experience and 
confidence necessary to become experts 
in their field.

The curriculum focuses on the 
fundamentals of joint repair but also on 
forward-looking topics such as ‘Inventive 
Approach to AC Joint Reconstruction’ 
and ‘Alternative Management Options in 
Instability Surgery’. 

Held in mid-September 2015, The Wider 
Scope of Arthroscopy was attended by 
nearly 140 fellows and distinguished faculty, 
making it one of the largest fellowship 
meetings Smith & Nephew has ever 
held. Over the years, The Wider Scope of 
Arthroscopy has earned a reputation as one 
of the most valuable and admired medical 
education events in the industry, according 
to our customers. 

 
 
 
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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

Sales & Marketing

Our customers are the providers of 
medical and surgical treatments and 
services in over 100 countries worldwide. 

We serve our customers through our sales 
force. Our sales representatives are highly 
trained and skilled individuals. Becoming 
a sales representative requires intense 
training, including passing a strict certification 
programme, before engaging in discussions 
with, and ultimately selling products to 
customers. Depending on their area of 
specialism, representatives must be able to 
demonstrate a detailed knowledge of all the 
surgical instruments used to implant a device, 
or have specific understanding of the various 
surgical techniques a customer might use. 

Once a sales representative is certified, 
they typically spend the majority of their 
time working directly with and supporting 
customers. They help to provide in-hospital 
support to aid in the effective use of our 
implants, instruments and medical products 
and techniques. 

Our US sales forces are specialised by channel. 
They consist of a mixture of independent 
contract workers and employees. Sales 
agents are contractually prohibited from selling 
products that compete with our products. In 
most Established Markets outside of the US, 
country-specific commercial organisations 
led by the country managing director manage 
employee sales forces directly. In our Emerging 
Markets we operate through direct selling and 
marketing operations led by country managing 
directors, and/or through distributors.

The largest single customer worldwide is 
a purchasing group based in the UK that 
represented less than 5% of our worldwide 
revenue in 2015.

Increasingly, we are developing opportunities 
for sales forces to cross sell complementary 
products from other franchises. An example 
would be an orthopaedic reconstruction sales 
representative introducing a surgeon customer 
to the benefits of PICO, our single use Negative 
Pressure Wound Therapy device, in the 
prevention of post-operative infections.

Smith & Nephew utilises a variety of traditional 
and novel means to market to our customers. 
For example, congresses (educational 
conferences or trade shows) represent a 
traditional and efficient way for Smith & 
Nephew to reach a large number of healthcare 
professionals at once, often in terms of both 
advertising/promotion and education. From 
an awareness perspective, Smith & Nephew 
displays its latest, innovative products and from 
an educational standpoint, may also provide 
satellite symposia or other forms of medical 
education around these products. 

We also leverage digital media to connect with 
our customers. Our digital communications 
activities have been evolving as technologies 
and user habits evolve. Content and 
messaging is currently delivered via global 
market websites, social media channels and 
mobile applications. One core use of digital 
technology to communicate and market 
to our customers has been Education & 
Evidence, a membership-driven surgeon 
education website.

Our marketing teams also support product 
development. For instance, our Advanced 
Wound Management brand teams provide 
strategic direction to the brands from 
development to commercial execution. 
In addition, the Therapeutic Excellence team 
drives our portfolio approach across brands 
to drive our strategy to move from product to 
integrated solution.

ONE SMITH & NEPHEW  
FOR ANZ CUSTOMERS 

In Australia and New Zealand we are identifying 
synergies across our advanced surgical and 
wound management portfolios to support 
our customers, grow our business and 
drive success.
An example of this was a recent Professional 
Education event at Macquarie University 
in Sydney, which was attended by over 
20 Orthopaedic surgeons from across ANZ. 
In addition to covering training related to knee 
arthroscopy products, the attendees also had 
the opportunity to learn about using PICO◊, 
Single Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy 
in a surgical setting.

OUR 
PRODUCT REACH

100+  
countries

 
 
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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

The resources we need to deliver our products continued

Our people

Engaging, developing and retaining 
our 15,000 employees is important 
to us. During 2015, we made major 
strides in meeting our commitment to 
be an employer of choice, as well as a 
responsible corporate citizen.

On 31 December 2015, Smith & Nephew had 
the following breakdown of employees:

NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES1

Board of Directors 

11

MALE

FEMALE

Senior Managers  
and above2 

796

MALE

FEMALE

Total employees 

  15,644

MALE

FEMALE

TOTAL 
EMPLOYEES

15,644

1 

 Number of employees as at 31 December 2015 
including part time employees and employees on leave 
of absence.

2   Senior Managers and above includes all employees 

classed as Directors, Senior Directors, Vice Presidents 
and Executive Officers and includes all statutory 
directors and Directors of our subsidiary companies.

Engaging with employees
Smith & Nephew strives to create a 
more engaged and productive workforce 
and focuses on measures to drive 
employee engagement.

This includes open and transparent 
communication with employees through 
regular and timely information and consultation. 
We clearly communicate our business goals 
and performance standards and also provide 
training, information and authority to achieve 
them. We also listen to our employees, by 
holding regular surveys and focus groups. 

Our annual CEO Award, open to all employees, 
recognises employees who deliver exceptional 
results in line with our core values, encouraging 
innovation and a spirit of continuous 
improvement at all levels. 

Since December 2012, more than 3,100 new 
employees have joined Smith & Nephew 
as a result of acquisitions. We attach great 
importance to the introduction of these 
new employees to Smith & Nephew, and 
work hard to achieve successful integration 
and engagement. 

Developing talent
Attracting the best talent and developing 
our employees is critical to achieving our 
business objectives. 

We are committed to working with employees 
to develop each individual’s talents, skills 
and abilities. We provide encouragement to 
learn and continuously improve. Employee 
advancement is merit-based, reflecting 
performance as well as demonstration of 
core competencies which include our values, 
with an emphasis on ethics and integrity. We 
prioritise the development and promotion of 
our existing employees whenever possible.

Each year Smith & Nephew conducts a 
comprehensive global development and 
capability review process to identify high-
potential employees and ensure they have 
robust career development plans. Employees 
are provided with opportunities to develop their 
skills and career through new assignments and 
on the job experiences.

In addition, the Board reviews succession plans 
for key executive roles and succession plans 
are in place for other critical positions across 
our business.

Retaining our people
Investing in retaining our people helps ensure 
the long-term sustainability of our business. 

We provide fair recognition and reward based  
on performance. Our performance management 
process ensures all employees set objectives 
which align to our overall business goals and 
have clear line-of-sight to how their individual 
contributions benefit the Company. Our 
performance management system assesses 
and rewards both performance and behaviour, 
in line with our Code of Conduct. All employees 
have a specific annual objective to adhere to 
the Code of Conduct and to complete training 
certifying their compliance with this Code.

Smith & Nephew offers a large number of 
wellness programmes, including annual 
wellness days, fitness support and healthy 
eating programmes. These are designed from 
a perspective that blends health and wellbeing, 
improving the lives of our employees.

Global Employee Assistance Programs (‘EAPs’) 
focus on stress and work/life issues and 
problems, providing counselling, webinars and 
web tools and other resources across many 
work/life topics. Counselling can span from 
traditional EAP counselling to financial, legal 
and everyday family assistance.

Changing the way change happens
To ensure we have organisation change 
readiness capability, we recently put in place 
a structured programme, which deploys a 
change management model and methodology. 
This is designed to focus on our employees 
during the implementation of major strategic 
initiatives in order to support our employees 
and reduce the financial and operational risks 
associated with such organisational changes.

Training is the cornerstone to this success. 
To ensure effective change throughout Smith 
& Nephew, we have trained and certified 
internal methodology masters and change 
agents. All leaders at an executive level will 
have participated in a programme specially 
designed for sponsors of change. The Change 
Awareness e-lesson for all employees was 
successfully launched in 2015, to assist them 
when working in partnership with sponsors 
and change agents. 

Employees will be consistently trained and 
coached to embed the change management 
methodology into our culture. 

 
 
 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR RESOURCES

Developing &  
retaining talent

The best and the brightest
We aim to bring together the sharpest 
minds in the industry. We recognise that 
to achieve this we need to create an 
environment where talented people have 
the opportunity to develop and continue to 
grow. We have an ongoing focus on keeping 
our talent and leadership pipeline filled to 
ensure it is a sustainable, self-reinforcing 
cycle, creating more opportunities 
for growth.

Talent development
Our development philosophy is based 
on the 70:20:10 Model for Learning 
and Development. This is a form of 
transformational development that engages 
people and mirrors how they learn, helping 
to create change within the individual and 
infuse change into the organisation.

We have a comprehensive global 
development and capability review process 

to identify high potential employees 
and ensure they have robust career 
development plans. Talented employees 
are provided with opportunities to develop 
their skills and career through new 
assignments and on the job experiences. 

In 2015, we ran our CEO Forum for our Top 
Talent, providing them with the opportunity 
to work closely with our executive team and 
work together on strategic challenges. We 
also launched a modular Managing Director 
programme to further enhance the skills 
and career opportunities of key individuals 
pursuing a career in this critical area.

Our performance management process 
ensures all employees set objectives which 
align to our overall business goals and have 
clear line-of-sight to how their individual 
performance management system 
assesses and rewards both performance 
and behaviour.

Diversity at Smith & Nephew
We believe that diversity fuels innovation. We 
are committed to employment practices based 
on equality of opportunity, regardless of colour, 
creed, race, national origin, sex, age, marital 
status, sexual orientation or mental or physical 
disability unrelated to the ability of the person to 
perform the essential functions of the job.

Smith & Nephew has a Human Resource 
Global Standard for diversity and inclusion in 
the workplace and is committed to creating 
an inclusive environment that embraces and 
promotes diversity.

The Board and Executive Officers continue to 
recognise the importance of diversity. Three of 
our 11 Board members are female.

We recruit, employ and promote employees on 
the sole basis of the qualifications and abilities 
needed for the work to be performed. We do 
not tolerate discrimination on any grounds and 
provide equal opportunity based on merit.

We are committed to building diversity in a 
working environment where there is mutual 
trust and respect and where everyone feels 
responsible for the performance and reputation 
of our Company. 

We are committed to providing healthy and 
safe working conditions for all employees. We 
achieve this by ensuring that health and safety 
and the working environment are managed 
as an integral part of the business, and we 
recognise employee involvement as a key part 
of that process.

We do not use any form of forced, compulsory 
or child labour. We support the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights of the United 
Nations. This means we respect the human 
rights, dignity and privacy of the individual 
and the right of employees to freedom of 
association, freedom of expression and the 
right to be heard.

WINNERS OF THE CEO AWARD 2015

(left to right) Raj Naidu, Yongja Chang,  
Olivier Bohuon (CEO), Ana Matos and 
Kundan Tambde.

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

SUSTAINABILITY

Our future focus

We continue to embed sustainability into 
all our business operations, focusing 
our efforts on delivering affordable and 
effective products to our customers. 
We achieve this by caring for our 
employees, the society in which we 
operate and the environment around us. 

This is a summary report of our sustainability 
activities and progress in 2015. Our annual 
Sustainability Report will be published in 
April 2016.

We made some great progress on our 
sustainability journey in 2015 since we laid out 
aggressive sustainability targets in 2011. Our 
employee lost time incident frequency rate 
declined a further 49% through continued 
implementation of behaviour-based safety 
and robust incident reporting and investigation 
systems across the Group. Waste sent to 
landfill was further reduced, enabled by the 
thorough understanding of our waste streams 
delivered by the conduct of detailed waste 
audits. Sustainability considerations were 
formalised and extended in our supply chain, 
ensuring that our vendors are committed 
to achieving the same high standards of 
sustainable operation as we are. Engagement 
with the communities in which we operate 
was significantly extended through employee 
volunteering and we have strengthened 
and deepened employee wellness 
programmes with a focus on enabling healthy 
lifestyle choices.

The learnings from the 2012-2015 period 
provide an opportunity for insight to our 
sustainability journey. It is clear that we were 
successful in achieving targets in areas which 
are closely aligned to the purpose of the 
Company – health and wellbeing, diversity and 
inclusion, providing wider access to quality 
healthcare, and building trust. We have fallen 
short where we have not yet successfully built 
bridges from our targets to our values and 
strategy. We commit to fully examining these 
latter areas in 2016, developing a sustainability 
strategy which more fully reconciles our 
purpose, values and strategy to the wider 
needs of society and the environment.

In 2015, our Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate 
(‘LTIFR’) reduced by 49% to 0.20. There were 
no employee or contractor fatalities and our 
recordable injury rate also fell by 41% to 0.54. 
Compared to the previous year, total waste 
decreased by 2% but is 27% higher than in our 
baseline year, 2011. However, as we identified 
more recycling opportunities, the amount of 
waste disposed to landfill has fallen by a further 
4% over the last year, a total of 39% reduction 
since 2011. Energy consumption has increased 
by 2% over the last year mainly all driven by 
organic growth, acquisitions, changes in 
footprint, and limited resource efficiency focus.

The Board has evaluated the social, 
environmental and ethical risks and have 
concluded that other than the risk of Bribery 
and Corruption, which is explained in greater 
detail in the Group Risk section on page 48, 
none of these risks is material in the context 
of the Group as a whole.

OUR DONATIONS

We donated approximately $11.5 million in 
philanthropic activities, of which $1.4 million 
was in product donations and charitable gifts. 
Volunteering programmes were active in most of 
our locations around the world and employees 
and local communities were able to benefit from 
the increased level of involvement.

Safety
Ensuring the safety of our employees and 
those who work with us is at the forefront 
of the way we carry out our activities both 
on the manufacturing sites and also in our 
commercial activities.

The implementation of our integrated 
management system, an active internal audit 
programme and a number of behavioural-
based safety campaigns have enabled us to 
report safety rates which are amongst the best 
in our sector.

Our headline safety performance includes all 
employees and supervised contractors and 
excludes unsupervised contractors. We adopt 
the industry standard USA Occupational Safety 
and Health Administration (‘OSHA’) system 
to record incidents of occupational injury and 
ill-health.

Lost-time incidents are defined as those 
which result in a person not being able to 
report for work on the day or shift following 
the incident. Performance is expressed as a 
rate of the number of incidents per 200,000 
hours worked.

Waste
As the footprint of the business has expanded, 
coupled with growth and acquisitions since 
2011, our total waste has increased by 27%. 
The actions raised by our 2014 waste audits are 
now gaining momentum and we reported a 2% 
annual decrease in 2015, a trend we aim to 
continue. Significant improvements were again 
made by diverting waste away from landfill in 
2015 with 75% of our waste streams now being 
recycled or sent for energy recovery.

Energy and greenhouse 
gas emissions
Over the past year our energy use has 
increased by 2% with a corresponding 3% 
increase in CO2 emissions all driven by organic 
growth, acquisitions and changes in footprint. 
The effect of the recently acquired business 
(ArthroCare) accounted for 6.4 GWh of the 
increase, without which energy use would have 
decreased by 2%.

Methodology, materiality 
and scope
The data reported relates to areas of largest 
environmental impact including manufacturing 
sites, warehouses, research and offices. 
Smaller locations representing less than 2% 
of our overall emissions are not included. 
Acquisitions completed before 2015 are 
included in the data. Each year we work with an 
independent partner to verify our sustainability 
data and gain assurance.

DONATIONS 
TO PHILANTHROPIC 
ACTIVITIES

$11.5m

PRODUCT 
DONATIONS AND 
CHARITABLE GIFTS

$1.4m

WASTE 
RECYCLED OR SENT 
FOR ENERGY RECOVERY

75%

 
 
 
 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

SUSTAINABILITY

The data

2014 
LTIFR

0.39

2015 
LTIFR

0.20

TOTAL RECORDABLE INCIDENT RATE (TIR)

TOTAL WASTE (t)

LOST TIME INCIDENT  
FREQUENCY RATE (LTIFR)

0.54

0.91

1.11

1.09

1.16

0.20

0.39

0.48

0.51

0.58

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

LANDFILL WASTE (t) 

>

9,137

9,368

8,301

7,740

7,211

2,089

2,168

2,662

2,826

3,401

ENERGY (GWh)

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, CO2 (t)

198

194

177

179

178

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

88,202

85,386

77,682

76,904

77,274

SAFE DRIVING

MR. SAFETY

Throughout 2015, we raised awareness of safe 
driving on company business and extended 
this to encourage all staff to think carefully about 
their driving habits whilst at work and in their 
leisure time. We ran a poster campaign which 
was well received in all countries and this is 
being rewarded by a reduction in the number 
of recordable injuries involving driving whilst 
on business.

The ‘Mr Safety’ programme was rolled out in 
Memphis. This initiative aims to promote a 
positive safety culture by challenging employees 
to proactively focus on unsafe acts and 
conditions as a collective team, while having 
fun and having a chance to be rewarded for 
their efforts.

The scope for measuring emissions is in line 
with the scope of businesses covered in our 
consolidated financial statement. We have 
used Greenhouse Gas Protocol to measure 
our emissions. A Corporate Accounting 
and Reporting Standard (Revised Edition) is 
guidance for this process. Primary data from 
energy suppliers has been used wherever 
possible. Data from the ArthroCare acquisition 
is included in 2015 for the first time. Recent 
acquisitions in 2015 are excluded and this is in 
line with our established policy for integration of 
acquired assets.

Our emissions have been calculated by 
using specific emissions factors for each 
country outside the USA and regional factors 
within the USA. We have used the US EPA 
‘Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated 
Database’ (‘eGRID’) for US regions and the UK 
Government DEFRA Conversion Factors for 
Greenhouse Gas Reporting elsewhere. The 
emissions from 2014 have been recalculated 
using the most up-to-date factors available 
in 2015 and may therefore differ slightly from 
those published previously.

Direct emissions include fugitive emissions 
from the manufacturing and research locations 
and arise from the losses of refrigerant gases, 
they also include the combustion of fuels 
on-site for the operation of facilities. Indirect 
emissions include purchased electricity.

CO2e Emissions  
(tonnes) from:
Direct emissions
Indirect emissions
Total
Intensity ratio
CO2e (t) per $m sales 
revenue
CO2e (t) per full-time 
employee

2015

2014

11,011
77,191
88,202

11,208
74,178
85,386

19.2

6.0

19.4

6.9

Revenue 2015 – $4.6 billion, 2014 – $4.4 billion.
Full-time employee data 2015 – 14,698, 2014 – 12,437.

2014 data adjusted to exclude ArthroCare, 2015 data 
adjusted to exclude recent acquisitions in Russia 
and Colombia.

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

 
 
 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

FINANCIAL REVIEW 

Financial review

REVENUE1

+4%

GEOGRAPHICAL GROWTH

REVENUE BREAKDOWN

PRODUCT GROWTH

US

+5%

US

Knee implants

Knee implants

Other Established
Markets

+1%

Other Established
Markets

Emerging
Markets

+11%

Emerging Markets

Hip implants

Hip implants

Sports medicine
joint repairs

Sports medicine
joint repairs

Arthroscopic enabling
technologies

Arthroscopic
enabling technologies

Trauma & extremities

Other surgical

AWC

AWD

AWB

Trauma &
extremities

Other surgical
businesses

AWC

AWD

AWB

+5%

0%

+7%

0%

+2%

+10%

+8%

–3%

+7%

Geographical

Underlying change

Geographical

Product

Product

Underlying change

The underlying increase in revenues, by market, reconciles to reported growth, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’), as follows:

US
Other Established Markets
Emerging Markets
Total

Reported  
growth in  
revenue  
%
10
(12)
6
0

Constant  
currency  
exchange  
effect  
%
–
15
9
8

Acquisitions/  
Disposals  
effect  
%
(5)
(2)
(4)
(4)

Underlying  
growth in  
revenue  
%
5
1
11
4

2015  
$ million
2,217
1,702
715
4,634

2014  
$ million
2,012
1,928
677
4,617

Trading profit reconciles to operating profit, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS, as follows:

Operating profit
Acquisition related costs
Restructuring and rationalising costs
Amortisation of acquisition intangible and impairments
Legal and other
Trading profit

Explanations of these non-GAAP financial measures are defined on pages 177 to 178.

2015
$ million
628
12
65
204
190
1,099

2014
$ million
749
118
61
129
(2)
1,055

1  The underlying percentage increases/decreases are after adjusting for the effects of currency translation and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions and 

exclusion of disposals. 

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

FINANCIAL REVIEW 

Revenue
Group revenue for the full year was 
$4,634 million, an increase of 4% on an 
underlying basis and flat on a reported basis 
from $4,617 million in 2014. Foreign exchange 
movements reduced revenue by 8% partially 
offset by acquisitions, primarily the acquisition 
of ArthroCare in May 2014 which has a full year 
of sales in 2015 and added 4% to the reported 
growth rate.

In 2015, we achieved revenue growth in all of 
our geographical selling regions in 2015. In our 
Established Markets we delivered 5% growth 
in the United States, our largest market, a 
significant improvement on the previous year. 

We successfully stabilised our European 
business which delivered a better outturn year-
on-year, and our Australia, New Zealand and 
Japan region delivered good growth, led by the 
Advanced Wound Management businesses 
resulting in a 1% increase across our Other 
Established Markets.

In the Emerging Markets we delivered 11% 
revenue growth in 2015 despite the slow-down 
in China. Whilst we expect growth in China to 
remain below previous levels in the near-
term, it remains a very attractive market and 
we are committed to building our business 
here. We continued to successfully deliver 
strong revenue growth across the rest of the 
Emerging Markets. 

Global franchise highlights in 2015 included the 
performance of Sports Medicine, which was 
strengthened by the ArthroCare acquisition. 
The Advanced Wound Management 
businesses delivered a significantly better 
outcome driven by the actions of new 
management initiatives. Orthopaedic 
Reconstruction grew ahead of the market 
driven by our Knee Implant franchise. 

We are further strengthening our commercial 
platform by aligning under a newly-created role 
of Chief Commercial Officer tasked with driving 
commercial excellence across the organisation 
globally. We are also bringing all of our US 
Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, 
Trauma and Advanced Wound Management 
franchises under one leader, completing 
the roll-out of our single managing director 
model globally.

Trading profit
Our gross margin for the full year was 75.3%, 
30 basis points down on the prior year. This 
is a combination of price erosion, currency 
headwinds and offsetting manufacturing 
efficiencies. On price, we faced similar overall 
pressures of between 1% and 2%. This 
was offset by cost of goods improvement 
programmes. On currency, we are seeing 
headwinds as a result of transactional 
exchange, although in 2015 this was mostly 
offset by hedging gains. 

Our selling, general and administration 
expenses reduced by 80 basis points to 46.8% 
of sales, largely due to savings within general 
and administration. These savings were 
primarily driven by benefits from the Group 
Optimisation programme and also synergies 
from our ArthroCare acquisition. We continue 
to simplify and improve our operating model, 
becoming more efficient in 2015. Our Group 
Optimisation Programme to release at least 
$120 million of annual savings is progressing 
ahead of plan, and had delivered $100 million 
of annualised benefits at year end. Through 
this programme, we have simplified the 
organisation through the rollout of Single 
Managing Director:
 – we have realised benefits and improved 

management information through 
optimising our enabling functions, including 
Finance, IT, Legal and HR;

 – we have delivered good results from 

procurement initiatives across the group; 
and

 – we have rationalised our footprint of office 
locations in a number of major markets 
including Australia, Germany and the US. 

In respect of ArthroCare, when we announced 
the acquisition we said that we were targeting 
$85 million of synergies by 2017, of which three 
quarters would come from cost savings. We 
are ahead of plan and have now achieved 
almost all our targeted cost savings. Revenue 
synergies will continue to be delivered over the 
coming years. 

The suspension of the Medical Device 
Excise Tax will present us with opportunities 
to accelerate investment in our quality and 
regulatory systems and health economics 
teams, particularly in the US market.

Research and development expenses reduced 
by $13 million to $222 million in the full year, 
reducing as a percentage of sales to 4.8%. This 
is primarily due to the closure of the HP802 
programme, as we announced in 2014. 

Overall trading profit was $1,099 million in the 
year, an increase of 5% on an underlying basis 
and up $44 million from the prior year. Our 
trading margin for the full year increased 80 
basis points – delivering on our commitment of 
margin improvement. 

Operating profit
Operating profit was $628 million for the year, 
a decrease of $121 million from the prior year. 
Operating profit is the most directly comparable 
financial measure under IFRS to trading 
profit and reconciles as indicated on the left 
hand page.

Acquisition related costs primarily relate to the 
remainder of integration costs relating to the 
ArthroCare acquisition which has reduced 
significantly when compared to the prior year 
as ArthroCare was acquired in May 2014.

The ongoing restructuring and rationalisation 
costs relate to the Group Optimisation 
programme, which was announced in 
2014. Costs include redundancy and site 
rationalisation charges from the simplification 
of our operating model to establish a single 
structure under a single managing director 
as well as consultancy spend in delivering 
improved systems and processes.

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition 
intangibles of $204 million in 2015 includes a 
full year of the ArthroCare intangible assets as 
well as $51 million relating to the impairments 
of product related acquisition intangible assets, 
including a $40 million impairment of Oasis, a 
brand acquired with Healthpoint in 2012.

Included within Legal and other in 2015 is 
a total charge of $203 million relating to 
metal-on-metal hip claim settlements and 
associated legal costs of $21 million. Following 
the settlement of the majority of the US claims 
in late 2015 for net $25 million after insurance 
recoveries, a provision for the estimated value 
of current and anticipated claims of $185 million 
was recognised at 31 December 2015.

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Our approach to risk

Our risk appetite
The Group operates in global markets with long-term high growth 
potential. We are pursuing ambitious growth targets and are prepared 
to accept a certain level of risk to remain competitive and to continue 
operating in an ever-changing world. We are very clear about the specific 
risks our businesses face and the level of risk that we are prepared to 
accept in each part of our business. We have put in place robust plans for 
managing those risks, through elimination, avoidance or mitigation. 

CATEGORY OF RISK

RISK PARAMETERS

Our approach to each risk varies depending on the circumstances and 
we accept that over time, our approach towards each risk might change 
as our business or the external environment evolves. 

During the year, the Board took the opportunity as part of our Strategy 
Review to review our risk appetite in respect of our principal risks. The 
results of our deliberations can be summarised in the adjacent table.

Strategic

Moderate to high

Operational

Low to moderate

Financial

Low

Compliance

Extremely low

In acquiring and developing new products and business models, moving into adjacent markets and technologies, 
organically or through acquisitions, and implementing innovative pricing strategies, we have a moderate to high 
tolerance for risk. We are willing to take certain risks in pursuit of innovation and new business.

In operating our business, managing our suppliers, keeping control of inventory and managing our talent and our 
facilities, we have a low to moderate tolerance for risk. We aim to be as efficient as possible and adopt a cautious 
approach, but recognise that we need to take certain risks in order to take full advantage of the opportunities open 
to us.

We recognise that sound financial controls are necessary in order to manage our business as effectively as 
possible. We therefore have a low tolerance for risk relating to financial controls and require all our operations to 
comply with our minimum acceptable practices.

In complying with laws and regulations and in matters relating to bribery and corruption, product safety and 
patient and employee safety, we have an extremely low tolerance for risk. Whilst we attempt to eradicate this risk 
completely, we recognise that, as in any human system, compliance failures may occur. We will respond to issues 
as they arise and will reassess our business scope where needed, if we judge there to be risk in these areas, 
which we can’t manage.

Risk Management Activities in 2015

FINANCIAL REPORTING COUNCIL CHANGES

RISK APPETITE

 – We reviewed the Financial Reporting Council changes to the Corporate 

Governance Code. 

 – In May, Deloitte assisted us in reviewing our risk management 

programme in light of these changes.

 – In July 2015, the Audit Committee considered the recommendations 
from this review and how best to incorporate these changes into the 
Company’s processes. 

 – This work was followed up in October 2015, when the Audit Committee 

further considered the reporting requirements around risk. 

 – We spent time at the Strategy Review meeting in September 
re-appraising our risk appetite for each of our principal risks.
 – We undertook a ‘black swan’ exercise, thinking about possible, 
yet unlikely, risks which could have a major impact on the Group 
were they to occur. 

 – In December 2015, the Board Development Session focused on risk 
management and we further developed our tolerance for each risk. 

DEEP DIVES

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND RISK MANAGEMENT

 – In December 2015, the Audit Committee conducted a deep-dive into the 
processes to manage IT and Cyber Security risks as a follow up to work 
undertaken in 2014.

 – We have expanded the annual certification to the Chief Executive 
Officer on compliance with policies provided by all senior division 
management to include risk management.

 – The deep dives planned for 2016 are; dependency on single source 
or single site product supply; product quality and liability; and pricing 
and reimbursement. 

 – We have agreed to develop Key Risk Indicators (‘KRI’) to provide 

information on the status of key risks and to assist with tracking on 
a regular basis. 

 – We have taken further risk specific actions, which are detailed in the 

risk table on pages 44 to 48.

Since the year end, in February 2016, the Board has reviewed the effectiveness of the risk management process, considering the principal risks, 
actions taken by management to manage those risks and the Board’s risk appetite in respect of each risk. The Board considered that the risk 
management process was effective. We recognise that this is an ongoing process and work will continue in 2016 and beyond to ensure that this 
remains the case. 

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Our risk management process
The following chart shows how our risk management process is an integral part of our business. 
Individual risk owners within the business areas carry out day-to-day risk management activities 
within the framework established by the risk management office, including the identification of 
risks, undertaking risk assessments and implementing mitigating actions. These activities are 
reviewed by internal audit and other control functions, which provide assurance to the Group Risk 
Committee chaired by the Chief Executive and then to the Board and its committees.

Group risk register

BOARD OF 
DIRECTORS  
AND BOARD 
COMMITTEES

GROUP RISK 
COMMITTEE

 – Responsible for annual oversight of risk 

management and for strategic risk review
 – Monitors risks through Board processes 
(Strategy Review, Disclosures, M&A, 
Investments, Disposals) and Committees 
(Audit and Ethics & Compliance), 
management reports and deep dives 
of selected risk areas

 – Audit Committee reviews effectiveness 

with support from Internal Audit

 – Reviews external/internal environment 

for emerging risks

 – Reviews risk register updates from 

Business Areas

 – Establishes Group Risk Register  

for significant risks

BUSINESS  
AREAS (BA)

RISK 
MANAGEMENT 
OFFICE

INTERNAL AUDIT/ 
QARA/HSE/
COMPLIANCE/ 
LEGAL

 – Carries out day-to-day risk 
management activities

 – Identifies risk and provides risk assessment
 – Implements strategy and actions to  
address risk within business area

 – Establishes risk management framework
 – Facilitates implementation and  

coordination through Risk Champions

 – Provides resources and training to 

support process

 – Internal Audit reviews risk management 

process periodically

 – All Control Functions provide independent 
assurance to management and Board on 
assertions of risk exposure

 – Assigns Risk Owners to lead 

 – Prepares Board and Group Risk Committee 

mitigation actions 

 – Assigns Risk Champions to support  
semi-annual risk register updates

reports based on Business Area and 
other updates

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Our approach to risk continued

The principal risks we have identified
We have developed a detailed risk matrix, which is designed to rate any 
given risk. We rate our risks according to the likelihood of occurrence and 
the impact. The potential impact is assessed using the criteria below and 
others relating to matters such as Legal and other impacts:

Financial

HIGH

Significant profit impact 
or significant reduction of 
market value

MEDIUM
Moderate profit impact or 
reduction in market value 

LOW

Reputation

Regulatory and  
environment & safety

Business interruption

Extensive US/EU national/
international media scrutiny

Product withdrawal or non-
approval of key product; forced 
closure of critical facilities; material 
safety or environmental failures

Interruption to critical activities for 
long term

Short-term national (non US/EU) 
media coverage and disruption to 
stakeholder confidence

Key product delayed or withdrawn 
for intermediate period; short-term 
environmental damages

Interruption to critical activities in 
short-term

Low impact to revenue profit or 
market value

Localised annoyance/ concern/
complaints; no media coverage

Regulatory action with fewer 
issues, smaller products 
involved; minor injuries or 
environmental impact

Impact can be absorbed within 
normal business operations

The following pages provide an overview of what the Board considers to be our principal risks together with the actions management is taking to 
address them. These are the risks, which could cause the Group’s business, financial position and results of operations to differ materially and 
adversely from expected and historical levels. Additional detail may be found on pages 171 and 174 under ‘Group Risk Factors’.

PRODUCT PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT

The medical devices industry has rapid new product innovation. The sustainability of our business depends on finding and 
developing suitable products and solutions to meet the needs of our customers and patients to support long-term growth and 
securing appropriate protection for and defending our intellectual property.

Underlying risks

Actions taken by management

 – Insufficient innovation due to low R&D investment, R&D skills gap or 

 – Processes are focused on identifying new products and potentially 

poor product development execution.

disruptive technologies and solutions.

 – Competitors may introduce a disruptive technology or 

 – Increasing prioritisation and allocation of funds for research 

business model.

and development.

 – Competitors may obtain patents or other intellectual property rights 

 – Pursuing business development opportunities, which augment 

that affect the Group’s competitive position.

our portfolio.

 – Failure to receive regulatory approval to commercialise a pipeline 

 – Implementing efficient processes to roll new products out 

product successfully.

to consumers.

 – Claims by third parties regarding infringement of their intellectual 

 – Proactively clearing new products from competitive patents and 

property rights.

monitoring pending competitor patent applications.

 – Monitoring of external market trends and collation of customer 

insights to develop product strategies.

Actions during 2015
 – Acquisitions of Blue Belt technologies and distributorships in Russia 

and Colombia.

 – Progressed the implementation of the SYNCERA business model. 

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

ACQUISITIONS AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Failure to identify appropriate business development opportunities, to deliver value from our acquisitions or to integrate them 
effectively into the Group will impact our ability to achieve expected financial returns and lead to loss of reputation.

Underlying risks

Actions taken by management

 – Failure to identify appropriate acquisitions.
 – Ineffective acquisition due diligence.
 – Inflated forecasts or projections leading to over-valuation 

of transaction.

 – Failure to embed Group standards, policies and financial controls 

quickly enough following acquisition.

 – Integration process may identify practices that need to be ceased to 

meet Group standards.

 – Failure to learn from past actions.

 – Acquisition activity is aligned with corporate strategy and prioritised 
towards products, franchises and markets identified to have the 
greatest long-term potential.

 – Clearly defined investment appraisal process based on return on 

capital, in accordance with Capital Allocation Framework.

 – Undertaking detailed and comprehensive cross-functional due 

diligence prior to acquisitions.

 – Implementing consistent integration processes designed to identify 

and mitigate risks in the early stages post completion.

 – Early embedding of our desired standards of compliance with laws, 

internal policies and controls.

 – Comprehensive post-acquisition review programme.

Actions during 2015
 – Thorough due diligence undertaken for the acquisitions of Blue Belt 
Technologies and the distributorships on Colombia and Russia.

 – Comprehensive Integration programme continued for the acquisition 

of ArthroCare in 2014.

 – Post-acquisition review template revised to enable acquisitions to be 

evaluated on consistent basis.

GOVERNMENT ACTION, PRICING AND REIMBURSEMENT PRESSURE

The success of our business depends on governments providing adequate funding to meet increasing demands arising 
from demographic trends. The prices we charge are therefore impacted by budgetary constraints, economic and political 
considerations, fluctuations in exchange rates and our ability to persuade governments of the economic value of our products, 
based on clinical data, cost, patient outcomes and comparative effectiveness. 

Underlying risks

Actions taken by management

 – Reduced reimbursement levels and increasing pricing pressures.
 – Reduced demand for elective surgery.
 – Lack of compelling health economics data to support 

reimbursement requests.

 – Government policies favouring lower prices and locally 

sourced products.

 – Political upheavals prevent selling of products, receiving remittances 

of profit from a member of the Group or future investments in 
that country.

 – Economic downturn impacts demand and collections.
 – Trading margin will be impacted when the currencies in our 

manufacturing countries (US, UK, Costa Rica and China) strengthen 
against the currencies in the rest or the world where our products 
are exported.

 – Developing innovative economic product and service solutions for 

both Established and Emerging Markets, such as SYNCERA.
 – Maintaining an appropriate breadth of portfolio and geographic 

spread to mitigate exposure to localised risks.

 – Incorporating health economic components into the design and 

development of new products.

 – Emphasising value propositions tailored to specific 

stakeholders and geographies through strategic investment and 
marketing programmes.

 – Optimising cost to serve to protect margins and liberate funds 

for investment.

 – Holding prices within acceptable ranges through global 

pricing corridors.

 – Transacting forward foreign currency commitments when 
firm purchase orders are placed to reduce exposure to 
currency fluctuations.

Actions during 2015
 – Launch of SYNCERA business model in Established Markets and 
commenced development of the SYNCERA range of mid-tier 
products in Emerging Markets.

 – Established Strategic Marketing programmes to develop the 

economic proposition to back the clinical data.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Our approach to risk continued

BUSINESS OPERATIONS, SUPPLY CHAIN AND BUSINESS RECOVERY

Our business depends on purchasing materials, efficient manufacturing, controlled inventory management and the timely supply 
of our products to our customers. Some of our key products are reliant on one production facility or one supplier for raw materials, 
components, finished products and packaging materials. 

Underlying risks

Actions taken by management

 – Failure or performance issues at a critical/single source facility or 

 – Ensuring emergency and incident management and business 

supplier of key products or services may impact revenues or profits.
 – If a key facility were rendered unusable by a catastrophe, or we lost 
a number of leaders or employees in a catastrophe, business plans 
and targets may not be met. 

 – Over production of product inventory and instruments sets may 

occur due to inadequate portfolio planning. 

 – If we fail to properly manage our inventory and financial controls 

around inventory we may become overcapitalised or inaccurately 
forecast and report data.

recovery plans are in place at major facilities and for key products 
and key suppliers.

 – Validating second source for critical components or products.
 – Undertaking of risk based review programmes for critical suppliers.
 – Enhancing travel security and protection programme.
 – Developing improved regional inventory metrics to drive efficiency 
and harmonise demand signals with factory capacity constraints.
 – Managing continued reduction in SKUs through product phase outs 

and formal review of slow moving and obsolete inventory.

Actions during 2015
 – Appointed new dedicated President of Global Operations and 

strengthened the supply chain organisation.

IT SYSTEM DISRUPTION AND CYBER CRIME

Our business is heavily dependent on the integrity of our IT systems and the management of information. At the same time, 
cyber crime is growing exponentially in frequency and sophistication and many IT systems are exposed to these threats. 

Underlying risks

Actions taken by management

 – IT systems which support our business may be disrupted by 

 – Continuously improving the stability and reliability of IT systems 

man-made or natural forces or in the process of upgrades or new 
process implementation.

and infrastructure.

 – Ensuring IT disaster and data recovery plans are in place to support 

 – A severe IT service interruption, a cyber attack, the unauthorised 

overall business continuity plans.

access to or a misuse of sensitive information could disable critical 
systems and cause loss of sensitive data with major impact for the 
Company, including substantial revenue or profit loss as well as 
material reputational damage.

 – Global management framework for the control and reporting of 

access to our critical IT systems.

 – Following HMG GCHQ guidance, implementing the Cyber 

security roadmap with oversight from the Group Cyber Security 
Steering Committee.

 – Continuously improving controls relating to mobile device and 

removable media, network security and monitoring and malware 
protection and secure configuration.

 – Policies covering the protection of both business and personal 

information and the uses of IT systems by our employees.
 – Comprehensive IT security training programmes in place 

for employees.

 – Controls in place around the secure transmission of data.

Actions during 2015
 – Board undertook a ‘deep dive’ into IT security and cyber crime in 
December 2015, reviewing the plans we have in place to tackle 
cyber crime.

 
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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

TALENT RETENTION AND ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE

Our people are critical to the success of our business and we need to attract, motivate and retain the best talent we can, not only for 
our current needs, but also looking ahead to the organisation of the future. We therefore need effective succession planning at all 
levels and support for employees through periods of organisational change.

Underlying risks

Actions taken by management

 – Poor retention of high performing and high potential staff could 

 – Operating robust talent systems and processes with focus on 

jeopardise achieving objectives. 

identifying key roles and successors.

 – Failure to ensure proactive talent management is undertaken 

 – Operating robust performance management programme, which 

effectively may result in business disruption.

 – Failure to support executives and employees affected 

through periods of organisational change could result in sub-
optimal performance.

includes regular performance reviews, underpinned by a common 
set of values.

 – Enhancing hiring process with rigorous screening and checks.
 – Running annual talent review process the results of which are 

reported up to the Board to aid discussions on succession planning.

 – Designing competitive management incentive packages. 
 – Holding annual managing directors’ meeting and CEO Forum for high 

potential managers to encourage and develop internal talent.

Actions during 2015
 – Results of talent management process fed into the organisational 

changes implemented at the end of 2015.

 – Coached Senior Executives and managers on how to manage 

effectively through change.

 – Comprehensive change management programme rolled-out at 

multiple levels across the organisation.

 – Further embedded succession planning of key roles at all levels.

PRODUCT SAFETY, QUALITY, REGULATION AND LITIGATION

Many of our products are designed to be implanted or used within the human body. Product safety and quality is therefore of 
critical importance. National regulatory authorities enforce a complex series of laws and regulations that govern the design, 
development, approval, manufacture, labelling, marketing and sale of healthcare products. They also review data supporting the 
safety and efficacy of such products and may also inspect for compliance with appropriate standards, including those relating to 
Quality Management Systems or Good Manufacturing practice regulations. 

Underlying risks

Actions taken by management

 – Defects in design or manufacturing products sold by the Group could 
lead to product recalls or product removal or result in loss of life or 
major injury, with negative financial and reputational impacts.
 – If there is significant non-compliance with policy, regulations and 

standards governing products and operations regarding registration, 
manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing, then we could 
suffer fines and impacts to reputation.

 – Failure in the design or manufacture of products supplied to the 

Company can impact the quality of products sold by the Company.

 – Failure to obtain proper approvals for new or changed 

technologies, products or processes can result in product and 
registration deficiencies.

 – Failure to implement programmes and supporting resources to 

ensure product quality and regulatory compliance.

 – Failure to manage, process, respond to and analyse customer 

complaints and adverse event data could lead to further deficiencies 
and loss of reputation.

 – Ensuring that we have comprehensive product quality processes 

and controls from design to customer supply.

 – Ensuring that ‘design for manufacture’ is embedded into 

product development.

 – Reviewing product safety and complaint data.
 – Standardising and monitoring compliance with Group quality 

management and practices through Global Quality Assurance 
Regulatory Assurance organisation.

 – Incident management teams in place to respond in the event of an 

incident relating to patient safety.

Actions during 2015
 – Appointed new dedicated President of Global Operations and 

strengthened the quality and regulatory function.

 – Improved performance of facilities undergoing audits by Federal 

Drug Administration.

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Our approach to risk continued

REPUTATION, ETHICS, BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION

There is increasing public scrutiny of ethics in business and ‘doing the right thing’ has become part of our licence to operate. 
Business practices in the healthcare industry are subject to increasing scrutiny by government authorities in many countries. 
We are also expected to have in place strong compliance programs under global anti-corruption laws and US healthcare laws.

Underlying risks

Actions taken by management

 – Failure to act in an ethical manner consistent with our code of 

 – Leadership from the top with Ethics & Compliance Committee 

conduct can lead to reputational damage.

 – Violation of global anti-corruption and healthcare laws.
 – Cultures in certain geographies and in acquired businesses may not 

fully support the Group’s code of conduct.

 – Failure to conduct adequate due diligence or to integrate appropriate 

internal controls into recently acquired businesses.

 – An instance of fraud could severely impact our finances and 

our reputation.

 – Serious compliance breach by employee or third party in an 

individual geography could threaten our ability to continue to operate 
in that geography.

at Board and Executive level overseeing our ethical and 
compliance practices.

 – All employees globally are required to certify compliance with 

our Code of Conduct and Global Policies and Procedures which 
provide guidelines for ethical behaviour and controls for significant 
compliance risks.

 – Training programmes in place for employees and third parties with 

ethical and compliance responsibilities and monitoring and auditing 
programmes to verify implementation.

 – Independent reporting channels for employees and third parties to 

report concerns in confidence.

 – Compliance risks included as part of due diligence reviews, 

integration plans and reporting for acquisitions.

 – Controls in place to detect and prevent fraud.

Actions during 2015
 – Active engagement in due diligence and integration projects for 
acquisition of Blue Belt technologies, and the distributorships in 
Russia and Colombia.

 – Established ‘spotlight on trust’ programme to recognise employees.
 – Implemented detailed additional compliance standards to 

distributors and agents.

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Our Viability Statement

During the year, the Board has carried 
out a robust assessment of the principal 
risks affecting the Company, particularly 
those which could threaten the business 
model. These risks and the actions 
being taken to manage or mitigate them 
are explained in detail on pages 44 to 48 
of this Annual Report. 

Having assessed the principal risks, the Board 
has determined that we have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its liabilities 
as they fall due over a period of three years 
from 1 January 2016. We have chosen a period 
of three years, as the detailed Strategic Plan, 
which we approve each year at our Strategy 
Review in September, is also for a three-year 
period. We also review longer-term plans for 
five and ten years, but our detailed review 
focuses on a three-year period. 

In reaching this conclusion, we have 
undertaken the following process:

 – The Audit Committee reviewed the 
risk management process at their 
meetings in February and July, receiving 
presentations from the Chief Compliance 
and Risk Officer, which explained the 
processes followed by management in 
identifying and managing risk throughout 
the business.

 – As part of the annual Strategy Review in 
September, the Board considered and 
discussed the principal risks which could 
impact the business model over the 
next three years and discussed with the 
management team how each of these 
risks were being managed and mitigated.
 – We have undertaken a robust assessment 

of those risks that would threaten our 
business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity of the Company, 
including its resilience to the threats to its 
viability posed by those risks in severe 
but plausible scenarios. We are satisfied 
that we have robust mitigating actions in 
place as detailed on pages 44 to 48 of this 
Annual Report. 

 – We recognise however that the long-term 
viability of the Company could also be 
impacted by other as yet unforeseen risks 
or that the mitigating actions we have put 
in place could turn out to be less effective 
than intended.

 – Therefore where appropriate, stress and 
sensitivity analysis of these risks was 
carried out to evaluate the impact of a 
severe but plausible combination of risks 
actually occurring and consider whether 
additional financing would be required. 
This assessment included quantitative 
and qualitative analyses.

 – We have considered and discussed a 
report from the Chief Financial Officer 
setting out the terms of our current 
financing arrangements and potential 
capacity for additional financing.

Based on this analysis, the Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Company will 
be able to continue in operation and meet its 
liabilities as they fall due over the three-year 
period of their assessment. 

Our conclusion is based on our current 
Strategic Plan approved by the Board in 
September 2015, having regard to longer-term 
strategic intentions, yet to be formulated in 
detail. However, we operate in a changing 
marketplace, which might cause us to adapt 
our Strategic Plans during the three-year 
period. In responding to changing external 
conditions, we will continue to evaluate any 
additional risks involved which might impact 
the business model.

By order of the Board, 24 February 2016

Susan Swabey 
Company Secretary

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Governed by a Board with a wealth of skills

Roberto Quarta (66)
Chairman

Olivier Bohuon (57)
Chief Executive Officer 

Julie Brown (53) 
Chief Financial Officer

Joined the Board in December 2013 and 
appointed Chairman following election by 
shareholders at the April 2014 Annual General 
Meeting. He was also appointed Chairman 
of the Nomination & Governance Committee 
and a Member of the Remuneration 
Committee on that day.

Career and Experience

Roberto is a graduate and a former Trustee 
of the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester 
(MA), US. He started his career as a manager 
trainee at David Gessner Ltd, before moving 
on to Worcester Controls Corporation and 
then BTR plc, where he was a divisional 
Chief Executive. Between 1985 and 1989 he 
was Executive Vice President of Hitchiner 
Manufacturing Co. Inc., where he helped 
the company to expand internationally. He 
returned to BTR plc in 1989 as Divisional Chief 
Executive, where he led the expansion in 
North America and was appointed to the 
main board. From here he moved to BBA 
Aviation plc, as CEO from 1993 to 2001 and 
then as Chairman, until 2007. He has held 
several board positions, including Non-
Executive Director of Powergen plc, Equant 
N.V., BAE Systems plc and Foster Wheeler AG. 
His previous Chairmanships include Italtel 
SpA, Rexel S.A. and IMI plc. He is currently 
Chairman of WPP plc. He is a partner at 
Clayton Dubilier & Rice and a member of the 
Investment Committee of Fondo Strategico 
Italiano SpA.

Skills and Competencies

Roberto’s career in private equity brings 
valuable experience to Smith & Nephew, 
particularly when evaluating acquisitions 
and new business opportunities. He has an 
in-depth understanding of differing global 
governance requirements having served 
as a director and Chairman of a number of 
UK and international companies. Since his 
appointment as Chairman in April 2014, he 
has conducted a comprehensive review 
into the composition of the Board and its 
Committees, and conducted the search for 
new Non-Executive Directors resulting in 
the appointment of Vinita Bali in 2014, Erik 
Engstrom and Robin Freestone during 2015.

Nationality

  American/Italian

Joined the Board and was appointed Chief 
Executive Officer in April 2011. He resigned as 
a Member of the Nomination & Governance 
Committee on 4 February 2016.

Career and Experience

Olivier has had a highly successful career 
in the pharmaceutical industry. He holds a 
doctorate from the University of Paris and 
an MBA from HEC, Paris. His career has 
been truly global. He started his career in 
Morocco with Roussel Uclaf S.A. and then, 
with the same company, held a number of 
positions in the Middle East with increasing 
levels of responsibility. He joined Abbott 
in Chicago as head of their anti-infective 
franchise with Abbott International, before 
becoming Pharmaceutical General Manager 
in Spain. He subsequently spent 10 years 
with GlaxoSmithKline, rising to Senior 
Vice President & Director for European 
Commercial Operations. He then re-joined 
Abbott as President for Europe, became 
President of Abbott International (all countries 
outside of the US), and then President of 
their Pharmaceutical Division, which was 
a $20 billion business, encompassing 
manufacturing, R&D and commercial 
operations. He joined Smith & Nephew from 
Pierre Fabre, where he was Chief Executive.

Skills and Competencies

Olivier has extensive international healthcare 
leadership experience within a number of 
significant pharmaceutical and healthcare 
companies. His global experience provides 
the skillset required to innovate a FTSE 100 
company with a deep heritage and provide 
inspiring leadership. He is a Non-Executive 
Director of Virbac group and Shire plc.

Nationality

  French

Joined the Board as Chief Financial Officer in 
February 2013.

Career and Experience

Julie is a graduate, Chartered Accountant and 
Fellow of the Institute of Taxation. She qualified 
with KPMG before working with AstraZeneca 
plc, where she served as Vice President 
Group Finance, and ultimately, as Interim Chief 
Financial Officer. Prior to that she undertook 
Commercial and Strategic roles and was 
Regional Vice President Latin America, 
Marketing Company President AstraZeneca 
Portugal, and Vice President Corporate 
Strategy and R&D Chief Financial Officer. In 
both Julie’s country and regional roles, trading 
margins increased significantly, improving the 
efficiency and profitability of the business. Her 
experience encompasses many areas of the 
healthcare value chain including Commercial, 
Operations, R&D and Business Development. 
She has led multi-billion dollar cost saving 
and restructuring programmes in Operations, 
R&D and the Commercial organisations and 
led major refinancing programmes, including 
the issuance of $2 billion US bonds. Julie 
has fulfilled two Non-Executive Directorships 
with the NHS in the UK and the British 
Embassy. She is nominated for election as 
a new member of the Board of Directors of 
Roche Holding Ltd and Chair of the Audit 
Committee at the Annual General Meeting on 
1 March 2016.

Skills and Competencies

Julie has deep financial expertise and 
understanding of the healthcare sector, 
which has enabled her to lead a major 
transformation project at Smith & Nephew 
designed to simplify and improve the 
organisation and deliver margin accretion. She 
is a recognised leader with a proven ability 
to build teams. Her commercial experience 
in Latin America is of particular benefit as we 
continue to grow in Emerging Markets. She 
has held a number of senior commercial roles 
as well as financial positions, making her a 
versatile Chief Financial Officer.

Nationality

  British

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

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OUR FINANCIALS

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vinita Bali (60) 
Independent Non-Executive Director

Ian Barlow (64)
Independent Non-Executive Director 

Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in December 2014 and Member of 
the Remuneration Committee and Ethics & 
Compliance Committee on 1 April 2015.

Career and Experience

Vinita holds an MBA from the Jamnalal Bajaj 
Institute of Management Studies, University 
of Bombay and a Bachelor’s Degree in 
Economics from the University of Delhi. 
She commenced her career in India with 
the Tata Group, and then joined Cadbury 
India, subsequently working with Cadbury 
Schweppes plc in the UK, Nigeria and South 
Africa. From 1994, she held a number of senior 
global positions in marketing and general 
management at The Coca-Cola Company 
based in the US and South America, 
becoming President of the Andean Division in 
1999 and Vice-President, Corporate Strategy 
in 2001. In 2003, she joined the consultancy, 
Zyman Group, LLC as Managing Principal, 
again based in the US. Vinita was Managing 
Director and Chief Executive Officer of 
Britannia Industries Limited, a leading Indian 
publicly listed food company, from 2005 to 
March 2014. Currently, Vinita is Non-Executive 
Director of Syngenta AG, Titan Company Ltd 
and CRISIL (Credit Rating Information Services 
of India) Ltd. She is also Chair of the board of 
GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) 
and a member of the Advisory Board of 
PwC India.

Skills and Competencies

Vinita has an impressive track record 
of achievement with blue-chip global 
corporations in multiple geographies including 
India, Africa, South America, the US and 
UK, all key markets for Smith & Nephew. 
Additionally, her strong appreciation of 
customer service and marketing brings deep 
insight to Smith & Nephew as we continue to 
develop innovative ways to serve our markets 
and grow our business.

Nationality

  Indian

Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in March 2010, Chairman of the 
Audit Committee in May 2010 and Member 
of the Ethics & Compliance Committee in 
October 2014.

Career and Experience

Ian is a Chartered Accountant with 
considerable financial experience both 
internationally and in the UK. He was a Partner 
at KPMG, latterly Senior Partner, London, until 
2008. At KPMG, he was Head of UK tax and 
legal operations, and acted as Lead Partner 
for many large international organisations 
operating extensively in North America, 
Europe and Asia. Ian’s previous appointments 
include Non-Executive Director and Chairman 
of the Audit Committee of PA Consulting 
Group and Non-Executive Director of Candy 
& Candy. He was Chairman of WSP Group 
plc, Think London, the inward investment 
agency and The Racecourse Association Ltd. 
He is currently Lead Non-Executive Director 
chairing the Board of Her Majesty’s Revenue 
& Customs, Non-Executive Director of 
The Brunner Investment Trust PLC, Non-
Executive Director of Foxtons Group plc 
and a Board Member of the China-Britain 
Business Council.

Skills and Competencies

Ian’s longstanding financial and auditing 
career and extensive board experience add 
value to his role as Chairman of the Audit 
Committee. This has been particularly useful 
during 2015 as KPMG have undertaken 
their first year as our new external auditor. 
His appointment as a member of the Ethics 
& Compliance Committee has proved 
useful in coordinating the oversight role of 
both committees. His work for a number of 
international companies gives added insight 
when reviewing our global businesses.

Nationality

  British

The Rt. Hon Baroness 
Virginia Bottomley  
of Nettlestone DL (67)
Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in April 2012 and Member of the 
Remuneration Committee and Nomination & 
Governance Committee in April 2014.

Career and Experience

Virginia gained her MSc in Social 
Administration from the London School of 
Economics following her first degree. She was 
appointed a Life Peer in 2005 following her 
career as a Member of Parliament between 
1984 and 2005. She served successively as 
Secretary of State for Health and then Culture, 
Media and Sport. Virginia was formerly a 
director of Bupa and Akzo Nobel NV. She is 
currently a director of International Resources 
Group Limited, member of the International 
Advisory Council of Chugai Pharmaceutical 
Co., Chancellor of University of Hull and 
Sheriff of Hull and Trustee of The Economist 
Newspaper. She is the Chair of Board & CEO 
Practice at Odgers Berndtson.

Skills and Competencies

Virginia’s extensive experience within 
government, particularly as Secretary of 
State for Health brings a unique insight 
into the healthcare system both in the UK 
and globally, whilst her experience on the 
Board of Bupa brings an understanding 
of the private healthcare sector and an 
insight into the needs of our customers. Her 
experience running the Board practice at a 
search firm gives her a valuable skillset as a 
member of the Nomination & Governance 
Committee and Remuneration Committee. 
Her long association with Hull, the home of 
many of our UK employees also brings an 
added perspective.

Nationality

  British

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Erik Engstrom (52) 
Independent Non-Executive Director

Robin Freestone (57)
Independent Non-Executive Director

Michael Friedman (72)
Independent Non-Executive Director

Appointed Non-Executive Director 
on 1 January 2015 and Member of the 
Audit Committee.

Career and Experience

Erik is a graduate of the Stockholm School 
of Economics (BSc) and of the Royal Institute 
of Technology in Stockholm (MSc). In 1986, 
he was awarded a Fulbright scholarship 
to Harvard Business School, from where 
he graduated with an MBA in 1988. Erik 
commenced his career at McKinsey & 
Company and then worked in publishing, 
latterly as President and Chief Operating 
Officer of Random House Inc. and as 
President and Chief Executive Officer of 
Bantam Doubleday Dell, North America. In 
2001, he moved on to be a partner at General 
Atlantic Partners, a private equity investment 
firm focusing on information technology, 
internet and telecommunications businesses. 
Between 2004 and 2009 he was Chief 
Executive of Elsevier, the division specialising 
in scientific and medical information and then 
from 2009 Chief Executive of RELX Group.

Skills and Competencies

Erik has successfully reshaped RELX 
Group’s business in terms of portfolio and 
geographies. He brings a deep understanding 
of how technology can be used to transform a 
business and insight into the development of 
new commercial models that deliver attractive 
economics. His experience as a CEO of a 
global company gives him valuable insights as 
a member of our Audit Committee.

Nationality

  Swedish

Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director and Member of the Audit Committee 
and the Remuneration Committee on 
1 September 2015.

Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in April 2013 and Chairman of 
the Ethics & Compliance Committee in 
August 2014.

Career and Experience

Career and Experience

Robin graduated with a BA in Economics 
from The University of Manchester and later 
qualified and commenced his career as a 
Chartered Accountant at Deloitte (Touche 
Ross). He held a number of senior financial 
positions throughout his career at ICI PLC 
between 1984 and 1995, then Henkel Ltd from 
1995 to 2000 and Amersham plc from 2000 
to 2004. Robin was the Deputy Chief Financial 
Officer and then later the Chief Financial 
Officer of Pearson PLC between 2006 and 
August 2015, where he was heavily involved 
with the transformation and diversification 
of Pearson. His other Non-Executive 
Directorships include Moneysupermarket.com  
Group PLC and Cable and Wireless 
Communications plc, where he is also Senior 
Independent Director and Chairman of the 
Audit Committee. Robin sits on the Board 
of ICAEW as an Advisory Group Member, 
Financial Reporting Faculty and is a member 
of the CBI Economic Growth Board. He was 
previously Non-Executive Director at eChem 
Ltd from 2000 to 2014 and Deputy Chairman 
of the 100 Group until 2015, having been Chair 
from 2012 to 2014.

Skills and Competencies

Robin has been a well-regarded FTSE 100 
Chief Financial Officer who has not only 
been heavily involved with transformation 
and diversification, but also the healthcare 
industry at Amersham, where his acquisition 
experience will be of value to Smith & 
Nephew as it continues to grow globally 
and in different markets. He brings financial 
expertise and insight to the Audit Committee 
and an understanding of how to attract 
and retain talent in a global business to the 
Remuneration Committee.

Nationality

  British

Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Arts 
degree, magna cum laude from Tulane 
University and a Doctorate in Medicine from 
the University of Texas Southwestern Medical 
Center. He completed postdoctoral training at 
Stanford University and the National Cancer 
Institute, and is board certified in Internal 
Medicine and Medical Oncology. In 1983, he 
joined the Division of Cancer Treatment at 
the National Cancer Institute and went on to 
become the Associate Director of the Cancer 
Therapy Evaluation Program. Michael was 
most recently Chief Executive Officer of City 
of Hope, the prestigious cancer research and 
treatment institution in California. He also 
served as Director of the institution’s cancer 
centre and held the Irell & Manella Cancer 
Center Director’s Distinguished Chair. He was 
formerly Senior Vice President of research, 
medical and public policy for Pharmacia 
Corporation and also Deputy Commissioner 
and Acting Commissioner at the US Food 
and Drug Administration. He has served 
on a number of Boards in a non-executive 
capacity, including Rite Aid Corporation. 
Currently, Michael is a Non-Executive Director 
of Celgene Corporation, Non-Executive 
Director of MannKind Corporation and 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

Skills and Competencies

Michael understands the fundamental 
importance of research, which is part of 
Smith & Nephew’s value creation process. 
His varied career in both the public and 
private healthcare sector has given him a 
deep insight and a highly respected career. 
In particular his work with the FDA and 
knowledge relating to US compliance provides 
the skillset required to Chair the Ethics & 
Compliance Committee.

Nationality

  American

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brian Larcombe (62)
Independent Non-Executive Director

Joseph Papa (60)
Independent Non-Executive Director

Susan Swabey (54)
Company Secretary

Appointed Company Secretary in May 2009. 

Skills and Experience

Susan has 30 years’ experience as a 
company secretary in a wide range of 
companies including Prudential plc, 
Amersham plc and RMC Group plc. Her 
work has covered Board support, corporate 
governance, corporate transactions, risk, 
share registration, listing obligations, 
corporate social responsibility, pensions, 
insurance and employee and executive share 
plans. Susan is joint Vice-Chair of the GC100 
Group, a member of the CBI Companies 
Committee and is a frequent speaker on 
corporate governance and related matters. 
She is also a Trustee of ShareGift, the share 
donation charity.

Nationality

  British

Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in March 2002, Senior Independent 
Director in April 2014, Member of the Audit 
Committee, Nomination & Governance 
Committee and Remuneration Committee. 

Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in August 2008 and Chairman of 
the Remuneration Committee in April 2011, 
Member of the Audit Committee and Ethics & 
Compliance Committee.

Career and Experience

Career and Experience

Brian graduated with a Bachelor’s of 
Commerce degree from University of 
Birmingham. He spent most of his career in 
private equity with 3i Group plc. After leading 
the UK investment business for a number 
of years, he became Finance Director and 
then Chief Executive of the Group following 
its flotation. He has held a number of Non-
Executive Directorships. He is currently Non-
Executive Director of Kodak Alaris Holdings 
Limited and Cape plc.

Skills and Competencies

Brian’s experience in private equity is 
particularly useful to Smith & Nephew 
when evaluating acquisitions and new 
business opportunities. His long service 
as a Non-Executive Director has provided 
continuity throughout a period of change 
and his corporate memory and wise counsel 
continues to support our Chairman. As Senior 
Independent Director and member of the 
Nomination & Governance Committee, he 
plays an active role in succession planning 
and assisted with the search for new Non-
Executive Directors in 2014 and 2015. 

Nationality

  British

Joe graduated with a Bachelor of Science 
degree in Pharmacy from the University 
of Connecticut and Master of Business 
Administration from Northwestern University’s 
Kellogg Graduate School of Management. 
In 2012, he received an Honorary Doctor 
of Science degree from the University of 
Connecticut School of Pharmacy. He began 
his commercial career at Novartis International 
AG as an Assistant Product Manager and 
eventually rose to Vice President, Marketing, 
having held senior positions in both 
Switzerland and the US. He moved on to hold 
senior positions at Searle Pharmaceuticals 
and was later President & Chief Operating 
Officer of DuPont Pharmaceuticals and later 
Watson Pharma, Inc. Between 2004 and 
2006, he was Chairman and Chief Executive 
Officer of Cardinal Health Inc. Joe is currently 
Chairman and Chief Executive of Perrigo 
Company plc, one of the largest over-the-
counter pharmaceutical companies in the US.

Skills and Competencies

With over 30 years’ experience in the global 
pharmaceutical industry, Joe brings deep 
insight into the wider global healthcare 
industry and the regulatory environment. As 
Chairman and Chief Executive of a significant 
US Company, Joe has a comprehensive 
understanding both of how to attract and 
retain global talent and use remuneration 
arrangements that incentivise performance, 
leading to maximum returns for investors.

Nationality

  American

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Supported by a strong leadership team

Julie Brown (53) 
Chief Financial Officer

Joined Smith & Nephew in February 
2013 as Chief Financial Officer. Julie is a 
graduate, Fellow of the Institute of Chartered 
Accountancy and Fellow of the Institute of 
Taxation. She is based in London.

Skills and Experience

Julie’s experience in the healthcare sector 
includes 25 years with AstraZeneca plc in 
progressively senior roles and four years with 
KPMG. Most recently, she served as Interim 
Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca. She 
has international experience and a deep 
understanding of the healthcare sector 
gained through her previously held Vice 
President Finance positions in all areas of the 
healthcare value chain including Commercial, 
Operations, R&D and Business Development. 
Julie has also led commercial organisations, 
being Country President and Regional Vice 
President in AstraZeneca.

Nationality

 British

Rodrigo Bianchi (56) 
President, Asia Pacific and 
Emerging Markets

Joined Smith & Nephew in July 2013 with 
responsibility for Greater China, India, Russia, 
Asia, Middle East and Africa, focusing on 
continuing our strong momentum in these 
regions. He is based in Dubai. With effect from 
1 January 2016, Rodrigo became responsible, 
not only for the IRAMEA markets, but Latin 
America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan 
as well.

Skills and Experience

Rodrigo’s experience in the healthcare 
industry includes 26 years with Johnson & 
Johnson in progressively senior roles. Most 
recently, he was Regional Vice President for 
the Medical Devices and Diagnostics division 
in the Mediterranean region and prior to that 
President of Mitek and Ethicon. He started his 
career at Procter & Gamble Italy.

Nationality

 Italian 

Jack Campo (61) 
Chief Legal Officer

Joined Smith & Nephew in June 2008 and 
heads up the Global Legal function. Initially 
based in London, he has been based in 
Andover, Massachusetts since late 2011.

Skills and Experience

Prior to joining Smith & Nephew, Jack held 
a number of senior legal roles within the 
General Electric Company, including seven 
years at GE Healthcare (GE Medical Systems) 
in the US and Asia. He began his career with 
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. 

Nationality

 American

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Michael Frazzette (54) 
Chief Commercial Officer

Elga Lohler (48)
Chief Human Resources Officer

Diogo Moreira-Rato (55) 
President, Europe and Canada

Joined Smith & Nephew in 2002 and became 
Chief Human Resources Officer in December 
2015. Elga leads the Global Human Resources, 
Internal Communication and Sustainability 
Functions. She is based in London.

Skills and Experience

Prior to being appointed as Chief Human 
Resources Officer, Elga held progressively 
senior positions in Human Resources at 
Smith & Nephew in Wound Management, 
Operations, and Corporate Functions and 
Group. Elga has more than 25 years’ Human 
Resources experience.

Nationality

 American/South African

Joined Smith & Nephew in May 2014 with 
responsibility for leading all of our commercial 
business in Europe and Canada. He is based 
in Baar, Switzerland.

Skills and Experience

Diogo’s experience in the healthcare industry 
includes 31 years with Johnson & Johnson 
in progressively senior roles. Most recently, 
Diogo was President, DePuy Synthes, EMEA, 
where he led the merger and integration 
of DePuy and Synthes in EMEA. Prior roles 
included International Vice President for the 
Medical Devices and Diagnostics business, 
President DePuy Orthopaedics and Managing 
Director of Portugal.

Nationality

 Portuguese

Joined Smith & Nephew in July 2006 as 
President of the Endoscopy Global Business 
Unit. In July 2011, he was appointed President 
of the Advanced Surgical Devices Division, 
with responsibility for the Orthopaedic 
Reconstructive, Trauma and Endoscopy 
businesses in the Established Markets. 
Since 2014, he has had responsibility for our 
commercial business in Latin America. With 
effect from 1 January 2016, Mike became the 
Chief Commercial Officer with responsibility 
for oversight of all commercial activities (sales, 
marketing, market access, and commercial 
strategy) across the Company for our full line 
of business. He is currently based in Andover, 
Massachusetts.

Skills and Experience

Mike has held a number of senior positions 
within the US medical devices industry. He 
was President and Chief Executive Officer 
of MicroGroup, a private US manufacturer of 
medical devices; and spent 15 years at Tyco 
Healthcare becoming President of each of the 
Patient Care and Health Systems divisions. 

Nationality

 American

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Cyrille Petit (45) 
Chief Corporate Development Officer and 
President, Global Business Services

Joined Smith & Nephew in May 2012 and 
leads the Corporate Development function 
and from October 2015 the Global Business 
Services. He is based in London.

Skills and Experience

Cyrille spent the previous 15 years of his 
career with General Electric Company, 
where he held progressively senior positions 
beginning with GE Capital, GE Healthcare 
and ultimately as the General Manager, 
Global Business Development of the 
Transportation Division. Cyrille’s career began 
in investment banking at BNP Paribas and 
then Goldman Sachs.

Nationality

 French

Matthew Stober (48)
President, Global Operations

Glenn Warner (53) 
President, US

Joined Smith & Nephew on 1 October 2015 
with responsibility for global manufacturing, 
supply chain, distribution, quality assurance, 
regulatory affairs, direct procurement, and 
manufacturing IT optimisation. He is based 
in Memphis.

Skills and Experience

Matt has more than 25 years’ experience 
in healthcare manufacturing operations for 
global companies including Merck & Co., Inc. 
and GlaxoSmithKline plc. Most recently, he 
served as Senior Vice President, Corporate 
Officer and Member of the Executive 
Committee at Hospira Pharmaceuticals. 
As a senior pharmaceutical operations 
executive with extensive technical and cross 
functional experience in start-up and complex 
challenging environments, Matt has led global 
and multi-company development projects, 
new product launches, critical quality-related 
turnarounds, network rationalisations and 
organisational transformations. He also has 
extensive experience working directly with 
external regulatory bodies, such as the US 
Food and Drug Administration.

Joined Smith & Nephew in June 2014 
with responsibility for Advanced Wound 
Management’s global franchise strategy, 
marketing and product development, as well 
as its US commercial business. With effect 
from 1 January 2016, Glenn became the 
President of Smith & Nephew’s US business 
responsible for all the US commercial 
business. He is based in Fort Worth.

Skills and Experience

Glenn has a broad-based background in 
pharmaceuticals and medical products 
including extensive international experience, 
having served most recently as AbbVie Vice 
President and Corporate Officer, Strategic 
Initiatives, where he was responsible for the 
development and execution of pipeline and 
asset management strategies. Prior to that he 
was President and Officer, Japan Commercial 
Operations in Abbott’s international 
pharmaceutical business and Executive Vice 
President, TAP Pharmaceutical Products, 
Inc. Additional senior level roles included 
international positions in Germany and 
Singapore for Abbott’s Diagnostics business.

Nationality

 American

Nationality

 American

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OVERVIEW

Committed to the highest standards  
of corporate governance. 

We maintain these standards through a clear definition of our roles,  
continuing development and evaluation and accountability through  
the work of the Board Committees.

LEADERSHIP

EFFECTIVENESS

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Board sets the tone at the top of 
the Company through:

The Board carries out its  
duties through:

A clear definition of the roles of the 
individual members of the Board

A comprehensive corporate 
governance framework

Defined processes to ensure the 
independence of Directors and the 
management of conflicts of interest

Regular meetings focusing on the oversight 
of strategy, risk, including viability and 
succession planning

An annual review into the effectiveness of 
the Board

A comprehensive programme of 
development activities throughout the year

The Board delegates some 
of its detailed work to the 
Board Committees:

Each Committee meets regularly and 
reports back to the Board on its activities

The terms of reference of each Committee 
may be found on the Company website at 
www.smith-nephew.com

A report from the Chairman of 
each Committee is included in this 
Annual Report

>    READ MORE ABOUT OUR BOARD’S  

LEADERSHIP ON PAGE 60

>    READ MORE ABOUT OUR BOARD’S 
EFFECTIVENESS ON PAGE 62

>    READ MORE ABOUT OUR BOARD’S 
ACCOUNTABILITY ON PAGE 68

REMUNERATION

Having a formal and transparent procedure for developing policy on remuneration for Executive Directors is crucial.  
Our remuneration policy aims to attract, retain and motivate by linking reward to performance. In this section you will find 
information on the remuneration policy approved by shareholders in 2014 and how we implemented it in 2015 and plan to 
implement it in 2016.

>    READ MORE ABOUT OUR BOARD’S  
REMUNERATION ON PAGE 78

The Board is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance and we comply with all the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2014 (‘the Code’).  
The Company’s American Depositary Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (‘NYSE’) and we are therefore subject to the rules of the NYSE as well as to the US securities  
laws and the rules of the Securities Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) applicable to foreign private issuers. We comply with the requirements of the NYSE and SEC. We shall explain in this 
Corporate Governance Statement and in the reports on the Audit Committee, the Nomination & Governance Committee, the Ethics & Compliance Committee and the Remuneration 
Committee, how we have applied the provisions and principles of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (‘FCA’) Listing Rules, Disclosure & Transparency Rules (‘DTRs’) and the Code 
throughout the year. 
The Directors’ Report comprises pages 36 to 39, 49 to 77, 104, 113, 115, 117 and pages 171 to 194 of the Annual Report.

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OVERVIEW

Leadership

We believe the board’s composition gives us the necessary diversity,  
skills and experience to ensure we continue to run the business  
effectively and deliver sustainable growth.

Diversity

BOARD NATIONALITY

45% 19% 9%

9%

9%

9%

Experience

NON-EXECUTIVE TENURE

E

A

D

C

B

A LESS THAN ONE YEAR 

B ONE TO THREE YEARS 

C THREE TO SIX YEARS 

D SIX TO NINE YEARS 

BRITISH

AMERICAN

FRENCH

INDIAN

ITALIAN/
AMERICAN

SWEDISH

E OVER NINE YEARS 

EXECUTIVE/NON-EXECUTIVE

GENDER SPLIT

A

B

C

B

A EXECUTIVE 

B NON-EXECUTIVE 

C CHAIRMAN 

A MALE 

B FEMALE 

2

8

1

Changes to the Board

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
Joined the Board during 2015

Erik Engstrom (appointed 1 January 2015)

Robin Freestone (appointed 1 September 2015)

A

8

3

1

3

2

1

1

 
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OVERVIEW

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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OVERVIEW

The roles of the Non-Executive Directors, Senior Independent 
Director and the Company Secretary are defined as follows:

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

 – Providing effective challenge to management.
 – Assisting in development and approval of strategy.
 – Serving on the Board Committees.
 – Providing advice to management.

SENIOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

 – Chairing meetings in the absence of the Chairman.
 – Acting as a sounding board for the Chairman  

on Board-related matters.

 – Acting as an intermediary for the other Directors 

where necessary.

 – Available to shareholders on matters which cannot otherwise  

be resolved.

 – Leading the annual evaluation into the Board’s effectiveness.
 – Leading the search for a new Chairman, if necessary.

COMPANY SECRETARY

 – Advising the Board on matters of corporate governance.
 – Supporting the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors.
 – Point of contact for investors on matters of corporate governance.
 – Ensuring good governance practices at Board level and 

throughout the Group.

Role of Directors

Whilst we all share collective responsibility for the activities of 
the Board, some of our roles have been defined in greater detail. 
In particular, the roles of the Chairman and the Chief Executive 
Officer are clearly defined.

CHAIRMAN

 – Building a well-balanced Board.
 – Chairing Board meetings and setting Board agendas.
 – Ensuring effectiveness of Board and enabling the annual review 

of effectiveness.

 – Encouraging constructive challenge and facilitating effective 

communication between Board members.

 – Promoting effective Board relationships.
 – Ensuring appropriate induction and development programmes.
 – Ensuring effective two-way communication and debate 

with shareholders.

 – Promoting high standards of corporate governance.
 – Maintaining appropriate balance between stakeholders.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 – Developing and implementing Group strategy.
 – Recommending the annual budget and five-year strategic and 

financial plan.

 – Ensuring coherent leadership of the Group.
 – Managing the Group’s risk profile and establishing effective 

internal controls.

 – Regularly reviewing organisational structure, developing 

executive team and planning for succession.

 – Ensuring the Chairman and Board are kept advised and updated 

regarding key matters.

 – Maintaining relationships with shareholders and advising the 

Board accordingly.

 – Setting the tone at the top with regard to compliance and 

sustainability matters.

 – Day-to-day running of the business.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 – Supporting the Chief Executive Officer in developing and 

implementing the Group strategy.

 – Leading the global finance function, developing key finance talent 

and planning for succession.

 – Ensuring effective financial reporting, processes and controls are 

in place.

 – Recommending the annual budget and five-year strategic and 

financial plan.

 – Maintaining relationships with shareholders.

 
 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

COMPOSITION & ROLES

Leadership continued

Corporate Governance Framework
The Board is responsible to shareholders for approving the strategy of 
the Group, for overseeing the performance of the Group and evaluating 
and monitoring the management of risk. 

Each member of the Board has access collectively and individually 
to the Company Secretary and is also entitled to obtain independent 
professional advice at the Company’s expense, should they decide it is 
necessary in order to fulfil their responsibilities as Directors. 

The day-to-day running of the business is delegated to Olivier Bohuon, 
the Chief Executive Officer, and his executive team comprising the 
Executive Officers who are shown on pages 54 to 56.

During 2015, the Executive Officers formed the Commercial and 
Operations Committee which advised the Chief Executive Officer 
in decisions relating to the commercial and operational aspects of 
the business. 

The Chief Executive Officer in turn delegates the day-to-day 
management of the Group functions and regional commercial 
operations divisions to the Executive Officers, who are assisted in their 
decision making by their own leadership teams and other committees 
and councils. 

In 2016, the Governance structure below Board level is being revised to 
reflect the new organisational structure.

REMUNERATION  
COMMITTEE

Determines remuneration 
policy and packages for 
Executive Directors and 
Executive Officers. 

BOARD

NOMINATION &  
GOVERNANCE  
COMMITTEE

Reviews size and 
composition of the 
Board, succession 
planning, diversity and 
governance matters. 

AUDIT  
COMMITTEE

Provides independent 
assessment of the 
financial affairs of the 
Company, reviews financial 
statements and controls, 
and the risk management 
process. Manages 
use of internal and 
external auditors. 

ETHICS & 
COMPLIANCE 
COMMITTEE

Reviews and monitors 
ethics and compliance 
matters across the 
Group. Reviews and 
oversees quality and 
regulatory matters. 

AD HOC  
COMMITTEES

Ad hoc committees may 
be established to review 
and approve specific 
matters or projects.

Read more 
See page 72

Read more 
See page 78

Read more 
See page 68

Read more 
See page 70

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Supporting the Business
Various committees and groups relating to the running of the business report 
to the Chief Executive Officer. These groups have a dual role both advising 
the Chief Executive Officer and also implementing the strategy throughout the 
business. A number of these committees also report regularly to the Board or 
one of its Committees.

Investment in the Strategic Priorities
Investment in our Strategic Priorities, important for our future success, is 
governed through a number of committees and groups. These groups report 
either to the Chief Executive Officer or to one of the Executive Officers and are 
focused on allocating resources to and overseeing investment in the strategic 
priorities. Regular reports from these groups are submitted to the Board or 
one of its Committees.

Commercial & Operations Committee – Committee of the Executive Officers, 
advising the Chief Executive Officer on commercial and operational matters 

Regional Leadership Teams – Implement work of regional presidents

Functional Leadership Teams – Implement work of functional presidents

Disclosure Committee – Approves all announcements (except routine 
regulatory matters) released to investors and to UKLA, London and New York 
Stock Exchanges, SEC and SOx compliance

Finance & Banking Committee – Approves banking and treasury matters, 
corporate structure changes, acquisition details

Group Risk Committee – Reviews risk registers and mitigation plans, reports to 
Board and Audit Committee

Health, Safety and Environment Leadership Team – Oversees health, safety 
and environment matters across Group, reports to Board on sustainability

Diversity & Inclusion Council – Implements strategies to promote diversity 
and inclusion across the Group

Group Benefits Committee – Oversees policies and processes relating to 
pension and employee benefit plans

Group Ethics & Compliance (including Quality) Committee – Monitors 
developments in compliance and quality matters, approves enhanced 
compliance programme, reports to Board Ethics & Compliance Committee

Research & Development Council – Reviews and evaluates R&D projects, 
determining the allocation of resources, ensuring alignment with corporate 
strategy, reports regularly to the Board

Mergers & Acquisitions Council – Oversees corporate development strategy, 
monitors status of transactions and approves various stages of acquisition prior 
to presentation to Board

Capital Governance Board – Sets group level targets for capital expenditure 
priorities and monitors capital expenditure within the parameters set by 
the Board

IT Governance Board – Oversees the IT strategy and investment allocation 
throughout the Group, monitors IT systems and cyber security, reports regularly 
to the Audit Committee

Group Optimisation Steering Group – Oversees the implementation of the 
Group Optimisation project, reports regularly to the Board

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

COMPOSITION & ROLES

Independence of Directors
We require our Non-Executive Directors to remain independent from 
management so that they are able to exercise independent oversight 
and effectively challenge management. We therefore continually assess 
the independence of each of our Non-Executive Directors. The Executive 
Directors have determined that all our Non-Executive Directors are 
independent in accordance with both UK and US requirements. None 
of our Non-Executive Directors or their immediate families has ever had 
a material relationship with the Group. None of them receives additional 
remuneration apart from Directors’ fees, nor do they participate in the 
Group’s share plans or pension schemes. None of them serve as 
directors of any companies or affiliates in which any other Director is 
a director.
More importantly, each of our Non-Executive Directors is prepared to 
question and challenge management, to request more information and 
to ask the difficult question. They insist on robust responses both within 
the Boardroom and sometimes, between meetings. The Chief Executive 
Officer is open to challenge from the Non-Executive Directors and uses 
this positively to provide more detail and to reflect further on issues.
Brian Larcombe served as an independent Non-Executive Director for 
a period of 13 years, a period of time that some might regard as likely 
to impact his independence. We do not believe this to have been the 
case as throughout 2015, Brian Larcombe continued to maintain an 
independent view within Board discussions and his experience on the 
Board, wise counsel and corporate memory was valued by the rest of 
the Board. We have asked Brian Larcombe to remain on the Board for 
another year to support the Chairman during the time he will be providing 
additional Executive oversight whilst the Chief Executive Officer is 
undergoing medical treatment.

Management of Conflicts of Interest
None of our Directors or their connected persons, has any family 
relationship with any other Director or Officer, nor has a material interest 
in any contract to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries are, or 
were, a party during the year or up to 23 February 2016.
Each of us as a Director has a duty under the Companies Act 2006 to 
avoid a situation in which we have or may have a direct or indirect interest 
that conflicts or might conflict with the interests of the Company. This duty 
is in addition to the existing duty owed to the Company to disclose to the 
Board any interest in a transaction or arrangement under consideration 
by the Company. 
If any Director becomes aware of any situation which might give rise 
to a conflict of interest, they inform the rest of the Board immediately 
and the Board is then permitted under the Company’s Articles of 
Association to authorise such conflict. This information is then recorded 
in the Company’s Register of Conflicts, together with the date on which 
authorisation was given. In addition, each Director certifies on an annual 
basis that the information contained in the Register is correct.
When the Board decides whether or not to authorise a conflict, only the 
Directors who have no interest in the matter are permitted to participate 
in the discussion and a conflict is only authorised if the Board believes 
that it would not have an impact on the Board’s ability to promote the 
success of the Company in the long term. Additionally, the Board may 
determine that certain limits or conditions must be imposed when giving 
authorisation. No actual conflicts have been identified, which have 
required approval by the Board. However, four situations have been 
identified which could potentially give rise to a conflict of interest and 
these have been duly authorised by the Board and are reviewed on an 
annual basis.

Outside Directorships
We encourage our Executive Directors to serve as a Non-Executive 
Director of one external company. We believe that the work they do 
as Non-Executive Directors of other companies has benefits for their 
executive roles with the Company, giving them a fresh insight into the role 
of a Non-Executive Director. Olivier Bohuon is a Non-Executive Director 
of Shire plc and of Virbac group and Julie Brown is nominated for election 
as a Non-Executive Director of Roche Holding Limited at its Annual 

General Meeting on 1 March 2016. Each Director discussed their external 
roles with the Chairman, prior to accepting these appointments and the 
Chairman was satisfied that each Executive Director had the capacity for 
the time commitment required.

Re-appointment of Directors
In accordance with the Code, all Directors offer themselves to 
shareholders for re-election annually, except those who are retiring 
immediately after the Annual General Meeting. Robin Freestone who was 
appointed to the Board on 1 September 2015, will offer himself for election 
at the Annual General Meeting. Each Director may be removed at any 
time by the Board or the shareholders.

Director Indemnity Arrangements
Each Director is covered by appropriate directors’ and officers’ liability 
insurance and there are also Deeds of Indemnity in place between the 
Company and each Director. These Deeds of Indemnity mean that the 
Company indemnifies Directors in respect of any proceedings brought 
by third parties against them personally in their capacity as Directors 
of the Company. The Company would also fund ongoing costs in 
defending a legal action as they are incurred rather than after judgement 
has been given. In the event of an unsuccessful defence in an action 
against them, individual directors would be liable to repay the Company 
for any damages and to repay defence costs to the extent funded by 
the Company.

Liaison with shareholders
The Board meets with retail investors at the Annual General Meeting 
and responds to many letters and emails from shareholders throughout 
the year. 
The Executive Directors also meet regularly with institutional investors 
to discuss the Company’s business and financial performance both at 
the time of the announcement of results and at industry investor events. 
During 2015, the Executive Directors held meetings with institutional 
investors, including investors representing approximately 43.5% of the 
share capital as at December 2015.
During 2015, Roberto Quarta met with investors to hear their views of the 
Company. He held four meetings with investors holding approximately 
7.2% of the share capital. 
Joseph Papa, the Chairman of the Remuneration Committee also met 
with key institutional investors towards the end of 2015. He held meetings 
with 14 investors holding around 18.4% of the share capital. These were 
useful discussions giving insight into current investor thinking.
Ian Barlow, the Chairman of the Audit Committee also offered to meet 
with institutional investors to discuss audit related matters. The meetings 
held with six investors holding around 5.6% of the issued share capital 
were interesting and useful and we welcomed some insightful comments 
on possible improvements to the Audit Committee Report.
Michael Friedman, the Chairman of the Ethics & Compliance 
Committee met with one investor during the year who was interested in 
understanding more about our global compliance programme and the 
challenges we face in this area.
Members of the Board are always happy to engage with investors, if they 
have matters they wish to raise with the Non-Executive team.
A short report on our major shareholders and any significant changes 
in their holdings since the previous meeting is reviewed at each Board 
meeting. The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors report back to the 
Board following their meetings with investors. Olivier Bohuon and Julie 
Brown routinely report on any concerns or issues that shareholders 
have raised with them in their meetings. Copies of analyst reports on the 
Company and its peers are also circulated to Directors.

Purchase of ordinary shares
In order to avoid shareholder dilution, shares allotted to employees 
through employee share schemes are bought back on a quarterly basis 
and subsequently cancelled as we stated in Note 19.2 of the accounts on 
page 155.

 
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Effectiveness

Responsibility of the Board
The work of the Board falls into the following key areas:

STRATEGY

RISK

 – Approving the Group strategy including major changes to 

corporate and management structure.

 – Approving acquisitions, mergers, disposals, capital transactions 

in excess of $50 million.

 – Setting priorities for capital investment across the Group.
 – Approving annual budget, financial plan, five-year business plan.
 – Approving major borrowings and finance and 

banking arrangements.

 – Approving changes to the size and structure of the Board  
and the appointment and removal of Directors and the 
Company Secretary.

 – Approving Group policies relating to corporate social 

responsibility, health and safety, Code of Conduct and Code of 
Share Dealing and other matters.

 – Approving the appointment and removal of key 

professional advisers.

 – Overseeing the Group’s risk management programme.
 – Regularly reviewing the risk register.
 – Overseeing risk management processes (see pages 42 to 48 for 

further details). 

SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS

 – Approving preliminary announcement of annual results, the 
publication of the Annual Report, the half-yearly report, the 
quarterly financial announcements, the release of price sensitive 
announcements and any listing particulars, circulars 
or prospectuses.

 – Approving the Sustainability Report prior to publication.
 – Maintaining relationships and continued engagement 

with shareholders.

PERFORMANCE

PROVIDING ADVICE

 – Reviewing performance against strategy, budgets and financial 

and business plans.

 – Overseeing Group operations and maintaining a sound system of 

internal control.

 – Determining the dividend policy and dividend recommendations.
 – Approving the appointment and removal of the external Auditor 

on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

 – Approving significant changes to accounting policies or practices.
 – Overseeing succession planning at Board and Executive 

Officer level.

 – Approving the use of the Company’s shares in relation to 
employee and executive share incentive plans on the 
recommendation of the Remuneration Committee.

 – Using experience gained within other companies and 

organisations to advise management both within and between 
Board meetings.

The Schedule of Matters Reserved to the Board describes the role and 
responsibilities of the Board more fully and can be found on our website 
at www.smith-nephew.com

 
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Board timetable 2015

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

What we did

EARLY FEBRUARY

Approval of Preliminary Announcement
 – Reviewed the results for the full year 2014 and the preliminary 

announcement and approved the final dividend to be 
recommended to shareholders for approval.

 – Reviewed and approved the annual risk management report.
 – Reviewed the Group Optimisation Plan and tracked its progress.
 – Approved the Budget for 2015 and the five-year Plan for 2015 

to 2020.

 – Reviewed the results of the review into the effectiveness of the 

Board in 2014 and agreed action points for 2015.

 – Reviewed and approved the acquisitions of Eurociencia, the 
Colombian distributor and DeOst, the Russian distributor.

JULY

Approval of H1 results
 – Reviewed the results for the first half 2015 and approved the H1 

announcement, having considered management’s judgement in 
a number of areas and approved payment of the interim dividend.

 – Received and considered a report analysing the progress of 

recent acquisitions against expectations at the time 
of acquisition.

 – Received and discussed the annual review of Group Insurances.
 – Received an update regarding the new UK site at Croxley Green 

Business Park in Watford, North London.

 – Received a report from Group Operations on Manufacturing.
 – Approved the appointment of Robin Freestone as a Non-
Executive Director with effect from 1 September 2015.

LATE FEBRUARY

Approval of Financial Statements (by telephone)
 – Reviewed and approved the Annual Report and Accounts for 2014, 

having determined that they were fair, balanced and 
understandable. 

 – Reviewed and approved the Notice of Annual General Meeting 

and related documentation.

SEPTEMBER

Strategy Review, Geneva
 – Approved the Strategic Plan for 2015 to 2020 over a two-day 

Strategy Review with the executive team.

 – Approved the renewal of the Directors’ and Officers’ 

Liability insurance.

EARLY APRIL

OCTOBER

 – Prepared for the Strategic Review in September.
 – Reviewed progress of past transactions and acquisitions 

by management.

 – Approved the Sustainability Report.
 – Prepared for the Annual General Meeting to be held later that day.

LATE APRIL

Approval of Q1 Trading Statement (by telephone) 
 – Reviewed the results for the first quarter 2015 and approved the 

Q1 trading statement announcement.

Approval of Q3 Trading Statement, Durban, South Africa
 – Reviewed the results for the third quarter 2015 and approved the 

Q3 trading statement announcement.

 – Received and considered the annual report from the executive 

team on executive Succession Planning. 
 – Received an update on the business in China.
 – Received an update on our strategy in Emerging Markets.
 – Received a report on investor perceptions.

DECEMBER

Approval of Budget
 – Approved the Budget for 2016.
 – Received a report on the Capital Structure.
 – Conducted Deep Dive into Cyber Security Risk.
 – Received reports on Europe region with particular focus on Iberia.

 
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Effectiveness continued

We also agreed to approve the 2015 final budget and dispose of certain 
trademarks to Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Ltd, a subsidiary entity of 
Smith & Nephew plc by written resolution.

Since the year end, we have also approved the Annual Report and 
Accounts for 2015 and have concluded that, taken as a whole, they 
are fair, balanced and understandable. We have approved the Notice 
of Annual General Meeting, recommended the final dividend to 
shareholders and have received and discussed the report on the 
effectiveness of the Board in 2015.

Each meeting was preceded by a meeting between the Chairman 
and the Non-Executive Directors without Executive Directors and 
management in attendance. Unless otherwise stated, meetings are held 
in London. 

At each meeting, we approved the minutes of the previous meetings, 
reviewed matters arising and received reports and updates from the 
Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Business 
Development Officer, the Chief Legal Officer and the Company Secretary. 
We also received reports from the chairmen of the Board Committees on 
the activities of these Committees since the previous meeting.

Board and Committee Attendance

Director
Roberto Quarta1
Olivier Bohuon
Julie Brown
Vinita Bali2
Ian Barlow
Virginia Bottomley3
Erik Engstrom4
Robin Freestone5
Michael Friedman
Brian Larcombe
Joseph Papa6

Board Meetings  
(8 meetings)
7/8
8/8
8/8
7/8
8/8
7/8
7/8
3/3
8/8
8/8
6/8

Audit  
Committee Meetings  
(7 meetings)
–
–
–
–
7/7
–
6/7
2/2
–
7/7
6/7

Remuneration 
Committee Meetings  
(5 meetings)
5/5
–
–
3/3
–
5/5
–
2/2
–
5/5
5/5

Nomination & Governance 
Committee Meetings  
(2 meetings)
2/2
2/2
–
–
–
2/2
–
–
–
2/2
–

Ethics & Compliance 
Committee Meetings  
(4 meetings)
–
–
–
3/3
4/4
–
–
–
4/4
–
3/4

1  Roberto Quarta was unable to attend one Board call due to a prior appointment.
2  Vinita joined the Ethics & Compliance and the Remuneration Committees from 1 April 2015. She was unable to attend one Board meeting due to a meeting arranged prior 

to being appointed.

3  Virginia Bottomley was unable to attend one Board meeting due to a prior appointment.
4  Erik Engstrom was appointed to the Board and Audit Committee on 1 January 2015. He was unable to attend one Board and one Audit Committee meeting due to a meeting arranged 

prior to being appointed.

5  Robin Freestone was appointed to the Board and Audit and Remuneration Committees on 1 September 2015.
6  Joseph Papa was unable to attend the April Board and October Board, Audit and Ethics & Compliance Committee meetings due to his company holding emergency meetings.

 
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Suggested Improvements 
She did however recommend some key ways in which the Board 
could become more effective. The Board has discussed these 
recommendations and have agreed the following actions for 2016:

 – Further opportunities to be identified to enable greater 

engagement with the Non-Executive Directors for them to provide 
input on matters brought before the Board.

 – The development of a programme for Non-Executive Directors to 

get to know the business better outside the scheduled Board visits.
 – Continuous review of the Board agenda to ensure sufficient time is 
devoted to HR and people related matters, risk and mitigations and 
the innovation pipeline.

Board Effectiveness Review
The Board Effectiveness Review in 2015 was externally facilitated 
by Belinda Hudson of Independent Audit, who had undertaken the 
previous external review in 2012. Independent Audit has no other 
business relationship with the Company or any member of the Board. 
Following an initial planning meeting with the Chairman and Company 
Secretary, she reviewed the minutes and papers of the Board and 
Committee meetings over the previous year. She then interviewed each 
member of the Board, the Company Secretary, the External Auditor and 
a number of other Senior Executives, who regularly interacted with the 
Board and its Committees. She also attended and observed the Board 
meeting in December 2015.

In January 2016, she prepared a report, detailing her findings. This 
report was shared with the Chairman and the rest of the Board. The 
Chairman then discussed the findings with each member of the Board 
and collectively at a meeting with the Non-Executive Directors and the 
Company Secretary. 

She concluded that “the Board appears to have a much better 
understanding of all the issues and challenges that Smith & Nephew 
faces than in the past. It has remained supportive throughout while 
providing a good degree of challenge to the thinking of the executives” 
and commented that the “Board was on a good trajectory and 
becoming increasingly effective.” She highlighted the benefits of 
the refreshing of the Board that had taken place over the previous 
18 months, noting that this had led to a new level of energy and 
dynamism as well as fresh thinking and input, a better balanced 
Board, a better focus on strategy and a stronger focus on exercising 
oversight of risk, better relationships and better informed discussion on 
succession planning.

The areas for attention identified in the 2014 review have been addressed as follows:

ACTIONS IDENTIFIED
Make more effective use of the annual Board Planner to ensure that all 
key strategic issues were timetabled appropriately throughout the year.

Encourage the executive team to access the diverse competencies of 
the Non-Executive Directors more between Board meetings.

Continue the practice of inviting members of the executive team to 
present regularly to the Board.

ACTION TAKEN
The annual Board planner and the format of the Board agendas were 
redesigned during the year. This has resulted in a more logical flow of 
matters being discussed at each Board meeting with more time spent 
on matters of greater strategic importance and less on routine matters.

Opportunities have been taken by the executives to access the 
specialist skills of some of the Non-Executive Directors during the 
year, particularly in the areas of risk management, cyber security and 
in-country knowledge of certain territories. However, the Board and 
the executive team recognised that this is an area which could be 
developed further in 2016. 

At each Board meeting during the year, there was a presentation by 
members of the executive team on relevant topics. This has enabled 
the Non-Executive Directors to meet and get to know key members of 
the executive team, which is helping with succession planning.

 
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Effectiveness continued

Board Development Programme
Our Board Development Programme is directed to the specific needs 
and interests of our Directors. We focus the development sessions on 
facilitating a greater awareness and understanding of our business 
rather than formal training in what it is to be a Director. We value our 
visits to the different Smith & Nephew sites around the world, where 
we meet with the local managers of our businesses and see the daily 
operations in action. Meeting our local managers helps us to understand 
the challenges they face and their plans to meet those challenges. We 
also take these opportunities to look at our products and in particular the 
new products being developed by our R&D teams. This direct contact 
with the business in the locations in which we operate around the world 
helps us to make investment and strategic decisions. Meeting our local 
managers also helps us when making succession planning decisions 
below Board level.

During the course of the year, we receive updates at the Board and 
Committee meetings on external corporate governance changes likely to 
impact the Company in the future. 

In 2015, we particularly focused on the new reporting requirement to 
include a Viability Statement and the consequent changes we would 
make to the way we monitored risks throughout the Group. 

New Directors receive tailored induction programmes when they join 
the Board. In 2015, Vinita Bali continued her induction programme with 
a series of meetings with key Senior Executives, a visit to our site in Hull 
and attendance at some orthopaedic operations in India. Erik Engstrom 
and Robin Freestone also commenced their induction programmes 
during the year, meeting with key Senior Executives. All Non-Executive 
Directors are encouraged to visit our overseas businesses, if they 
happen to be travelling for other purposes. Our local management 
teams enjoy welcoming Non-Executive Directors to their business 
and it emphasises the interest the Board takes in all our operations. 
The Chairman regularly reviews the development needs of individual 
Directors and the Board as a whole. 

Development activities
The following development sessions covering both the Smith & Nephew 
business and wider market issues were held during the year:

APRIL

 – Presentation from WPP on innovation trends in the Global 

Healthcare market.

JULY

 – Presentation from our Auditor, KPMG on MegaTrends which were 

likely to impact business in coming years.

SEPTEMBER

 – Presentation from Boston Consulting Group on trends 

in healthcare.

 – Presentations from the entire executive team as part of the Board’s 

Strategy review.

 – Board discussion on Risk as part of the Board’s 

Strategy discussions.

OCTOBER

 – Visit to the Company’s site in Durban, South Africa and meetings 

with the South African executive team.

 – Series of presentations from our South African management team 

on the challenges faced by the business in South Africa, our 
strategy and initiatives to meet these challenges and an update on 
progress made since the previous year. 

DECEMBER

 – Internally facilitated workshop on Risk Management programme 
focusing on Group’s principal risks, the Board’s risk appetite and 
tolerance for each risk, mitigation actions and resultant net risks 
post mitigation.

 
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Succession Planning
The Board is responsible for ensuring that there are effective succession 
plans in place to ensure the orderly appointment of directors to the 
Board, as and when vacancies arise. The report from the Nomination 
& Governance Committee on pages 68 to 69 explains the process the 
Board and the Nomination & Governance Committee followed in 2015 to 
build a balanced board for the future in undertaking the search for new 
Non-Executive Directors.

Building a successful executive team is the responsibility of the Chief 
Executive Officer, although this process is also overseen by the Board. 
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer present 
a report to the Board on Succession Planning on an annual basis, at 
which the performance and potential of members of the executive team 
are discussed and considered. The Board is also given a number of 
opportunities during the course of the year to meet key members of the 
executive team at the Strategy Review held annually in September and 
at the site visits held in October each year. Executive Officers and their 
direct reports also make regular presentations on different aspects of the 
business. The Board recognises the importance of getting to know the 
executive team below Board level both for the purpose of understanding 
the business better but also in order to plan for executive succession.

By order of the Board, on 24 February 2016

Roberto Quarta
Chairman

 
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NOMINATION  
& GOVERNANCE  
COMMITTEE REPORT

Accountability

NOMINATION & GOVERNANCE  
COMMITTEE

CURRENT MEMBERS IN 2015 

Roberto Quarta  
Committee Chairman

Brian Larcombe  
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

Virginia Bottomley  
Independent Non-Executive Director

Olivier Bohuon1 
Chief Executive Officer

1  Olivier Bohuon has ceased to be a member of this committee with effect from 

4 February 2016.

KEY ACTIVITIES

Reviewed the composition of the Board and made recommendations 
to the Board regarding the appointment of Directors. 

Oversaw governance aspects of the Board and its Committees.

Recommended the appointment of Robin Freestone to the Board, 
Remuneration and Audit Committees.

Recommended the appointment of Independent Audit to conduct 
external Board evaluation.

2016 FOCUS

Recommend to the Board ways of addressing any issues raised in the 
external Board evaluation.

Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the 2015 report of the Nomination 
& Governance Committee.

Role of the Nomination & Governance Committee
Our work falls into the following two areas:

Board Composition
 – Reviewing the size and composition of the Board.
 – Overseeing Board succession plans.
 – Recommending the appointment of Directors.
 – Monitoring Board diversity.

Corporate Governance
 – Overseeing governance aspects of the Board and its Committees.
 – Overseeing the review into the effectiveness of the Board.
 – Considering and updating the Schedule of Matters Reserved to the 

Board and the Terms of Reference of the Board Committees.

 – Monitoring external corporate governance activities and keeping the 

Board updated.

 – Overseeing the Board Development Programme and the induction 

process for new Directors.

The terms of reference of the Nomination & Governance Committee 
describe our role and responsibilities more fully and can be found on 
our website.
>    FIND IT ON OUR WEBSITE 

WWW.SMITH-NEPHEW.COM

Activities of the Nomination & Governance Committee 
in 2015 and since the year end
In 2015, we held two physical meetings. Each meeting was attended by 
all members of the Committee. The Company Secretary also attended 
by invitation. In between each meeting, various discussions were held 
between members of the Nomination & Governance Committee and the 
external search agent. Our programme of work in 2015 was as follows:

EARLY FEBRUARY

Activities related to the year end
–   Considered and approved the re-appointment of Directors who 

had completed three or six years’ service and the annual 
appointment of Directors serving in excess of nine years.

–   Reviewed the composition of each committee and approved the 
appointment of Vinita Bali to the Remuneration and Ethics & 
Compliance Committees. 

–   Reviewed and noted the Schedule of Matters Reserved to the 
Board and the Terms of Reference of the Board Committees.
–   Considered and discussed the results of the annual review into 

the effectiveness of the Board.

–   Approved the appointment of The Zygos Partnership 

recruitment consultant.

 
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NOMINATION  
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COMMITTEE REPORT

Diversity
We aim to have a Board which represents a wide range of backgrounds, 
skills and experiences. We also value a diversity of outlook, approach 
and style in our Board members. We believe that a balanced Board is 
better equipped to consider matters from a broader perspective and 
therefore come to decisions that have considered a wider range of 
issues and perspectives than would be the case in a more homogenous 
Board. Diversity is not simply a matter of gender, ethnicity or other easily 
measurable characteristic. Diversity of outlook and approach is harder 
to measure than gender or ethnicity but is equally important. A Board 
needs a range of skills from technical adherence to governance or 
regulatory matters to understand the business in which we operate. It 
needs some members with a long corporate memory and others who 
bring new insights from other fields. There needs to be both support 
and challenge on the Board as well as a balance of gender, commercial 
and international experience. When selecting new members for the 
Board, we take these considerations into account, as well as professional 
background. A new Board member needs to fit in with their fellow Board 
members, but also needs to provide a new way of looking at things.

In 2012, we stated that our expectation would be that by 2015, 25% of 
our Board would be female and we have met this expectation. 27% 
of our Board is female. We do not regard this as a fixed percentage as 
the number of Board members will fluctuate from time to time and we 
would not necessarily expect to replace any retiring Director with a new 
Director of the same gender. We will still continue to appoint Directors 
on merit, valuing the unique contribution that they will bring to the Board, 
regardless of gender.

Governance
During the year, the Nomination & Governance Committee also 
addressed a number of governance matters. We also received updates 
from the Company Secretary on new developments in corporate 
governance and reporting in both the UK and Europe. We reviewed 
the independence of our Non-Executive Directors, considered 
potential conflicts of interest and the diversity of the Board and made 
recommendations concerning these matters to the Board.

Roberto Quarta
Chairman of the Nomination & Governance Committee

JULY

Appointment of Robin Freestone

–   Reviewed the short list of candidates for the position of  

Non-Executive Director and discussed the outcome of meetings 
already held with potential candidates. 

–   Agreed to recommend to the Board that Robin Freestone  
be appointed Non-Executive Director with effect from  
1 September 2015.

–   Commenced the appointment for the external Board Evaluation 

process. 

Since the year end, we have also discussed the future structure of the 
Board. In particular, we recommended to the Board that Brian Larcombe 
remains in place as Senior Independent Director in order to support 
me as Chairman, should I be required to provide additional executive 
oversight during the Chief Executive Officer’s period of illness.

We also agreed that Olivier Bohuon would cease to be a member of 
this committee, recognising that some shareholders believe that the 
Chief Executive Officer should not sit on the Nomination & Governance 
Committee. He will continue to attend and contribute to discussions 
at our meetings, as we value his input particularly when discussing 
succession planning.

Non-Executive Directors
During 2015, Erik Engstrom and Robin Freestone joined the Board on 
1 January 2015 and 1 September respectively. In selecting these new 
Board members, we continued the process we started in 2014, which 
had identified the skills and experiences we needed on the Board to 
implement our Strategy over the next five years. The process we followed 
in 2015 was as follows:

 – The analysis in 2014 had identified that we needed one more Board 
member with financial expertise gained as Chief Financial Officer of 
a FTSE 100 company.

 – The Nomination & Governance Committee selected Zygos to 
undertake the search for a new Non-Executive Director with 
financial expertise.

 – Zygos prepared a long list of candidates satisfying one or more of the 
above criteria and Brian Larcombe and I met with them to discuss 
the long list and select a short list of suitable candidates.

 – Members of the Nomination & Governance Committee and Ian 

Barlow, Chairman of the Audit Committee then met individually with 
a number of candidates. 

 – The Nomination & Governance Committee agreed to recommend 
that the Board appoint Robin Freestone as Non-Executive Director 
because of his experience as Chief Financial Officer of Pearson 
plc and previous experience of the Healthcare industry at 
Amersham plc.

Zygos does not perform any other services for the Company and we are 
satisfied that the advice is objective and independent.

 
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ETHICS & COMPLIANCE 
COMMITTEE REPORT

Accountability continued

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE  
COMMITTEE

Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the 2015 report of the Ethics 
& Compliance Committee.

CURRENT MEMBERS IN 2015 

Michael A. Friedman  
Committee Chairman

Ian Barlow  
Independent Non-Executive Director

Joseph Papa 
Independent Non-Executive Director

Vinita Bali (from 1 April 2015)  
Independent Non-Executive Director

KEY ACTIVITIES

Reviewed ethics and compliance processes and practices across 
the Group.

Oversaw quality and regulatory matters.

Monitored significant compliance, quality and regulatory issues 
or failures as they arise. 

2016 FOCUS

Enhance oversight of quality and regulatory matters, including review 
of data for trends and patterns and proactively working to minimise 
associated risks.

Continue to focus on compliance issues within the context of our 
growth in Emerging Markets organically and through acquisitions.

Continue to enhance the compliance processes and practices of our 
third party distributors. 

Role of the Ethics & Compliance Committee
Our work falls into the following two general areas:

Ethics & Compliance
 – Overseeing ethics and compliance programmes.
 – Monitoring ethics and compliance policies and training programmes.
 – Reviewing compliance performance based on monitoring, auditing 

and internal and external investigations data.

 – Reviewing allegations of significant compliance issues.
 – Overseeing the Group’s internal and external communications 

relating to ethics and compliance matters.

 – Reviewing external developments and compliance activities.
 – Receiving reports from the Group’s Ethics & Compliance Committee 

meetings and from the Chief Compliance Officer and the Chief 
Legal Officer.

Quality Assurance and Regulatory Assurance (‘QARA’)
 – Overseeing the processes by which regulatory and quality 

risks relating to the Company and its operations are identified 
and managed.

 – Receiving and considering regular functional reports and 

presentations from the President of Global Operations, SVP of 
Quality Assurance and other Officers.

The terms of reference of the Ethics & Compliance Committee describe 
our role and responsibilities more fully and can be found on our website.
>    FIND IT ON OUR WEBSITE 

WWW.SMITH-NEPHEW.COM

Activities of the Ethics & Compliance Committee in 
2015 and since the year end
In 2015, we held four physical meetings. Each meeting was attended 
by all members of the Committee. The Company Secretary, the Chief 
Legal Officer, the Chief Compliance Officer and the QARA Officers 
also attended by invitation. Our programme of work in 2015 included 
the following:

FEBRUARY

–   Noted that the final self-monitoring report had been filed with the 

SEC and DOJ together with a certification of compliance. 
–   Received an update regarding the newly-structured Quality 

Assurance and Regulatory Assurance function. This function now 
provided a quarterly update to the Committee. 

–   Noted the ‘Culture of Quality’ survey had been undertaken across 
all employees to measure employee ownership, peer involvement, 
message credibility and leadership emphasis.

–   Noted the implementation of detailed Additional Compliance 

Standards for distributors and sales agents.

 
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COMMITTEE REPORT

APRIL

–   Successful completion of performance under the three-year FCPA 

settlement agreements and closure of matter.

–   Noted expansion of monitoring programme whereby regional 
compliance officers conducted periodic compliance checks. 
–   Noted the US Food and Drug Administration (‘FDA’) inspections 
undertaken in St Petersburg, Curaçao, Aarau, Tuttlingen and 
Andover. 

JULY

–   Noted management review of updated compliance risk register.
–   Monitoring of compliance in China and other developing markets 

and key actions undertaken.

–   Noted the data published under the US Sunshine Act regarding 

the Company and its competitors.

OCTOBER

–   Noted the results of annual manager training.
–   Monitored the compliance integration plan for the Russian acquisition.
–   Received a report from the SVP Quality Assurance and Regulatory 
Assurance on the activities of the QARA function, reviewing the 
quality and regulatory challenges faced across the Company and 
initiatives to address them.

At each meeting we noted and considered the activities of compliance 
and enforcement agencies and investigation of possible improprieties. 
We also reviewed a report on the activities of the Group Ethics & 
Compliance Committee and reviewed the progress of the Global 
Compliance Programme. 

Since the year end, we have also reviewed the work of the Group Ethics 
& Compliance Committee meeting held in November 2015, considered 
the compliance implications of recent acquisitions and continued our 
oversight of the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Assurance function.

Employee Compliance Programme
New employees are trained on our Code of Conduct, which sets 
out the basic legal and ethical principles for conducting business. 
A copy of the Code of Conduct can be found on our website at 
www.smith-nephew.com

Further support is provided through a comprehensive set of tools and 
resources located on our global intranet platform. These tools and 
resources are regularly updated. 

The Code of Conduct includes our whistle-blower policy, which enables 
employees and members of the public to contact us anonymously 
through an independent provider (where allowed by local law). 
Individuals can also report any concern to their direct manager or a 
manager in Compliance, Legal or Human Resources. All calls and 
contacts are investigated and the appropriate action taken, including 
reports for senior management or the Board, where warranted. As 
stated in the Code of Conduct, we also enforce our non-retaliation policy 
with respect to anyone who makes a report in good faith. The Ethics & 
Compliance Committee is advised of potentially significant improprieties 
from time to time, and the Company’s response. 

In 2015, we continued to work to enhance the employee compliance 
training programme. New employees receive training on our Code 
of Conduct (‘Code’), and we assign annual compliance training to 

employees. In 2015, we also introduced, developed and piloted a 
face to face course for new managers, supplementing the on-line 
manager certification training. 

Compliance Programme for Third Parties
We continually review our compliance programme as it relates to third 
party sellers (such as distributors and sales agents), particularly in higher 
risk markets. This programme includes due diligence, contracts with 
compliance terms and compliance training. To increase oversight, we have 
augmented compliance standards and monitoring programmes in 2015.

Our oversight of third party sellers included site assessments to check 
compliance controls and monitoring visits to review books and records. 

We also have controls over other third parties engaged by us to 
provide services other than selling our products, such as customs, 
registration and travel agents. We have established a policy and process 
requiring that managers prioritise our oversight of third parties and take 
appropriate steps, including performing a risk assessment, conducting 
due diligence and assigning training, based on third party type and 
risk profile. 

Compliance implications around acquisitions 
In support of strategic acquisition activity across the Group, we 
undertake comprehensive due diligence evaluation prior to acquisition 
and implement compliance integration plans from the point of executing 
the acquisition. This is to ensure that new businesses are integrated into 
the Smith & Nephew compliance culture as soon and consistently as 
possible and that all new employees are immediately made aware of 
how we do things at Smith & Nephew. 

Oversight of Quality Assurance and Regulatory 
Assurance Function
In 2014, the Committee assumed responsibility for oversight of the 
Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Function (‘QARA’). Product 
safety is at the heart of our business and regulatory authorities across the 
world enforce a complex series of laws and regulations that govern the 
design, development, approval, manufacture, labelling, marketing and 
sale of healthcare products. The QARA function carries out work in the 
area of Quality Management systems in our manufacturing activities.

The Committee approved the QARA Three Year Plan and the QARA Audit 
Plans for 2015 and 2016. During the year, we reviewed the results of the 
QARA audits undertaken during the year, approved follow up actions 
and monitored progress made to address these actions. 

We also reviewed the results of inspections carried out by the US Food 
and Drug Administration (‘FDA’) and other regulators and monitored 
the progress of improvement work required following some of these 
inspections using a dashboard, which highlighted progress being made 
against objectives. We also monitored the work being undertaken to help 
manufacturing sites prepare for future inspections.

We also reviewed the results of a ‘Culture of Quality’ survey undertaken 
across all employees measuring the culture of quality against four key 
drivers – employee ownership, peer involvement, message credibility 
and leadership emphasis.

Michael A. Friedman
Chairman of the Ethics & Compliance Committee

 
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Accountability continued

Dear Shareholder,
It’s been a year of positive change for the Audit Committee during 
2015. We have welcomed Erik Engstrom and Robin Freestone to the 
Committee. They both have strong FTSE 100 backgrounds – Robin 
Freestone was previously a Chief Financial Officer – and they provide a 
fresh perspective to the Committee. 

Following the audit tender during 2014 and the appointment of KPMG 
LLP in April 2015, the Committee oversaw a smooth transition from 
the former auditor. This process included KPMG LLP ‘shadowing’ EY 
LLP through the 31 December 2014 year end audit process, along 
with attendance at Group Audit Committee meetings before their 
formal appointment.

This was supplemented by KPMG LLP performing detailed audit 
planning activities at all the Group’s material operating locations 
throughout the summer and a review of EY LLP audit files at 
major locations.

This is the first time in Smith & Nephew’s history as a listed company 
that we have changed our audit firm. Bringing in a new firm to conduct 
our audit has brought fresh energy to the role; risk areas have been 
reassessed and new questions asked. This has not been without 
challenge, and has required the Group to invest significantly more 
resources and time, especially in this first year. However, we are 
pleased with the way in which the change has been managed and the 
output of a robust audit.

At our half-year meeting we received a detailed audit plan for the 2015 
financial year from KPMG LLP identifying their audit scope, planning 
materiality and their assessment of key risks. The audit plan for the 
2015 financial year provided a different style, with further depth and 
coverage including 78% of Group’s revenue and 95% of adjusted Group 
profit before tax.

We undertook a number of non-routine items during the year, which 
have provided debate and progression for the Company, including:

 – Discussion of the risk framework as part of the 2015 Strategy Review. 
This led to further work, which enabled the completion of the first 
2015 Viability Statement. This process was also reviewed by the 
Audit Committee. 

 – A deeper review of SOx work, in particular in our Emerging Markets, 
and following the implementation of COSO 2013, which was first 
applicable in 2014.

 – The Minimum Acceptable Practices (‘MAPs’) were launched in 

December 2014 and are our minimum control procedures and best 
practices. They have become a standardised process across the 
Group and additional support has been provided to the team to 
ensure completion of these by year end.

 – Monitoring of the Finance Transformation project throughout 2015 to 
ensure its risks were mitigated and timeline remained on track. 

 – Following the appointment of a new Head of Internal Audit in 

2014, the scope and depth of the reviews across the business 
increased during 2015. This has led to increased oversight by 
the Audit Committee on issues such as the consequences on 
the China business and its governance framework of the slow 
down of the Chinese economy, and internal controls in newly 
acquired distributors.

 – Reviewed the development of the process for monitoring the results 

and performance of acquisitions.

 – We received a regulatory enquiry during the year. Following 

explanation from Julie Brown, our Chief Financial Officer and her 
team, this matter was dealt with to our satisfaction.

Ian Barlow
Chairman of the Audit Committee

 
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AUDIT  
COMMITTEE

CURRENT MEMBERS IN 2015 

Ian Barlow  
Committee Chairman and designated financial expert

Erik Engstrom (from 1 January 2015)  
Independent Non-Executive Director

Role of the Audit Committee
Our work falls into the following five areas:

Financial Reporting
 – Reviewing significant financial reporting judgements and accounting 

policies and compliance with accounting standards.

 – Ensuring the integrity of the financial statements and their 

compliance with UK and US statutory requirements.

 – Ensuring the Annual Report and Accounts are fair, balanced and 
understandable and recommending their adoption by the Board.

Robin Freestone (from 1 September 2015)  
Independent Non-Executive Director and financial expert.

 – Monitoring announcements relating to the Group’s 

financial performance.

Brian Larcombe  
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

Joseph Papa  
Independent Non-Executive Director

KEY ACTIVITIES

Undertook independent assessment of the financial affairs of 
the Company. 

Oversaw system of control and risk management throughout 
the Group.

Undertook detailed work to support the Board’s approval of the 
financial results. 

2016 FOCUS

Monitor the roll-out of enhanced SOx controls and MAPs to ensure 
consistently applied financial controls across the Group, particularly 
in Emerging Markets.

Continue to develop the process to monitor the results and 
performance of acquisitions.

Internal Controls
 – Monitoring the effectiveness of internal controls and compliance with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 2014 and the Sarbanes Oxley 
Act, specifically sections 302 and 404.

 – Reviewing the operation of the Group’s risk management processes 

and the control environment over financial risks.

Risk Management
 – On behalf of the Board, reviewing and ensuring oversight of the 

processes by which risks are managed, through regular functional 
reports and presentations, and report any issues arising out of such 
reviews to the Board.

 – Reviewing the process undertaken and deep-dive work required to 

complete the Viability Statement.

Fraud and Whistle-blowing
 – Receiving reports on the processes in place to prevent fraud and to 

enable whistle-blowing.

 – If required, receiving reports of fraud incidents.

Internal Audit
 – Agreeing internal audit plans and reviewing reports of internal 

audit work.

 – Monitoring the effectiveness of the internal audit function.
 – Reviewing the control observations made by the internal auditor, the 
adequacy of management’s response to recommendations and the 
status of any unremediated actions.

External Audit
 – Overseeing the Board’s relationship with the external auditor.
 – Monitoring and reviewing the independence and performance of the 

external auditor and evaluating their effectiveness.

 – Making recommendations to the Board for the appointment or 

reappointment of the external auditor.

The terms of reference of the Audit Committee describe our role and 
responsibilities more fully and can be found on our website, where 
further information can be found for permitted non-audit services. 
>    FIND IT ON OUR WEBSITE 

WWW.SMITH-NEPHEW.COM

 
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Accountability continued

Activities of the Audit Committee  
in 2015 and since the year end
In 2015, we held five physical meetings and two meeting by telephone. 
Each meeting was attended by all appointed members of the Committee. 
The Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, 
the Head of Internal Audit , the external auditor (both the incumbent and 
also KPMG from the December 2014 meeting, until formal appointment 
at the Annual General Meeting on 9 April 2015), and key members of 
the finance function, the Company Secretary and Deputy Company 
Secretary also attended by invitation. We also met with the external 
auditor and the internal auditor without management present. Our 
programme of work in 2015 was as follows:

EARLY FEBRUARY
Approval of Preliminary Announcement
 – Reviewed the results for the full year 2014 and the preliminary 

announcement and recommended them for adoption by the Board.
 – Approved the decision to submit Quarterly Trading Reports instead 

of full Quarterly Reporting. 

 – Reviewed the effectiveness of financial controls and of the risk 

management process and concluded they were operating effectively.

 – Reviewed compliance with UK Corporate Governance and US 

Corporate Governance. 

 – Received the Internal Audit Report and approved the Internal Audit 

progress report for 2015.

 – Received the Quality Assurance Report and approved the Quality 

Assurance work programme for 2015.

 – Received the fraud report and reviewed whistle-blowing procedures.
 – Confirmed the independence of KPMG as external auditor before 

its formal appointment within professional and regulatory 
standards, following a rigorous review during the tender process. 
 – Approved EY external audit fees and the policy for approval of KPMG 
non-audit tax fees and noted fees paid to other major audit firms.

LATE FEBRUARY
Approval of Financial Statements (by telephone)
 – Reviewed and approved the Annual Report and Accounts for 2014, 

having agreed that they were fair balanced and understandable, and 
recommended them for adoption by the Board.

 – Considered the effectiveness of the external auditor and 

concluded that their work had been effective.

 – Reviewed the implementation progress for Minimum Acceptable 
Practices for the Finance function and other control initiatives.

EARLY APRIL
 – Private meeting held with the external auditor.
 – Reviewed the control themes and observations of the external 

auditor and concluded there was nothing of significance. 

 – Approved the Sustainability Report and its verification process. 
 – Received a corporate governance update for 2015 

corporate reporting. 

 – Reviewed the implementation progress for Minimum Acceptable 
Practices for the business and Finance function and other control 
initiatives. 

LATE APRIL
Approval of Q1 Trading Statement (by telephone) 
 – Reviewed the Q1 2015 Trading Report and approved the 

Q1 announcement.

 – Approved the Company’s policy and report on Conflict Minerals 

for submission to the NYSE. 

JULY
Approval of H1 results
 – Private meeting with the internal auditor. 
 –  Reviewed the results for the first half 2015 and approved the 

H1 announcement.

 – Reviewed the Progress Report from Internal Audit which included 

an update on the status of the 2015 Internal Audit plan. 

 – Reviewed the implementation progress for Minimum Acceptable 
Practices for the Finance function and other control initiatives. 

 – Received the fraud report and reviewed whistle-blowing procedures.
 – Considered the Company’s response to the changing reporting 
requirements on risk following the implementation of the UK 
Corporate Governance Code 2014. 

 – Reviewed and approved the external auditor’s Integrated Audit Plan 

for 2015.

 – Received governance updates on the going concern and viability 

statements for 2015.

 – Private meeting with the external auditor. 

OCTOBER
Approval of Q3 Trading Statement
 – Reviewed the results for Q3 2015 and approved the 

Q3 Trading Statement. 

 – Reviewed the Progress Reports from the external auditor on 

Q3 2015 and from Internal Audit on their work. 

 – Approved the process for ensuring the Board could coordinate the 
risk management programme and conclude that it was effective.
 – Reviewed the progress of recent transactions against expectations 

at the time of the acquisition.

DECEMBER
Review of Functional Reports
 – Received and discussed a report on the Finance Transformation 
project and reports from the Group Treasurer and the Chief 
Information Officer on IT security risk.

 – Received an update on SOx testing and Minimum 

Acceptable Practices.

 – Received a report from the Internal Audit function focusing on China.
 – Reviewed the Internal Audit Plan for 2016.
 – Reviewed and approved the layout and design of the Annual 

Report 2016.

 – Reviewed the process being undertaken to support the making 

of the Viability Statement.

 – Considered and approved critical accounting policies and 

judgements in advance of the 2015 year end.

 – Reviewed the Progress Report from Internal Audit which included 

 – Received an update from KPMG on the external audit and 

an update on the status of the 2015 Internal Audit Plan.

preliminary SOx findings.

 
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Since the year end, we have also reviewed the Annual Report and 
Accounts for 2015 and have concluded that taken as a whole, they are 
fair balanced and understandable and have advised the full Board 
accordingly. In coming to this conclusion, we have considered the 
description of the Group’s strategy and key risks, the key elements of 
the business model, which is set out on pages 10 to 11, risks and the key 
performance indicators and their link to the strategy.

Significant matters related to the financial statements
We considered the following key areas of judgement in relation to the 
2015 accounts and at each half-year and quarterly trading report, which 
we discussed in all cases with management and the external auditor:

VALUATION OF INVENTORIES
A feature of the orthopaedic business model (whose finished goods 
inventory makes up 79% of the Group total finished goods inventory) is 
the high level of product inventory required, some of which is located 
at customer premises and is available for customers’ immediate use. 
Complete sets of product, including large and small sizes have to be 
made available in this way. These sizes are used less frequently than 
standard sizes and towards the end of the product life cycle are inevitably 
in excess of requirements. Adjustments to carrying value are therefore 
required to be made to orthopaedic inventory to anticipate this situation.

Our action
At each quarter end, we received reports from, and discussed with, 
management the level of provisioning and material areas at risk. 
The provisioning level was 21% at 31 December 2015 (21% as at 
31 December 2014). We challenged the basis of the provisions and 
concluded that the proposed levels were appropriate and have been 
consistently estimated.

LIABILITY PROVISIONING
The recognition of provisions for legal disputes is subject to a significant 
degree of estimation. Provision is made for loss contingencies when 
it is considered probable that an adverse outcome will occur, and the 
amount and timing of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In making 
its estimates, management takes into account the advice of internal and 
external legal counsel. Provisions are reviewed regularly and amounts 
updated where necessary to reflect developments in the disputes. The 
ultimate liability may differ from the amount provided depending on the 
outcome of court proceedings or settlement negotiations or if new facts 
come to light. The level of provisioning for contingent and other liabilities 
is an issue where management and legal judgements are important. 

Our action
As members of the Board, we receive regular updates from the Chief 
Legal Officer. These updates form the basis for the level of provisioning. 
As disclosed in Note 3 a charge of $203 million has been recorded in 
respect of potential liabilities. This arises from the Group ‘s portfolio of 
modular metal-on-metal hip products. This has resulted in a provision 
being carried forward of $185 million as of 31 December 2015. We 
received detailed reports from management on this position, including 
the actuarial model used to estimate the provision, and challenged the 
key assumptions, including the number of claimants and projected value 
of each settlement. Aside from the developments in relation to metal-on-
metal, the other legal judgements have not moved materially during the 
year, with some cases having been resolved, and some new matters 
arising. We have determined that the proposed levels of provisioning at 
year end of $74 million included within ‘legal and other provisions’ in Note 
17.1 in 2015 ($74 million in 2014) were appropriate in the circumstances.

IMPAIRMENT
In carrying out impairment reviews of goodwill, intangible assets and 
property, plant and equipment, a number of significant assumptions 
have to be made when preparing cash flow projections. These include 
the future rate of market growth, discount rates, the market demand for 
the products acquired, the future profitability of acquired businesses or 

products, levels of reimbursement and success in obtaining regulatory 
approvals. If actual results should differ or changes in expectations 
arise, impairment charges may be required which would adversely 
impact operating results.

Our action
We reviewed management’s reports on the key assumptions with 
respect to goodwill, acquisition intangible assets and investments in 
associates – particularly the forecast future cash flows and discount 
rates used to make these calculations. We noted the impairment 
charge of $51m that has been recorded in 2015 the principal 
component of which related to the Oasis brand. Based on our 
challenge of the key assumptions we concurred with management that 
the amount of impairment is appropriate. We have also considered the 
disclosure surrounding these reviews, and concluded that the review 
and disclosure were appropriate.

TAXATION
Provisioning for potential current tax liabilities and the level of deferred 
tax asset recognition in relation to accumulated tax losses are 
underpinned by a range of judgements about the future statutory 
profitability of constituent entities of the Group.

Our action
We annually review our processes and approve the principles 
for management of tax risks. We review quarterly reports from 
management evaluating existing risks and tax provisions. Based on a 
thorough report from management of tax liabilities and our challenge 
thereof of the basis of any tax provisions recorded we concluded, that 
the levels of provisions and disclosures were appropriate.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
The Group has identified ‘growth through acquisitions’ as one of its 
Strategic Priorities.

Our action
For completed acquisitions, we received a report from management 
setting out the significant assets and liabilities acquired, details of 
the provisional fair value adjustments applied, an analysis of the 
intangible assets acquired, the assumptions behind the valuation 
of these acquired intangible assets and the proposed useful 
economic life of each intangible asset class. For material acquisitions, 
management engage third party specialists to perform a detailed 
analysis, summaries of which are included in management reports. We 
reviewed, discussed, challenged and approved these summaries for 
Colombia and Russia. During 2015 we also considered and concurred 
with management that there had been no changes to the provisional 
fair values recognised in the 2014 acquisition of ArthroCare.

OPERATING SEGMENTS
Following completion of the Group’s transition to a new commercial 
organisational structure on 1 January 2015 the Group is now engaged 
in a single business activity, being the development, manufacture and 
sales of medical technology products and services. As the allocation of 
the Group’s resources are determined on a project by project basis by 
the Chief Operating Decision Maker (being the Commercial Operations 
team) the Group now has one operating segment. 

Our action
In applying the requirements of the relevant accounting standard, we 
have reviewed management’s analysis on determining that the Group 
has one operating segment and agreed with the interpretation. Given 
the level of judgement involved we have determined that it is appropriate 
to include this as a significant area of judgement in our report.

We note that within the External Audit report there is a principal risk 
associated with the timing of revenue recognition and measurement of 
related reserves as required by auditing standards. We have considered 
this and have concluded that we have appropriate procedures and 
controls in place not to include this as a significant area of judgement.

 
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Accountability continued

External Auditor
Independence of External Auditor
The independence of our external auditor is critical for the integrity of the 
audit. Following a competitive tender in 2014, KPMG LLP were appointed the 
Company’s external auditor for the 2015 audit replacing Ernst & Young LLP who 
had been the Company’s auditor for a number of years. We are satisfied that 
KPMG LLP are fully independent from the Company’s management and free 
from conflicts of interest. Our Auditor Independence Policy, which ensures that 
this independence is maintained, is available on the Company’s website. 

We believe that the implementation of this policy helps ensure that 
auditor objectivity and independence is safeguarded. The policy governs 
our approach when we require our external auditor to carry out non-audit 
services, and all such services are strictly governed by this policy. During 
2015, fees paid to KPMG LLP, our external auditor, for non-audit work 
totalled $1 million, representing 25% of total audit fees. Full details are 
shown in Note 3.2 of the Notes to the Group accounts. 

The Auditor Independence Policy also governs the policy regarding audit 
partner rotation with the expectation that the audit partner will rotate at 
least every five years. The Audit Committee confirms it has complied 
with the provision of the Competition and Markets Authority Order which 
came into effect from 1 January 2015.

Effectiveness of External Auditors
We conducted a review into the effectiveness of the external audit as part 
of the 2015 year end process, in line with previous years. We sought the 
views of key members of the finance management team, considered the 
feedback from this process and shared it with management.

During the year, we also considered the inspection reports from the 
Audit Oversight Boards in the UK and US and determined that we were 
satisfied with the audit quality provided by KPMG.

Overall therefore, we concluded that KPMG had carried out their audit for 
2015 effectively. 

Appointment of External Auditors at Annual General Meeting
Resolutions will be put to the Annual General Meeting to be held 
on 14 April 2016 proposing the re-appointment of KPMG LLP as the 
Company’s Auditor and authorising the Board to determine their 
remuneration, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee.

Disclosure of Information to the Auditor
In accordance with Section 418 of the Companies Act 2006, the Directors 
serving at the time of approving the Directors’ Report confirm that, to the best 
of their knowledge and belief, there is no relevant audit information of which 
the Auditor, KPMG, are unaware and the Directors also confirm that they 
have taken reasonable steps to be aware of any relevant audit information 
and, accordingly, to establish that the Auditor is aware of such information.

Audit and Professional Fees paid to the Auditor
Fees for professional services provided by Ernst & Young LLP and KPMG 
LLP (appointed from 9 April 2015) , the Group’s independent auditors in 
each of the last two fiscal years, in each of the following categories were:

Audit
Audit-related fees
Tax
Other
Total

2015 
$ million
4
–
–
1
5

2014 
$ million
3
–
2
–
5

Any pre-approved aggregate, individual amounts up to $50,000 may be 
authorised by the Tax Director/Group Financial Controller respectively 
and amounts up to $100,000 by the Chief Financial Officer. Any individual 
amount over $100,000 must be pre-approved by myself as Chairman 
of the Audit Committee. If we require additional permitted tax services 
or any which exceed the amounts approved, again pre-approval by the 
Chairman of the Audit Committee is required.

Internal Audit
Our Internal Audit function reports directly to the Audit Committee and 
is headed by Jenny Morgan, Senior Vice President Internal Audit. The 
Internal Audit function carries out work across the Group acting as a third 
line of defence. The audit coverage is based on risk with the focus for 
2015 being Emerging Markets, finance transformation, inventory and core 
financial controls systems.

During the year, they completed 33 reviews across the business. The 
Audit Committee receives a quarterly report of the activities of the Internal 
Audit function and reviews the results of the Internal Audit reports, 
looking in detail at any reports with unsatisfactory ratings. We also receive 
a quarterly report detailing any unremediated and overdue control 
recommendations and oversee the effective and timely remediation of 
any recommendations.

Of particular note in 2015 were the Internal Audit reviews conducted in 
China following the slowdown of the Chinese economy. Each review was 
discussed at The Audit Committee with presentations from Internal Audit 
and Executive Regional management. Remediation of agreed actions is 
monitored by the Audit Committee at each Committee meeting. There 
has been continued focus on Emerging Markets with reviews of Brazil, 
Mexico, India, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. Internal Audit also 
performed independent validation reviews of the implementation of the 
Group’s MAPs and programme assurance reviews over the Group’s SAP 
implementation as part of the Finance Transformation.

In 2016, we will continue to monitor Internal Audit’s scope of work and 
operational methods to ensure that it continues to play a full role in 
providing assurance over the Group’s identification and management of 
risk and its associated controls. 

Risk Management Programme
During the year, we reviewed the Financial Reporting Council changes 
to the UK Corporate Governance Code and considered how these 
changes would impact our risk management processes and the work 
that we would need to undertake to enable the Board to make the 
Viability Statement. 

We reviewed our risk management processes at our meetings in 
February, July and October. These reviews included a report from 
Deloitte, which recommended a number of suggestions for improving 
our risk management framework, which we shall be implementing 
over the next six to 12 months. One of these recommendations is the 
development of Key Risk Indicators to enable us to track progress in 
the future. We also considered reviews undertaken by our Internal 
Audit function into specific risks, such as IT Security and Cyber Risk 
and received regular reports from the Group Finance function on their 
findings from reviews with regard to compliance with the Sarbanes 
Oxley Act.

Since the year end, we reviewed a report from the Internal Audit function 
into the effectiveness of the risk management programme throughout the 
year. We considered the principal risks, the actions taken by management 
to manage those risks and the Board risk appetite in respect of each risk. 

 
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We concluded that the risk management process during 2015 and up to 
the date of approval of this Annual Report was effective. Work will continue 
in 2016 and beyond to continue to enhance the process.

There has been no change during the period covered by this Annual 
Report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially 
affect, the Group’s internal control over financial reporting.

We have reviewed the system of internal financial control and satisfied 
ourselves that we are meeting the required standards both for the year 
ended 31 December 2015 and up to the date of approval of this Annual 
Report. No concerns were raised with us in 2015 regarding possible 
improprieties in matters of financial reporting.

See pages 42 to 48 for further information on our risk 
management process.

Viability Statement
We also reviewed management’s work in conducting a robust 
assessment of those risks which would threaten our business model 
and the future performance or liquidity of the Company, including its 
resilience to the threats of viability posed by those risks in severe but 
plausible scenarios. This assessment included stress and sensitivity 
analyses of these risks to enable us to evaluate the impact of a severe 
but plausible combination of risks. We then considered whether 
additional financing would be required in such eventualities. Based on 
this analysis, we recommended to the Board that it could approve and 
make the Viability Statement on page 49. 

Evaluation of Internal Controls
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate 
internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a–15 (f) and 
15d–15(f) under the US Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

There is an established system of internal control throughout the 
Group and our Divisions. The main elements of the internal control 
framework are:
 – The management of each Division is responsible for the establishment 

and review of effective financial controls within their Division.

 – The Group Finance manual sets out, amongst other things, financial 

and accounting policies and MAPS.

 – The Internal Audit function agrees an annual work plan and scope of 

work with the Audit Committee.

 – The Audit Committee reviews reports from Internal Audit on their 
findings on internal financial controls, including compliance with 
MAPS and from the Senior Vice President, Group Finance and 
the heads of the Financial Controls and Compliance, Taxation and 
Treasury functions.

 – The Audit Committee reviews regular reports from the Financial 
Controls and Compliance function with regard to compliance 
with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act including the scope and results of 
managements testing and progress regarding any remediation.
 – The Audit Committee reviews the Group whistle-blower procedures.
 – The Audit Committee received and reviewed a report on the 
progress of the Finance Transformation during 2015 and the 
mitigation of the associated risks.

This system of internal control has been designed to manage rather 
than eliminate material risks to the achievement of our strategic and 
business objectives and can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, 
assurance against material misstatement or loss. Because of inherent 
limitation, our internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent 
or detect all misstatements. In addition, our projections of any evaluation 
of effectiveness in future periods are subject to the risk that controls 
may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the 
degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 
Entities where the company does not hold a controlling interest have their 
own process of internal controls similar to that of the Company. 

This process complies with the Financial Reporting Council’s ‘Internal 
Control: Revised Guidance for Directors on the UK corporate 
governance code and additionally contributes to our compliance with 
the obligations under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 and other internal 
assurance activities. 

The Board is responsible overall for reviewing and approving the 
adequacy and effectiveness of the risk management framework and 
the system of internal controls over financial, operational including 
quality management and ethical compliance processes operated by the 
Group. The Board has delegated responsibility for this review to the Audit 
Committee. The Audit Committee, through the Internal Audit function, 
reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of internal control procedures 
and identifies any weaknesses and ensures these are remediated 
within agreed timelines. The latest review covered the financial year to 
31 December 2015 and included the period up to the approval of this 
Annual Report. 

The main elements of this annual review are as follows:
 – The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have 

evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the 
Group’s disclosure controls and procedures as at 31 December 2015. 
Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer concluded on 23 February 2016 that the disclosure 
controls were effective as at 31 December 2015.

 – Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining 

adequate internal control over financial reporting. Management 
assessed the effectiveness of the Group’s internal control over 
financial reporting as at 31 December 2015 in accordance with 
the requirements in the US under s404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act. In making that assessment, they used the criteria set forth 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway 
Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on 
their assessment, management concluded and reported that, as 
at 31 December 2015, the Group’s internal control over financial 
reporting is effective based on those criteria.

 – Having received the report from management, the Audit Committee 

reports to the Board on the effectiveness of controls.

 – KPMG LLP. An independent registered public accounting firm issued 
an audit report on the Group’s internal control over financial reporting 
as at 31 December 2015. This report appears on pages 106 to 110.

Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers
We have adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, which 
applies to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the 
Senior Vice President Group Finance and the Group’s senior financial 
officers. There have been no waivers to any of the Code’s provisions 
nor have there been any amendments to the Code during 2015 or up 
until 23 February 2016. A copy of the Code of Ethics for Senior Financial 
Officers can be found on our website at www.smith-nephew.com. 

In addition, every individual in the finance function certifies to the 
Chief Financial Officer that they have complied with the Finance Code 
of Conduct. 

Evaluation of Effectiveness of the Audit Committee
The effectiveness of the Audit Committee was evaluated as part of the 
review into the effectiveness of the Board conducted at the end of 2015.

This review found that the Audit Committee was becoming increasingly 
effective, but recognising the increased responsibilities of the Audit 
Committee suggested that the time needed for each meeting could 
be increased.

Ian Barlow
Chairman of the Audit Committee

 
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OVERVIEW

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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

Remuneration

Dear Shareholder,
2015 was a successful year for the Company where we made both 
financial and strategic progress. The increase in underlying revenue 
growth, trading profit margin and adjusted earnings year-on-year reflect 
management’s actions to improve both our commercial performance 
and operational efficiency. Our performance on the measures we use 
in our variable pay plans was as follows:
 – Revenue at $4,634 million showed underlying growth of 4%, 

twice that achieved in 2014;

 – Strong trading profit led to an increase of 80bps in trading 

profit margin;

 – Trading cash flow was $936 million with the year trading 

profit to cash ratio of 85% reflecting a return to stronger cash 
performance levels;

 – Revenues from Emerging Markets at $715 million showed 

underlying growth of 11% in spite of the significant slow down 
in China; 

 – Share price improved from 1060p to 1212p during the year.

On these five financial measures, which are reflected in our Annual 
Incentive Plan and in our Performance Share Plan, the Company 
performed well in 2015. It is against this back drop that I should like to 
present our Remuneration Report for 2015.

Continued Alignment
Throughout 2015, the Remuneration Committee focused on ensuring 
continued alignment of our remuneration arrangements with the 
corporate strategy and performance of the Company. The table overleaf 
summarises how the measures in our incentive arrangements link to 
our corporate objectives, which remain unchanged from last year. 

Changes in 2015
During 2015, changes to the remuneration of the Executive Directors 
were limited to base salary increases of 3% taking effect in April 2015. 
These were in line with average increases awarded across the rest of 
the Group. There were no changes to Annual Incentive or Performance 
Share Plan award levels or measures, although performance targets 
were updated to reflect expectations going into 2015. 

The other change that you will notice, in direct response to feedback 
from our shareholders, is the retrospective disclosure of financial targets 
under the Annual Incentive Plan. 

In respect of performance during the year, Executive Directors received 
cash incentive payments ranging from 104% to 112% of target and 
Equity Incentive Awards ranging from 55% to 65% of salary. The 2013 
Performance Share Awards vested slightly above threshold at 33.5% 
of maximum.

2013 – 2015 PSP Awards
For over 10 years the Smith & Nephew incentive plans have included 
a relative Total Shareholder Return (‘TSR’) measure, reflecting investor 
preferences, UK market practice and the perceived alignment of 
shareholder and executive interests. Over this time, the level of vesting 
has ranged from 0% to 88%. 

As noted in my introductory comments, the Company delivered excellent 
TSR to our shareholders over the last three years, with an investment of 
£100 at the end of 2012 being worth £180 at the end of 2015. This was 
significantly ahead of broad market indices, both in the UK and the US, 
against which many of our investors compare the Company. However, 
against the small select group of medical devices companies in our peer 
group, the Company’s TSR performance was just below median.

A number of factors have contributed to this result including volatility 
within the peer group, which reduced to just 14 peer companies 
over the performance period due to acquisitions; exchange rate 
movements, which can have a significant impact given all but two of 
the peer companies are US listed; and a reduced correlation between 
the peer companies and Smith & Nephew in terms of size and 
geographic exposure. 

The Remuneration Committee is of the view that this outcome does 
not reflect either the corporate performance delivered over the three-
year performance period or the strong absolute returns experienced 
by shareholders. We have therefore taken the highly unusual step 
of exercising our discretion to permit the TSR element of the 2013 
Performance Share Awards to vest at threshold (25% of the shares 
granted). When combined with the Free Cash Flow achievement, this 
gives a combined vesting of 33.5% for all participants. Further details of 
this decision are set out on page 86. 

 
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DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

I wish to assure shareholders that this decision was not taken lightly 
and the Committee was unanimous in reaching it. We considered many 
factors and also took the opportunity to seek the views of some of our 
largest shareholders towards the end of 2015, which was most helpful. 
Ultimately we have made a decision that we believe to be in the best 
interests of shareholders, reflecting the corporate performance delivered, 
while continuing to engage and incentivise the Company’s senior 
management over the longer term.

On page 86 you will see that we have revised and expanded the TSR 
peer group for the awards to be made in 2016 in an attempt to reduce 
the risk of this situation arising again in 2019. With the continued 
consolidation that is expected within our industry over the coming years, 
this is something that we will consider as part of our review during 2016 
which I discuss overleaf. 

Other Matters
Other matters we considered in 2015 included the remuneration 
arrangements for our new Executive Officers – Elga Lohler and Matt 
Stober. We also looked at benchmarking analyses of the remuneration 
arrangements for our Executive Directors and Executive Officers 
comparing them against the arrangements in place at other companies 
for executives undertaking similar roles in comparable organisations.

Looking Forward
During 2016, we shall be undertaking a thorough review of our 
remuneration arrangements ahead of the shareholder vote in 2017 
on our Remuneration Policy. This review will cover all aspects of our 
remuneration, including the structure of our incentive arrangements 
and the measures we use within our incentive plans, the length of 
vesting and holding periods applicable to our long-term share plan and 
the competitiveness of our remuneration arrangements in attracting 
global talent. 

The Remuneration Committee remains committed to considering and 
approving remuneration arrangements which link executive reward 
to the shareholder experience as far as possible. Thank you for your 
continued support.

Joseph Papa
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

Measures in our Variable Pay Plans

FINANCIAL MEASURES IN ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLANS
Revenue, trading profit, trading cash
Link to Strategic Priorities
We need to generate cash in our Established Markets to be able 
to invest in Emerging Markets, innovation, organic growth and 
acquisitions in order to continue to grow in the future. Cash flow 
is therefore important and this in turn is derived from increased 
revenues and healthy trading profits.

BUSINESS OBJECTIVES IN ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLANS
Business process
Link to Strategic Priorities
We need to release resources from the businesses through improved 
structures, efficiencies and business processes in order to re-invest 
in our higher growth areas, including Emerging & International 
Markets, innovation, organic growth and acquisitions.

People
Link to Strategic Priorities
We need to attract and retain the right people to achieve our strategy 
through improving our operating model.

Customer
Link to Strategic Priorities
Our mission is to deliver advanced medical technologies that help 
healthcare professionals, our customers, improve the quality of life 
of their patients.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES IN OUR PERFORMANCE 
SHARE PLAN

Free cumulative cash flow
Link to Strategic Priorities
Cash flow from our Established Markets is necessary in order 
to fund growth in Emerging Markets, innovation, organic growth 
and acquisitions.

Revenue in Emerging Markets
Link to Strategic Priorities
Our long-term strategy depends on our ability to grow in 
Emerging Markets.

TSR
Link to Strategic Priorities
If we execute our strategy successfully, this will lead to an increased 
return for our shareholders.

Compliance statement
We have prepared this Directors’ Remuneration Report (the ‘Report’) in accordance with The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2012-2013 (clauses 81-84) and The Large and  
Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (the ‘Regulations’). The Report also meets the relevant requirements of the 
Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) Listing Rules.
The first part of the Report (pages 80 to 93) is the annual report on remuneration (the ‘Implementation Report’). The Implementation Report will be put to shareholders for approval 
as an advisory vote at the Annual General Meeting on 14 April 2016. The Implementation Report explains how the remuneration policy was implemented during 2015 and also how 
it is currently being implemented in 2016. Pages 82 to 86 and 93 have been audited by KPMG LLP, including the tables on pages 87 to 90.
The second part of the Report (pages 94 to 102) is the Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report (the ‘Policy Report’) which was approved by shareholders at the Annual General 
Meeting held in 2014. The Policy Report describes our remuneration policy as it relates to the Directors of the Company. All payments we make to any Director of the Company will 
be in accordance with this remuneration policy. We intend that this remuneration policy will remain in place unchanged for the next year and will next be put to shareholder vote at 
the Annual General Meeting to be held in 2017. The level of base salary and benefits paid and performance measures shown in the Policy Report are as at 2014, when the Policy 
Report was approved by shareholders. Full details of any changes to these details since then, in accordance with the Policy Report are given in the Implementation Report.

 
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GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Implementation Report

REMUNERATION  
COMMITTEE

CURRENT MEMBERS IN 2015 

Joseph Papa  
Committee Chairman

Vinita Bali (from 1 April 2015)  
Independent Non-Executive Director

Virginia Bottomley  
Independent Non-Executive Director

Robin Freestone (from 1 September 2015)  
Independent Non-Executive Director

Brian Larcombe 
Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

Roberto Quarta  
Chairman of the Board

KEY ACTIVITIES

Setting the remuneration policy and packages for Executive Directors 
and Executive Officers. 

Approval of all share plans operating throughout the Group. 

2016 FOCUS

Determination of payouts under cash incentive and long-term 
incentive plans vesting in 2016. 

Determine targets to apply to cash incentive and share plan awards 
in 2016. 

Review the overall structure of our remuneration policies to ensure 
they still support our business strategy in preparation for putting a 
new remuneration policy to shareholders at the 2017 AGM. 

The Remuneration Committee presents the annual report on 
remuneration (the ‘Implementation Report’), which together with 
the annual statement from the Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee will be put to shareholders as an advisory vote at the 
Annual General Meeting to be held on 14 April 2016.

Role of the Remuneration Committee
Our work falls into the following three areas:

Determination of Remuneration Policy and Packages
 – Determination of remuneration policy for Executive Directors and 

Senior Executives.

 – Approval of individual remuneration packages for Executive Directors 
and Executive Officers at least annually and any major changes to 
individual packages throughout the year.

 – Consideration of remuneration policies and practices across 

the Group.

 – Approval of appropriate performance measures for short-term 

and long-term incentive plans for Executive Directors and 
Senior Executives.

 – Determination of pay-outs under short-term and long-term incentive 

plans for Executive Directors and Senior Executives.

Oversight of all Company Share Plans
 – Determination of the use of long-term incentive plans and 

overseeing the use of shares in executive and all-employee plans.

Reporting and Engagement with shareholders 
on Remuneration Matters
 – Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Report ensuring compliance 

with related governance provisions.

 – Continuation of constructive engagement on remuneration matters 

with shareholders.

The terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee describe our role 
and responsibilities more fully and can be found on our website.
>    FIND IT ON OUR WEBSITE 

WWW.SMITH-NEPHEW.COM

 
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OCTOBER

–   Planned the programme of engagement with shareholders on 

remuneration matters.

–   Considered the methodology to be used for the benchmarking of 

base salaries for Executive Directors and Executive Officers.
–   Reviewed options for addressing the loss of companies from the 

TSR peer group.

–   Drafted the Remuneration Report for 2015.

DECEMBER 

Review of Remuneration Strategy
–   Reviewed and considered the principles for determining payouts 

under the long-term plans due to vest in 2016.

–   Received a report from the Chairman of the Remuneration 
Committee on recent engagement with shareholders.

–   Approved the Remuneration Strategy for 2016.
–   Considered the timetable for the remuneration review to be 

conducted in 2016.

–   Reviewed market data for the Executive Directors and Executive 
Officers prepared in accordance with the agreed methodology.

–   Further considered the TSR peer group.
–   Passed written resolutions approving the shareplan treatment for 
a deceased Senior Executive and the remuneration packages for 
one new and three promoted Executive Officers. 

Since the year end, we have also reviewed the financial results for 
2015 against the targets under the short-term and long-term incentive 
arrangements jointly with the Audit Committee, and have agreed the 
targets for the short-term and long-term incentive plans for 2016. We 
have also approved increases to the salaries of Executive Directors and 
Executive Officers and determined cash payments under the Annual 
Incentive Plan, awards under the Equity Incentive Programme and the 
Performance Share Programme, and the vesting of awards under the 
Performance Share Programme granted in 2013. Finally, we approved 
the wording of this Directors’ Remuneration Report.

During the year, the Remuneration Committee received information 
and advice from Willis Towers Watson, an independent executive 
remuneration consultancy firm appointed by the Remuneration 
Committee in 2011 following a full tender process. They provided 
advice on market trends and remuneration issues in general, attended 
Remuneration Committee meetings, assisted in the review of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report, provided market benchmark data, 
undertook calculations relating to the PSP performance conditions and 
supported a review of the TSR peer group. The fees paid to Willis Towers 
Watson for Remuneration Committee advice during 2015, charged on a 
time and expense basis was £186,683.31 in total. Willis Towers Watson 
also provided other human resources and compensation advice to the 
Company for the level below the Board. Willis Towers Watson comply with 
the Code of Conduct in relation to Executive Remuneration Consulting in 
the United Kingdom and the Remuneration Committee is satisfied that 
their advice is objective and independent.

Activities of the Remuneration Committee  
in 2015 and since the year end
In 2015, we held five physical meetings and determined three matters 
by written resolution. Each meeting was attended by all members of the 
Committee. The Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Human Resources 
Officer and the Senior Vice President, Global Reward, key members 
of the finance function and the Company Secretary also attended all 
or part of some of the meetings, except when their own remuneration 
was being discussed. We also met with the independent Remuneration 
Consultants, Willis Towers Watson without management present. Our 
programme of work in 2015 was as follows:

EARLY FEBRUARY

Approval of salaries, awards and payouts in 2015
 –  Noted the financial results for 2014 against the targets under the 

short-term and long-term incentive plans. 

 –  Agreed the targets for the short-term and long-term incentive 

plans for 2015.

 –  The Audit Committee joined the Remuneration Committee for both 

the above agenda items to answer any questions regarding 
audited numbers and provide assurance.

 –  Approved the quantum of cash payments to Executive Directors 
and Executive Officers under the Annual Incentive Plan and 
awards under the Equity Incentive Programme and the 
Performance Share Programme.

 –  Approved the vesting of options and share awards granted in 

2012 and reviewed the performance of long-term awards granted 
in 2013 and 2014.

 –  Reviewed benchmark data increases to salaries across the Group 

and approved salary increases for Executive Directors and 
Executive Officers with effect from 1 April 2015.
 –  Approved the text of the Remuneration Report.

LATE FEBRUARY

Final approval of the Remuneration Report (by telephone)
–   Approved the final targets for the short-term and long-term 

incentive plans for 2015.

–   Approved the final text of the Remuneration Report.

LATE JULY

Mid-year Review of Remuneration Arrangements
 –  Reviewed the shareholder response to the Remuneration Report 

at the Annual General Meeting and noted shareholders’ 
comments that would be addressed in this report. 

 –  Reviewed the performance of long-term awards granted in 2013, 

2014 and 2015.

 –  Agreed to review the basis for calculation of TSR performance 

given that a number of companies in the peer group had delisted.

 –  Reviewed adherence to shareholding guidelines by Executive 

Directors, Executive Officers and Senior Executives.

 –  Monitored dilution limits and the number of shares available for 

use in respect of executive and all-employee share plans.

 –  Reviewed and approved the business plan for the Remuneration 

Committee for 2015.

–   Approved the termination arrangements for two departing 
Executive Officers and the remuneration arrangements for 
a new Executive Officer.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Implementation Report continued

Single total figure on remuneration
Executive Directors

Base salary

$1,260,594
$1,464,515

Director
Olivier Bohuon 
Appointed 1 April 2011
2015
2014
Julie Brown 
Appointed 4 February 2013
2015
2014

$803,116
$840,487

Fixed pay

Taxable 
benefits

Annual  
variable pay

Annual 
Incentive 
Plan – cash

Hybrid

Annual 
Incentive 
Plan – equity

Payment  
in lieu of  
pension

Long-term variable pay

Performance 
Share Plan

Share  
Option Plan

Total

$378,178
$439,354

$228,698
$286,341

$1,419,192
$952,318

$825,396
$811,006 

$1,387,128
$2,831,587

$240,936
$252,146

$29,862
$38,494

$843,482
$470,373

$444,954
$465,437

$764,967
–

$0
– 

$0
–

$5,499,186
$6,785,121

$3,127,317
$2,066,938

The amounts for 2015 have been converted into US$ for ease of comparability using the exchange rates of £ to US$1.5281 and € to US$1.1089, and for 
the prior years, using exchange rates disclosed in previous years’ accounts.

Base salary: the actual salary receivable for the year.

Payment in lieu of pension: the value of the salary supplement paid by the Company in lieu of a pension.

Benefits: the gross value of all taxable benefits (or benefits that would be taxable in the UK) received in the year. 

Annual Incentive Plan – cash: the value of the cash incentive payable for performance in respect of the relevant financial year.

Annual Incentive Plan – equity: the value of the equity element awarded in respect of performance in the relevant financial year, but subject to an 
ongoing performance test as described on pages 83 to 85 of this report.

Performance Share Plan: the value of shares vesting that were subject to performance over the three-year period ending on 31 December in the 
relevant financial year, based on an estimated share price of 1124.69p per share, which was the average price of a share over the last quarter of 2015. 
The value of the 2012 share awards that vested in 2015 have now been restated with the share price on the date of actual vesting being 1128.7948p per 
share on 9 March 2015. The value of the 2013 Share Awards that will vest in March 2016 are calculated in the table by using the Q4 average share price 
of 1124.69 pence per share.

Other Items in the Nature of Remuneration: could also include All-Employee Share Plans and One-Off Awards.

Total: the sum of the above elements.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

Base salary
With effect from 1 April in each year, Executive Directors were paid the 
following base salaries, reflecting an increase of 3%:

Olivier Bohuon
Julie Brown

2014
€1,111,782
£514,000

2015
€1,145,135
£529,420

In February 2016, we reviewed the base salaries of the Executive 
Directors, having considered general economic conditions and average 
salary increases across the rest of the Group, which have averaged 
at 3%. The Remuneration Committee has therefore agreed that the 
Executive Directors’ base salaries will increase by 3% with effect from 
1 April 2016 to the following:

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

Annual Incentive Plan 2015
During 2015, 70% of the Annual Incentive Plan for Executive Directors was 
based on the achievement of specific financial objectives and 30% of the 
award depended on the achievement of specific business objectives.

Financial Objectives
The financial measures on which performance was assessed in 
2015 were revenue, trading profit and trading cash. For each of these 
measures, the Committee determined threshold, target and maximum 
performance in February 2015. In February 2016, the Committee 
reviewed performance against each of these objectives and determined 
the percentage of the award which would vest in respect of each of the 
objectives, all as detailed in the table below.

Olivier Bohuon
Julie Brown

€1,179,490
£545,303

Revenue
Trading profit
Trading cash

Threshold
$4,572m
$1,071m
$815m

Target

Actual1
Maximum
$4,713m $4,854m $4,686m
$1,102m
$1,137m
$1,104m
$915m
$997m
$906m

Payment in lieu of pension
In 2015, both Olivier Bohuon and Julie Brown received a salary 
supplement of 30% of their basic salary to apply towards their retirement 
savings, in lieu of membership of one of the Company’s pension 
schemes. The same arrangement will apply in 2015.

Benefits
In 2015, both Olivier Bohuon and Julie Brown received death in service 
cover of seven times basic salary, of which four times salary is payable 
as a lump sum with the balance used to provide for any spouse and 
dependent persons. They also received health cover for themselves and 
their families, a car allowance and financial consultancy advice. Olivier 
Bohuon also received assistance with travel costs between London and 
Paris. The same arrangements will apply in 2016. The following table 
summarises the value of benefits on an element-by-element basis in 
respect of 2014 and 2015.

Olivier Bohuon

Julie Brown

1  At constant exchange rates. See page 177.

This resulted in an achievement level of 67 out of a target of 70 in respect 
of the financial objectives.

Revenue1
Trading profit1
Trading cash1

 Weight
30%
30%
10%

Award  
% of target
90%
97%
110%
Total

Award  
% of salary
27%
29%
11%
67%

1  At constant exchange rates. See page 177.

Accordingly, the following amounts have been earned by the Executive 
Directors in respect of their financial objectives.

Olivier Bohuon
Julie Brown

€764,510
£353,449

Health Cover
Car and fuel allowance
Financial consultancy 
advice

Travel costs
Subscriptions

2014

2015
£20,642 £15,040
€18,751 €21,344
£24,053 £95,052
€101,926
–
£28,537 £20,961
£3,120
£3,473

2014
£1,144

2015
£1,144
£14,640 £14,640
£3,758
–
£0
£0

£7,597
–
£0
£0

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Implementation Report continued

Business Objectives
The business objectives on which performance was assessed in 2015 were business process, people and customer. For each of these measures, 
the Committee determined the level of expected performance in February 2015. In February 2016, the Committee reviewed performance against each 
of these objectives as explained in the table below. As a result of this review, the Committee determined that 45% of the target award made to Oliver 
Bohuon would vest in respect of these business objectives and 37.5% of the target award made to Julie Brown would vest.
BUSINESS PROCESS
Olivier Bohuon
Strengthened leadership team to deliver strong commercial 
performance including turnaround in AWM and Europe.

Julie Brown
Delivered Group Optimisation programme ahead of plan, with $100 million 
of annualised benefits at year end contributing to trading profit 
margin improvement.

Improved efficiency and agility through Group Optimisation programme, 
including establishing Global Business Services.

Centralised commercial execution under Chief Commercial Officer to 
drive commercial excellence.

Further tax improvement, with a 90bps reduction year-on-year in the tax 
rate on trading results.

Improved trading profit to cash conversion ratio.

Strengthened platform through distributor acquisitions in Russia 
and Colombia.

Shielded Group from transactional currency impact through 
hedging strategy.

PEOPLE
Olivier Bohuon
Continued to drive significant change across the Company to focus on 
new business, growth and efficiency with strong results.

Strong leadership and communication to all employees to drive strategic 
alignment and performance focus.

Refined leadership structure, including centralising commercial 
execution under Chief Commercial Officer to drive excellence.

Extended Single Managing Director model to the US, completing global 
roll-out.

Established leadership forum for new managing directors.

Invested directly in talent development across the Company through 
CEO Forum and CEO Awards.

Contributed to the roll-out of Great Place to Work accreditation, now 
achieved in Spain and Italy.

CUSTOMER
Olivier Bohuon
Integrated ArthroCare acquisition to strengthen Sports Medicine 
portfolio, on-track to deliver expected synergies.

Widened access to products through continued strong Emerging 
Markets growth despite China slow-down.

Continued to build innovative ways to anticipate customers’ changing 
need (e.g. Syncera).

Developed mid-tier product portfolio including acquiring trauma 
manufacturing in Russia.

Maintained R&D investment, strong product pipeline for 2016, improved 
focus through creation of R&D global function.

Acquired Blue Belt Technologies establishing strong position in robotics.

Julie Brown
Embedded finance transformation programme through the continued 
simplification of financial processes, system and tools.

Standardised and improved financial controls and processes across 
operating entities Group-wide through introduction of minimum 
acceptable practices (MAPs).

Improved employee development and engagement across Finance 
with significant moves made to develop top talent, leading training and 
capability development for Finance business partners and across the 
finance function, with finance training across the business overall.

Julie Brown
Represented the Group with investors and financial analysts at one-to-one 
meetings and industry conferences in the UK and abroad, receiving strong 
positive feedback.

Delivered improved insight into the profitability by market and customer, 
facilitating improved resource allocation and margin improvement.

Olivier Bohuon level of award
€515,310 representing 45% out of the 30% target award subject to 
business objectives.

Julie Brown level of award
£198,532 representing 37.5% out of the 30% target award subject to 
business objectives.

The Remuneration Committee also considered whether to apply the +/– 10 multiplier to the annual incentive assessment of Olivier Bohuon and Julie 
Brown and agreed that no multiplier was appropriate in respect of 2015. 

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The precise awards granted in 2016 in respect of service in 2015 will be 
announced when the awards are made and will be disclosed in the 2016 
Annual Report.

Performance Share Programme – 2015 grants
Performance share awards in 2015 were made to Executive Directors 
under the Global Share Plan 2010 to a maximum value of 190% of 
salary (95% for target performance). Performance will be measured 
over the three financial years beginning in 2015 and will vest subject to 
performance and continued employment in 2018. 50% of the award will 
vest subject to cumulative free cash flow performance, 25% to revenue in 
Emerging Markets and 25% to relative TSR.

Cumulative free cash flow is defined as net cash inflow from operating 
activities, less capital expenditure. Free cash flow is the most appropriate 
measure of cash flow performance because it relates to cash generated 
to finance additional investments in business opportunities, debt 
repayments and distribution to shareholders. This measure includes 
significant elements of operational financial performance and helps to 
align Executive Director awards with shareholder value creation.

The 50% of the award that will be subject to cumulative free cash flow 
performance will vest as follows:

Cumulative free cash flow
Below $1.578bn
$1.578bn
$1.814bn
$2.050bn or more

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
23.75%
47.5%
95%

Awards will vest on a straight-line basis between these points.

Revenue in Emerging Markets is defined as cumulative revenue over a 
three-year period opening 1 January 2015 from our Emerging Markets. 
The 25% of the award that will be subject to revenue in Emerging Market 
performance will vest as follows:

Revenue in Emerging Markets 
Below Threshold
Threshold
Target
Maximum or above

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
11.875%
23.75%
47.5%

It is not possible to disclose precise targets for revenue growth in 
Emerging Markets as this will give commercially sensitive information 
to our competitors concerning our growth plans in Emerging Markets, 
which they could use against us to launch new products and enter 
new markets. This would be detrimental to our business in Emerging 
Markets, which are key to our success overall. This target however will be 
disclosed in the 2018 Annual Report, when the Committee will discuss 
performance against the target.

25% of the award will vest based on the Company’s Total Shareholder 
Return (TSR) performance relative to a bespoke peer group of companies 
in the medical devices sector over a three-year period commencing 
1 January 2015 as follows:

Relative TSR ranking
Below median
Median
Upper quartile

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
11.875%
47.5%

In summary, as a result of the financial performance described on 
page 83 and the performance described in the table on page 84, the 
Remuneration Committee determined that the following awards be made 
under the Annual Incentive Plan in respect of performance in 2015:

Cash  
Component

Equity  
Component

Executive Director
Olivier Bohuon
Julie Brown

% of salary

Amount
112 €1,279,820
£551,981
104

% of salary

Amount
65 €744,388
£291,181
55

These figures are converted into dollars and included under Annual Incentive 
Plan (cash) and (equity) in the single figure table on page 82.

As a result of the 2015 performance assessment for both Olivier Bohuon 
and Julie Brown, the first tranche of the Equity Incentive Award made in 
2015, the second tranche of the Equity Incentive Award made in 2014 and 
the third tranche of the Equity Incentive Award made in 2013 (to Olivier 
Bohuon only) will vest.

Annual Incentive Plan 2016
The Remuneration Committee has also reviewed the Annual Incentive 
Plan arrangements for 2016 and has determined that the following 
performance measures and weightings will apply to the financial and 
business objectives in 2016:

Financial Objectives
Revenue
Trading profit
Trading cash
Business Objectives
Business process
People
Customer

70%
30%
30%
10%
30%
10%
10%
10%

The Board has determined that the disclosure of performance targets at 
this time is commercially sensitive. These targets are determined within 
the context of a five-year plan and the disclosure of these targets could 
give information to our competitors about details of our strategy which 
would enable them to compete more effectively with us to the detriment 
of our performance. These targets however will be disclosed in next 
year’s Annual Report, when the Committee will discuss performance 
against the targets. For the financial performance measures, ‘Target’ is set 
at target performance as approved by the Board in the Budget for 2016. 
‘Threshold’ and ‘Maximum’ are set at +/–3% from the target for revenue, 
at +/– 5% for the trading profit measure and at +/– 10% for the cash 
flow measure.

Details of awards made under the Equity Incentive 
Programme during 2015
Details of conditional awards over shares, granted as part of the Annual 
Equity Incentive Programme to Executive Directors under the rules of the 
Global Share Plan 2010 for their 2014 performance (awarded in 2015) are 
shown below. The performance conditions and performance periods 
applying to these awards are detailed above.

Number of shares  
under award

Date vesting

Date granted
Olivier Bohuon
9 March 2015

Julie Brown
9 March 2015

38,545 

1/3 on 9 March 2016 
1/3 on 9 March 2017 
1/3 on 9 March 2018

24,711

1/3 on 9 March 2016 
1/3 on 9 March 2017 
1/3 on 9 March 2018

Awards will vest on a straight-line basis between these points. If the 
Company’s TSR performance is below median, none of this part of the 
award will vest.

The bespoke peer group for the 2015 awards comprises the following 
companies: Baxter International, Becton, Dickinson and Company, 
Boston Scientific Corporation, C. R. Bard, Coloplast A/S, CONMED 
Corporation, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, Medtronic, NuVasive, 

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Implementation Report continued

Vesting of Awards made in 2013
Since the end of the year, the Remuneration Committee has reviewed 
the vesting of conditional awards made to Executive Directors under 
the Global Share Plan 2010 in 2013. Vesting of the conditional awards 
made in 2012 was subject to performance conditions based on TSR 
and cumulative free cash flow measured over a three-year period 
commencing 1 January 2013.

50% of the award was based on the Company’s TSR relative to a 
bespoke group of 18 medical devices companies. Our industry is one 
that is fast-paced and highly-evolving, and this was reflected in further 
consolidation during the performance period with three of the peer 
companies delisting due to merger and acquisition activity. This resulted 
in the peer group reducing to just 15 companies, meaning that relatively 
small differences in TSR have a significant impact on the level of vesting.

Over the three years ending 31 December 2015, the Company delivered 
a return of 80%, meaning an investment of £100 would now be worth 
£180, outperforming both the FTSE 100 (£120) and S&P 500 ($154 on 
an investment of $100). Against the peer group however, the Company 
ranked 10th, just below median.

In light of the strong absolute performance and returns delivered 
to shareholders coupled with the industry context, the Committee 
was concerned about the outcome and resolved to undertake a 
comprehensive review. The Committee is aware of shareholder 
sensitivity around the use of discretion. At the same time, the Committee 
recognises the importance of discretion in seeking to ensure any 
payments, or lack thereof, under our incentive plans align with business 
performance and the shareholder experience. Having spoken with some 
of our larger shareholders in December to obtain their views on this 
matter, the following points were considered:

 – TSR was clustered around median, and the Company’s TSR was just 
8.5 percentage points below median, the threshold requirement 
for vesting.

 – The majority of companies in the 2013 peer group are listed in the 

US. By calculating TSR in common currency, the outcome is distorted 
both by the relative performance of the US Dollar and Sterling, but 
also the relative performance of the markets more generally, as 
evidenced by the FTSE 100 and S&P 500 data illustrated on the next 
page. Neither of these items are within the control of management. 
On a local (also referred to as constant) currency basis, the Company 
ranked at median.

 – The Company significantly out-performed broader market indices. 
Against the FTSE 100, an index of particular interest to many of our 
investors, the Company ranked above the upper quartile.

Orthofix, Stryker, St Jude Medical, Wright Medical and Zimmer. Nobel 
Biocare and Covidien were also part of this peer group when the awards 
were made, but have since delisted following acquisitions.

The Group’s TSR performance and its performance relative to the 
comparator group is independently monitored and reported to the 
Remuneration Committee by Willis Towers Watson.

Performance Share Programme 2016
Performance share awards will be made in 2016 to Executive Directors 
under the Global Share Plan 2010 to a maximum value of 190% of salary 
(95% for target performance). Performance will be measured over the 
three financial years commencing 1 January 2016 and will vest subject to 
performance and continued employment in 2019. Vesting will be subject 
to the same three performance measures as applies to the awards made 
in 2015. 

50% of the award will vest subject to cumulative free cash flow 
performance, 25% to revenue in Emerging Markets and 25% to 
relative TSR.

The 50% of the award that will be subject to cumulative free cash flow 
performance will vest as follows:

Cumulative free cash flow
Below $1,585bn
$1,585bn
$1,822bn
$2,059bn or more

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
23.75%
47.5%
95%

25% of the award will vest subject to revenue in Emerging Markets.

As was the case with the awards in 2015, the precise targets for revenue 
growth in the Emerging Markets are commercially sensitive and will be 
disclosed on vesting in the 2019 Annual Report.

‘Target’ is set at target cumulative revenues from Emerging Markets in the 
corporate plan approved by the Board for the three years commencing 
1 January 2016. ‘Threshold’ and ‘Maximum’ are set at +/– 15% from target. 

In response to the industry dynamics, the Committee undertook a review 
of the peer group to be used for the 25% of the awards subject to TSR, 
having used the same group for a number of years. The Committee 
considered a combination of factors focused on comparability to Smith & 
Nephew, in particular absolute size, industry and geographic presence. 
As a result, six new companies (Essilor International SA, Getinge AB, 
GN Store Nord A/S, Shire plc, Sonova Holding AG and William Demant) 
will be added to the peer group for awards made in 2016, with three 
companies removed (NuVasive, Orthofix and Wright Medical). These 
changes seek to ensure the peer group remains more robust over the 
next three years in the face of inevitable consolidation, while focusing 
on those companies more similar to Smith & Nephew. As part of the 
broader policy review for 2017, the Committee will undertake a holistic 
review of the remuneration programmes more generally.

The peer group for the purpose of calculating relative TSR performance 
will consist of the following companies: Baxter International, Becton, 
Dickinson and Company, Boston Scientific Corporation, C. R. Bard, 
Coloplast A/S, CONMED Corporation, Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, 
Essilor International SA, Getinge AB, GN Store Nord A/S, Medtronic, 
Stryker, Shire plc, Sonova Holding AG, St Jude Medical, William Demant 
and Zimmer Biomet.

 
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Total Shareholder Return 
(measured in USD, based on rolling three-month values)

Total Shareholder Return 
(measured in local currency, based on rolling three-month values)

100

80

60

40

20

0

100

80

60

40

20

0

$79

$70

$54

$13

80%
80%

54%

20%

Dec 2012

Dec 2013

Dec 2014

Dec 2015

Dec 2012

Dec 2013

Dec 2014

Dec 2015

Source: DataStream

Source: DataStream

Smith & Nephew

FTSE 100

S&P 500

Smith & Nephew

FTSE 100

S&P 500

Medical devices – median

Medical devices – median

In addition, the Committee took account of the Plan Rules which provide for the replacement of delisted companies with substitutes as the alternative 
to automatic exclusion. While the use of substitutes is uncommon in the market and some of our shareholders interpreted this to be a retrospective 
change, concerned by industry consolidation and reduction of the peer group from 18 to 15, the Committee resolved to consider the outcome under 
this approach. While the Company remained below median, the gap in TSR between the Company and the peer group median reduced to 1.7%. 

On balance, the Committee determined that the default outcome under the plan did not reflect the corporate performance delivered over the three-
year performance period, nor the shareholder experience of absolute returns exceeding 70%. Applying the discretion permitted to the Committee 
under the Plan Rules and Remuneration Policy, it was concluded that the element of the awards subject to TSR performance would be deemed to vest 
at threshold (25%). The Committee recognised that the use of discretion was not something to be taken lightly, but after much debate felt that this was 
appropriate and fair in the circumstances.

This part of the award therefore vested at 25%.

50% of the award was based on cumulative free cash flow performance. The target set in 2013 was $1,780 billion. Over the three-year period, the 
adjusted cumulative cash free cash flow was $1,703 billion. These adjustments include items such as Board approved M&A, including the acquisitions 
of Healthpoint and ArthroCare and Board approved Business Plans such as the Group Optimisation programme, the Regranex hold, the Capex plan 
and metal-on-metal settlements. This part of the award therefore vested at 42%.

Overall therefore, the conditional awards made in 2013 will vest at 33.5% of maximum on 7 March 2016 as follows:

Director
Olivier Bohuon
Julie Brown

Date of grant
7 March 2013
7 March 2013

Number of shares  
under award at 
maximum
240,928
132,866

Number vesting
80,710
44,510

Summary of scheme interests awarded during the financial year

Basis on which award is made
Annual Equity Incentive Award (see page 85)
Performance Share Award at maximum (see page 85)
190% base salary at maximum

Number of shares
38,545
133,156

Olivier Bohuon

Face value
€611,480
€2,112,386

Number of shares
24,711
85,366

Julie Brown

Face value
£282,700
£976,600

Please see Policy Table on pages 96 to 97 for details of how the above plans operate. The number of shares is calculated using the closing share price 
on the day before the grant, which for the awards granted on 9 March 2015 was 1144p.

Details of awards made under the Performance Share Programme
Details of conditional awards over shares granted to Executive Directors subject to performance conditions are shown on the next page. These 
awards were granted under the Global Share Plan 2010. The performance conditions and performance periods applying to these awards are detailed 
on page 85.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Implementation Report continued

Olivier Bohuon

Julie Brown

Date granted
7 March 20131
7 March 2014
9 March 2015
7 March 20131
7 March 2014
9 March 2015

Number of ordinary shares  
under award at maximum
240,928
180,304
133,156
132,866
100,688
85,366

Date of vesting
7 March 2016
7 March 2017
9 March 2018
7 March 2016
7 March 2017
9 March 2018

1  On 2 February 2016, 67% of the award granted at maximum to Olivier Bohuon and Julie Brown lapsed following completion of the performance period.

Details of option grants under the All-Employee ShareSave Plan
Details of options held by Executive Directors under the Smith & Nephew ShareSave Plan (2012) are shown below. 

Director
Julie Brown

Date granted Number of shares under option
2,400 ordinary shares

17 September 2013

Date of vesting
1 November 2018

Exercise period
1 November 2018 to 30 April 2019

Option price
£6.25

Single total figure on remuneration 
Chairman and Non-Executive Directors

Director

Roberto Quarta
Vinita Bali

Ian Barlow
Virginia Bottomley
Erik Engstrom2
Robin Freestone3
Michael Friedman
Brian Larcombe
Joseph Papa

2014
£334,673
£5,250

£66,150
£66,150
N/A
N/A
$126,000
£66,150
$126,000

Basic annual fee1
2015
£400,000
£63,000
$6000
£66,150
£66,150
£66,150
£21,000
$126,000
£66,150
$126,000

Senior Independent Director/ 
Committee fee
2015
N/A
N/A

2014
N/A
N/A

£15,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
$11,250
£10,865
$27,000

£15,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
$27,000
£15,000
$27,000

Intercontinental travel fee
2015
2014
£3,500
£7,000
£17,500
£3,500

£7,000
£7,000
N/A
N/A
$35,000
£7,000
$35,000

£3,500
£3,500
£3,500
£3,500
$42,000
£3,500
$35,000

2014
£341,673
£8,750

£88,150
£73,150
N/A
N/A
$172,250
£84,015
$188,000

Total
2015
£403,500
£80,500
$6000
£84,650
£69,650
£69,650
£24,500
$195,000
£84,650
$188,000

1  The basic annual fee includes shares purchased for the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors in lieu of part of the annual fee, details of which can be found on the table on page 101.
2  Appointed to the Board on 1 January 2015.
3  Appointed to the Board on 1 September 2015.

Chairman and Non-Executive Director Fees
The fees paid to the Chairman and the Non-Executive Directors remained unchanged in 2015. In February 2016, the Remuneration Committee 
reviewed the fees paid to the Chairman and the Board reviewed the fees paid to the Non-Executive Directors and determined that with effect from 
1 April, the fees paid would be as follows:

Annual fee paid to the Chairman
Annual fee paid to Non-Executive Directors

£412,000 of which £103,000 paid in shares (increase of 3%)
£68,135 of which £5,135 paid in shares (increase of 3%)

Intercontinental travel fee (per meeting)
Fee for Senior Independent Director and 
Committee Chairman

Or $129,780 of which $9,780 paid in shares (increase of 3%)
£3,500 or $7,000 (unchanged)
£20,000 or $35,000 reflecting increased responsibilities.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

Chief Executive Officer’s remuneration compared to employees generally
The percentage change in the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer between 2014 and 2015 compared to that of employees generally is 
as follows:

Chief Executive Officer
Average for all employees

Base salary 
% change 2015
3 
5

Benefits  
% change 2015
–4.5
N/A

Annual cash bonus  
% change 2015
78
N/A

The average cost of wages and salaries for employees generally decreased by 11.6% in 2015 (see Note 3.1 to the Group accounts). Figures for annual cash bonuses are included in 
the numbers. 

Payments made to past directors
No payments were made to former directors in the year.

Payments for loss of office
No payments were made in respect of a Director’s loss of office in 2015.

Service Contracts
Executive Directors are employed on rolling service contracts with notice periods of up to 12 months from the Company and six months from the 
Executive Director. Further information can be found on page 99 of the Policy Report. 

Outside Directorships
Olivier Bohuon is a Non-Executive Director of Virbac SA and received €21,000 in respect of this appointment in 2015. He is also a Non-Executive 
Director of Shire Plc and received €66,491 in respect of this appointment in 2015. Julie Brown is nominated for election as a new member of the Board 
of Directors of Roche Holding Ltd at the Annual General Meeting on 1 March 2016, for which she will receive a fee.

Directors’ interests in ordinary shares
Beneficial interests of the Executive Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company are as follows:

Ordinary shares
Share options
Performance share awards2
Equity Incentive awards
Other awards

1 January 2015
210,974
0
688,536
147,114
0

31 December 2015
338,183
0
554,388
107,142
0

Olivier Bohuon

23 February 20161
338,1833
0
474,880
107,142
0

1 January 2015
25000
2,400
233,554
26,497
50,000

31 December 2015
42,945
2,400
318,920
42,377
25,000

Julie Brown

23 February 20161
56,1564
2,4005
275,074
42,377
0

1  The latest practicable date for this Annual Report.
2  These share awards are subject to further performance conditions before they may vest, as detailed on pages 83 to 84.
3  The ordinary shares held by Olivier Bohuon on 23 February 2016 represent 435.2% of his base annual salary.
4  The ordinary shares held by Julie Brown on 23 February 2016 represent 122.2% of her base annual salary.
5  This option was granted under the Smith & Nephew ShareSave Plan (2012).

The beneficial interest of each Executive Director is less than 1% of the ordinary share capital of the Company. In addition, Olivier Bohuon holds 50,000 deferred shares. Following the 
redenomination of ordinary shares into US Dollars on 23 January 2006, the Company issued 50,000 deferred shares. These shares are normally held by the Chief Executive Officer and 
are not listed on any Stock exchange and have extremely limited rights attached to them.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
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The Implementation Report continued

Beneficial interests of the Chairman and Non-Executive Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company are as follows:

Director
Roberto Quarta 
Vinita Bali3
Ian Barlow
Virginia Bottomley
Erik Engstrom
Robin Freestone
Michael Friedman3
Brian Larcombe
Joseph Papa3

1 January 2015 (or date of  
appointment) if later
15,136
0
18,403
18,056
15,000
0
8,822
40,368
12,997

31 December 2015 (or date of  
retirement if earlier)
19,765
6,186 
 18,556
 18,219
 15,140
15,000
 9,014
 40,508
 13,197

 23 February 20161
19,765 
6,186 
18,556 
18,219 
15,140 
15,000
9,014 
40,508 
13,197 

Shareholding as % of 
annual fee2
56.9%
108.2%
323.2%
317.3%
263.7%
261.2%
116.5%
705.4%
170.5%

1  The latest practicable date for this Annual Report.
2  Calculated using the closing share price of 1152p per ordinary share and $32.57 per ADS on 23 February 2016, and an exchange rate of £1/$1.4078.
3   Vinita Bali, Michael Friedman and Joseph Papa hold some of their shares in the form of ADS.

The beneficial interest of each Non-Executive Director is less than 1% of the ordinary share capital of the Company.

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following table sets out the total amounts spent in 2015 and 2014 on remuneration, the attributable profit for each year and the dividends declared 
and paid in each year.

Attributable profit for the year
Dividends paid during the year
Share buyback1
Total Group spend on remuneration

For the year to 31 December 2015
$410m
$272m 
$77m 
$1,193m 

For the year to 31 December 2014
$501m
$250m
$75m
$1,237m

% change
-18.2%
8.8%
2.7%
3.6%

1  Share buy-back programme ceased during 2014 following the acquisition of Arthrocare. Shares are bought in the market in respect of shares issued as part of the executive  

and employee share plans. See Note 19.2 for further information.

 
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DIRECTORS’  
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Total Shareholder Return
A graph of the Company’s TSR performance compared to that of the FTSE 100 index is shown below in accordance with Schedule 8 to the Regulations.

Seven-year Total Shareholder Return 
(measured in UK Sterling, based on monthly spot values)

250

225

200

175

150

125

100

75

50

25

0

-25

Dec 2008

Dec 2009

Dec 2010

Dec 2011

Dec 2012

Dec 2013

Dec 2014

Dec 2015

Source: DataStream

Smith & Nephew

FTSE 100

However, as we compare the Company’s performance to a tailored sector peer group of medical devices companies (see page 88), when considering 
TSR performance in the context of the Global Share Plan 2010, we feel that the following graph showing the TSR performance of this peer group is also 
of interest.

Seven-year Total Shareholder Return 
(measured in US Dollars, based on monthly spot values)

250

225

200

175

150

125

100

75

50

25

0

-25

Dec 2008

Dec 2009

Dec 2010

Dec 2011

Dec 2012

Dec 2013

Dec 2014

Dec 2015

Source: DataStream
Medical Devices comparators that are still trading for awards made since 2012

Smith & Nephew

Medical Devices – Median

 
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The Implementation Report continued

Table of historic data
The following table details information about the pay of the Chief Executive Officer in the previous seven years:

Year
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2011
2010
2009

Long-term incentive vesting  
rates against maximum opportunity

Chief Executive Officer
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon1,3
David Illingworth2
David Illingworth
David Illingworth

Single figure of total 
remuneration $
$5,499,186
$6,785,1214
$4,692,858
$4,956,771
$7,442,191
$3,595,787
$4,060,707
$4,406,485

Annual Cash Incentive payout 
against maximum %
755
436
84
84
68
37
57
59

Performance shares %
33.5
57
0
N/A
N/A
27
70
46

Options %
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
27
61
59

1  Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2011.
2  Resigned as Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2011.
3  Includes recruitment award of €1,400,000 cash and a share award over 200,000 ordinary shares with a value of €1,410,000 on grant.
4  Prior years are restated to reflect amounts not known at the date of signing the previous Annual Report.
5  Calculated as 112% (actual payout) disclosed on page 85 divided by the maximum potential payout of 150%.
6  This has been restated such that it is calculated consistently to the amounts disclosed in the current year.

Implementation of remuneration policy in 2016
The Remuneration Committee proposes to make no changes to the way that the remuneration policy is implemented in 2016 from how it was 
implemented in 2015, other than increasing base salaries in line with salary increases across the Group, as explained on pages 83 and 88 and setting 
new targets for the Annual Incentive Plan and the Performance Share Programme, as explained on page 86.

Statement of voting at Annual General Meeting held in 2015
At the Annual General Meeting held on 9 April 2015, votes cast by proxy and at the meeting and votes withheld in respect of the votes on the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report were as follows:

Resolution
Approval of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report

Votes for
533,724,308

% for
92.09

Votes against
45,839,876

% against
7.91

Total votes validly cast
579,564,184

Votes withheld
18,275,546

Joseph Papa, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee has met with a number of shareholders in previous years to discuss remuneration matters. 
In December 2015, he met with shareholders holding around 18.4% of the Company’s shares to discuss the following issues:

 – Previously, the Board felt that the disclosure of the financial targets used in our Annual Incentive Plan would be commercially sensitive. However, 
following discussions with shareholders, we agreed to look at ways of disclosing these targets retrospectively without causing us commercial 
concerns. The financial targets we used in our Annual Incentive Plan for 2015 are therefore disclosed on page 83. 

 – We also discussed with shareholders whether the vesting period relating to our long-term share plans should be extended from three to 

five years, by requiring Directors to retain and hold vested shares for a two-year period after vesting. Whilst this is exactly what our Executive 
Directors do, out of choice, this is not something that is currently a condition of the Performance Share Awards. The Committee has considered 
this further and have agreed that this is a matter, which we would prefer to address in the context of a full review of our remuneration policy, 
which we shall be undertaking during 2016 ahead of putting the remuneration policy to shareholders for approval in 2017. 

 
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93

OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

Other remuneration matters

Senior Management remuneration
The Group’s administrative, supervisory and management body (the ‘Senior Management’) is comprised for US reporting purposes, of Executive 
Directors and Executive Officers. Details of the current Executive Directors and Executive Officers are given on pages 54 to 56.

Compensation paid to Senior Management in respect of 2015, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:

Total compensation (excluding pension emoluments, but including cash payments under the 
performance-related incentive plans)
Total compensation for loss of office
Aggregate increase in accrued pension scheme benefits
Aggregate amounts provided for under supplementary schemes

2013
$14,186,000

2014
$12,725,000

2015
$13,971,000

$0
$257,000
$414,000

$2,664,000
$16,000
$507,000

0
0
$698,000

As at 23 February 2016, the Senior Management owned 528,367 shares and 56,970 ADSs, constituting less than 0.1% of the share capital of 
the Company. 

Details of share awards granted during the year and held as at 23 February 2016 by members of Senior Management are as follows:

Equity Incentive awards
Performance Share awards
Conditional share awards under the Global Share Plan 2010
Options under Employee ShareSave plans
Options under the Global Share Plan 2010

Share awards granted during the year 
198,497
508,650 
9,115 
2,675 
0

Total share awards held as at 23 February 2016
332,925
1,271,834
38,514
8,940
110,193

Dilution headroom
The Remuneration Committee ensures that at all times the number of new shares which may be issued under any share-based plans, including 
all-employee plans, does not exceed 10% of the Company’s issued share capital over any rolling ten-year period (of which up to 5% may be issued 
to satisfy awards under the Company’s discretionary plans). The Company monitors headroom closely when granting awards over shares taking into 
account the number of options or shares that might be expected to lapse or be forfeited before vesting or exercise. In the event that insufficient new 
shares are available, there are processes in place to purchase shares in the market to satisfy vesting awards and to net-settle option exercises.

Over the previous 10 years (2006 to 2015), the number of new shares issued under our share plans has been as follows:

All-employee share plans
Discretionary share plans

7,530,287 (0.84% of issued share capital as at 23 February 2016)
36,408,270(4.07% of issued share capital as at 23 February 2016)

By order of the Board, on 24 February 2016

Joseph Papa
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

 
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94

OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Policy Report

Future policy table
Executive Directors
The following table and accompanying notes explain the different elements of remuneration we pay to our Executive Directors:

How the component supports the short-  
and long-term strategy of the Company

BASE SALARY AND BENEFITS
BASE SALARY

We are a FTSE 50 listed company, operating in over 100 countries around 
the world. Our strategy to generate cash from Established Markets in order 
to invest for growth in Emerging Markets means that we are competing 
for international talent and our base salaries therefore need to reflect 
what our Executive Directors would receive if they were to work in another 
international company of a similar size, complexity and geographical scope.

PAYMENT IN LIEU OF PENSION

In order to attract and retain Executive Directors with the capability of driving 
our corporate strategy, we need to provide market-competitive retirement 
benefits similar to the benefits they would receive if they were to work for 
one of our competitors. 
At the same time, we seek to avoid exposing the Company to defined 
benefit pension risks, and where possible will make payments in lieu of 
providing a pension.

BENEFITS

In order to attract and retain Executive Directors with the capability of driving 
our corporate strategy, we need to provide a range of market-competitive 
benefits similar to the benefits they would receive if they were to work for 
one of our competitors.
It is important that our Executive Directors are free to focus on the 
Company’s business without being diverted by concerns about medical 
provision, risk benefit cover or, if required, relocation issues.

ALL-EMPLOYEE ARRANGEMENTS
ALL-EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS

To enable Executive Directors to participate in all-employee share plans on 
the same basis as other employees.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

Salaries are normally reviewed annually, with any increase applying from 
1 April.
Salary levels and increases take account of:
 – market movements within a peer group of similarly sized UK 

listed companies

 – scope and responsibility of the position
 – skill/experience and performance of the individual Director
 – general economic conditions in the relevant geographic market, and
 – average increases awarded across the Company, with particular 
regard to increases in the market in which the Executive is based.

The base salary of the Executive Directors with effect from 1 April 2014  

Performance in the prior year is one of the factors taken into account and 

poor performance is likely to lead to a zero salary increase.

will be as follows:

 – Olivier Bohuon €1,111,782

 – Julie Brown £514,000

The factors noted in the previous column will be taken into consideration 

when making increases to base salary and when appointing a 

new Director.

In normal circumstances, base salary increases for Executive Directors will 

relate to the geographic market and peer group. In addition, the average 

increases for employees across the Group will be taken into account. The 

Remuneration Committee retains the right to approve higher increases 

when there is a substantial change in the scope of the Executive Director’s 

role. A full explanation will be provided in the Implementation Report should 

higher increases be approved in exceptional cases.

Current Executive Directors receive an allowance in lieu of membership of a 
Company-run pension scheme.
Base salary is the only component of remuneration that is pensionable.

Up to 30% of base salary.

The level of payment in lieu of a pension paid to Executive Directors is not 

dependent on performance.

A wide range of benefits may be provided depending on the benefits 
provided for comparable roles in the location in which the Executive 
Director is based. These benefits will include, as a minimum, healthcare 
cover, life assurance, long-term disability, annual medical examinations, 
company car or car allowance. The Committee retains the discretion to 
provide additional benefits where necessary or relevant in the context of 
the Executive’s location.
Where applicable, relocation costs may be provided in line with Company’s 
relocation policy for employees, which may include removal costs, 
assistance with accommodation, living expenses for self and family and 
financial consultancy advice. In some cases such payments may be 
grossed up. 

The policy is framed by the nature of the benefits that the Remuneration 

The level and cost of benefits provided to Executive Directors is not 

Committee is willing to provide to Executive Directors. The maximum 

dependent on performance but on the package of benefits provided to 

amount payable will depend on the cost of providing such benefits to 

comparable roles within the relevant location.

an employee in the location at which the Executive Director is based. 

Shareholders should note that the cost of providing comparable benefits  

in different jurisdictions may vary widely.

As an indication, the cost of such benefits provided in 2013 was as follows:

 – Olivier Bohuon €80,705

 – Julie Brown £14,400

The maximum amount payable in benefits to an Executive Director, in 

normal circumstances, will not be significantly more than amounts paid 

in 2013 (or equivalent in local currency). The Remuneration Committee 

retains the right to pay more than this should the cost of providing the 

same underlying benefits increase or in the event of a relocation. A full 

explanation will be provided in the Implementation Report should the cost 

of benefits provided be significantly higher.

ShareSave Plans are operated in the UK and 27 other countries 
internationally. In the US, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan is operated. 
These plans enable employees to save on a regular basis and then buy 
shares in the Company. Executive Directors are able to participate in such 
plans on a similar basis to other employees, depending on where they 
are located.

Executive Directors may currently invest up to £250 per month in the UK 

The potential gains from all-employee plans are not based on performance 

ShareSave Plan. The Remuneration Committee may exercise its discretion 

but are linked to growth in the share price.

to increase this amount up to the maximum permitted by the HM Revenue 

& Customs. Similar limits will apply in different locations.

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Remuneration 
Committee presents the 
Directors’ remuneration policy 
report, which was approved 
by shareholders at the Annual 
General Meeting held on 
10 April 2014.

All figures in this policy 
table are as at 2014 
when the Policy Report was 
approved by shareholders. 
Any changes to these 
figures are shown in the 
Implementation Report.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

Performance in the prior year is one of the factors taken into account and 
poor performance is likely to lead to a zero salary increase.

The base salary of the Executive Directors with effect from 1 April 2014  
will be as follows:
 – Olivier Bohuon €1,111,782
 – Julie Brown £514,000
The factors noted in the previous column will be taken into consideration 
when making increases to base salary and when appointing a 
new Director.
In normal circumstances, base salary increases for Executive Directors will 
relate to the geographic market and peer group. In addition, the average 
increases for employees across the Group will be taken into account. The 
Remuneration Committee retains the right to approve higher increases 
when there is a substantial change in the scope of the Executive Director’s 
role. A full explanation will be provided in the Implementation Report should 
higher increases be approved in exceptional cases.

In order to attract and retain Executive Directors with the capability of driving 

Current Executive Directors receive an allowance in lieu of membership of a 

Up to 30% of base salary.

our corporate strategy, we need to provide market-competitive retirement 

Company-run pension scheme.

benefits similar to the benefits they would receive if they were to work for 

Base salary is the only component of remuneration that is pensionable.

The level of payment in lieu of a pension paid to Executive Directors is not 
dependent on performance.

The level and cost of benefits provided to Executive Directors is not 
dependent on performance but on the package of benefits provided to 
comparable roles within the relevant location.

The policy is framed by the nature of the benefits that the Remuneration 
Committee is willing to provide to Executive Directors. The maximum 
amount payable will depend on the cost of providing such benefits to 
an employee in the location at which the Executive Director is based. 
Shareholders should note that the cost of providing comparable benefits  
in different jurisdictions may vary widely.
As an indication, the cost of such benefits provided in 2013 was as follows:
 – Olivier Bohuon €80,705
 – Julie Brown £14,400
The maximum amount payable in benefits to an Executive Director, in 
normal circumstances, will not be significantly more than amounts paid 
in 2013 (or equivalent in local currency). The Remuneration Committee 
retains the right to pay more than this should the cost of providing the 
same underlying benefits increase or in the event of a relocation. A full 
explanation will be provided in the Implementation Report should the cost 
of benefits provided be significantly higher.

Executive Directors may currently invest up to £250 per month in the UK 
ShareSave Plan. The Remuneration Committee may exercise its discretion 
to increase this amount up to the maximum permitted by the HM Revenue 
& Customs. Similar limits will apply in different locations.

The potential gains from all-employee plans are not based on performance 
but are linked to growth in the share price.

How the component supports the short-  

and long-term strategy of the Company

BASE SALARY AND BENEFITS

BASE SALARY

the world. Our strategy to generate cash from Established Markets in order 

1 April.

to invest for growth in Emerging Markets means that we are competing 

for international talent and our base salaries therefore need to reflect 

what our Executive Directors would receive if they were to work in another 

international company of a similar size, complexity and geographical scope.

We are a FTSE 50 listed company, operating in over 100 countries around 

Salaries are normally reviewed annually, with any increase applying from 

Salary levels and increases take account of:

 – market movements within a peer group of similarly sized UK 

listed companies

 – scope and responsibility of the position

 – skill/experience and performance of the individual Director

 – general economic conditions in the relevant geographic market, and

 – average increases awarded across the Company, with particular 

regard to increases in the market in which the Executive is based.

PAYMENT IN LIEU OF PENSION

At the same time, we seek to avoid exposing the Company to defined 

benefit pension risks, and where possible will make payments in lieu of 

one of our competitors. 

providing a pension.

BENEFITS

one of our competitors.

It is important that our Executive Directors are free to focus on the 

Company’s business without being diverted by concerns about medical 

provision, risk benefit cover or, if required, relocation issues.

In order to attract and retain Executive Directors with the capability of driving 

A wide range of benefits may be provided depending on the benefits 

our corporate strategy, we need to provide a range of market-competitive 

provided for comparable roles in the location in which the Executive 

benefits similar to the benefits they would receive if they were to work for 

Director is based. These benefits will include, as a minimum, healthcare 

cover, life assurance, long-term disability, annual medical examinations, 

company car or car allowance. The Committee retains the discretion to 

provide additional benefits where necessary or relevant in the context of 

the Executive’s location.

Where applicable, relocation costs may be provided in line with Company’s 

relocation policy for employees, which may include removal costs, 

assistance with accommodation, living expenses for self and family and 

financial consultancy advice. In some cases such payments may be 

grossed up. 

ALL-EMPLOYEE ARRANGEMENTS

ALL-EMPLOYEE SHARE PLANS

the same basis as other employees.

To enable Executive Directors to participate in all-employee share plans on 

ShareSave Plans are operated in the UK and 27 other countries 

internationally. In the US, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan is operated. 

These plans enable employees to save on a regular basis and then buy 

shares in the Company. Executive Directors are able to participate in such 

plans on a similar basis to other employees, depending on where they 

are located.

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

Future policy table
Executive Directors continued

How the component supports the short-  
and long-term strategy of the Company

ANNUAL INCENTIVES
ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN – CASH INCENTIVE

To motivate and reward the achievement of specific annual financial and 
business objectives related to the Company’s strategy and sustained 
through a clawback mechanism explained more fully in the notes.
The objectives which determine the payment of the annual cash 
incentive and the level of the annual equity award are linked closely to the 
Group strategy.
The financial measures of revenue, trading profit and cash flow underlie our 
strategy for growth and the need to generate cash to fund future growth.
The business objectives are also linked to the Group strategy. These 
change from year to year to reflect the evolving strategy, but will typically 
be linked to the Strategic Priorities set out in this Annual Report. The 
Implementation Report each year will explain how each objective is linked 
to a specific strategic priority.
For example, a Reinvestment objective links to the priority of improving 
the efficiency of the business model and investment in higher growth 
segments and geographies and Processes and People objectives link to 
developing the right organisation.

ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN – EQUITY INCENTIVE

To drive share ownership and encourage sustained high standards through 
the application of a ‘malus’ provision over three years, explained more fully 
in the notes.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVES (AWARDS ACTIVELY BEING MADE)
PERFORMANCE SHARE PROGRAMME

To motivate and reward longer-term performance linked to the long-term 
strategy and share price of the Company.
The performance measures which determine the level of vesting of the 
Performance Share Awards are linked to our corporate strategy.
Our strategy requires the generation of cash in order to invest for growth. 
Cash flow is therefore a key performance measure in our performance 
share plan.
Growth in our Emerging & International Markets is a key part of our strategy. 
Revenue in our Emerging & International Markets is therefore included as 
one of our performance share plan measures.
If our strategy succeeds, the total return to our shareholders will also 
increase and therefore we include a relative TSR measure in our long-term 
share plan. 

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

The Annual Incentive Plan comprises a cash and an equity component, 
both based on the achievement of financial and business objectives set at 
the start of the year.
The cash component is paid in full after the end of the performance year.
At the end of the year, the Remuneration Committee determines the extent 
to which performance against these has been achieved and sets the 
award level.

50% salary awarded for threshold performance.

100% salary awarded for target performance.

150% salary awarded for maximum performance.

Performance assessed against individual objectives and Group 

financial targets.

The total maximum payable under the Annual Incentive Plan is 215% of 

The cash and share awards are subject to malus and clawback as detailed 

base salary (150% Cash Incentive and 65% Equity Incentive).

in the notes following this table. 

70% of the cash component is based on financial performance measures, 

which currently include revenue, trading profit and trading cash. The 

Remuneration Committee retains the discretion to adopt any financial 

performance measure that is relevant to the Company.

30% of the cash component is based on other business goals linked 

to the Company’s strategy, which could include financial and non-

financial measures.

The Remuneration Committee has the discretion to apply a multiplier, 

adjusting the outcome up or down by 10% to reward or penalise conduct 

in respect of leadership, corporate reputation, ethics, organisational 

behaviours and representing the Company both internally and externally.

The maximum opportunity shown to the left cannot be exceeded through 

the application of the multiplier.

The equity award component comprises conditional share awards (made 
at the time of the cash award), with vesting phased over the following 
three years.
The equity component vests 1⁄3, 1⁄3, 1⁄3 on successive award anniversaries, 
only if performance remains satisfactory over each of these three years; 
otherwise the award will lapse.
Participants will receive an additional number of shares equivalent to 
the amount of dividend payable per vested share during the relevant 
performance period.

The Performance Share Programme comprises conditional share awards 
which vest after three years, subject to the achievement of stretching 
performance targets linked to the Company’s strategy.
Awards may be subject to clawback in the event of material financial 
misstatement or misconduct.
Participants will receive an additional number of shares equivalent to 
the amount of dividend payable per vested share during the relevant 
performance period.

0% of salary awarded for performance below target.

50% of salary awarded for target performance.

65% of salary awarded for maximum performance.

Performance assessed against individual performance which includes an 

element of Group financial targets.

The Remuneration Committee will use their judgement of the individual’s 

performance in determining the level of equity award that may be awarded 

within the range of 50% to 65% of salary.

The equity component will vest in three equal tranches over a three-

year period, provided that the annual performance conditions set at the 

beginning of each year continue to be met.

Annual awards:

 – 47.5% of salary for threshold performance.

 – 95% of salary for target performance.

 – 190% of salary for maximum performance.

Currently:

free cash flow target.

 – 50% of the award vests on achievement of a three-year cumulative 

 – 25% of the award vests subject to three-year Total Shareholder Return 

(‘TSR’) at median performance relative to industry peers.

 – 25% of the award vests subject to the achievement of revenue targets 

in Emerging & International Markets.

 – These measures are described in more detail in the notes and 

the targets and performance against them will be disclosed in the 

Implementation Report if appropriate.

 – The Performance Share Award will vest on the third anniversary of 

the date of grant, depending on the extent to which the performance 

conditions are met over the three-year period commencing in the year 

the award was made.

 – The Remuneration Committee retains the discretion to change the 

measures and their respective weightings to ensure continuing 

alignment with the Company’s strategy.

 – The cash and share awards are subject to malus and clawback as 

detailed in the notes following this table.

Awards made prior to 2014 were subject to TSR and cash flow targets.

ONE-OFF SHARE AWARDS

In order to implement our Group strategy, we recognise that it is not always 
possible to promote from within the Company. In the event that we recruit 
an Executive Director who is currently employed by another company, we 
recognise that we might be required to compensate that Executive Director 
for cash or share awards, they may forfeit on leaving their former employer. 
Our policy regarding such awards is detailed in the notes.

One-off share awards may be made under the provisions of Listing 
Rule 9.4.2 to facilitate the appointment of a new Executive Director. 
Such awards will be made on a case-by-case basis depending on the 
circumstances at the time to take account of amounts forfeited elsewhere 
on accepting appointment.

Each award will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In normal 

The Remuneration Committee has the discretion to apply performance 

circumstances such awards will be no more beneficial than the value of 

conditions to one-off awards if appropriate. However, if it is impossible 

amounts forfeited by the Executive Director on leaving a previous company 

to replicate the vesting conditions applicable to awards granted by other 

to join the Board.

companies, awards may be made without performance conditions.

 
How the component supports the short-  

and long-term strategy of the Company

ANNUAL INCENTIVES

ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN – CASH INCENTIVE

The business objectives are also linked to the Group strategy. These 

change from year to year to reflect the evolving strategy, but will typically 

be linked to the Strategic Priorities set out in this Annual Report. The 

Implementation Report each year will explain how each objective is linked 

to a specific strategic priority.

For example, a Reinvestment objective links to the priority of improving 

the efficiency of the business model and investment in higher growth 

segments and geographies and Processes and People objectives link to 

developing the right organisation.

ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN – EQUITY INCENTIVE

To drive share ownership and encourage sustained high standards through 

The equity award component comprises conditional share awards (made 

the application of a ‘malus’ provision over three years, explained more fully 

at the time of the cash award), with vesting phased over the following 

in the notes.

three years.

The equity component vests 1⁄3, 1⁄3, 1⁄3 on successive award anniversaries, 

only if performance remains satisfactory over each of these three years; 

otherwise the award will lapse.

Participants will receive an additional number of shares equivalent to 

the amount of dividend payable per vested share during the relevant 

performance period.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVES (AWARDS ACTIVELY BEING MADE)

PERFORMANCE SHARE PROGRAMME

To motivate and reward longer-term performance linked to the long-term 

The Performance Share Programme comprises conditional share awards 

strategy and share price of the Company.

The performance measures which determine the level of vesting of the 

which vest after three years, subject to the achievement of stretching 

performance targets linked to the Company’s strategy.

Performance Share Awards are linked to our corporate strategy.

Awards may be subject to clawback in the event of material financial 

Our strategy requires the generation of cash in order to invest for growth. 

misstatement or misconduct.

Cash flow is therefore a key performance measure in our performance 

Participants will receive an additional number of shares equivalent to 

the amount of dividend payable per vested share during the relevant 

performance period.

share plan.

Growth in our Emerging & International Markets is a key part of our strategy. 

Revenue in our Emerging & International Markets is therefore included as 

one of our performance share plan measures.

If our strategy succeeds, the total return to our shareholders will also 

increase and therefore we include a relative TSR measure in our long-term 

share plan. 

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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

To motivate and reward the achievement of specific annual financial and 

The Annual Incentive Plan comprises a cash and an equity component, 

business objectives related to the Company’s strategy and sustained 

both based on the achievement of financial and business objectives set at 

through a clawback mechanism explained more fully in the notes.

the start of the year.

The objectives which determine the payment of the annual cash 

The cash component is paid in full after the end of the performance year.

incentive and the level of the annual equity award are linked closely to the 

Group strategy.

At the end of the year, the Remuneration Committee determines the extent 

to which performance against these has been achieved and sets the 

The financial measures of revenue, trading profit and cash flow underlie our 

award level.

strategy for growth and the need to generate cash to fund future growth.

The total maximum payable under the Annual Incentive Plan is 215% of 
base salary (150% Cash Incentive and 65% Equity Incentive).
50% salary awarded for threshold performance.
100% salary awarded for target performance.
150% salary awarded for maximum performance.
Performance assessed against individual objectives and Group 
financial targets.

The cash and share awards are subject to malus and clawback as detailed 
in the notes following this table. 
70% of the cash component is based on financial performance measures, 
which currently include revenue, trading profit and trading cash. The 
Remuneration Committee retains the discretion to adopt any financial 
performance measure that is relevant to the Company.
30% of the cash component is based on other business goals linked 
to the Company’s strategy, which could include financial and non-
financial measures.
The Remuneration Committee has the discretion to apply a multiplier, 
adjusting the outcome up or down by 10% to reward or penalise conduct 
in respect of leadership, corporate reputation, ethics, organisational 
behaviours and representing the Company both internally and externally.
The maximum opportunity shown to the left cannot be exceeded through 
the application of the multiplier.

0% of salary awarded for performance below target.
50% of salary awarded for target performance.
65% of salary awarded for maximum performance.
Performance assessed against individual performance which includes an 
element of Group financial targets.

The Remuneration Committee will use their judgement of the individual’s 
performance in determining the level of equity award that may be awarded 
within the range of 50% to 65% of salary.
The equity component will vest in three equal tranches over a three-
year period, provided that the annual performance conditions set at the 
beginning of each year continue to be met.

Annual awards:
 – 47.5% of salary for threshold performance.
 – 95% of salary for target performance.
 – 190% of salary for maximum performance.

Currently:
 – 50% of the award vests on achievement of a three-year cumulative 

free cash flow target.

 – 25% of the award vests subject to three-year Total Shareholder Return 

(‘TSR’) at median performance relative to industry peers.

 – 25% of the award vests subject to the achievement of revenue targets 

in Emerging & International Markets.

 – These measures are described in more detail in the notes and 

the targets and performance against them will be disclosed in the 
Implementation Report if appropriate.

 – The Performance Share Award will vest on the third anniversary of 

the date of grant, depending on the extent to which the performance 
conditions are met over the three-year period commencing in the year 
the award was made.

 – The Remuneration Committee retains the discretion to change the 
measures and their respective weightings to ensure continuing 
alignment with the Company’s strategy.

 – The cash and share awards are subject to malus and clawback as 

detailed in the notes following this table.

Awards made prior to 2014 were subject to TSR and cash flow targets.

ONE-OFF SHARE AWARDS

In order to implement our Group strategy, we recognise that it is not always 

One-off share awards may be made under the provisions of Listing 

possible to promote from within the Company. In the event that we recruit 

Rule 9.4.2 to facilitate the appointment of a new Executive Director. 

an Executive Director who is currently employed by another company, we 

Such awards will be made on a case-by-case basis depending on the 

recognise that we might be required to compensate that Executive Director 

circumstances at the time to take account of amounts forfeited elsewhere 

for cash or share awards, they may forfeit on leaving their former employer. 

on accepting appointment.

Our policy regarding such awards is detailed in the notes.

Each award will be determined on a case-by-case basis. In normal 
circumstances such awards will be no more beneficial than the value of 
amounts forfeited by the Executive Director on leaving a previous company 
to join the Board.

The Remuneration Committee has the discretion to apply performance 
conditions to one-off awards if appropriate. However, if it is impossible 
to replicate the vesting conditions applicable to awards granted by other 
companies, awards may be made without performance conditions.

 
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OVERVIEW

OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Policy Report continued

Notes to Future policy table
Executive Directors

Changes to remuneration policy
The remuneration policy described in the future policy table – Executive 
Directors is the same remuneration policy in respect of Executive 
Directors that has been in force since the beginning of 2012. It is 
anticipated that this policy will apply at least until the Annual General 
Meeting in 2017. The only changes made have been to introduce a third 
performance measure to our Performance Share Programme and to 
increase the maximum monthly contribution under the UK  
ShareSave Plan to £500 in line with the maximum permitted by  
HM Customs & Excise.

Performance measures – Annual Incentive Plan
The performance measures which apply to the Annual Incentive Plan for 
Executive Directors comprise 70% financial measures and 30% business 
goals linked to the Company’s strategy, which could include financial and 
non-financial measures.

The financial measures may differ from year to year to provide continued 
alignment with the Company strategy. Measures to be used in 2014 
are detailed in the Implementation Report. Each year the measures are 
chosen in order to relate to our Strategic Priorities and in turn to our key 
performance indicators, which are set out in this Annual Report. The 
performance targets are set by taking into account the strategy of the 
Company and are designed to be realistic yet stretching.

The business measures will differ from year to year as the evolving 
corporate strategy means that we will wish to set Executive Directors 
different business objectives in order to meet the current corporate 
needs. The business objectives are personal to each Executive Director, 
and are tailored to reflect their role and responsibilities during the year. 
These are set at the start of the year and reflect the most important areas 
of strategic focus for the Company. The Remuneration Committee sets 
annual measurement criteria (performance targets) that are appropriate 
to motivate and measure an Executive Director’s performance in any one 
year. The factors taken into consideration include the three-year strategic 
plan, prior years’ delivered performance and budgeted performance. In 
the past, measures have included R&D investment, succession planning, 
employee engagement, compliance, development of product portfolio, 
M&A activity and shared services implementation.

Performance measures – Performance Share Programme
The performance measures which apply to the Performance Share 
Programme awards made in 2014 relate to cumulative free cash flow, 
revenue in Emerging & International Markets and Total Shareholder 
Return. We have chosen three measures which are relevant for the long-
term success of the Company. 

The free cash flow measure is important for us in a period of 
growth, when we need to generate cash to fund both organic and 
inorganic investment.

Revenue in Emerging & International Markets is important for us when 
we are seeking to generate profitable revenue in new markets and from 
new products. 

The Total Shareholder Return measure, which compares our long-term 
performance against that of our peers, seeks to align the payout of the 
Performance Share Programme with the experience of our shareholders. 
This helps Executive Directors relate to the shareholder experience and 
ensure that vesting is aligned to the out-performance of our sector.

The Remuneration Committee will keep these performance measures 
under review and retains the discretion to alter the measures or 
their respective weightings to ensure continuing alignment to the 
corporate strategy.

Malus and clawback
The Remuneration Committee may determine that an unvested award 
or part of an award may not vest (regardless of whether or not the 
performance conditions have been met) or may determine that any cash 
bonus, vested shares, or their equivalent value in cash be returned to the 
Company in the event that any of the following matters is discovered:
 – A material misstatement of the Company’s financial results; or
 – A material error in determining the extent to which any performance 

condition has been satisfied; or

 – A significant adverse change in the financial performance of the 

Company, or a significant loss at a general level or at the division or 
function in which a participant worked; or

 – Inappropriate conduct (for example reputational issues), capability 
or performance by a participant, or within a team business area or 
profit centre.

These provisions apply to share awards under the Global Share Plan 
2010 and cash amounts under the Annual Cash Incentive Plan.

 
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OVERVIEW

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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

Illustrations of the application of the 
remuneration policy
The following charts show the potential split between the different 
elements of the Executive Directors’ remuneration under three different 
performance scenarios:

Figures as at salary levels in 2014, when the Policy Report was approved 
by shareholders

Chief Executive Officer

I

I

M
N
M
U
M

€1,526,022

T
A
R
G
E
T

I

M
A
X
M
U
M

Chief Financial Officer

€4,249,888

€6,028,739

I

I

M
N
M
U
M

£682,600

T
A
R
G
E
T

I

M
A
X
M
U
M

£1,941,900

£2,764,300

■  Base salary  ■  Payment in lieu of pension  ■  Benefits  ■  Annual Incentive (Cash) 
■  Annual Incentive (Equity)  ■  Performance Share Programme

TOTAL REMUNERATION BY PERFORMANCE  
SCENARIO FOR 2014 FINANCIAL YEAR

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

€1,526,022

€4,249,888

€6,028,739

£682,600

£1,941,900

£2,764,300

%
5
2

%
3
1

%
6
2

%
6
3

%
0
0
1

%
5
3

%
2
1

%
8
2

%
5
2

%
5
2

%
3
1

%
7
2

%
5
3

%
0
0
1

%
5
3

%
2
1

%
8
2

%
5
2

MINIMUM

TARGET

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

TARGET

MAXIMUM

■  Fixed pay  ■  Annual Incentive (Cash)  ■  Annual Incentive (Equity) 
■  Long-term Incentives

Data for the Chief Executive Officer assumes an exchange rate of €1 = £0.8494.

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

Policy on recruitment arrangements
Our policy on the recruitment of Executive Directors is to pay a fair 
remuneration package for the role being undertaken and the experience 
of the Executive Director appointed. In terms of base salary, we will seek 
to pay a salary comparable, in the opinion of the Committee, to that which 
would be paid for an equivalent position elsewhere. The Remuneration 
Committee will determine a base salary in line with the policy and having 
regard to the parameters set out on in the future policy table. Incoming 
Executive Directors will be entitled to pension, benefit and incentive 
arrangements which are the same as provided to existing Executive 
Directors. On that basis, awards would not exceed 405% of base salary.

We recognise that in the event that we require a new Executive Director 
to relocate to take up a position with the Company, we will also pay 
relocation and related costs as described in the future policy table, which 
is in line with the relocation arrangements we operate across the Group.

We also recognise that in many cases, an external appointee may forfeit 
sizeable cash bonuses and share awards if they choose to leave their 
former employer and join us. The Remuneration Committee therefore 
believes that we need the ability to compensate new hires for incentive 
awards they give up on joining us. The Committee will use its discretion 
in setting any such compensation, which will be decided on a case-
by-case basis. We will only provide compensation which is no more 
beneficial than that given up by the new appointee and we will seek 
evidence from the previous employer to confirm the full details of bonus 
or share awards being forfeited. As far as possible, we will seek to 
replicate forfeited share awards using Smith & Nephew incentive plans 
or through reliance on 9.4.2 in the Listing Rules, whilst at the same time 
aiming for simplicity. 

If we appoint an existing employee as an Executive Director of the 
Company, pre-existing obligations with respect to remuneration, such 
as pension, benefits and legacy share awards, will be honoured. Should 
these differ materially from current arrangements, these will be disclosed 
in the next Implementation Report. 

We will supply details via an announcement to the London Stock 
Exchange of an incoming Executive Director’s remuneration 
arrangements at the time of their appointment.

Service contracts
We employ Executive Directors on rolling service contracts with notice 
periods of up to 12 months from the Company and six months from 
the Executive Director. On termination of the contract, we may require 
the Executive Director not to work their notice period and pay them an 
amount equivalent to the base salary and payment in lieu of pension and 
benefits they would have received if they had been required to work their 
notice period. 

Under the terms of the Executive Director’s service contract, Executive 
Directors are restricted for a period of 12 months after leaving the 
employment of the Company from working for a competitor, soliciting 
orders from customers and offering employment to employees of Smith 
& Nephew. The Company retains the right to waive these provisions in 
certain circumstances. In the event that these provisions are waived and 
the former Executive Director commences employment earlier than at the 
end of the notice period, no further payments shall be made in respect 
of the portion of notice period not worked. Directors’ service contracts 
are available for inspection at the Company’s registered office: 15 Adam 
Street, London WC2N 6LA.

 
 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

The Policy Report continued

Policy on payment for loss of office
Our policy regarding termination payments to departing Executive 
Directors is to limit severance payments to pre-established contractual 
arrangements. In the event that the employment of an Executive 
Director is terminated, any compensation payable will be determined in 
accordance with the terms of the service contract between the Company 
and the Executive Director, as well as the rules of any incentive plans.

Under normal circumstances (excluding termination for gross 
misconduct) all leavers are entitled to receive termination payments 
in lieu of notice equal to base salary, payment in lieu of pension, and 
benefits. In some circumstances additional benefits may become 
payable to cover reimbursement of untaken holiday leave, repatriation 
and outplacement fees, legal and financial advice. 

In addition, we may also in exceptional circumstances exercise our 
discretion to pay the Executive Director a proportion of the annual cash 
incentive they would have received had they been required to work their 
notice period. Any entitlement or discretionary payment may be reduced 
in line with the Executive Director’s duty to mitigate losses, subject to 
applying our non-compete clause.

We will supply details via an announcement to the London Stock 
Exchange of a departing Executive Director’s termination arrangements 
at the time of departure.

In the case of a change of control which results in the termination of 
an Executive Director or a material alteration to their responsibilities or 
duties, within 12 months of the event, the Executive Director would be 
entitled to receive 12 months’ base salary plus payment in lieu of pension 
and benefits. In addition, the Remuneration Committee has discretion 
to pay an Executive Director in these circumstances an annual cash 
incentive. For Directors appointed prior to 1 November 2012, an automatic 
annual cash incentive is payable at target.

In the event that an Executive Director leaves for reasons of ill-health, 
death, redundancy or retirement in agreement with the Company, then 
the vesting of any outstanding annual cash incentive and equity incentive 
awards will generally depend on the Remuneration Committee’s 
assessment of performance to date. Performance share awards will be 
pro-rated for the time worked during the relevant performance period, 
and will remain subject to performance over the full performance period.

For all other leavers, the annual cash incentive will generally be forfeited 
and outstanding equity incentive awards and performance share awards 
will lapse.

One-off awards granted on appointment will normally lapse on leaving 
except in cases of death, retirement, redundancy, or ill-health. The 
Remuneration Committee has discretion to permit such awards to vest 
in other circumstances and will be subject to satisfactorily meeting 
performance conditions if applicable.

The Remuneration Committee retains discretion to alter these provisions 
on a case-by-case basis following a review of circumstances and to 
ensure fairness for both shareholders and Executive Directors.

We will supply details via an announcement to the London Stock 
Exchange of an out-going Executive Director’s remuneration 
arrangements around the time of leaving.

Policy on shareholding requirements
The Remuneration Committee believes that one of the best ways our 
Executive Directors can have a greater alignment with shareholders 
is for them to hold a significant number of shares in the Company. 
Executive Directors are therefore expected to build up a holding of 
Smith & Nephew shares worth two times their base salary. In order to 
reinforce this expectation, we require them to retain 50% of all shares 
vesting under the Company share plans (after tax) until this holding 
has been met recognising that differing international tax regimes affect 
the pace at which an Executive Director may fulfil the shareholding 
requirement. When calculating whether or not this requirement has 
been met, we will include ordinary shares or ADRs held by the Executive 
Director and their immediate family and the intrinsic value of any vested 
but unexercised options.

Statement of consideration of employment conditions 
elsewhere in the Company and differences to the 
Executive Director Policy
All employees across the Group including the Executive Directors are 
incentivised in a similar manner. Although the salary levels and maximum 
opportunities under bonus and share plans differ, generally speaking 
the same targets and performance conditions relating to the Company’s 
strategy apply throughout the organisation.

Executive Director base salaries will generally increase at a rate in line 
with the average salary increases awarded across the Company. Given 
the diverse geographic markets within which the Company operates, the 
Committee will generally be informed by the average salary increase in 
both the market local to the Executive and the UK, recognising the 
Company’s place of listing, and will also consider market data periodically.

A range of different pension arrangements operate across the Group 
depending on location and/or length of service. Executive Directors and 
Executive Officers either participate in the legacy pension arrangements 
relevant to their local market or receive a cash payment of 30% of salary 
in lieu of a pension. Senior Executives who do not participate in a local 
Company pension plan receive a cash payment of 20% of salary in lieu 
of pension. Differing amounts apply for lower levels within the Company.

The Company has established a benefits framework under which the 
nature of benefits varies by geography. Executive Directors participate in 
benefit arrangements similar to those applied for employees within the 
applicable location.

All employees are set objectives at the beginning of each year, which 
link through to the objectives set for the Executive Directors. Annual 
cash incentives payable to employees across the Company depend on 
the satisfactory completion of these objectives as well as performance 
against relevant Group and divisional financial targets relating to revenue, 
trading profit and trading cash, similar to the financial targets set for the 
Executive Directors.

Executive Officers and Senior Executives (72 as at 2014) participate 
in the annual Equity Incentive Programme and the Performance 
Share Programme. The maximum amounts payable are lower, but 
the performance conditions are the same as those that apply to the 
Executive Directors.

No specific consultation with employees has been undertaken relating 
to Director remuneration. However, regular employee surveys are 
conducted across the Group, which cover a wide range of issues relating 
to local employment conditions and an understanding of Group-wide 
strategic matters. As at 2014, over 4,500 employees in 32 countries 
participate in one or more of our global share plans. 

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

Future policy table
Chairman and Non-Executive Directors
The following table and accompanying notes explain the different elements of remuneration we pay to our Chairman and Non-Executive Directors. 
No element of their remuneration is subject to performance. All payments made to the Chairman are determined by the Remuneration Committee, 
whilst payments made to the Non-Executive Directors are determined by the Directors who are not themselves Non-Executive Directors, currently the 
Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

How the component supports the short-  
and long-term strategy of the Company

ANNUAL FEES
BASIC ANNUAL FEE

To attract and retain Directors by setting fees at 
rates comparable to what would be paid in an 
equivalent position elsewhere.
A proportion of the fees are paid in shares in 
the third quarter of each year in order to align 
Non-Executive Directors’ fees with the interest 
of shareholders.

Fees will be reviewed periodically. In future, any 
increase will be paid in shares until 25% of the 
total fee is paid in shares.
Fees are set in line with market practice for fees 
paid by similarly sized UK listed companies. 
Annual fees are set and paid in UK Sterling or 
US Dollars depending on the location of the 
Non-Executive Director. If appropriate, fees may 
be set and paid in alternative currencies.

Annual fees are currently as follows:
 – £63,000 in cash plus £3,150 in shares; or
 – $120,000 in cash plus $6,000 in shares.
Chairman fee:
 – £400,000 plus £20,000 in shares 

(to April 2014).

 – £300,000 plus £100,000 in shares 

(from April 2014).

Whilst it is not expected to increase the 
fees paid to the Non-Executive Directors 
and the Chairman by more than the 
increases paid to employees generally, 
in exceptional circumstances, higher fees 
might become payable.
The total maximum aggregate fees payable to 
the Non-Executive Directors will not exceed 
£1.5 million as set out in the Company’s articles 
of association.

 – £15,000 in cash; or
 – $27,000 in cash.
Whilst it is not expected that the fees 
paid to the Senior Independent Director 
or Committee Chairmen will exceed the 
increases paid to employees generally, in 
exceptional circumstances, higher fees might 
become payable.

 – £3,500 in cash; or
 – $7,000 in cash.
Whilst it is not expected to increase these fees 
by more than the increases paid to employees 
generally, in exceptional circumstances, higher 
fees might become payable.

FEE FOR SENIOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR AND COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

To compensate Non-Executive Directors for the 
additional time spent as Committee Chairmen or 
as the Senior Independent Director.

A fixed fee is paid, which is 
reviewed periodically.

INTERCONTINENTAL TRAVEL FEE
To compensate Non-Executive Directors for 
the time spent travelling to attend meetings in 
another continent.

A fixed fee is paid, which is 
reviewed periodically.

Figures as at fee levels in 2014, when the Policy Report was approved by shareholders.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

DIRECTORS’  
REMUNERATION REPORT

Statement of consideration of shareholder views
This Policy Report sets out the remuneration policy in relation to Executive 
Directors, which has been in place since 2012. As this policy evolved at 
the end of 2011 and during 2012, we engaged actively with shareholders 
to explain our remuneration arrangements and to discuss their views 
on our proposals. At the time, Joseph Papa, the Chairman of the 
Remuneration Committee and members of the Senior Executive Team 
met with the holders of around 30% of our shares, including collectively 
with a number of smaller engaged investors, as well as shareholder 
advisory bodies. We discussed the structure of our remuneration 
package, our policies on termination, recruitment, shareholding 
requirements and the operation of Annual Incentive Plan. The Directors’ 
Remuneration Report was approved by 96% of shareholders who voted 
at the Annual General Meeting in 2013 and we received feedback from 
shareholders around the time of this meeting that they understood and 
approved of our remuneration arrangements. Although the remuneration 
policy has remained essentially unchanged as in previous years, 
given the changes in remuneration reporting, we also conducted an 
engagement programme with our larger shareholders in 2013. Joseph 
Papa met with the holders of around 20% of our shares, and with a 
number of shareholder advisory bodies. He has also been available to 
discuss any aspect of our remuneration programme with shareholders 
throughout the year. The shareholders who have engaged with us have 
all been supportive of our approach to remuneration, recognising the link 
between the corporate strategy and executive reward. 

The Policy Report continued

Notes to Future policy table –  
Non-Executive Directors

Changes to remuneration policy
The Board has altered the policy regarding the payment of Non-Executive 
Directors and to the Chairman in one respect in 2013, by introducing the 
payment of a proportion of the fees in the form of shares. The fees paid 
to the Non-Executive Directors and to the Chairman were reviewed in 
July 2013 and it was agreed that the basic fee should be increased by 5% 
(there having been no increase to these fees since August 2011) and that 
the increase be paid in the form of shares. The amount of the increase 
less applicable taxes was used to purchase shares in the market on 
15 August 2013. Going forward, any increase in the level of fees paid to a 
Non-Executive Director will be paid in the form of shares until 25% of the 
Non-Executive Director’s fee is paid in the form of shares. We have made 
this change in order to align the fees paid to Non-Executive Directors with 
the experience of our shareholders. With the appointment of Roberto 
Quarta as Chairman of the Company with effect from the Annual General 
Meeting, we have taken the opportunity to pay 25% of his fees in the 
form of shares immediately.

Policy on recruitment arrangements
Any new Non-Executive Director shall be paid in accordance with the 
current fee levels on appointment, in line with the policy set out above. 
With respect to the appointment of a new Chairman, fee levels will take 
into account market rates, the individual’s profile and experience, the 
time required to undertake the role and general business conditions. 
In addition, the Remuneration Committee retains the right to authorise 
the payment of relocation assistance or an accommodation allowance 
in the event of the appointment of a Chairman not based within the UK.

Letters of appointment
The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment 
which set out the terms under which they provide their services to the 
Company and are available for inspection at the Company’s registered 
office: 15 Adam Street, London WC2N 6LA. The appointment of Non-
Executive Directors is not subject to a notice period, nor is there any 
compensation payable on loss of office, for example, should they not 
be re-elected at an Annual General Meeting. The appointment of the 
Chairman is subject to a notice period of six months.

The Chairman and Non-Executive Directors are required to acquire a 
shareholding in the Company equivalent in value to one times their basic 
fee within two years of their appointment to the Board.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

OTHER NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

160  Note 23.1. Share-based payments
163  Note 23.2. Related party transactions
164  Note 23.3. Group Companies
166  Note 24. Post balance sheet events

167   COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

AND ASSOCIATED NOTES

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

175	 Selected	financial	data
177	 Non-GAAP	financial	information

185  INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS

104   Director’s responsibilities for the accounts
105  Independent auditor’s US report
106  Independent auditor’s UK report
111  Critical accounting policies

GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

112  Group income statement
114  Group balance sheet
116	 Group	cash	flow	statement
118  Group statement of changes in equity

NOTES TO THE GROUP ACCOUNTS

119  Note 1.  Basis of preparation
120  Note 2. Business segment information
124	 Note	3.	Operating	profit
126	 Note	4.	Interest	and	other	finance	costs
126  Note 5. Taxation
129  Note 6. Earnings per ordinary share
130  Note 7. Property, plant and equipment
132	 Note	8.	Goodwill
133  Note 9. Intangible assets
135  Note 10. Investments
135  Note 11. Investments in associates
136  Note 12. Inventories
137  Note 13. Trade and other receivables
138  Note 14. Trade and other payables
138	 Note	15.	Cash	and	borrowings
141 
146  Note 17. Provisions and contingencies
148	 Note	18.	Retirement	benefit	obligations
154  Note 19. Equity
156	 Note	20.	Cash	flow	statement
157  Note 21. Acquisitions and disposals
159  Note 22. Operating leases

 Note 16. Financial instruments and risk management

 
 
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GROUP 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Director’s Responsibilities in respect of the 
Annual Report and the Financial Statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing this Annual Report and 
Form 20-F Information and the Group and Parent Company Financial 
Statements, in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the Directors to prepare group and parent 
company financial statements for each financial year; the Group 
financial statements are required to be prepared in accordance with 
IFRSs, as adopted by the EU, and applicable law and the Directors 
have elected to prepare the Parent Company Financial Statements 
in accordance with UK Accounting Standards, including FRS 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework.

Under company law directors must not approve financial statements 
unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of 
affairs of a group and parent company and of their profit or loss for that 
period. In preparing each of the Group and Parent Company Financial 
Statements, the Directors are required to: 
 − select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 
 − make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 
 − for the Group Financial Statements, state whether they have been 

prepared in accordance with IFRSs, as adopted by the EU; 
 − for the Parent Company Financial Statements, state whether 

applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to 
any material departures disclosed and explained in the Parent 
Company Financial Statements; and

 − prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern basis unless 

it is inappropriate to presume that the Group and the Parent 
Company will continue in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records 
that are sufficient to show and explain the Parent Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Parent Company and enable them to ensure 
that its Financial Statements comply with the Companies Act. They have 
general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to 
them to safeguard the assets of the Group and to prevent and detect 
fraud and other irregularities. 

Under applicable law and regulations, the Directors are also 
responsible for preparing a compliant Strategic Report, Directors’ 
Report, Directors’ Remuneration Report and Corporate 
Governance Statement. 

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
corporate and financial information included on the Company’s website. 
Legislation in the UK governing the preparation and dissemination of 
financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

Responsibility statement of the Directors in respect 
of the Annual Report
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
 − the Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable 
set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, 
liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Group; and
 − the Strategic Report and Directors’ Report includes a fair review of 

the development and performance of the business and the financial 
position of the Group, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that they face.

We consider the Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a 
whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s position 
and performance, business model and strategy.

By order of the Board, 24 February 2016

Susan Swabey 
Company Secretary

Directors’ Responsibilities for, and Report on, Internal 
Control over Financial Reporting
The Directors are responsible for establishing and maintaining 
adequate internal control over financial reporting. Smith & Nephew’s 
internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide 
reasonable assurance over the reliability of financial reporting and the 
preparation of consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles.

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting 
may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation 
of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls 
may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the 
degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Directors assessed the effectiveness of Smith & Nephew’s internal 
control over financial reporting as at 31 December 2015 based on the 
criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). 
Based on this assessment, the Directors believe that, as at 
31 December 2015, the internal control over financial reporting is 
effective based on those criteria.

KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has 
audited the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as 
at 31 December 2015 and, as explained on page 105, has issued an 
unqualified report thereon.

 
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GROUP 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Independent auditor’s US report

Report of Independent Registered Public 
Accounting firms

The Board of Directors and Shareholders Smith & Nephew plc:
We have audited the accompanying Group balance sheet of Smith & 
Nephew plc and subsidiaries as of 31 December 2015 and the related 
Group income statement, Group statement of comprehensive income, 
Group cash flow statement and Group statement of changes in equity, 
for the year then ended. We also have audited Smith & Nephew plc’s 
internal control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2015, based 
on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (‘COSO’). Smith & Nephew plc’s management is 
responsible for these Group financial statements, for maintaining 
effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included 
in the accompanying Evaluation of Internal Controls. Our responsibility 
is to express an opinion on these Group financial statements and an 
opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting 
based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the 
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free 
of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over 
financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits 
of the Group financial statements included examining, on a test basis, 
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial 
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant 
estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial 
statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial 
reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over 
financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, 
and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of 
internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included 
performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the 
circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis 
for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process 
designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes 
those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of 
records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the 
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide 
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to 
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of 
the company are being made only in accordance with authorisations of 
management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorised 
acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have 
a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial 
reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of 
any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk 
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in 
conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or 
procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Group financial statements referred to above present 
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Smith & Nephew 
plc and subsidiaries as of 31 December 2015, and the results of their 
operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity 
with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board and in conformity with IFRS 
as adopted by the European Union. Also in our opinion, Smith & 
Nephew plc maintained, in all material respects, effective internal 
control over financial reporting as of 31 December 2015, based on 
criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (‘COSO’).

As discussed in Note 2 to the Group financial statements, in 2015 
Smith & Nephew plc elected to change the composition of its 
reportable segments. We also have audited the adjustments to the 
2014 and 2013 Group financial statements to retrospectively reflect the 
change in composition of reportable segments. In our opinion, such 
adjustments are appropriate and have been properly applied. We were 
not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2014 or 
2013 Group financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc and 
subsidiaries other than with respect to the adjustments and, accordingly, 
we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 
2014 or 2013 Group financial statements taken as a whole.

KPMG LLP
London, United Kingdom

24 February 2016

 
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Independent auditor’s UK report

Independent auditor’s report to the members 
of Smith & Nephew plc only 

Opinions and conclusions arising from our audit

1 Our opinion on the financial statements is unmodified 
We have audited the financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc for 
the year ended 31 December 2015 set out on pages 111 to 170. 
In our opinion: 

The financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the 
Group’s and of the parent company’s affairs as at 31 December 2015 
and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended:
 − The Group financial statements have been properly prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the European Union; 

 − The parent company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards, including 
FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework; and

 − The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006; and, as regards the Group 
financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

Separate opinion in relation to IFRS as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) 
As explained in the accounting policies set out in the Group Financial 
Statements, the Group, in addition to complying with its legal obligation 
to apply IFRS as adopted by the EU, has also applied IFRS as issued by 
the IASB. In our opinion, the Consolidated Financial Statements comply 
with IFRS as issued by the IASB.

2 Our assessment of risks of material misstatement
In light of this being the first year of our audit we familiarised ourselves 
with the business by spending a significant amount of time both at the 
Company’s head office in London and key operating locations around 
the world. Our primary objective during this phase was to understand 
the business model of the Group, the risks inherent in that business 
model and how these are mitigated.

We also met with key functional leaders including: legal; IT; compliance; 
human resources; and business development to understand the 
priorities, challenges and risks inherent in the changes arising from 
the ongoing simplification programme of the Group. 

We considered the strength of the Group’s control environment, 
the relative maturity and sophistication of the IT infrastructure and 
the impact of the simplification programme on financial controls over 
key processes and transactions. 

These assessments highlighted the key areas of financial statement risk 
that our audit was focused on. Those that had the greatest effect on our 
audit are set out below, together with our procedures to address these 
areas. Any comments that we make on the results of our procedures 
should be read in the context of our opinion on the financial statements 
as a whole.

Inventory valuation: $1,217 million 

THE RISK
The Group has high levels of finished goods some of which are located 
at customer premises to be available for immediate use. Complete sets 
of products, including outsizes, have to be made available in this way, 
with these sizes used less frequently. Towards the end of a product’s 
life cycle, these inventory levels are more than is required and therefore 
excess to requirements.

In estimating the net realisable value for inventory, management has to 
apply judgement on how much of the inventory on hand will ultimately 
be used.

OUR RESPONSE AND CONCLUSIONS
The key inputs used in estimating the Excess and Obsolescence (E&O) 
provision include historic sales for significant product lines and 
expected future usage of inventory. 

On a sample basis we corroborated historic sales back to underlying 
source data. We also corroborated on a sample basis the expected 
usage of inventory with the Director’s plans for launching new product 
lines or discontinuing product lines. 

We considered the historical accuracy of the provision against actual 
inventory write-offs.

We also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures in 
respect of inventory valuation.

As a result, we satisfied ourselves that inventory provisions have been 
prepared in line with policy and are supportable on the basis of 
historical trends as well as management’s expectations for future sales 
and inventory management plans.

>    REFER TO PAGE 75 (AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT), PAGE 111  

(ACCOUNTING POLICY) AND PAGE 136 (FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES)

 
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Revenue: $4,634 million 

THE RISK
Revenue is recognised when the risks and rewards are passed to 
the customer. 

Revenue recognition is one of the key judgemental areas for our audit, 
particularly in respect of estimates made for contractual rebates, 
chargebacks and returns which are deducted in arriving at revenue 
from wholesale customers and distributors.

OUR RESPONSE AND CONCLUSIONS
Our principal audit procedures included: testing the Group’s controls 
surrounding revenue recognition and key controls in the order-to-cash 
transaction cycle. This included reconciliations between sales systems 
and the general ledger; assessing whether appropriate revenue 
recognition policies are applied through comparison with accounting 
standards; and performing testing over revenue at significant 
components, which included analysis of product sales year-on-year, 
corroborating movements compared with expectations and inspection 
of contracts with customers. 

Our audit work in respect of the accrual rebates, chargebacks and 
returns involved testing key controls including the Group’s review of 
chargebacks, returns and rebates. 

We also assessed the accuracy of the accrual calculation, corroborated 
inputs and key assumptions, both to source documents, and 
considered the historical accuracy of the accrual.

We also assessed the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures of its 
revenue recognition policy, the judgment involved and other 
related disclosures.

The results of our testing were satisfactory and we concur that revenue 
recognition is appropriate.

>    REFER TO PAGE 75 (AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT) AND PAGE 121  

(ACCOUNTING POLICY AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES)

Litigation reserves and contingent liabilities ($303 million included in provisions)

THE RISK
The development, manufacture and sale of medical devices entails risk 
of product liability claims and patent infringement issues due to the 
technological nature of the products and the competitive nature of the 
industry. Determining the impact and likely outcome of any litigation 
matters is inherently subjective and the amounts involved are 
potentially material.

As disclosed in Note 17 a provision of $185 million has been 
recognised in the year in respect of potential liabilities arising from the 
ongoing exposure for Metal on Metal implants.

OUR RESPONSE AND CONCLUSIONS
We tested the Group’s controls surrounding litigation and contingent 
liabilities, inspected legal invoices and corresponded directly with 
external legal advisers to understand the fact patterns and ensure that 
all significant cases had been adequately considered. 

We tested the estimates of provisions, including their assessment of 
potential royalties payable for past sales, and expected settlement of 
product liability cases. We challenged the assumptions made based 
on the fact pattern of similar historic cases.

For the liability recognised in respect of the expected payouts for Metal 
on Metal cases we involved our actuarial specialists to review the 
critical assumptions used in statistical projections in determining the 
estimate. The key assumptions included: expected number of 
claimants; projected value of each settlement; and the likely time 
period expected for settlement. 

We also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures in 
respect of litigation reserves and contingent liabilities.

The results of our testing were satisfactory and we concur that the 
costs in respect of litigation and contingent liabilities is appropriate.

>    REFER TO PAGE 75 (AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT), PAGE 111  

(ACCOUNTING POLICY) AND PAGE 146 (FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES) 

 
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Independent auditor’s UK report continued

Valuation of acquired intangible assets (included in intangible assets of $1,502 million) 

THE RISK
The Group has capitalised acquired intangibles of which the most 
significant relate to recent acquisitions in respect of ArthroCare 
(acquired in 2014) and Healthpoint (acquired in 2012).

OUR RESPONSE AND CONCLUSIONS
Our audit procedures included testing the principles and integrity of 
the Group’s discounted cash flow models and corroborating the 
assumptions made on revenue and profitability projections.

There is a risk that due to changes in the competitive landscape, 
regulatory or other external factors the acquired assets underperform 
in comparison to their original investment case and that the carrying 
value may be impaired. 

An impairment charge of $40 million has been recognised in the 
current year in relation to an acquired brand, Oasis, from the 
Healthpoint acquisition which has underperformed against the original 
investment case.

We tested the sensitivity of key assumptions to the value in use 
calculated. We also assessed whether the Group’s disclosures about 
the sensitivity of the outcome of the impairment assessment to 
changes in key assumptions reflected the key risks inherent in the 
valuation of acquired intangibles.

As a result of our work, we determined that the quantum of impairment 
recognised in 2015 was appropriate. For those intangible assets, where 
management determined no impairment was required, we found that 
these judgements were supported by reasonable assumptions.

>    REFER TO PAGE 75 (AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT), PAGE 111  

(ACCOUNTING POLICY) AND PAGES 133 TO 134 (FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES) 

Tax provisioning (included in current tax payable of $ 263 million)

THE RISK
Accruals for tax contingencies require the Directors to make 
judgements and estimates in relation to tax issues and exposures 
given that the Group operates in a number of tax jurisdictions, the 
complexities of transfer pricing and other international tax legislation 
and the time taken for tax matters to be agreed with the tax authorities.

>    REFER TO PAGE 75 (AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT), PAGE 111  

(ACCOUNTING POLICY) AND PAGE 126 (FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES) 

OUR RESPONSE AND CONCLUSIONS
In this area our audit procedures included the use of our own 
international and local tax specialists to assess the Group’s tax 
positions, its correspondence with the relevant tax authorities, and to 
analyse and challenge the assumptions used to determine tax 
provisions based on our knowledge and experiences of the 
application of the international and local legislation by the relevant 
authorities and courts. 

We also considered the adequacy of the Group’s disclosures in 
respect of tax and uncertain tax positions.

From the evidence obtained, we considered the level of provisioning to 
be acceptable in the context of the Group financial statements taken 
as a whole.

 
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3 Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of 
our audit
The materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at 
$44 million, determined with reference to a benchmark of 5% of Group 
profit before tax normalised to exclude acquisition related costs of 
$12 million, impairment charges of $51 million, restructuring and 
rationalisation expenses of $65 million and legal and other charges of 
$190 million as disclosed in Note 3. We believe that pre-tax profit 
excluding these items provides us with a consistent year-on-year basis 
for determining materiality and is the most relevant performance 
measure to the shareholders of the entity.

MATERIALITY FOR THE 
GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

ADJUSTED
PROFIT
BEFORE TAX 

MATERIALITY 

$877m

$44m

$2.2m
Misstatements reporting 
threshold

5%

5%

Of the Group’s 143 reporting components, we subjected 60 to full 
scope audits for Group reporting purposes, nine to audits of specific 
account balances. The latter were not individually financially significant 
to require an audit for Group reporting purposes, but were included in 
the scope of our Group reporting work in order to provide further 
coverage over the identified risks and the Group’s results.

The remaining 22% of total Group revenue, 5% of Group profit before 
tax and 13% of total Group assets is represented by 74 reporting 
components, none of which individually represented more than 5% of 
any of total Group revenue, Group profit before tax or total Group 
assets. For these remaining components, we performed analysis at an 
aggregated Group level to re-examine our assessment that there were 
no significant risks of material misstatement within these. 

The Group audit team instructed component auditors as to the 
significant areas to be covered, including the relevant risks detailed 
above and the information to be reported back. The Group audit team 
approved the component materialities which ranged from $5 million to 
$35 million, having regard to the mix of size and risk profile of the Group 
across the components. The work on 32 of the 69 components was 
performed by component auditors and the rest by the Group 
audit team.

The Group audit team visited 24 components in USA, China, UK, Brazil, 
Australia, Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Telephone conference 
meetings were also held with these component auditors and the 
majority of the others that were not physically visited. At these visits 
and meetings, the findings reported to the Group audit team were 
discussed in more detail, and any further work required by the Group 
audit team was then performed by the component auditor. 

4 Our opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies 
Act 2006 is unmodified
In our opinion:
 − The part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 
2006; and

 − The information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ 

Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are 
prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

The components within the scope of our work accounted for the following percentages of the Group’s results:

GROUP REVENUE
%

GROUP PROFIT BEFORE TAX
%

TOTAL ASSETS
%

22

12

5

7

13

8

66

88

79

A  Audits for group reporting purposes (145 components) 
B  Audits of account balances (revenue, receivables and inventory) (9 components) 
C  Out of scope 

 
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Independent auditor’s UK report continued

5 We have nothing to report on the disclosures of principal risks
Based on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have 
nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to: 
 − The Directors’ statement of viability statement on page 49, concerning 

the principal risks, their management, and, based on that, the 
Directors’ assessment and expectations of the Group’s continuing in 
operation over the three years to December 2018; or 

 − The disclosures in Note 1 of the financial statements concerning the 

use of the going concern basis of accounting.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review: 
 − The Directors’ statements, set out on pages 104 and 49, in relation to 

going concern and longer-term viability; and 

 − The part of the Corporate Governance Statement on page 57 in the 
Corporate Governance report relating to the Company’s compliance 
with the 11 provisions of the 2014 UK Corporate Governance Code 
specified for our review.

We have nothing to report in respect of the above responsibilities. 

Scope and responsibilities
As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement 
set out on page 104, the Directors are responsible for the preparation 
o the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view. A description of the scope of an audit of financial 
statements is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website 
at www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate. This report is made solely to 
the Company’s members as a body and is subject to important 
explanations and disclaimers regarding our responsibilities, published 
on our website at www.kpmg.com/uk/auditscopeukco2014b, which are 
incorporated into this report as if set out in full and should be read to 
provide an understanding of the purpose of this report, the work we 
have undertaken and the basis of our opinions.

Stephen Oxley (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
For and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor  
Chartered Accountants  
15 Canada Square 
London 
E14 5GL 
24 February 2016

6 We have nothing to report in respect of the matters on which 
we are required to report by exception 
Under ISAs (UK and Ireland) we are required to report to you if, based 
on the knowledge we acquired during our audit, we have identified 
other information in the Annual Report that contains a material 
inconsistency with either that knowledge or the financial statements, 
a material misstatement of fact, or that is otherwise misleading. 

In particular, we are required to report to you if: 
 − We have identified material inconsistencies between the knowledge 
we acquired during our audit and the Directors’ statement that they 
consider that the Annual Report and financial statements taken as 
a whole is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for shareholders to assess the Group’s 
position and performance, business model and strategy; or

 − The Audit Committee report does not appropriately address matters 

communicated by us to the Audit Committee.

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion: 
 − Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 

company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or 

 − The parent company financial statements and the part of the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns; or 

 − Certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified by law are 

not made; or 

 − We have not received all the information and explanations we require 

for our audit. 

 
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Critical accounting policies

The Group prepares its consolidated financial statements in 
accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS as adopted by the 
EU, the application of which often requires judgements to be made by 
management when formulating the Group’s financial position and 
results. Under IFRS, the Directors are required to adopt those 
accounting policies most appropriate to the Group’s circumstances for 
the purpose of presenting fairly the Group’s financial position, financial 
performance and cash flows.

In determining and applying accounting policies, judgement is often 
required in respect of items where the choice of specific policy, 
accounting estimate or assumption to be followed could materially 
affect the reported results or net asset position of the Group; it may later 
be determined that a different choice would have been 
more appropriate.

The Group’s significant accounting policies are set out in Notes 1 to 23 
of the Notes to the Group accounts. Of those, the policies which require 
the most use of management’s judgement are as follows:

Valuation of inventories
A feature of the Orthopaedic Reconstruction and Trauma & Extremities 
franchise (whose finished goods inventory make up approximately 79% 
of the Group’s total finished goods inventory) is the high level of product 
inventory required, some of which is located at customer premises and 
is available for customers’ immediate use. Complete sets of products, 
including large and small sizes, have to be made available in this way. 
These sizes are used less frequently than standard sizes and towards 
the end of the product life cycle are inevitably in excess of 
requirements. Adjustments to carrying value are therefore required to 
be made to orthopaedic inventory to anticipate this situation. 
These adjustments are calculated in accordance with a formula based 
on levels of inventory compared with historical usage. This formula is 
applied on an individual product line basis and is first applied when a 
product group has been on the market for two years. This method of 
calculation is considered appropriate based on experience, but it does 
involve management judgement on customer demand, effectiveness of 
inventory deployment, length of product lives, phase-out of old 
products and efficiency of manufacturing planning systems.

Impairment
In carrying out impairment reviews of goodwill, intangible assets and 
property, plant and equipment, a number of significant assumptions 
have to be made when preparing cash flow projections. These include 
the future rate of market growth, discount rates, the market demand for 
the products acquired, the future profitability of acquired businesses or 
products, levels of reimbursement and success in obtaining regulatory 
approvals. If actual results should differ or changes in expectations 
arise, impairment charges may be required which would adversely 
impact operating results.

Liability provisioning
The recognition of provisions for legal disputes is subject to a significant 
degree of estimation. Provision is made for loss contingencies when it 
is considered probable that an adverse outcome will occur and the 
amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In making its 
estimates, management takes into account the advice of internal and 
external legal counsel. Provisions are reviewed regularly and amounts 
updated where necessary to reflect developments in the disputes. 
The ultimate liability may differ from the amount provided depending on 
the outcome of court proceedings and settlement negotiations or if 
investigations brings to light new facts.

Taxation
The Group operates in numerous tax jurisdictions around the world. 
Although it is Group policy to submit its tax returns to the relevant tax 
authorities as promptly as possible, at any given time the Group has 
years outstanding and is involved in disputes and tax audits. 
Significant issues may take several years to resolve. In estimating the 
probability and amount of any tax charge, management takes into 
account the views of internal and external advisers and updates the 
amount of provision whenever necessary. The ultimate tax liability may 
differ from the amount provided depending on interpretations of tax 
law, settlement negotiations or changes in legislation.

Business combinations
The Group has identified ‘growth through acquisitions’ as one of its 
Strategic Priorities. During 2014, we acquired ArthroCare Corporation; 
the determination of the balance sheet fair value acquired is dependent 
upon the understanding of the circumstances at acquisition and 
estimates of the future results of the acquired business and 
management judgement is a factor in making these determinations.

Operating segments
In making decisions about the prioritisation and allocation of the 
Group’s resources, the Commercial Operations team (‘CommOps’, 
the body considered to be the Chief Operating Decision Maker) review 
financial information on an integrated basis for the Group as a whole 
and determines the best allocation of resources to group-wide projects. 
In assessing performance, CommOps also consider financial 
information presented on a geographical selling region and product 
franchise basis for revenue. Financial information for corporate and 
functional costs in presented on a Group-wide basis.

In applying the requirements of IFRS 8 ‘Operating Segments’, the Group 
considers the fact that the prioritisation and allocation of resources by 
CommOps being determined at Group level on a project by basis 
results in the Group having one operating segment.

 
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Group income statement

Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Operating profit
Interest income
Interest expense
Other finance costs
Share of results of associates
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Attributable profit for the year1
Earnings per ordinary share1
Basic
Diluted

GROUP 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year ended 
31 December 
2014 
$ million
4,617
(1,162)
3,455
(2,471)
(235)
749
13
(35)
(11)
(2)
714
(213)
501

56.1¢
55.7¢

Year ended 
31 December 
2013 
$ million
4,351
(1,100)
3,251
(2,210)
(231)
810
14
(10)
(11)
(1)
802
(246)
556

61.7¢
61.4¢

Notes
2

3
3
2 & 3
4
4
4
11

5

6

Year ended 
31 December 
2015 
$ million
4,634
(1,143)
3,491
(2,641)
(222)
628
11
(49)
(15)
(16)
559
(149)
410

45.9¢
45.6¢

Group statement of comprehensive income

Attributable profit for the year1
Other comprehensive income:
Items that will not be reclassified to income statement
Re-measurement of net retirement benefit obligations
Taxation on other comprehensive income
Total items that will not be reclassified to income statement

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to income statement
Cash flow hedges – interest rate derivatives

– losses arising in the year

Cash flow hedges – forward foreign exchange contracts

– gains/(losses) arising in the year
– gains transferred to inventories for the year

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to income statement
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year, net of taxation
Total comprehensive income for the year1

1  Attributable to equity holders of the Company and wholly derived from continuing operations.

>    THE NOTES ON PAGES 119 TO 166 ARE  

AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE ACCOUNTS.

Notes

18
5

Year ended 
31 December 
2015 
$ million
410

Year ended 
31 December 
2014 
$ million
501

Year ended 
31 December 
2013 
$ million
556

(8)
10
2

–

34
(50)
(176)
(192)
(190)
220

(94)
19
(75)

(5)

31
(14)
(196)
(184)
(259)
242

12
(16)
(4)

–

8
(3)
(6)
(1)
(5)
551

 
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Commentary on the Group income statement  
and Group statement of comprehensive income

Revenue
Group revenue increased by $17m, 0% on a reported basis, from 
$4,617m in 2014 to $4,634m in 2015.

Operating profit
Operating profit decreased by $121m from $749m in 2014 to $628m 
in 2015.

This movement was primarily driven by the benefits of the Group 
Optimisation programme and synergies from the ArthroCare acquisition 
in 2014, offset by the costs relating to anticipated and settled metal-on-
metal hip claims.

Interest income/(expense)
Net interest expense increased by $16m from a net $22m expense in 
2014 to a net $38m expense in 2015. This movement is primarily due to 
an increase in interest expense due to the financing of the ArthroCare 
acquisition in 2014.

Other finance costs
Other finance costs in 2015 increased by $4m and principally relates to 
costs associated with the Group’s retirement benefit schemes.

Taxation
The taxation charge decreased by $64m to $149m from $213m in 2014.

After adjusting for specific transactions that management considers 
affect the Group’s short-term profitability (restructuring and 
rationalisation expenses, amortisation of acquisition intangibles, 
acquisition related costs and legal and other items) the tax rate on 
trading profit was 26.8% (2014 – 27.7%).

The underlying increase is 4%, after adjusting for the 4% impact of 
acquisitions and the 8% attributable to the unfavourable impact of 
currency movements.

Established Markets had an underlying growth of 3% and Emerging 
Markets had an underlying growth of 11%, both of which contributed to 
the Group increase of 4%.

Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold decreased by $19m, 2% on a reported basis, from 
$1,162m in 2014 to $1,143m in 2015. The movement is primarily due to 
the strengthening of the US Dollar which more than offsets the increase 
in volume from acquisitions and underlying trading.

During 2015, no restructuring and rationalisation expenses (2014 – 
$12m) and acquisition related costs (2014 – $23m) were charged to cost 
of goods sold.

Selling, general and administrative expenses 
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $170m  
(7% on a reported basis) from $2,471m in 2014 to $2,641m in 2015. 
The underlying movement is 7% after adjusting for net impact of 7% 
from acquisitions and unfavourable currency movements of 7%.

In 2015, administrative expenses included amortisation of software and 
other intangible assets of $66m (2014 – $62m), $65m of restructuring 
and rationalisation expenses (2014 – $49m), an amount of $204m 
relating to amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles (2014 – 
$129m), $12m of acquisition related costs (2014 – $95m) and $203m 
relating to anticipated and settled metal-on-metal hip claims and 
additional expenses primarily relating to the RENASYS distribution hold 
in the US. These expenses were offset by a net gain of $33m relating to 
a patent litigation and past service and curtailment gains of $19m  
(2014 – $46m) arising on US and UK post-retirement benefits.

Research and development expenses
Research and development expenditure as a percentage of revenue 
remained broadly consistent at 4.8% in 2015 (2014 – 5.1%). 
Actual expenditure was $222m in 2015 compared to $235m in 2014. 
The Group continues to invest in innovative technologies and products 
to differentiate it from competitors.

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Group balance sheet

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Investments
Investments in associates
Retirement benefit asset
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Cash at bank

Total assets

Equity and liabilities
Equity attributable to owners of the Company
Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Treasury shares
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Total equity
Non-current liabilities
Long-term borrowings
Retirement benefit obligations
Other payables
Provisions 
Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities
Bank overdrafts and loans
Trade and other payables 
Provisions
Current tax payable

Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

GROUP 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At
31 December 
2015 
$ million

At  
31 December  
2014  
$ million

Notes

7
8
9
10
11
18
5

12
13
15

19

19

15
18
14
17
5

15
14
17

932
2,012
1,502
13
115
13
105
4,692

1,217
1,138
120
2,475
7,167

183
590
12
(294)
(256)
3,731
3,966

1,434
184
29
133
77
1,857

46
842
193
263
1,344
3,201
7,167

891
2,027
1,747
5
112
7
77
4,866

1,181
1,166
93
2,440
7,306

184
574
11
(315)
(64)
3,650
4,040

1,666
233
44
63
98
2,104

39
838
67
218
1,162
3,266
7,306

The accounts were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 24 February 2016 and are signed on its behalf by:

Roberto Quarta 
Chairman 
>    THE NOTES ON PAGES 119 TO 166 ARE  

AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE ACCOUNTS.

Olivier Bohuon 
Chief Executive Officer 

Julie Brown 
Chief Financial Officer

 
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GROUP 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Commentary on the Group balance sheet

Non-current assets
Non-current assets decreased by $174m to $4,692m in 2015 from 
$4,866m in 2014. This is principally attributable to the following:
 −  Property, plant and equipment increased by $41m from $891m in 

2014 to $932m in 2015. There were $303m of additions together with 
$6m acquired with the Colombia and Russia acquisitions which were 
offset by $11m of assets disposed. Depreciation of $226m was 
charged during 2015 and there were unfavourable currency 
movements of $31m.

 − Goodwill decreased by $15m from $2,027m in 2014 to $2,012 in 2015. 
This movement relates to additions of $10m from the acquisition in 
Colombia and $24m from the acquisition in Russia. This was offset 
by unfavourable currency movements of $49m which decreased the 
overall goodwill balance.

 − Intangible assets decreased by $245m from $1,747m in 2014 to 
$1,502 in 2015. There were additions of $55m in 2015 relating to 
intellectual property, distribution rights and software acquired 
together with $19m acquired with the Colombia and Russia 
acquisitions. Amortisation and impairment during 2015 was $270m 
and there were unfavourable currency movements of $45m.

 − Investments in associates increased to $115m from $112m in 2014. 

The increase was attributable to a capital contribution to Bioventus of 
$25m and other investment gains of $2m, offset by an investment 
loss in Bioventus of $18m and a reclassification of an associate to 
investments of $6m due to a change in shareholding.

 − Deferred tax assets increased by $28m in the year from $77m in 

2014 to $105m in 2015. The net deferred tax position has changed 
from a liability of $21m in 2014 to an asset of $28m in 2015. The net 
movement of $49m is mainly due to the creation of the metal-on-
metal hip claim provision and amortisation of certain acquired 
intangibles, offset by a reduction in retirement benefit obligations.

Current assets
Current assets increased by $35m to $2,475m from $2,440m in 2014. 
The movement relates to the following:
 − Inventories rose by $36m to $1,217m in 2015 from $1,181 in 2014. 

This movement is driven by inventory acquired with the Colombia 
and Russia acquisitions and a general increase across the Emerging 
Markets. This was offset by unfavourable currency movements 
of $63m.

 − The level of trade and other receivables decreased by $28m to 
$1,138m in 2015 from $1,166m in 2014. The movement primarily 
relates to the $17m increase in the bad debt provision as well as 
unfavourable currency movements.

 − Cash at bank has increased by $27m from $93m in 2014 to $120m 

in 2015. Refer to the Group cash flow statement and related 
commentary on pages 116 and 117 for further detail.

Non-current liabilities
Non-current liabilities decreased by $247m from $2,104m in 2014 to 
$1,857m in 2015. This movement principally relates to:
 − Long-term borrowing decreased from $1,666m in 2014 to $1,434m 

in 2015 principally due to repayments of bank debt.

 − The retirement benefit obligation decreased from $233m in 2014 to 

$184m in 2015 due to past cost adjustments arising from plan 
amendments in the UK and US, increases in discount rates and 
supplementary cash contributions.

 − Deferred tax liabilities decreased by $21m from $98m in 2014 to 
$77m in 2015. Refer to commentary within non-current assets for 
explanation of the net deferred tax position movement.

 − The impact of the above was partly offset by an increase in 

non-current provisions, primarily relating to the estimated costs to 
resolve all future known and anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims.

Current liabilities
Current liabilities increased by $182m from $1,162m in 2014 and 
$1,344m in 2015. This movement is attributable to:
 − Bank overdrafts and loans increased by $7m from $39m in 2014 to 

$46m in 2015.

 − Provisions increased by $126m from $67m in 2014 to $193m in 2015 

primarily due to an increase in legal provision for known and 
anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims.

 − Current tax payables increased by $45m from $218m in 2014 to 

$263m, mainly attributable to differences in the timing of cash tax 
payments year-on-year.

Total equity
Total equity decreased by $74m from $4,040m in 2014 to $3,966m 
in 2015. The principal movements were: 

1 January 2015
Attributable profit
Currency translation losses
Hedging reserves
Actuarial losses on retirement benefit obligations
Dividends paid during the year
Purchase of own shares
Taxation on other comprehensive income and  
equity items
Net share-based transactions
31 December 2015

Total equity  
$ million
4,040
410
(176)
(16)
(8)
(272)
(77)

15
50
3,966

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Group cash flow statement

Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit before taxation
Net interest expense/(income)
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and software
Distribution from trade investments
Share-based payments expense (equity settled)
Share of results of associates
Dividends received from associates
Profit on disposal of manufacturing facility
Net movement in post-retirement benefit obligations
Increase in inventories
Increase in trade and other receivables
Increase in trade and other payables and provisions
Cash generated from operations1
Interest received
Interest paid
Income taxes paid
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Capital expenditure
Investment in associate
Purchase of investments
Proceeds from associate loan redemption
Proceeds on disposal of manufacturing facility
Cash received on disposal of associate
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Purchase of own shares
Proceeds from borrowings due within one year
Settlement of borrowings due within one year
Proceeds from borrowings due after one year
Settlement of borrowings due after one year
Proceeds from own shares
Settlement of currency swaps
Equity dividends paid
Net cash (used in)/from financing activities
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange adjustments
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year2

GROUP 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year ended  
31 December  
2015  
$ million

Year ended  
31 December  
2014  
$ million

Year ended  
31 December  
2013  
$ million

559
38
493
15
3
29
16
–
–
(57)
(83)
(26)
216
1,203
8
(44)
(137)
1,030

(44)
(358)
(25)
(2)
–
–
–
(429)

16
(77)
42
(26)
831
(1,062)
5
(15)
(272)
(558)
43
65
(6)
102

714
22
427
11
1
32
2
–
(9)
(81)
(168)
(76)
86
961
3
(36)
(245)
683

(1,572)
(375)
(2)
(4)
188
20
–
(1,745)

40
(75)
30
(52)
3,390
(2,068)
4
(11)
(250)
1,008
(54)
126
(7)
65

802 
(4)
361 
23 
–
28 
1 
1 
–
(27)
(99)
(70)
122 
1,138 
4 
(10)
(265)
867 

(74)
(340)
–
–
–
–
7 
(407)

48 
(231)
12 
(6)
695 
(779)
3 
(1)
(239)
(498)
(38)
167 
(3)
126 

Notes

4

23
11
11
21

21
2
11
10

21

20
20
20
20

20
19

20
20

1 

Includes $52m (2014 – $60m, 2013 – $54m) of outgoings on restructuring and rationalisation expenses, $36m (2014 – $112m, 2013 – $25m) of acquisition-related costs and 
$3m (2014 – $23m, 2013 – $nil) of legal and other costs.

2  Cash and cash equivalents is net of bank overdrafts of $18m (2014 – $28m). 

>    THE NOTES ON PAGES 119 TO 166 ARE  

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GROUP 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Commentary on the Group cash flow statement

The main elements of the Group’s cash flow and movements in net 
debt can be summarised as follows:

Net cash inflow from operating activities
Cash generated from operations in 2015 of $1,203m (2014 – $961m, 
2013 – $1,138m) is after paying out $36m (2014 – $112m, 2013 – $25m) 
of acquisition-related costs, $52m (2014 – $60m, 2013 – $54m) of 
restructuring and rationalisation expenses and $3m (2014 – $23m, 
2013 – $nil) relating to legal and other costs.

Capital expenditure
The Group’s ongoing capital expenditure and working capital 
requirements were financed through cash flow generated by business 
operations and, where necessary, through short-term committed and 
uncommitted bank facilities. In 2015, capital expenditure on tangible 
and intangible fixed assets represented approximately 8% of continuing 
Group revenue (2014 – 8%, 2013 – 8%).

In 2015, capital expenditure amounted to $358m (2014 – $375m, 
2013 – $340m). The principal areas of investment were the placement 
of orthopaedic instruments with customers, patents and licences, plant 
and equipment and information technology.

At 31 December 2015, $24m (2014 – $34m, 2013 – $41m) of capital 
expenditure had been contracted but not provided for which will be 
funded from cash inflows.

Acquisitions and disposals
During the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group acquired 
businesses in Colombia and Russia for consideration, net of cash 
acquired, of $44m. In November 2015, the Group invested $25m 
in its associate, Bioventus. 

During 2014, the Group received repayment of the $160m loan note 
to Bioventus and $28m of accrued interest. Proceeds of $20m were 
received on the disposal of the Group’s manufacturing plant in 
Gilberdyke, UK.

Dividends
The 2014 final dividend of 18.6 US cents per ordinary share totalling 
$166m was paid on 6 May 2015. The 2015 interim dividend of 11.8 US 
cents per ordinary share totalling $106m was paid on 27 October 2015.

Share buy-backs
During the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group purchased a total 
of 4.4m (2014 – 4.6m) ordinary shares at a cost of $77m (2014 – $75m).

Liquidity and capital resources
The Group’s policy is to ensure that it has sufficient funding and 
facilities in place to meet foreseeable borrowing requirements.

At 31 December 2015, the Group held $102m (2014 – $65m, 2013 – 
$126m) in cash net of bank overdrafts. The Group had committed 
facilities available of $2,425m at 31 December 2015 of which $1,425m 
was drawn. Smith & Nephew intends to repay the amounts due within 
one year by using available cash and drawing down on the longer-term 
facilities. In addition, Smith & Nephew has finance lease commitments 
of $10m.

During the year ended 31 December 2014, the Group refinanced its 
principal banking facilities. The Group signed a new five-year 
committed $1bn multi-currency revolving credit facility with a maturity 
date of March 2019. This maturity date has since been extended to 
March 2020. In April 2015, the Group signed a new three-year, $300m 
bilateral term loan with one of its relationship banks. The new term loan 
has a maturity date of April 2018. The proceeds of this new loan were 
used to repay the remaining outstanding amount on the committed 
term loan used to fund the acquisition of ArthroCare.

The principal variations in the Group’s borrowing requirements result 
from the timing of dividend payments, acquisitions and disposals of 
businesses, timing of capital expenditure and working capital 
fluctuations. Smith & Nephew believes that its capital expenditure 
needs and its working capital funding for 2016, as well as its other 
known or expected commitments or liabilities, can be met from its 
existing resources and facilities. The Group’s net debt decreased from 
$1,613m at the beginning of 2015 to $1,361m at the end of 2015, 
representing an overall decrease of $252m.

The Group’s planned future contributions are considered adequate 
to cover the current underfunded position in the Group’s defined 
benefit plans.

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GROUP 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Group statement of changes in equity

At 31 December 2012
Attributable profit for the year1
Other comprehensive income
Equity dividends declared and paid
Share-based payments recognised
Taxation on share-based payments
Purchase of own shares
Cost of shares transferred to beneficiaries
Cancellation of treasury shares
Issue of ordinary share capital4
At 31 December 2013
Attributable profit for the year1
Other comprehensive expense
Equity dividends declared and paid
Share-based payments recognised
Purchase of own shares
Cost of shares transferred to beneficiaries
Cancellation of treasury shares
Issue of ordinary share capital4
At 31 December 2014
Attributable profit for the year1
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Equity dividends declared and paid
Share-based payments recognised
Taxation on share-based payments
Purchase of own shares
Cost of shares transferred to beneficiaries
Cancellation of treasury shares
Issue of ordinary share capital4
At 31 December 2015

Share  
capital  
$ million
193 
– 
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(10)
1 
184
–
–
–
–
–
–
(1)
1
184
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(1)
–
183

Share  
premium  
$ million
488 
– 
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
47 
535
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
39
574
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
16
590

Capital 
redemption  
reserve  
$ million
– 
– 
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
10 
– 
10
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
–
11
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
–
12

Treasury  
shares2  
$ million
(735)
– 
 –
– 
– 
– 
(231)
21 
623 
– 
(322)
–
–
–
–
(75)
25
57
–
(315)
–
–
–
–
–
(77)
38
60
–
(294)

Other  
reserves3  
$ million
121 
–
(1)
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
120
–
(184)
–
–
–
–
–
–
(64)
–
(192)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(256)

Retained  
earnings  
$ million
3,817 
556 
(4)
(239)
28 
3 
– 
(18)
(623)
– 
3,520
501
(75)
(250)
32
–
(21)
(57)
–
3,650
410
2
(272)
29
5
–
(33)
(60)
–
3,731

Total  
equity  
$ million
3,884 
556 
(5)
(239)
28 
3 
(231)
3 
– 
48 
4,047
501
(259)
(250)
32
(75)
4
–
40
4,040
410
(190)
(272)
29
5
(77)
5
–
16
3,966

1  Attributable to equity holders of the Company and wholly derived from continuing operations.
2  Refer to Note 19.2 for further information.
3  Other reserves comprises gains and losses on cash flow hedges, foreign exchange differences on translation of foreign operations and the difference arising as a result 
of translating share capital and share premium at the rate ruling on the date of redenomination instead of the rate at the balance sheet date. The cumulative translation 
loss within other reserves at 31 December 2015 of $254m (2014 – $78m loss, 2013 – $118m gain).

4  Issue of ordinary share capital as a result of options being exercised.

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1 Basis of preparation
Smith & Nephew plc (the ‘Company’) is a public limited company 
incorporated in England and Wales. In these accounts, the ‘Group’ 
means the Company and all its subsidiaries. The principal activities 
of the Group are to develop, manufacture, market and sell medical 
devices and services.

As required by the European Union’s IAS Regulation and the 
Companies Act 2006, the Group has prepared its accounts in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) as 
adopted by the European Union (‘EU’) effective as at 31 December 2015. 
The Group has also prepared its accounts in accordance with IFRS as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’) 
effective as at 31 December 2015. IFRS as adopted by the EU differs in 
certain respects from IFRS as issued by the IASB. However, the 
differences have no impact for the periods presented.

The preparation of accounts in conformity with IFRS requires 
management to use estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent 
assets and liabilities at the date of the accounts and the reported 
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. 
The accounting policies requiring management to use significant 
estimates and assumptions are: inventories, impairment, taxation, 
liability provisions, business combinations and disclosures in segmental 
reporting. These are discussed under Critical accounting policies on 
page 111. Although these estimates are based on management’s best 
knowledge of current events and actions, actual results ultimately may 
differ from those estimates. Estimates and underlying assumptions are 
reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to estimates are 
recognised prospectively. 

The Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis for accounting 
in preparing the annual financial statements. The Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.

As described in Note 15, the Group meets its funding requirements 
through a mixture of shareholders’ funds, bank borrowings and private 
placement notes. At 31 December 2015, the Group had committed 
borrowing facilities of $2.4bn and total liquidity of $1.1bn, including net 
cash and cash equivalents of $102m and undrawn committed 
borrowing facilities of $1bn. The earliest expiry date of the Group’s 
committed borrowing facilities is in respect of a $300m bilateral term 
loan facility due to expire in April 2018.

The Group’s forecasts and projections, taking into account reasonably 
possible changes in trading performance, show that the Group has 
sufficient financial resources. The Directors have reasonable 
expectation that the Company and the Group are well placed to 
manage their business risks and to continue in operational existence 
for a period of at least three years from the date of the approval of the 
financial statements. Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the 
going concern basis (in accordance with the guidance ‘Going Concern 
and Liquidity Risk: Guidance for Directors of UK Companies 2009’ 
issued by the FRC) in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

There have been no new accounting pronouncements impacting the 
Group in 2015.

A number of new standards, amendments to standards and 
interpretations are effective for the Group’s annual periods beginning 
on or after 1 January 2016, and have not been applied in preparing 
these consolidated accounts. With the exception of the new leasing 
standard IFRS 16 Leases, which was issued on 13 January 2016 and will 
become effective from 1 January 2019, for which the extent of the 
impact is still being determined, none of these are expected to have a 
significant effect on the consolidated accounts of the Group.

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

1.1 Consolidation
The Group accounts include the accounts of Smith & Nephew plc and 
its subsidiaries for the periods during which they were members of 
the Group.

Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an 
entity when it is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its 
involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns 
through its power over the entity. Subsidiaries are consolidated in the 
Group accounts from the date that the Group obtains control, and 
continue to be consolidated until the date that such control ceases. 
Intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised income and 
expenses arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated on 
consolidation. All subsidiaries have year ends which are co-terminus 
with the Groups, with the exception of jurisdictions whereby a different 
year end is required by local legislation.

When the Group loses control over a subsidiary, it derecognises the 
assets and liabilities of the subsidiary and any related components 
of equity. Any resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss. 
Any retained interest in the former subsidiary is measured at fair value.

1.2 Foreign currencies
Functional and presentation currency
The Group accounts are presented in US Dollars, which is the 
Company’s functional currency.

Foreign currency transactions
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective 
functional currencies of Group companies at exchange rates at the 
dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated 
in foreign currencies are retranslated to the functional currency as at the 
exchange rate at the reporting date. Non-monetary items are 
not retranslated.

Foreign operations
Balance sheet items of foreign operations, including goodwill and fair 
value adjustments arising on acquisition are translated into US Dollars 
on consolidation at the exchange rates at the reporting date. 
Income statement items and the cash flows of foreign operations are 
translated at average rates as an approximation to actual transaction 
rates, with actual transaction rates used for large one off transactions.

Foreign currency differences are recognised in Other comprehensive 
income and accumulated in ‘Other reserves’ within equity. 
These include: exchange differences on the translation at closing rates 
of exchange of non-US Dollar opening net assets; the differences 
arising between the translation of profits into US Dollars at actual 
(or average, as an approximation) and closing exchange rates; to the 
extent that the hedging relationship is effective, the difference on 
translation of foreign currency borrowings or swaps that are used to 
finance or hedge the Group’s net investments in foreign operations; and 
the movement in the fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts 
used to hedge forecast foreign exchange cash flows.

The exchange rates used for the translation of currencies into US 
Dollars that have the most significant impact on the Group results were:

Average rates 
Sterling
Euro
Swiss Franc
Renminbi
Year end rates
Sterling
Euro
Swiss Franc
Renminbi

2015

2014

2013

1.53
1.11
1.04
0.16

1.48
1.09
1.00
0.15

1.65
1.33
1.09
0.16

1.56
1.21
1.01
0.16

1.56
1.33
1.08
0.16

1.66
1.38
1.12
0.17

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

2 Business segment information
The Group has historically reported two operating segments, Advanced Surgical Devices (‘ASD’) and Advanced Wound Management (‘AWM’). 
On 1 January 2015, the Group completed its transition to a new commercial organisational structure as part of the Group Optimisation programme. 
The resultant effect of these restructuring activities is that the Group is now engaged in a single business activity, being the development, 
manufacture and sales of medical technology products and services.

Development, manufacturing, supply chain and central functions are managed globally for the Group as a whole. Sales are managed through six 
geographical selling regions, with each having a president who is responsible for the commercial review of that region. The Commercial Operations 
team (‘CommOps’), comprises geographical presidents and certain heads of function and is chaired by the Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’). 
CommOps is the body through which the CEO uses the authority delegated to him by the Board of Directors to manage the operations and 
performance of the Group. All significant operating decisions regarding the allocation and prioritisation of the Group’s resources and assessment 
of the Group’s performance are made by CommOps, and whilst the members have individual responsibility for the implementation of decisions 
within their respective areas, it is at the CommOps level that these decisions are made. Accordingly, CommOps is considered to be the Group’s 
Chief Operating Decision Maker (‘CODM’) as defined by IFRS 8 Operating Segments.

In making decisions about the prioritisation and allocation of the Group’s resources, CommOps review financial information on an integrated basis 
for the Group as a whole and determines the best allocation of resources to Group-wide projects. This information is prepared substantially on the 
same basis as the Group’s IFRS financial statements aside from the adjustments described in Note 2.2. In assessing performance, CommOps also 
consider financial information presented on a geographical selling region and product franchise basis for revenue. Financial information for 
corporate and functional costs is presented on a Group-wide basis. 

The types of products and services offered by the Group’s global business segment are as follows:
 − Sports Medicine Joint Repair, which offers surgeons a broad array of instruments, technologies and implants necessary to perform minimally 

invasive surgery of the joints;

 − Arthroscopy Enabling Technologies, which offers healthcare providers a variety of technologies such as fluid management equipment for 

surgical access, high definition cameras, digital image capture, scopes, light sources and monitors to assist with visualisation inside the joints, 
radio frequency wands, electromechanical and mechanical blades, and hand instruments for removing damaged tissue;
 − Trauma & Extremities, consisting of internal and external devices used in the stabilisation of severe fractures and deformity 

correction procedures;

 − Other Surgical Businesses, which includes gynaecological instrumentation as well as various products and technologies to assist in surgical 

treatment of the ear, nose and throat;

 − Knee Implants, which offers an innovative range of products for specialised knee replacement procedures;
 − Hip Implants, which offers a range of specialist products for reconstruction of the hip joint;
 − Advanced Wound Care, which includes products for the treatment of acute and chronic wounds, including leg, diabetic and pressure ulcers, 

burns and post-operative wounds;

 − Advanced Wound Devices, which consists of traditional and single-use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy and hydrosurgery systems; and
 − Advanced Wound Bioactives, which includes biologics and other bioactive technologies that provide unique approaches to debridement and 

dermal repair/regeneration.

The segment information is prepared in conformity with the accounting policies of the Group and the accounting standard IFRS 8 
Operating Segments.

The segment profit measure reported to CommOps for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment is trading profit before interest, and 
related income tax expense and excludes the effects of non-recurring income and expenditure from one-off items as discussed in Note 2.2 below. 
Group financing (including interest receivable and payable) is managed on a net basis outside of the business segment.

The results and other information as required of the single segment are shown below. Segment information from the prior year has been restated 
to conform to the one global segment view, in order to provide more meaningful comparison.

 
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2.1 Revenue by business segment and geography

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Revenue comprises sales of products and services to third parties at amounts invoiced net of trade discounts and rebates, excluding taxes on 
revenue. Revenue from the sale of products is recognised upon transfer to the customer of the significant risks and rewards of ownership. 
This is generally when goods are delivered to customers. There is no significant revenue associated with the provision of discrete services. 
Sales of inventory located at customer premises and available for customers’ immediate use are recognised when notification is received that 
the product has been implanted or used. Appropriate provisions for returns, trade discounts and rebates are deducted from revenue. 
Rebates comprise retrospective volume discounts granted to certain customers on attainment of certain levels of purchases from the Group. 
These are accrued over the course of the arrangement based on estimates of the level of business expected and adjusted at the end of the 
arrangement to reflect actual volumes.

Segment revenue reconciles to statutory revenues and other income from continuing operations as follows:

Reportable segment revenue
Revenue from external customers

The table below shows sales revenue by product type from continuing operations:

2015 
$ million

4,634

2014 
$ million

2013 
$ million

4,617 

4,351 

2015 
$ million

2014 
$ million

2013 
$ million

Sales revenue by product from continuing operations
Sports Medicine Joint Repair 
Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies 
Trauma & Extremities
Other Surgical Businesses
Knee Implants
Hip Implants
Advanced Wound Care
Advanced Wound Bioactives
Advanced Wound Devices
Consolidated sales revenue from continuing operations

606
573
497
205
883
604
755
344
167
4,634

576
542
506
147
873
654
805
322
192
4,617

In presenting information on the basis of geographical segments, segment revenue is based on location of Smith & Nephew businesses:

Geographical segment revenue
United Kingdom
United States of America
Other
Consolidated sales revenue from continuing operations

Major customers
No single customer generates revenue greater than 10% of the consolidated entity’s total revenues.

2015 
$ million

301
2,217
2,116
4,634

2014 
$ million

299 
2,012 
2,306 
4,617 

496
441
486
74
865
653
843
280
213
4,351

2013 
$ million

293 
1,862 
2,196 
4,351 

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

2 Business segment information continued

2.2 Trading and operating profit by business segment
Trading profit is a trend measure which presents the long-term profitability of the Group excluding the impact of specific transactions that 
management considers affects the Group’s short-term profitability. The Group presents this measure to assist investors in their understanding of 
trends. The Group has identified the following items, where material, as those to be excluded from operating profit when arriving at trading profit: 
acquisition and disposal-related items including amortisation of acquisition intangibles and impairments; significant restructuring events; gains and 
losses arising from legal disputes; and significant uninsured losses. Further detail is provided in Notes 3.3, 3.4 and 3.5. Operating profit reconciles 
to trading profit as follows:

Trading profit of the business segment
Acquisition-related costs
Restructuring and rationalisation expenses
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles and impairments
Legal and other
Operating profit of the business segment
Net interest expense/(revenue)
Other finance costs
Share of results of associates
Taxation
Attributable profit for the year of the business segment

2.3 Assets and liabilities by business segment and geography

Reconciliation of assets of the business segment  
to the consolidated group 
Assets of the business segment 
Unallocated corporate assets:

– Deferred tax assets 
– Retirement benefit assets 
– Cash at bank

Total assets of the consolidated group 

Segment assets are based on the location of the assets:

United Kingdom
United States of America
Other
Non-current assets by geographical location1

1 

 Non-current assets excludes retirement benefit assets and deferred tax assets.

2015 
$ million
1,099
(12)
(65)
(204)
(190)
628
(38)
(15)
(16)
(149)
410

2014 
$ million
1,055 
(118)
(61) 
(129)
2 
749 
(22) 
(11)
(2) 
(213) 
501 

2013 
$ million
987 
(31)
(58) 
(88) 
–
810 
4 
(11)
(1) 
(246) 
556

2015 
$ million

2014 
$ million

2013 
$ million

6,929

 7,129 

 5,532 

105
13
120
7,167

2015 
$ million
366
2,982
1,226
4,574

 77 
 7 
 93 
 7,306 

2014 
$ million
 379 
 3,104 
 1,299 
 4,782 

 145 
 5 
 137 
 5,819 

2013 
$ million
 255 
 2,086 
 1,072 
 3,413 

 
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Reconciliation of liabilities of the business segment  
to the consolidated group 
Liabilities of the business segment 
Unallocated corporate liabilities: 

– Long-term borrowings
– Retirement benefit obligations 
– Deferred tax liabilities 
– Bank overdrafts and loans due within one year
– Current tax payable

Total liabilities of the consolidated group 

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment of the business segment
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of acquired intangibles
Amortisation of other intangible assets 
Total depreciation and amortisation 
Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment
Impairment losses acquired intangibles
Impairment reversal on trade investments
Total non-cash items1

1 

Impairments recognised in operating profit, within the administrative expenses line.

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

2015 
$ million

2014 
$ million

2013 
$ million

1,197

1,434
184
77
46
263
3,201 

226
153
66
445
–
51
(3)
493

1,012 

1,666 
233 
98 
39 
218 
3,266 

222 
129 
62 
413 
14 
–
– 
427 

917 

347 
230 
50 
44 
184 
1,772 

209 
88 
64 
361 
–
–
–
361

Segment acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangibles reconciles to that of the consolidated group, and comprises the following: 

Additions to property, plant and equipment
Additions to intangibles 
Capital expenditure (excluding business combinations) 
Trade investments
Acquisitions – Goodwill
Acquisitions – Intangible assets
Acquisitions – Property, plant and equipment 
Capital expenditure 

2015
$ million
303
55
358
2
34
19
6
419

2014
$ million
298 
77 
375 
4 
844 
833 
62 
2,118

2013
$ million
242 
98 
340 
–
53 
53 
5 
451

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

3 Operating profit

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Research and development
Research expenditure is expensed as incurred. Internal development expenditure is only capitalised if the recognition criteria in IAS 38 
Intangible Assets have been satisfied. The Group considers that the regulatory, technical and market uncertainties inherent in the development 
of new products mean that in most cases development costs should not be capitalised as intangible assets until products receive approval from 
the appropriate regulatory body. 

Payments to third parties for research and development projects are accounted for based on the substance of the arrangement. If the 
arrangement represents outsourced research and development activities the payments are generally expensed except in limited circumstances 
where the respective development expenditure would be capitalised under the principles established in IAS 38. By contrast, the payments are 
capitalised if the arrangement represents consideration for the acquisition of intellectual property developed at the risk of the third party. 

Capitalised development expenditures are amortised on a straight-line basis over their useful economic lives from product launch.

Advertising costs
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Revenue
Cost of goods sold1,2
Gross profit
Research and development expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses:

Marketing, selling and distribution expenses
Administrative expenses3,4,5,6

Operating profit

2015  
$ million
4,634
(1,143)
3,491
(222)

(1,735)
(906)
(2,641)
628

2014  
$ million
4,617
(1,162)
3,455
(235)

(1,670)
(801)
(2,471)
749

1  2015 includes $nil of restructuring and rationalisation expenses (2014 – $12m, 2013 – $12m).
2  2015 includes $nil of acquisition-related costs (2014 – $23m, 2013 – $5m).
3  2015 includes $66m of amortisation of software and other intangible assets (2014 – $62m, 2013 – $64m).
4  2015 includes $65m of restructuring and rationalisation expenses and $204m of amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles (2014 – $49m of restructuring and 
rationalisation expenses and $129m of amortisation of acquisition intangibles, 2013 – $46m of restructuring and rationalisation expenses and $88m of amortisation of 
acquisition intangibles).

5  2015 includes $190m relating to legal and other exceptionals (2014 – $2m, 2013 – $nil).
6  2015 includes $12m of acquisition-related costs (2014 – $95m, 2013 – $26m).

Note that items detailed in 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 are excluded from the calculation of trading profit.

Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting) the following items:

Other operating income
Amortisation of intangibles
Impairment of intangible assets
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
Operating lease payments for land and buildings
Operating lease payments for other assets
Advertising costs

2015  
$ million
(41)
219
51
226
15
37
20
91

2014  
$ million
(9)
191
–
222
25
38
18
96

Other operating income primarily relates to a net gain relating to patent litigation as discussed in Note 3.5.

2013  
$ million
4,351 
(1,100)
3,251 
(231)

(1,535)
(675)
(2,210)
810 

2013  
$ million
–
152 
– 
209 
23 
32 
19 
91 

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

3.1 Staff costs and employee numbers
Staff costs during the year amounted to:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs (including retirement healthcare)
Share-based payments

Notes

18
23

2015  
$ million
1,193
135
58
30
1,416

2014  
$ million
1,237
127
17
32
1,413

2013  
$ million
998 
106 
72 
28 
1,204 

During the year ended 31 December 2015, the average number of employees was 14,686 (2014 – 13,469, 2013 – 11,036).

3.2 Audit Fees – information about the nature and cost of services provided by auditors

Audit services: 

Group accounts
Local statutory audit pursuant to legislation

Other services: 

Non-audit services

Taxation services:

Compliance services
Advisory services

Total auditors’ remuneration
Arising:

In the UK
Outside the UK

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

2013  
$ million

2
2

1

–
–
5

2
3
5

2
1

–

1
1
5

3
2
5

1 
2 

–

2 
1 
6 

3 
3 
6 

Audit fees for the current year are those relating to KPMG LLP, the Group’s auditors. In 2014 and 2013, fees relate to EY LLP, the Group’s 
former auditors.

3.3 Acquisition-related costs
Acquisition-related costs of $12m (2014 – $118m, 2013 – $31m) were incurred within operating profit in the 12-month period to 31 December 2015. 
These costs relate to ongoing ArthroCare integration.

3.4 Restructuring and rationalisation expenses
Restructuring and rationalisation costs of $65m (2014 – $61m, 2013 – $58m) were incurred in the 12-month period to 31 December 2015. 
These costs primarily relate to the ongoing implementation of the Group Optimisation plan that was announced in May 2014. 

3.5 Legal and other 
The legal and other costs within operating profit of $190m (2014 – $2m credit, 2013 – $nil). The net charge primarily relates to $203m for known, 
anticipated and settled metal-on-metal hip claims and $21m for associated legal expenses. This was offset by a net gain of $33m relating to patent 
litigation with Arthrex and past service and curtailment gains of $19m arising on US and UK post-retirement benefits. In addition, a total of $18m 
charge primarily relates to final costs relating to the RENASYS distribution hold and redundancies from the decision to cease development of HP802.

 
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4 Interest and other finance costs

4.1 Interest income/(expense)

Interest income
Interest expense:

Bank borrowings
Private placement notes
Other

Net interest (expense)/income

4.2 Other finance costs

Retirement benefit net interest expense
Unwinding of purchase discount
Other
Other finance costs

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

2015  
$ million
11

(9)
(37)
(3)
(49)
(38)

2015  
$ million
(11)
(3)
(1)
(15)

2014  
$ million
13

(19)
(14)
(2)
(35)
(22)

2014  
$ million
(10)
–
(1)
(11)

2013  
$ million
14 

(8)
–
(2)
(10)
4 

2013  
$ million
(11)
–
–
(11)

Notes
18

The retirement benefit net interest expense includes $2m of fees paid directly by the Group relating to de-risking exercises carried out in the UK.

Foreign exchange gains or losses arose primarily on the translation of intercompany and third party borrowings and amounted to a net $11m gain in 
2015 (2014 – net $21m gain, 2013 – net $1m gain). These amounts were fully matched by the fair value gains or losses on currency swaps held to 
manage this currency risk.

5 Taxation

ACCOUNTING POLICY

The charge for current taxation is based on the results for the year as adjusted for items which are non-assessable or disallowed. It is calculated 
using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.

The Group operates in multiple tax jurisdictions around the world and records provisions for taxation liabilities and tax audits when it is 
considered probable that a tax charge will arise and the amount can be reliably estimated. Although Group policy is to submit its tax returns to 
the relevant tax authorities as promptly as possible, at any time the Group has years outstanding and is involved in disputes and tax audits. 
Significant issues may take many years to resolve. In estimating the probability and amount of any tax charge, management takes into account 
the views of internal and external advisers and updates the amount of the provision whenever necessary. The ultimate tax liability may differ 
from the amount provided depending on interpretations of tax law, settlement negotiations or changes in legislation.

Deferred tax is recognised in respect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting 
purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. 

Deferred tax is not recognised for: temporary differences related to investments in subsidiaries and associates where the Group is able to 
control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that this will not reverse in the foreseeable future; on the initial 
recognition of non-deductible goodwill; and on the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination 
and that, at the time of the transaction, does not affect the accounting or taxable profit.

Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be used. 
Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date. 

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis, and at the tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date 
that are expected to apply in the periods in which the asset or liability is settled. It is recognised in the income statement except when it relates 
to items credited or charged directly to other comprehensive income or equity, in which case the deferred tax is also recognised within other 
comprehensive income or equity respectively.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority, when the Group intends to 
settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis and that authority permits the Group to make a single net payment.

 
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5.1 Taxation charge attributable to the Group

Current taxation:
UK corporation tax at 20.3% (2014 – 21.5%, 2013 – 23.3%)
Overseas tax
Current income tax charge
Adjustments in respect of prior periods
Total current taxation
Deferred taxation:
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
Changes in tax rates
Adjustments to estimated amounts arising in prior periods
Total deferred taxation
Total taxation as per the income statement
Taxation in other comprehensive income
Taxation in equity
Taxation attributable to the Group

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

2013  
$ million

31
219
250
(56)
194

(73)
(3)
31
(45)
149
(10)
(5)
134

39
235
274
(6)
268

(52)
–
(3)
(55)
213
(19)
–
194

50 
229 
279 
(5)
274 

(23)
(4)
(1)
(28)
246 
16 
(3)
259 

The 2015 prior period current taxation adjustments mainly relate to a reclassification from current to deferred taxation together with releases of 
provisions after settlement with tax authorities or the expiry of statute of limitations and tax accrual to tax return adjustments. The 2015 prior period 
deferred taxation adjustments mainly relate to a reclassification from current to deferred taxation and tax accrual to tax return adjustments.

The tax charge was reduced by $130m (2014 – $71m reduction and 2013 – $40m reduction) as a consequence of acquisition-related costs, 
restructuring and rationalisation costs, amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles, and legal and other.

Factors affecting future tax charges
The Group operates in numerous tax jurisdictions around the world and is subject to factors that may affect future tax charges, including tax rate 
changes, tax legislation changes and resolution of tax audits and disputes. At any given time the Group has years outstanding in various countries 
and is involved in tax audits and disputes, some of which may take several years to resolve. The ultimate tax liability may differ from the amount 
provided depending on interpretations of tax law, settlement negotiations or changes in legislation.

In 2015, the UK Government enacted legislation to reduce the main rate of UK statutory corporation tax to 19.0% from 1 April 2017 and 18.0% from 
1 April 2020.

The UK standard rate of corporation tax for 2015 is 20.3% (2014 – 21.5%, 2013 – 23.3%). Overseas taxation is calculated at the rates prevailing in the 
respective jurisdictions. The reported tax rate differs from the UK standard rate as follows:

UK standard rate
Non-deductible/non-taxable items
Prior year items
Tax losses incurred not relieved
Overseas income taxed at other than UK standard rate
Reported tax rate

2015  
%
20.3
1.1
(4.5)
2.0
7.8
26.7

2014  
%
21.5
0.5
(1.2)
1.6
7.5
29.9

2013  
%
23.3 
(1.0)
(0.5)
0.9 
7.8 
30.5 

 
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5 Taxation continued

5.2 Deferred taxation
Movements in the main components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

Accelerated  
tax  
deprecation  
$ million
(91)
2
18
1
–
–
(70)
(1)
(1)
4
6
–
–
–
–
(62)

Intangibles  
$ million
(22)
1
16
(1)
–
(220)
(226)
7
(53)
41
9
–
–
2
(3)
(223)

Retirement  
benefit  
obligation  
$ million
68
(2)
(18)
–
22
–
70
(1)
(19)
(19)
(1)
9
–
–
–
39

Macrotexture  
$ million
52
–
–
–
–
–
52
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
52

At 1 January 2014
Exchange adjustment
Movement in income statement – current year
Movement in income statement – prior years
Movement in other comprehensive income
Acquisitions
At 31 December 2014
Exchange adjustment
Reclassifications
Movement in income statement – current year
Movement in income statement – prior years
Movement in other comprehensive income
Movement in equity
Changes in UK tax rate
Acquisitions
At 31 December 2015

Represented by:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Net position at 31 December

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

Inventory,  
provisions  
and other  
differences  
$ million
88
(10)
36
3
(3)
39
153
(7)
73
47
(45)
1
(1)
1
–
222

2015  
$ million
105
(77)
28

Total  
$ million
95
(9)
52
3
19
(181)
(21)
(2)
–
73
(31)
10
(1)
3
(3)
28

2014  
$ million
77
(98)
(21)

During the year, the classification of deferred tax balances were revisited resulting in some reclassifications. There was no change in the deferred 
tax asset or liability balance.

The Group has unused gross tax losses of $125m (2014 – $92m) available for offset against future profits. A deferred tax asset has been 
recognised in respect of $29m (2014 – $47m) of these losses. No deferred tax asset has been recognised on the remaining unused tax losses 
as they are not expected to be realised in the foreseeable future. The aggregate amount of temporary differences in respect of investments in 
subsidiaries and associates for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised is approximately $467m (2014 – $449m).

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

6 Earnings per ordinary share

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to equity holders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in 
issue during the year, excluding shares held by the Company in the Employees’ Share Trust or as treasury shares.

Diluted earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the basic earnings per share for the effect of conversion to ordinary shares associated with 
dilutive potential ordinary shares, which comprise share options and awards granted to employees.

Adjusted earnings per share
Adjusted earnings per share is a trend measure, which presents the long-term profitability of the Group excluding the impact of specific 
transactions that management considers affects the Group’s short-term profitability. The Group presents this measure to assist investors in their 
understanding of trends. Adjusted attributable profit is the numerator used for this measure. The Group has identified the following items as 
those to be excluded when arriving at adjusted attributable profit: acquisitions and disposals related items including amortisation of acquisition 
intangible assets and impairments; significant restructuring events; significant gains and losses arising from legal disputes and significant 
uninsured losses; and taxation thereon. 

The calculations of the basic, diluted and adjusted earnings per ordinary share are based on the following attributable profit and numbers 
of shares:

Earnings
Attributable profit for the year
Adjusted attributable profit (see below)

Attributable profit is reconciled to adjusted attributable profit as follows:

Attributable profit for the year
Acquisition-related costs1
Restructuring and rationalisation expenses
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles and impairments
Legal and other2
Taxation on excluded items
Adjusted attributable profit

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

2013  
$ million

410
761

2015  
$ million
410
25
65
204
187
(130)
761

501
743

2014  
$ million
501
125
61
129
(2)
(71)
743

556 
693 

2013  
$ million
556 
31 
58 
88 
– 
(40)
693 

Notes

3
9

5

1 

 Acquisition-related costs include $12m within operating profits (refer to Note 3.3), a $2m interest charge relating to ArthroCare financing and an $11m share of deferred consideration 
fair value adjustments in associates. 

2   Legal and other costs include $190m within operating profits (refer to Note 3.5) and a $3m net interest credit. 

The numerators used for basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share are the same. The denominators used for all categories of earnings for 
basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share are as follows:

Number of shares (millions)
Basic weighted number of shares
Dilutive impact of share options outstanding
Diluted weighted average number of shares
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic
Diluted
Adjusted: Basic
Adjusted: Diluted

2015 

894
5
899

45.9¢
45.6¢
85.1¢
84.6¢

2014 

893
6
899

56.1¢
55.7¢
83.2¢
82.6¢

2013 

901 
5 
906 

61.7¢ 
61.4¢ 
76.9¢ 
76.5¢ 

There were nil share options which were not included in the diluted EPS calculation because they were non-dilutive in the period (2014 – nil, 
2013 – 0.5m).

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

7 Property, plant and equipment

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Property, plant and equipment
Items of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses.

Depreciation is calculated to write off the cost of items of property, plant and equipment less their estimated residual values using the straight-
line method over their estimated useful lives, and is generally recognised in profit or loss. Leased assets are depreciated over the shorter of the 
lease term and their useful lives unless it is reasonably certain that the Group will obtain ownership by the end of the lease term. Freehold land 
is not depreciated. The estimated useful lives of items of property, plant and equipment is 3–20 years and for buildings is 20–50 years. 

Assets in course of construction are not depreciated until they are available for use.

Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate. 

Finance costs relating to the purchase or construction of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets that take longer than one year to 
complete are capitalised based on the Group weighted average borrowing costs. All other finance costs are expensed as incurred.

Impairment of assets
The carrying values of property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the 
carrying value may be impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent 
of impairment loss. Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable 
amount of the cash-generating unit to which it belongs.

An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or cash-generating unit’s fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-use. In assessing 
value-in-use, its estimated future cash flow is discounted to its present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current market 
assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

Cost
At 1 January 2014
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposal of business
Disposals
Transfers
At 31 December 2014
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
Transfers
At 31 December 2015
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2014
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposal of business
Disposals
At 31 December 2014
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2015
Net book amounts
At 31 December 2015
At 31 December 2014

Land and buildings

Plant and equipment

Notes

Freehold  
$ million

Leasehold  
$ million

Instruments  
$ million

Other  
$ million

Assets in  
course of 
construction  
$ million

Total  
$ million

21

21

143
(4)
11
–
–
(2)
1
149
(3)
–
4
(1)
5
154

43
(2)
5
–
–
(1)
45
(1)
5
(1)
48

106
104

53
(1)
4
–
–
(3)
1
54
(1)
–
1
(1)
5
58

31
–
4
–
–
(3)
32
–
4
(1)
35

23
22

1,065
(68)
9
158
–
(108)
4
1,060
(63)
6
152
(113)
–
1,042

764
(50)
137
–
–
(107)
744
(43)
137
(106)
732

310
316

938
(35)
17
57
(12)
(40)
38
963
(26)
–
78
(47)
35
1,003

625
(24)
76
3
(7)
(36)
637
(19)
80
(43)
655

348
326

80
(2)
21
83
–
(4)
(44)
134
(1)
–
68
–
(45)
156

–
–
–
11
–
–
11
–
–
–
11

145
123

2,279
(110)
62
298
(12)
(157)
–
2,360
(94)
6
303
(162)
–
2,413

1,463
(76)
222
14
(7)
(147)
1,469
(63)
226
(151)
1,481

932
891

Land and buildings includes land with a cost of $19m (2014 – $20m) that is not subject to depreciation. Assets held under finance leases with a net 
book value of $6m (2014 – $8m) are included within land and buildings.

The impairment charge in the prior year relates to certain assets which related to the production of HP802, which the Group decided not 
to continue.

Historically, capital expenditure represents the Group’s expected annual investment in property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets. 
This varies between 6% and 8% (2014 – 6% and 8%) of annual revenue. 

Group capital expenditure relating to property, plant and equipment contracted but not provided for amounted to $20m (2014 – $27m).

The amount of borrowing costs capitalised in 2015 and 2014 was minimal.

 
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8 Goodwill

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Goodwill is not amortised but is reviewed for impairment annually. Goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating unit (‘CGU’) that is expected to 
benefit from the acquisition. The recoverable amount of CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated is tested for impairment annually. The CGUs 
identified by management are at the aggregated product franchise levels of Reconstruction, Other Surgical Devices and Advanced Wound 
Management, in the way the business is managed and the way the core assets are used to generate cash flows.

If the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit is less than its carrying amount then an impairment loss is determined to have occurred. 
Any impairment losses that arise are recognised immediately in the income statement and are allocated first to reduce the carrying amount of 
goodwill and then to the carrying amounts of the other assets of the CGU.

In carrying out impairment reviews of goodwill a number of significant assumptions have to be made when preparing cash flow projections. 
These include the future rate of market growth, discount rates, the market demand for the products acquired, the future profitability of acquired 
businesses or products, levels of reimbursement and success in obtaining regulatory approvals. If actual results should differ, or changes in 
expectations arise, impairment charges may be required which would adversely impact operating results.

Cost
At 1 January
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
At 31 December
Impairment
At 1 January and 31 December
Net book amounts

Notes

21

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

2,027
(49)
34
2,012

–
2,012

1,256
(73)
844
2,027

–
2,027

The Group has historically identified two CGUs, being Advanced Surgical Devices and Advanced Wound Management, and tested the goodwill 
balance for impairment at this level. Following the completion of the Group’s business reorganisation in 2015, management has identified four 
CGUs in applying the provisions of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets: Reconstruction, Other Surgical Devices, Advanced Wound Care & Devices 
and Bioactives.

For the purpose of goodwill impairment testing, the Advanced Wound Care & Devices and Bioactives CGUs have been aggregated (Advanced 
Wound Management), as this is the level at which goodwill is monitored and level at which the economic benefits relating to the goodwill within 
these CGUs is realised.

Goodwill is allocated to the Group’s CGUs as follows:

Reconstruction

Other Surgical Devices
Advanced Wound Management

2015  
$ million
557

1,140
315
2,012

Impairment reviews were performed in September 2015 and 2014 by comparing the recoverable amount of each CGU with its carrying amount, 
including goodwill. These were updated during December, taking into account any significant events that occurred between September 
and December.

For each CGU, the recoverable amounts are based on value-in-use which is calculated from pre-tax cash flow projections for five years using data 
from the Group’s budget and strategic planning process, the results of which are reviewed and approved by the Board. These projections exclude 
any estimated future cash inflows or outflows expected to arise from future restructurings. The five-year period is in-line with the Group’s strategic 
planning process.

In determining the growth rates used in the calculations of the value-in-use, management considered annual revenue growth. Projections are 
based on anticipated volume and value growth in the markets served by the Group and assumptions as to market share movements. Each year 
the projections for the previous year are compared to actual results and variances are factored into the assumptions used in the current year. 
The discount rates used in the value-in-use calculations reflect management’s assessment of risks specific to the assets of each CGU.

8.1 Reconstruction CGU
The sales growth and trading profit margin used in the value-in-use calculation for the Reconstruction CGU reflects management’s distinctive 
orthopaedic reconstruction strategy, which combines cutting edge innovation, disruptive business models and a strong Emerging Markets platform 
to drive outperformance.

Revenue growth rates for the five-year period ranged from 2.1% to 8.6% for the various components of the Reconstruction CGU. The weighted 
average growth rate used to extrapolate the cash flows beyond the five-year period in calculating the terminal value is 5.6%. The pre-tax discount 
rate used in the Reconstruction CGU value-in-use calculation is 10.3%.

 
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8.2 Other Surgical Devices CGU
The value-in-use calculation for the Other Surgical Devices CGU reflects growth rates and trading profit margins consistent with management’s 
strategy to rebalance Smith & Nephew towards higher growth areas such as, for example, Sports Medicine.

Revenue growth rates for the five-year period ranged from 1.2% to 13.5% for the various components of the Other Surgical Devices CGU. 
The weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate the cash flows beyond the five-year period in calculating the terminal value is 5.6%. 
The pre-tax discount rate used in the Other Surgical Devices CGU value-in-use calculation is 10.3%.

8.3 Advanced Wound Management CGU
The aggregated Advanced Wound Management CGU comprises the Advanced Wound Care & Devices and Bioactives CGUs.

In performing the value-in-use calculation for this combined CGU, management considered the Group’s focus across the wound product 
franchises, focusing on widening access to the customer, the higher added value sectors of healing chronic wounds and tissue repair using 
bioactives, and by continuing to improve efficiency.

Revenue growth rates for the five-year period ranged from 3.8% to 20.5% for the various components of the Advanced Wound Management CGU. 
The weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate the cash flows beyond the five-year period in calculating the terminal value is 6.7%. 
The pre-tax discount rate used in the Advanced Wound Management CGU value-in-use calculation is 10.3%.

8.4 Sensitivity to changes in assumptions used in value-in-use calculations
The calculations of value-in-use for the identified CGUs are most sensitive to changes in discount and growth rates. Management’s consideration 
of these sensitivities is set out below:
 − Growth of market and market share – Management has considered the impact of a variance in market growth and market share. The value-in-
use calculations shows that if the assumed long-term growth rates were reduced to nil, the recoverable amount of each CGU would still be 
greater than its carrying value.

 − Discount rate – Management has considered the impact of an increase in the discount rate applied to the value-in-use calculations. 

This sensitivity analysis shows that for the recoverable amount of each CGU to be less than its carrying value, the discount rate would have to be 
increased to 23.2% for the Reconstruction CGU, 28.1% for the Other Surgical Devices CGU and 28.5% for the Advanced Wound Products CGU.

9 Intangible assets

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Intangible assets
Intangible assets acquired separately from a business combination (including purchased patents, know-how, trademarks, licences and 
distribution rights) are initially measured at cost. The cost of intangible assets acquired in a material business combination (referred to as 
acquisition intangibles) is the fair value as at the date of acquisition. Following initial recognition, intangible assets are carried at cost less any 
accumulated amortisation and any accumulated impairment losses. All intangible assets are amortised on a straight-line basis over their 
estimated useful economic lives. The estimated useful economic life of an intangible asset ranges between three and 20 years depending on 
its nature. Internally-generated intangible assets are expensed in the income statement as incurred.

Purchased computer software and certain costs of information technology projects are capitalised as intangible assets. Software that is integral 
to computer hardware is capitalised as plant and equipment.

Impairment of intangible assets
The carrying values of intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may 
be impaired. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of impairment loss. 
Where it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, the Group estimates the recoverable amount of the 
cash-generating unit to which it belongs.

An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or cash-generating unit’s fair value less costs to sell and its value-in-use. In assessing 
value-in-use, its estimated future cash flow is discounted to its present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects the current market 
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset.

In carrying out impairment reviews of intangible assets a number of significant assumptions have to be made when preparing cash flow 
projections. These include the future rate of market growth, discount rates, the market demand for the products acquired, the future profitability 
of acquired businesses or products, levels of reimbursement and success in obtaining regulatory approvals. If actual results should differ, 
or changes in expectations should arise, impairment charges may be required which would adversely impact operating results.

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

Technology  
$ million

Product- 
related  
$ million

Customer and 
Distribution  
related  
$ million

Software 
$ million

Total  
$ million

9 Intangible assets continued

Cost
At 1 January 2014
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2014
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions1
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2015
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2014
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2014
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year – amortisation
Charge for the year – impairment
Disposals
At 31 December 2015
Net book amounts
At 31 December 2015
At 31 December 2014

7
–
237
–
–
244
(9)
–
–
–
235

3
–
7
–
10
–
11
–
–
21

214
234

1,319
(42)
584
23
–
1,884
(31)
–
17
(6)
1,864

455
(29)
138
–
564
(11)
159
51
(4)
759

1,105
1,320

103
(4)
9
5
–
113
(13)
19
–
–
119

42
–
15
–
57
(3)
15
–
–
69

50
56

229
(11)
3
49
(3)
267
(8)
–
38
(8)
289

104
(3)
31
(2)
130
(2)
34
–
(6)
156

133
137

2015
$ million
11
188
5
204

1,658
(57)
833
77
(3)
2,508
(61)
19
55
(14)
2,507

604
(32)
191
(2)
761
(16)
219
51
(10)
1,005

1,502
1,747

2014
$ million
7
117
5
129

1  This balance relates to customer relationships acquired with the purchase of distributors in Colombia and Russia. 

Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles is set out below:

Technology
Product-related
Customer and Distribution related
Total

Group capital expenditure relating to software contracted but not provided for amounted to $4m (2014 – $7m).

The carrying values of intangible assets are considered for indicators of impairment and where an indicator, such as declining revenues, is present 
a full impairment review comparing value in use to carrying value is performed.

Two product-related intangible assets were determined to have value in use below carrying value, resulting in an impairment charge being 
recognised. The impairment charge primarily relates to $40m from Oasis, calculated using a discount rate of 11.2% (2014 – 10.2%), a product right 
acquired with the Healthpoint acquisition in 2012. During the year, continued reimbursement pressure has resulted in revenues not increasing at 
the previously expected rate. The remaining carrying value of $45m is supported by the present value of anticipated future cash flows.

 
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GROUP ACCOUNTS

10 Investments

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Investments, other than those related to associates, are initially recorded at fair value plus any directly attributable transaction costs on the trade 
date. The Group has an investments in an entity that holds mainly unquoted equity securities, which by their nature have no fixed maturity date 
or coupon rate. These investments are classed as ‘available-for-sale’ carried at fair value. The fair value of these investments are based on the 
underlying fair value of the equity securities: marketable securities are valued by reference to closing prices in the market; and non-marketable 
securities are estimated considering factors including the purchase price; prices of recent significant private placements of securities of the 
same issuer and estimates of liquidation value. Changes in fair value are recognised in other comprehensive income except where 
management considers that there is objective evidence of an impairment of the underlying equity securities. Objective evidence would 
include a significant or prolonged decline in the fair value of the investment below its cost less any impairment loss previously recognised. 
Impairment losses are recognised by reclassifying the losses accumulated in other reserves to profit or loss. 

At 1 January
Additions
Changes in value1
Transfer from investments in associates
Distributions
At 31 December

1  Change in value in 2015 relates to the reversal of impairment recognised in prior years.

11 Investments in associates

ACCOUNTING POLICY

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

5
2
3
6
(3)
13

2
4
–
–
(1)
5

Investments in associates, being those entities over which the Group has a significant influence and which is neither a subsidiary nor a 
joint venture, are accounted for using the equity method, with the Group recording its share of the associates’ profit and loss and other 
comprehensive income. The Group’s share of associates’ profit or loss is included in one separate income statement line and is calculated 
after deduction of their respective taxes. 

At 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014, the Group holds 49% of Bioventus LLC (‘Bioventus’). Bioventus is a limited liability company operating 
as a partnership. The Company’s headquarters is located in Durham, North Carolina, US. Bioventus focuses its medical product development 
around its core competencies of orthobiologic therapies and orthopaedic diagnostics from which it develops and markets clinically proven 
orthopaedic therapies and diagnostic tools, including osteoarthritis pain treatments, bone growth stimulators and ultrasound devices. 
Bioventus sells bone stimulation devices and is a provider of osteoarthritis injection therapies. The loss after taxation recognised in the income 
statement relating to Bioventus was $18m (2014 – loss after taxation $2m). Of this loss, $11m relates to a change in the acquisition fair value of the 
OsteoAMP liability.

In November 2015, the Group contributed $25m of capital to Bioventus as part of a rights issue, following which the Group’s shareholding in 
Bioventus remained at 49%. The rights issue was to fund the acquisition of Biostructures LLC, a leading medical device company focused on 
developing bioresorbable bone graft products for a broad range of spinal and orthopaedic fusion procedures.

The carrying amount of this investment was reviewed for impairment as at the balance sheet date. For the purposes of impairment testing the 
recoverable amount of this investment was based on its fair value less cost to sell, estimated using discounted cash flows. The fair value 
measurement was categorised as a level 3 fair value based on the inputs and valuation technique used.

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet and income statement for associates are as follows:

Balance sheet
Income statement loss

2015  
$ million
115
(16)

2014  
$ million
112
(2)

 
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11 Investments in associates continued

Summarised financial information for significant associates
Set out below is the summarised financial information for Bioventus, adjusted for differences with Group accounting policies:

Summarised balance sheet
Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities
Net assets
Group’s share of net assets at 49%
Group adjustments1
Group’s carrying amount of investment at 49%

Summarised statement of comprehensive income
Revenue
Attributable loss for the year
Group adjustments1
Total comprehensive loss
Group share of loss for the year at 49%

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

389
93
(235)
(80)
167
82
30
112

339
90
(220)
(48)
161
79
26
105

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

256
(41)
5
(36)
(18)

242
(11)
6
(5)
(2)

1  Group adjustments primarily relate to an adjustment to align the useful life of intangible assets with Group policy.

At December 2015, the Group held an equity investment in one other associate (2014 – two) with a carrying value of $3m (2014 – $7m). 
The Group’s other associate was re-classified to an investment during the year.

12 Inventories

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Finished goods and work-in-progress are valued at factory cost, including appropriate overheads, on a first-in first-out basis. Raw materials and 
bought-in finished goods are valued at purchase price. All inventories are reduced to net realisable value where lower than cost. 
Inventory acquired as part of a business acquisition is valued at selling price less costs of disposal and a profit allowance for selling efforts.

Orthopaedic instruments are generally not sold but provided to customers and distributors for use in surgery. They are recorded as inventory 
until they are deployed at which point they are transferred to plant and equipment and depreciated over their useful economic lives of between 
three and five years.

A feature of the orthopaedic business is the high level of product inventory required, some of which is located at customer premises and is 
available for customers’ immediate use (referred to as consignment inventory). Complete sets of product, including large and small sizes, have to 
be made available in this way. These outer sizes are used less frequently than standard sizes and towards the end of the product life cycle are 
inevitably in excess of requirements. Adjustments to carrying value are therefore required to be made to orthopaedic inventory to anticipate this 
situation. These adjustments are calculated in accordance with a formula based on levels of inventory compared with historical or forecast 
usage. This formula is applied on an individual product line basis and is first applied when a product group has been on the market for two 
years. This method of calculation is considered appropriate based on experience but it involves management judgements on effectiveness of 
inventory deployment, length of product lives, phase-out of old products and efficiency of manufacturing planning systems.

Raw materials and consumables
Work-in-progress
Finished goods and goods for resale

2015  
$ million
205
84
928
1,217

2014  
$ million
214
82
885
1,181

2013  
$ million
151 
72 
783 
1,006 

Reserves for excess and obsolete inventories were $322m (2014 – $317m, 2013 – $354m). The increase in reserves of $5m in the year comprised 
$17m charged to the reserve on the write-down of inventory and $3m attributable to business combinations during the year, partially offset by 
foreign exchange movements of $15m.

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of goods sold amounted to $961m (2014 – $1,013m, 2013 – $958m). 
In addition, $73m was recognised as an expense within cost of goods sold resulting from inventory write-offs (2014 – $55m, 2013 – $73m). 

Notwithstanding inventory acquired within acquisitions, no inventory is carried at fair value less costs to sell in any year.

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

13 Trade and other receivables

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Trade and other receivables are carried at amortised cost, less any allowances for uncollectible amounts. They are included in current assets, 
except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date. These are classified as non-current assets.

The Group manages credit risk through credit limits which require authorisation commensurate with the size of the limit and which are regularly 
reviewed. Credit limit decisions are made based on available financial information and the business case. Significant receivables are regularly 
reviewed and monitored at Group level. The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, with exposure spread over a large number of 
customers and geographies. Furthermore, the Group’s principal customers are backed by government and public or private medical insurance 
funding, which historically represent a lower risk of default. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each 
class of receivable. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

Trade receivables
Less: provision for bad and doubtful debts
Trade receivables – net (loans and receivables)
Derivatives – forward foreign exchange & interest rate contracts
Other receivables
Prepayments and accrued income

2015  
$ million
1,003
(64)
939
33
83
83
1,138

2014  
$ million
1,015
(47)
968
49
51
98
1,166

2013  
$ million
992 
(57)
935 
28 
60 
90 
1,113 

Management considers that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to the fair value.

The provision for bad and doubtful debts is based on specific assessments of risk and reference to past default experience. The bad debt 
expense for the year was $25m (2014 –$4m credit, 2013 – $15m expense). Amounts due from insurers in respect of the macro textured claim of 
$144m (2014 – $143m, 2013 – $138m) are included within other receivables and have been provided in full.

The amount of trade receivables that were past due was as follows:

Past due not more than three months
Past due more than three months and not more than six months
Past due more than six months and not more than one year
Past due more than one year

Neither past due nor impaired
Provision for bad and doubtful debts
Trade receivables – net (loans and receivables)

Movements in the provision for bad and doubtful debts were as follows:

At 1 January
Exchange adjustment
Net receivables (provision released)/provided for during the year
Utilisation of provision
At 31 December

Trade receivables include amounts denominated in the following major currencies:

US Dollar
Sterling
Euro
Other
Trade receivables – net (loans and receivables)

2015  
$ million
154
45
57
53
309
694
(64)
939

2015  
$ million
47
(3)
25
(5)
64

2015  
$ million
362
58
192
327
939

2014  
$ million
181
49
51
42
323
692
(47)
968

2014  
$ million
57
(4)
(4)
(2)
47

2014  
$ million
353
92
225
298
968

2013  
$ million
206 
52 
61 
70 
389 
603 
(57)
935 

2013  
$ million
49 
1 
15 
(8)
57 

2013  
$ million
293 
103 
271 
268 
935 

 
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14 Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables due within one year
Trade and other payables
Derivatives – forward foreign exchange and currency swaps
Acquisition consideration

Other payables due after one year
Acquisition consideration
Other payables

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

808
26
8
842

19
10
29

807
21
10
838

23
21
44

The acquisition consideration due after more than one year is expected to be payable as follows: $7m in 2017, $7m in 2018 and $5m in 2019 
(2014 – $5m in 2016, $8m in 2017 and $10m in 2018).

15 Cash and borrowings

15.1 Net debt
Net debt comprises borrowings and credit balances on currency swaps less cash at bank.

Bank overdrafts and loans due within one year
Long-term bank borrowings and finance leases
Private placement notes
Borrowings
Cash at bank
Credit/(debit) balance on derivatives – currency & interest rate swaps
Net debt

Borrowings are repayable as follows:

2015  
$ million
46
308
1,126
1,480
(120)
1
1,361

2014  
$ million
39
541
1,125
1,705
(93)
1
1,613

At 31 December 2015:
Bank loans
Bank overdrafts
Finance lease liabilities
Private placement notes

At 31 December 2014:
Bank loans
Bank overdrafts
Finance lease liabilities
Private placement notes

Within  
one year or  
on demand  
$ million

Between  
one and  
two years  
$ million

Between  
two and  
three years  
$ million

Between  
three and  
four years  
$ million

Between  
four and  
five years  
$ million

After  
five years  
$ million

Total  
$ million

26
18
2
–
46

9
28
2
–
39

–
–
2
–
2

400
–
2
–
402

300
–
3
–
303

–
–
2
–
2

–
–
3
125
128

–
–
3
–
3

–
–
–
–
–

131
–
3
125
259

–
–
–
1,001
1,001

–
–
–
1,000
1,000

326
18
10
1,126
1,480

540
28
12
1,125
1,705

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

15.2 Assets pledged as security
Assets are pledged as security under normal market conditions. Secured borrowings and pledged assets are as follows:

Finance lease liabilities – due within one year
Finance lease liabilities – due after one year
Total amount of secured borrowings
Total net book value of assets pledged as security:
Property, plant and equipment

2015  
$ million
2
8
10

6
6

2014  
$ million
2
10
12

8
8

15.3 Liquidity risk exposures 2015
The Board has established a set of policies to manage funding and currency risks. The Group uses derivative financial instruments only to manage 
the financial risks associated with underlying business activities and their financing.

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group is not able to settle or meet its obligations on time or at a reasonable price. The Group’s policy is to ensure 
that there is sufficient funding and facilities in place to meet foreseeable borrowing requirements. The Group manages and monitors liquidity risk 
through regular reporting of current cash and borrowing balances and periodic preparation and review of short and medium-term cash forecasts, 
having regard to the maturities of investments and borrowing facilities.

The Group has available committed facilities of $2.4bn (2014 – $2.5bn). The interest payable on borrowings under committed facilities is either at 
fixed or floating rates. Floating rates are typically based on the LIBOR (or other reference rate) relevant to the term and currency concerned.

The Company is subject to restrictive covenants under its principal facility agreements. These financial covenants are tested at the end of each 
half year for the 12 months ending on the last day of the testing period. As of 31 December 2015, the Company was in compliance with these 
covenants. The facilities are also subject to customary events of default, none of which are currently anticipated to occur.

The Group’s principal facilities are:

Facility
$300 million bilateral, term loan facility
$1.0 billion syndicated, revolving credit facility 
$80 million 2.47% Senior Notes
$45 million Floating Rate Senior Notes
$75 million 3.23% Senior Notes
$190 million 2.97% Senior Notes
$75 million 3.46% Senior Notes
$50 million 3.15% Senior Notes
$105 million 3.26% Senior Notes
$100 million 3.89% Senior Notes
$305 million 3.36% Senior Notes
$25 million Floating Rate Senior Notes
$75 million 3.99% Senior Notes

Date due
April 2018 
March 2020
November 2019 
November 2019
January 2021
November 2021 
January 2022
November 2022
November 2023
January 2024
November 2024
November 2024
January 2026

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

15 Cash and borrowings continued

15.4 Year end financial liabilities by contractual maturity
The table below analyses the Group’s year end financial liabilities by contractual maturity date, including interest payments and excluding the 
impact of netting arrangements:

At 31 December 2015
Non-derivative financial liabilities:
Bank overdrafts and loans
Trade and other payables
Finance lease liabilities
Private placement notes
Acquisition consideration

Derivative financial liabilities:
Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – outflow
Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – inflow

At 31 December 2014
Non-derivative financial liabilities:
Bank overdrafts and loans
Trade and other payables
Finance lease liabilities
Private placement notes
Acquisition consideration

Derivative financial liabilities:
Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – outflow
Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – inflow

Within one  
year or on  
demand  
$ million

Between  
one and  
two years  
$ million

Between  
two and  
five years  
$ million

After  
five years  
$ million

Total  
$ million

44
808
3
–
8

2,279
(2,277)
865

37
807
3
–
10

1,811
(1,810)
858

–
10
3
–
7

–
–
20

400
21
3
–
13

–
–
437

300
–
6
125
12

–
–
443

131
–
9
125
10

–
–
275

–
–
–
1,001
–

–
–
1,001

–
–
–
1,000
–

–
–
1,000

344
818
12
1,126
27

2,279
(2,277)
2,329

568
828
15
1,125
33

1,811
(1,810)
2,570

The amounts in the tables above are undiscounted cash flows, which differ from the amounts included in the balance sheet where the underlying 
cash flows have been discounted.

15.5 Finance leases

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Leases are classified as finance leases when the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the Group. 
All other leases are classified as operating leases.

The leased assets are measured initially at an amount equal to the lower of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease 
payments. Assets held under finance leases are capitalised as property, plant or equipment and depreciated accordingly. Minimum lease 
payments are apportioned between the finance expense and the reduction in the outstanding liability. The finance expense is allocated to each 
period during the lease term so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability.

 
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NOTES TO THE  
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Future minimum lease payments under finance leases together with the present value of the minimum lease payments are as follows:

Within one year
After one and within two years
After two and within three years
After three and within four years
After four and within five years 
After five years
Total minimum lease payments
Discounted by imputed interest
Present value of minimum lease payments

2015  
$ million
3
3
3
3
–
–
12
(2)
10

2014  
$ million
3
3
3
3
3
–
15
(3)
12

Present value of minimum lease payments can be split out as: $2m (2014 – $2m) due within one year, $8m (2014 – $10m) due between one to five 
years and $nil (2014– $nil) due after five years.

Liquidity and capital resources
The Group’s policy is to ensure that it has sufficient funding and facilities to meet foreseeable borrowing requirements.

At 31 December 2015, the Group held $102m (2014 – $65m, 2013 – $126m) in cash net of bank overdrafts. The Group had committed facilities 
available of $2,425m at 31 December 2015 of which $1,425m was drawn. Smith & Nephew intends to repay the amounts due within one year using 
available cash and drawing down on the longer-term facilities. In addition, the Group has finance lease commitments of $10m.

During the year ended 31 December 2014, the Group refinanced its principal banking facilities. The Group signed a new five-year committed $1bn 
multi-currency revolving credit facility with a maturity date of March 2019. This maturity date has since been extended to March 2020. In April 2015, 
the Group signed a new three year, $300m bilateral term loan with one of its relationship banks. The new term loan has a maturity date of April 
2018. The proceeds of this new loan were used to repay the remaining outstanding amount on the committed term loan used to fund the 
ArthroCare acquisition. 

The principal variations in the Group’s borrowing requirements result from the timing of dividend payments, acquisitions and disposals of 
businesses, timing of capital expenditure and working capital fluctuations. Smith & Nephew believes that its capital expenditure needs and its 
working capital funding for 2016, as well as its other known or expected commitments or liabilities, can be met from its existing resources and 
facilities. The Group’s net debt decreased from $1,613m at the beginning of 2015 to $1,361m at the end of 2015, representing an overall decrease  
of $252m. 

The Group’s planned future contributions are considered adequate to cover the current underfunded position in the Group’s defined benefit plans.

16 Financial instruments and risk management

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Derivative financial instruments
Derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently 
re-measured at their fair value at subsequent balance sheet dates.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges of forecast third party and 
intercompany transactions are recognised in other comprehensive income until the associated asset or liability is recognised. Amounts taken to 
other comprehensive income are transferred to the income statement in the period in which the hedged transaction affects profit and loss. 
Where the hedged item is the cost of a non-financial asset, the amounts taken to other comprehensive income are transferred to the initial 
carrying value of the asset.

Currency swaps to match foreign currency net assets with foreign currency liabilities are fair valued at year end. Changes in the fair values of 
currency swaps that are designated and effective as net investment hedges are matched in other comprehensive income against changes in 
value of the related net assets.

Interest rate derivatives transacted to fix interest rates on floating rate borrowings are accounted for as cash flow hedges and changes in the fair 
values resulting from changes in market interest rates are recognised in other comprehensive income. Amounts taken to other comprehensive 
income are transferred to the income statement when the hedged transaction affects profit and loss.

Interest rate derivatives transacted to convert fixed rate borrowings into floating rate borrowings are accounted for as fair value hedges and 
changes in the fair values resulting from changes in market interest rates are recognised in the income statement.

Any ineffectiveness on hedging instruments and changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge 
accounting are recognised in the income statement within other finance income/(costs) as they arise.

Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge 
accounting. At that point in time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in other comprehensive income is retained 
there until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in 
other comprehensive income is transferred. 

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

16 Financial instruments and risk management continued

16.1 Foreign exchange exposures
The Group operates in over 100 countries and as a consequence has transactional and translational foreign exchange exposure. It is Group policy 
for operating units not to hold material unhedged monetary assets or liabilities other than in their functional currencies.

Foreign exchange variations affect trading results in two ways. Firstly, on translation of overseas sales and profits into US Dollars and secondly, 
transactional exposures arising where some or all of the costs of sale are incurred in a different currency from the sale. The principal transactional 
exposures arise as the proportion of costs in US Dollars, Sterling and Swiss Francs exceed the proportion of sales in each of these currencies and 
correspondingly the proportion of sales in Euros exceeds the proportion of costs in Euros.

The impact of currency movements on the cost of purchases is partly mitigated by the use of forward foreign exchange contracts. The Group uses 
forward foreign exchange contracts, designated as cash flow hedges, to hedge forecast third party and intercompany trading cash flows up to one 
year. When a commitment is entered into, forward foreign exchange contracts are normally used to increase the hedge to 100% of the exposure. 
Cash flows relating to cash flow hedges are expected to occur within 12 months of inception and profits and losses on hedges are expected to 
enter into the determination of profit (within cost of goods sold) within a further 12-month period. The principal currencies hedged by forward foreign 
exchange contracts are US Dollars, Euros and Sterling. At 31 December 2015, the Group had contracted to exchange within one year the equivalent 
of $1.9bn (2014 – $1.5bn). Based on the Group’s net borrowings as at 31 December 2015, if the US Dollar were to weaken against all currencies by 
10%, the Group’s net borrowings would decrease by $1m (2014 – decrease by $6m) as the Group held a higher amount of foreign denominated 
cash than foreign denominated borrowings.

If the US Dollar were to weaken by 10% against all other currencies, then the fair value of the forward foreign exchange contracts as at 31 December 
2015 would have been $42m lower (2014 – $37m). Similarly, if the Euro was to weaken by 10% against all other currencies, then the fair value of the 
forward foreign exchange contracts as at 31 December 2015 would have been $16m higher (2014 – $26m). Movements in the fair value of forward 
foreign exchange contracts would be recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the hedging reserve.

A 10% strengthening of the US Dollar or Euro against all other currencies at 31 December 2015 would have had the equal but opposite effect to the 
amounts shown above, on the basis that all other variables remain constant.

The Group’s policy is to hedge all actual foreign exchange exposures and the Group’s forward foreign exchange contracts are designated as cash 
flow hedges. The net impact of transaction related foreign exchange on the income statement from a movement in exchange rates on the value of 
forward foreign exchange contracts is not significant. In addition, the movements in the fair value of other financial instruments used for hedging 
such as currency swaps for which hedge accounting is not applied, offset movements in the values of assets and liabilities and are recognised 
through the income statement.

16.2 Interest rate exposures
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on cash, borrowings and certain currency and interest rate swaps which are at floating rates. 
When required the Group uses interest rate derivatives to meet its objective of protecting borrowing costs within parameters set by the Board. 
These interest rate derivatives are accounted for as cash flow hedges and, as such, changes in fair value resulting from changes in market interest 
rates are recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in the hedging reserve, with the fair value of the interest rate derivatives 
recorded in the balance sheet.

Additionally, the Group uses interest rate swaps to reduce the overall level of fixed rate debt, within parameters set by the Board. When used in this 
way, interest rate derivatives are accounted for as fair value hedges. The fair value movement of the derivative is offset in the income statement 
against the fair value movement in the underlying fixed rate debt.

Based on the Group’s gross borrowings as at 31 December 2015, if interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points in all currencies then the 
annual net interest charge would increase by $6m (2014 – $6m). A decrease in interest rates by 100 basis points in all currencies would have an 
equal but opposite effect to the amounts shown above.

16.3 Credit risk exposures
The Group limits exposure to credit risk on counterparties used for financial instruments through a system of internal credit limits. The financial 
exposure of a counterparty is determined as the total of cash and deposits, plus the risk on derivative instruments, assessed as the fair value of the 
instrument plus a risk element based on the nominal value and the historic volatility of the market value of the instrument. The Group does not 
anticipate non-performance of counterparties and believes it is not subject to material concentration of credit risk as the Group operates within a 
policy of counterparty limits designed to reduce exposure to any single counterparty.

The maximum credit risk exposure on derivatives at 31 December 2015 was $33m (2014 – $49m), being the total debit fair values on forward 
foreign exchange contracts and currency swaps. The maximum credit risk exposure on cash at bank at 31 December 2015 was $120m (2014 – 
$93m). The Group’s exposure to credit risk is not material as the amounts are held in a wide number of banks in a number of different countries.

Credit risk on trade receivables is detailed in Note 13.

 
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16.4 Currency and interest rate profile of interest bearing liabilities and assets
Short-term debtors and creditors are excluded from the following disclosures.

Currency and interest rate profile of interest bearing liabilities:

At 31 December 2015
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing liabilities
At 31 December 2014
US Dollar
Euro
Other
Total interest bearing liabilities

Gross  
borrowings  
$ million

Currency  
swaps  
$ million

Total  
liabilities  
$ million

Floating  
rate liabilities  
$ million

Fixed rate  
liabilities  
$ million

1,439
41
1,480

1,685
10
10
1,705

310
60
370

208
35
37
280

1,749
101
1,850

1,893
45
47
1,985

884
101
985

826
45
47
918

865
–
865

1,067
–
–
1,067

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

Fixed rate liabilities

Weighted  
average  
interest rate  
%

Weighted  
average time  
for which  
rate is fixed  
Years

3.5
–

3.4
–
–

7.8
–

8.3
–
–

At 31 December 2015, $10m (2014 – $12m) of fixed rate liabilities related to finance leases. In 2015, the Group also had liabilities due for deferred 
acquisition consideration (denominated in US Dollars and Brazilian Real) totalling $27m (2014 – $33m, 2013 – $21m) on which no interest was 
payable (see Note 14). There were no other significant interest bearing financial liabilities.

Floating rates on liabilities are typically based on the one, three or six-month LIBOR (or other reference rate) relevant to the currency concerned. 
The weighted average interest rate on floating rate borrowings as at 31 December 2015 was 2% (2014 – 1%).

Currency and interest rate profile of interest bearing assets:

At 31 December 2015
US Dollars
Other
Total interest bearing assets
At 31 December 2014
US Dollars
Other
Total interest bearing assets

Interest
rate swaps
$ million

Cash
at bank
$ million

Currency  
swaps  
$ million

Total assets 
$ million

Floating
rate assets 
$ million

Fixed  
rate assets  
$ million

1
–
1

–
–
–

72
48
120

13
80
93

55
313
368

79
200
279

128
361
489

92
280
372

127
361
488

92
280
372

1
–
1

–
–
–

Floating rates on assets are typically based on the short-term deposit rates relevant to the currency concerned. There were $1m fixed rate assets at 
31 December 2015 (2014 $nil).

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

16 Financial instruments and risk management continued

16.5 Fair value of financial assets and liabilities

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Measurement of fair values
A number of the Group’s accounting policies and disclosures require the measurement of fair values, for both financial assets and liabilities and 
non-financial assets acquired in a business combination (see Note 21).

When measuring the fair value of an asset or liability, the Group uses market observable data as far as possible. Fair values are categorised into 
different levels in the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as follows: Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in 
active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or 
liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on 
observable data (unobservable inputs).

The Group recognises transfers between the levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period during which the change 
has occurred.

The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities, including their levels in the fair value 
hierarchy. It does not include fair value information for financial assets and financial liabilities not measured at fair value if the carrying amount is a 
reasonable approximation of fair value.

At 31 December 2015
Financial assets measured 
at fair value
Forward foreign exchange 
contracts
Investments
Currency swaps
Interest rate swaps

Financial liabilities measured 
at fair value
Acquisition consideration
Forward foreign exchange 
contracts
Currency swaps
Private placement debt

Financial assets not 
measured at fair value
Trade and other receivables
Cash at bank

Financial liabilities not 
measured at fair value
Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Private placement debt
Finance lease liabilities
Trade and other payables

Designated  
at fair  
value  
$ million

Fair value –  
hedging  
instruments  
$ million

Loans  
and  
receivables  
$ million

Available  
for sale  
$ million

Other  
financial 
liabilities  
$ million

Total  
$ million

Level 2  
$ million

Level 3  
$ million

Total  
$ million

Carrying 
amount

Fair value

–
–
1
–
1

(27)

–
(3)
–
(30)

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

31
–
–
1
32

–

(23)
–
–
(23)

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
(201)
(201)

1,022
120
1,142

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
13
–
–
13

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

(18)
(326)
(925)
(10)
(818)
(2,097)

31
13
1
1
46

(27)

(23)
(3)
(201)
(254)

1,022
120
1,142

(18)
(326)
(925)
(10)
(818)
(2,097)

31
–
1
1
33

–

(23)
(3)
(201)
(227)

–
13
–
–
13

(27)

–
–
–
(27)

31
13
1
1
46

(27)

(23)
(3)
(201)
(254)

(949)

–

(949)

The fair value of the private placement notes is determined using a discounted cash flow model based on prevailing market rates.

 
 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

At 31 December 2014
Financial assets measured 
at fair value
Forward foreign exchange 
contracts
Investments
Currency swaps

Financial liabilities measured 
at fair value
Acquisition consideration
Forward foreign exchange 
contracts
Currency swaps

Financial assets not 
measured at fair value
Trade and other receivables
Cash at bank

Financial liabilities not 
measured at fair value
Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Private placement debt
Finance lease liabilities
Trade and other payables

Designated  
at fair  
value  
$ million

Fair value –  
hedging  
instruments  
$ million

Loans  
and  
receivables  
$ million

Available  
for sale  
$ million

Other  
financial 
liabilities  
$ million

Total  
$ million

Level 2  
$ million

Level 3  
$ million

Total  
$ million

Carrying 
amount

Fair value

–
–
1
1

(33)

–
(2)
(35)

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

48
–
–
48

–

(19)
–
(19)

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

1,019
93
1,112

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
5
–
5

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–
–

(28)
(540)
(1,125)
(12)
(828)
(2,533)

48
5
1
54

(33)

(19)
(2)
(54)

1,019
93
1,112

(28)
(540)
(1,125)
(12)
(828)
(2,533)

48
–
1
49

–

(19)
(2)
(21)

–
5
–
5

(33)

–
–
(33)

48
5
1
54

(33)

(19)
(2)
(54)

(1,144)

–

(1,144)

There has been no change in the classification of financial assets and liabilities, the method and assumptions used in determining fair value and 
the categorisation of financial assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy from those disclosed in the Annual Report for the year ended 
31 December 2014, other than the representation of $98m of prepayments and accrued income which is no longer presented as a financial asset.

The Group enters into derivative financial instruments with financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings. The fair value of forward 
foreign exchange contracts is calculated by reference to quoted market forward exchange rates for contracts with similar maturity profiles. The fair 
value of currency swaps is determined by reference to quoted market spot rates. As a result, foreign forward exchange contracts and currency 
swaps are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. 

The changes in counterparty credit risk had no material effect on the hedge effectiveness for derivatives designated in hedge relationships and 
other financial instruments recognised at fair value.

The fair value of contingent consideration is estimated using a discounted cash flow model. The valuation model considers the present value of 
expected payment, discounted using a risk-adjusted discount rate. The expected payment is determined by considering the possible scenarios, 
which relate to the achievement of established milestones and targets, the amount to be paid under each scenario and the probability of each 
scenario. As a result, contingent consideration is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. 

There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during 2015 and 2014. 

For cash and cash equivalents, short-term loans and receivables, overdrafts and other short-term liabilities which have a maturity of less than three 
months, the book values approximate the fair values because of their short-term nature.

Long-term borrowings are measured in the balance sheet at amortised cost. As the Group’s long-term borrowings are not quoted publicly and as 
market prices are not available, their fair values are estimated by discounting future contractual cash flows to net present values at the current 
market interest rates available to the Group for similar financial instruments as at the year end.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

17 Provisions and contingencies

ACCOUNTING POLICY

In the normal course of business the Group is involved in various legal disputes. Provisions are made for loss contingencies when it is deemed 
probable that an adverse outcome will occur and the amount of the losses can be reasonably estimated. Where the Group is the plaintiff in 
pursuing claims against third parties, legal and associated expenses are charged to the income statement as incurred. 

The recognition of provisions for legal disputes is subject to a significant degree of estimation. In making its estimates management takes into 
account the advice of internal and external legal counsel. Provisions are reviewed regularly and amounts updated where necessary to reflect 
developments in the disputes. The ultimate liability may differ from the amount provided depending on the outcome of court proceedings or 
settlement negotiations or as new facts emerge.

A provision for onerous contracts is recognised when the expected benefits to be derived by the Group from a contract are lower than the 
unavoidable cost of meeting its obligations under the contract. For the purpose of calculating any onerous lease provision, the Group takes the 
discounted future lease payments (if any), net of expected rental income. Before a provision is established, the Group recognises any 
impairment loss on the assets associated with that contract.

A provision for rationalisation is recognised when the Group has approved a detailed and formal restructuring plan, and the restructuring either 
has commenced or has been announced publicly. Future operating losses are not provided for.

17.1 Provisions

At 1 January 2014
Acquisitions
Charge to income statement
Utilised
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2014
Charge to income statement
Utilised
Transfers
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2015
Provisions – due within one year
Provisions – due after one year
At 31 December 2015
Provisions – due within one year
Provisions – due after one year
At 31 December 2014

Rationalisation  
provisions  
$ million
18
–
17
(22)
(1)
12
23
(11)
–
(1)
23
23
–
23
12
–
12

Metal-on-metal
$ million
–
–
–
–
–
–
185
–
–
–
185
63
122
185
–
–
–

Legal and other  
provisions  
$ million
107
24
15
(28)
–
118
18
(31)
15
(2)
118
107
11
118
55
63
118

Total 
$ million
125
24
32
(50)
(1)
130
226
(42)
15
(3)
326
193
133
326
67
63
130

The principal elements within rationalisation provisions relate to the Group Optimisation programme (mainly severance) announced in May 2014 
and people costs associated with the structural and efficiency programme announced in August 2011.

Following the settlement of the majority of US metal-on-metal hip claims (discussed below) the Group has estimated a provision of $185m  
2014 – $nil) relating to the present value at 31 December of the estimated costs to resolve all other known and anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims. 
The estimated value of the provision has been determined using an actuarial model. Given the inherent uncertainty in assumptions relating to 
factors such as the number of claims and outcome the actual costs may differ significantly from this estimate. The provision does not include any 
possible insurance recoveries on these claims or legal fees associated with defending claims. The Group carries considerable product liability 
insurance, and will continue to defend claims vigorously.

Furthermore, for the year to 31 December 2015, included within legal and other provisions are:
 − A provision of $5m (2014: $10m) relating to the RENASYS distribution hold.
 − A provision of $4m (2014: $7m) relating to the HP802 programme which was stopped during the fourth quarter of 2014.

The remaining balance largely represents provisions for various other litigation matters.

All provisions are expected to be substantially utilised within five years of 31 December 2015 and none are treated as financial instruments.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

17.2 Contingencies
The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various legal proceedings, some of which include claims for substantial damages. The outcome 
of these proceedings cannot readily be foreseen, but management believes none of them is likely to result in a material adverse effect on the 
financial position of the Group. The Group provides for outcomes that are deemed to be probable and can be reliably estimated. There is no 
assurance that losses will not exceed provisions or will not have a significant impact on the Group’s results of operations in the period in which 
they are realised.

In August 2003, the Group withdrew voluntarily from all markets the macrotextured versions of its OXINIUM femoral knee components. A charge 
of $154m was recorded in 2004 for anticipated expenses in connection with macrotexture claims. Most of that amount has since been applied to 
settlements of such claims, and almost all have been resolved. The aggregate cost at 31 December 2015 related to this matter is approximately 
$205m. The Group has sought recovery from its primary and excess insurers for costs of resolving the claims. The primary insurance carrier has 
paid $60m in full settlement of its policy liability. However, the excess carriers have denied coverage, citing defences relating to the wording of the 
insurance policies and other matters. In December 2004, the Group brought suit against them in the US district court for the Western District of 
Tennessee, for which a trial has not yet begun. An additional $22m was received during 2007 from a successful settlement with a third party.

17.3 Legal proceedings
Product liability claims
The Group faces claims from time to time for alleged defects in its products and has on occasion recalled or withdrawn products from the market. 
Such claims are endemic to the medical device industry. The Group maintains product liability insurance subject to limits and deductibles that 
management believes are reasonable. All policies contain exclusions and limitations, however, and there can be no assurance that insurance will 
be available or adequate to cover all claims.

In recent years, there has been heightened concern about possible adverse effects of hip implant products with metal-on-metal bearing surfaces, 
and the Group has incurred and will continue to incur expenses to defend claims in this area. As of February 2016, and giving effect to the US 
settlement described below, approximately 718 such claims were pending with the Group around the world, of which 388 had given rise to 
pending legal proceedings. The Group has requested indemnity from its product liability insurers for most of these metal-on-metal hip implant 
claims. Most claims relate to the Group’s Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (‘BHR’) product and its two modular metal-on-metal components: the 
Birmingham Hip Modular Head (‘BHMH’) and the optional metal liner component of the R3 Acetabular System (‘R3ML’). The BHMH and R3ML are 
no longer on the market: the R3ML was withdrawn in 2012 and the BHMH was phased out in 2014. In 2015, the Group ceased offering smaller sizes 
of the BHR and restricted instructions for BHR use in female patients. These actions were taken to ensure that the BHR is only used in those patient 
groups where it continues to demonstrate strong performance. These represent the vast majority of current patients.

In 2015 the Group’s US subsidiary settled the majority of its US metal-on-metal hip lawsuits, without admitting liability. Insurance receipts covered 
more than half of the gross settlement, with the net cash cost being $25 million. These cases had been consolidated in a state court in Memphis, 
Tennessee and principally related to the Group’s modular metal-on-metal hip components, which are no longer on the market. Litigation outcomes 
are difficult to predict and defence costs can be significant. The Group takes care to monitor the clinical evidence relating to its metal hip implant 
products and ensure that its product offerings are designed to serve patients’ interests.

Business practice investigations
Business practices in the healthcare industry are subject to regulation and review by various government authorities. From time to time authorities 
undertake investigations of the Group’s activities to verify compliance. 

In January 2014, before agreeing to be acquired by the Group, ArthroCare announced a settlement of charges by the US Department of Justice 
relating to securities fraud in which certain members of prior management were implicated. ArthroCare paid a $30m fine and signed a deferred 
prosecution agreement that imposed reporting, compliance and other requirements on ArthroCare for a two-year term. That agreement expired 
in January 2016, and the related complaint against ArthroCare was dismissed.

Intellectual property disputes
The Group is engaged, as both plaintiff and defendant, in litigation with various competitors and others over claims of patent infringement and other 
intellectual property matters. These disputes are being heard in courts in the US and other jurisdictions and also before agencies that examine 
patents. Outcomes are rarely certain and costs are often significant. 

The Group won a jury verdict in the US district court for Oregon against Arthrex Inc. in 2011 for infringement of the Group’s patent relating to suture 
anchors. A number of issues have been disputed and appealed since the case was first filed in 2003; Arthrex paid $99m in June 2015, and most 
of that award (net of various expenses) was recognised in the Group’s trading profit at that time. A follow-up trial asserting the same patent against 
additional Arthrex products is in progress in the Oregon court. Arthrex asserted other patents against the Group in 2014 and 2015 in the US district 
court for the Eastern District of Texas. 

Other matters
In April 2009, the Group was served with a subpoena by the US Department of Justice in Massachusetts requiring the production of documents 
from 1995 to 2009 associated with the marketing and sale of a bone growth stimulation product that the Group has since divested. Similar  
subpoenas had been served on a number of competitors in the bone growth stimulator market, and a qui tam or ‘whistle-blower’ complaint had 
been filed in federal court in Boston, Massachusetts. The Group cooperated with the government inquiry, defended the qui tam action, and agreed 
in principle to settle the latter in 2015 without admitting any liability.

 
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GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

18 Retirement benefit obligations

ACCOUNTING POLICY

The Group sponsors defined benefit plans in a number of countries. A defined benefit pension plan defines an amount of pension benefit that 
an employee will receive on retirement, which is dependent on various factors such as age, years of service and final salary. The Group’s 
obligation is calculated separately for each plan by discounting the estimated future benefit that employees have earned in return for their 
service in the current and prior periods. The fair value of any plan assets is deducted to arrive at the net liability.

The calculation of the defined benefit obligation is performed annually by external actuaries using the projected unit credit method.  
Re-measurements arising from defined benefit plans comprise actuarial gains and losses and the return on the plan assets net of the costs 
of managing the plan assets. The Group recognises these immediately in other comprehensive income (‘OCI’) and all other expenses, such as 
service cost, net interest cost, administration costs and taxes, are recognised in the income statement.

A number of key assumptions are made when calculating the fair value of the Group’s defined benefit pension plans. These assumptions 
impact the balance sheet asset and liabilities, operating profit and finance income/costs. The most critical assumptions are the discount rate, 
the rate of inflation and mortality assumptions to be applied to future pension plan liabilities. The discount rate is based on the yield at the 
reporting date on bonds that have a credit rating of AA, denominated in the currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid and have a 
maturity profile approximately the same as the Group’s obligations. In determining these assumptions management take into account the 
advice of professional external actuaries and benchmarks its assumptions against external data.

The Group determines the net interest expense/(income) on the net defined benefit liability/(asset) for the period by applying the discount rate 
used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the annual period to the net defined benefit liability/(asset).

The Group also operates a number of defined contribution plans. A defined contribution plan is a pension plan under which the Group and 
employees pay fixed contributions to a third party financial provider. The Group has no further payment obligations once the contributions have 
been paid. Contributions are recognised as an employee benefit expense when they are due.

18.1 Retirement benefit net (assets)/obligations
The Group’s retirement benefit obligations comprise:

Funded plans:
UK Plan
US Plan
Other plans

Unfunded plans:
Other plans
Retirement healthcare

Amount recognised on the balance sheet – liability
Amount recognised on the balance sheet – asset

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

(7)
56
48
97

44
30

171
184
(13)

16
74
42
132

48
46

226
233
(7)

The Group sponsors pension plans for its employees in 16 countries and these are established under the laws of the relevant country. 
Funded plans are funded by the payment of contributions and the assets are held by separate trust funds or insurance companies. In countries 
where there is no Company-sponsored pension plan, state benefits are considered by management to be adequate. Employees’ retirement 
benefits are the subject of regular management review. The Group’s defined benefit plans provide employees with an entitlement to retirement 
benefits varying between 1.3% and 66.7% of final salary on attainment of retirement age. The level of entitlement is dependent on the years of 
service of the employee.

The Group’s two major defined benefit pension plans are in the UK and US. Both these plans were closed to new employees in 2003 and defined 
contribution plans are offered to new joiners. The US Plan was closed to future accrual in March 2014.

The UK Plan operates under trust law and responsibility for its governance lies with a Board of Trustees. This Board is composed of representatives 
of the Group, plan participants and an independent trustee, who act on behalf of members in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed and 
Rules and relevant legislation. The UK Plan’s assets are held by the trust. Annual increases on benefits in payment are dependent on inflation. 
The main uncertainties affecting the level of benefits payable under the UK Plan are future inflation levels (including the impact of inflation on future 
salary increase) and the actual longevity of the membership. There is no legislative minimum funding requirement in the UK, however the Group 
has agreed with the Board of Trustees to pay a schedule of supplementary payments (see Note 18.8). The Trust Deed of the UK Plan states that any 
surplus is ultimately accessible by the Group as a refund. As a result the Group has recognised a surplus for the UK Plan of $7m in 2015.

The US Plan is governed by a US Pension Committee which is composed of both plan participants and representatives of the Group. In the US, the 
Pension Protection Act (2006) established both a minimum required contribution and a maximum deductible contribution. Failure to contribute at 
least the minimum required amount will subject the Company to significant penalties, and contributions in excess of the maximum deductible have 
negative tax consequences. The minimum funding requirement is intended to fully fund the present value of accrued benefits over seven years.

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

18.2 Reconciliation of benefit obligations and pension assets
The movement in the Group’s pension benefit obligation and pension assets is as follows:

Obligation  
$ million

Asset  
$ million

2015

Total  
$ million

Obligation  
$ million

Asset  
$ million

2014

Total  
$ million

(1,637)

1,411

(226)

(1,581)

1,356

(225)

Amounts recognised on the balance sheet at  
beginning of the period
Income statement expense:
Current service cost
Past service cost
Settlements
Interest (expense)/income
Administration costs and taxes 
Costs recognised in Income statement
Re-measurements:
Actuarial gain due to liability experience
Actuarial (loss)/gain due to financial  
assumptions change
Actuarial loss due to demographic assumptions
Return on plan assets (less than)/greater than discount rate
Re-measurements recognised in OCI
Cash:
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Benefits paid directly by the Group, taxes and administration 
costs paid from scheme assets
Benefits paid
Net cash

Exchange rates
Amount recognised on the balance sheet
Amount recognised on the balance sheet – liability
Amount recognised on the balance sheet – asset

Represented by:

(20)
22
30
(56)
(3)
(27)

17

20
–
–
37

–
(5)

3
52
50

–
–
(32)
50
–
18

–

–
–
(45)
(45)

66
5

–
(55)
16

56
(1,521)
(691)
(830)

(50)
1,350
507
843

(20)
22
(2)
(6)
(3)
(9)

17

20
–
(45)
(8)

66
–

3
(3)
66

6
(171)
(184)
13

(22)
36
71
(67)
(3)
15

5

(179)
(30)
–
(204)

–
(5)

3
51
49

84
(1,637)
(1,611)
(26)

–
–
(60)
60
–
–

–

–
–
110
110

65
5

–
(54)
16

(71)
1,411
1,378
33

(22)
36
11
(7)
(3)
15

5

(179)
(30)
110
(94)

65
–

3
(3)
65

13
(226)
(233)
7

2014

Total  
$ million
(16)
(74)
(136)
(226)

UK Plan
US Plan
Other Plans
Total

Obligation  
$ million
(804)
(460)
(257)
(1,521)

Asset  
$ million
811
404
135
1,350

2015

Total  
$ million
7
(56)
(122)
(171)

Obligation  
$ million
(879)
(482)
(276)
(1,637)

Asset  
$ million
863
408
140
1,411

All benefits are vested at the end of each reporting period. The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation at the end of the 
reporting period is 19 years and 14 years for the UK and US Plans respectively.

 
 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

18 Retirement benefit obligations continued

18.3 Plan assets
The market value of the US, UK and Other Plans assets are as follows:

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

2013  
$ million

UK Plan:
Assets with a quoted market price:
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities
Government bonds – fixed interest
– index linked

Other Bonds
Liability driven investments
Diversified growth funds

Other assets:
Insurance contract
Market value of assets
US Plan:
Assets with a quoted market price:
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities
Government bonds – fixed interest
Corporate bonds
Hedge funds
Market value of assets
Other Plans:
Assets with a quoted market price:
Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities
Government bonds – fixed interest
– index linked

Corporate bonds
Insurance contracts
Property
Other quoted securities

Other assets:
Insurance contracts
Investment property
Market value of assets
Total market value of assets

5
234
–
–
43
171
144
597

214
811

–
166
119
119
–
404

9
35
5
9
13
28
8
1
108

27
–
135
1,350

6
237
–
–
–
227
155
625

238
863

–
167
121
120
–
408

6
33
7
13
12
31
6
3
111

29
–
140
1,411

8
220
61
109
–
–
159
557

248
805

6
181
64
151
15
417

6
32
9
11
13
24
6
3
104

29
1
134
1,356

No plans invest directly in property occupied by the Group or in financial securities issued by the Group.

The US and UK Plan assets are invested in a diversified range of industries across a broad range of geographies. These assets include liability 
matching assets and annuity policies purchased by the trustees of each plan, which aim to match the benefits to be paid to certain members from 
the plan and therefore remove the investment, inflation and demographic risks in relation to those liabilities. 

In December 2014, the low risk asset portfolio held by the UK Plan was transferred into liability driven investments (‘LDI’) in order to maintain the 
same level of hedging against interest rate and inflation risks.

The UK Plan also has an insurance contract with Rothesay Life covering a subset of the UK Plan pensioner liabilities. The terms of this policy 
define that the contract value exactly matches the amount and timing of the pensioner obligations covered by the contract. In accordance with 
IAS19R Employee Benefits, the fair value of the insurance contract is deemed to be the present value of the related obligations which is discounted 
at the AA corporate bond rate.

 
 
 
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NOTES TO THE  
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18.4 Expenses recognised in the income statement
The total expense relating to retirement benefits recognised for the year is $58m (2014 – $17m, 2013 – $72m). Of this cost recognised for the year, 
$49m (2014 – $32m, 2013 – $32m) relates to defined contributions and $9m net expense (2014 – $15m net credit, 2013 – $40m expense) relates to 
defined benefit plans.

The cost charged in respect of the Group’s defined contribution plans represents contributions payable to these plans by the Group at rates 
specified in the rules of the plans. These were charged to operating profit in selling, general and administrative expenses. There were $nil 
outstanding payments as at 31 December 2015 due to be paid over to the plans (2014 – $nil, 2013 – $nil).

The $9m net expense for the year includes a $16m past service cost credit arising from amendments to the US Retirement Healthcare plan and a 
$5m gain arising from benefit options offered to members of the UK Plan, which is detailed under Inflation risk in Note 18.7. 

In 2014, the $15m net credit for defined benefits plans includes a $35m past service cost credit which arose on the closure of the US Plan to future 
accrual and a $11m gain on settlement of benefits as a result of a member buyout.

Defined benefit plan costs comprise service cost which is charged to operating profit in selling, general and administrative expenses and net 
interest cost and administration costs and taxes which are reported as other finance costs. The $3m net interest cost, administration and taxes 
recognised for the UK Plan includes $2m fees paid directly by the Group relating to the de-risking options offered to members in 2015.

The defined benefit pension costs charged for the UK and US Plans are:

Service cost
Past service cost
Settlement gain
Net interest cost, 
administration  
and taxes

UK Plan  
$ million
9
(7)
2

3
7

2015

US Plan  
$ million
–
–
–

4
4

UK Plan  
$ million
10
–
–

3
13

2014

US Plan  
$ million
2
(35)
(11)

3
(41)

UK Plan  
$ million
7
–
–

1
8

2013

US Plan  
$ million
10
–
–

7
17

18.5 Principal actuarial assumptions
The following are the principal financial actuarial assumptions used at the reporting date to determine the UK and US defined benefit obligations 
and expense.

UK Plan:
Discount rate
Future salary increases
Future pension increases
Inflation (RPI)
Inflation (CPI)
US Plan:
Discount rate
Future salary increases
Inflation

2015  
% per annum

2014  
% per annum

2013  
% per annum

3.8
3.6
3.1
3.1
2.1

4.3
n/a
n/a

3.7
3.5
3.0
3.0
2.0

4.0
n/a
n/a

4.4
3.9
3.4
3.4
2.4

4.9
3.0
2.5

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

18 Retirement benefit obligations continued 
Actuarial assumptions regarding future mortality are based on mortality tables. The UK uses the S1NA with projections in line with the CMI 2011 
table and the US uses the RP2014 table with MP2014 scale. The current longevities underlying the values of the obligations in the defined benefit 
plans are as follows:

Life expectancy at age 60
UK Plan:
Males
Females
US Plan:
Males
Females
Life expectancy at age 60 in 20 years’ time
UK Plan:
Males
Females
US Plan:
Males
Females

2015  
years

2014  
years

2013  
years

29.6
31.3

25.8
28.2

32.6
33.4

27.6
29.9

29.4
31.2

26.0
28.5

32.4
33.3

27.8
30.2

29.3
31.1

23.8
25.5

32.2
33.2

23.8
25.5

18.6 Sensitivity analysis
The calculation of the defined benefit obligation is sensitive to the assumptions used. The following table summarises the increase/decrease on 
the UK and US defined benefit obligation and pension costs as a result of reasonably possible changes in some of the assumptions while holding 
all other assumptions consistent. The sensitivity to the inflation assumption change includes corresponding changes to the future salary increases 
and future pension increase assumptions. The analysis does not take into account the full distribution of cash flows expected under the plan.

Changes to the inflation assumption will not have any affect on the US Pension Plan as it was closed to future accrual in 2014.

$ million
UK Plan:
Discount rate
Inflation
Mortality
US Plan:
Discount rate
Inflation
Mortality

Increase in pension obligation

Increase in pension cost

+50bps/+1yr

-50bps/–1yr

+50bps/+1 yr

-50bps/–1yr

–72
+80
+29

–29
n/a
+11

+83
–70
–29

+33
n/a
–11

–4
+4
+1

–1
n/a
–

+4
–3
–1

+1
n/a
–

 
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18.7 Risk
The pension plans expose the Group to the following risks:

Interest rate risk

Inflation risk

Volatility in financial markets can change the calculations of the obligation significantly as the calculation of the 
obligation is linked to yields on AA-rated corporate bonds. A decrease in the bond yield will increase the measure of 
plan liabilities, although this will be partially offset by increases in the value of matching plan assets such as bonds 
and insurance contracts.

In the UK, the liability matching portfolio held in conventional and index-linked gilts was transferred into liability 
driven investments in order to reduce interest rate risk.

The UK Plan is linked to inflation. A high rate of inflation will lead to a higher liability. This risk is managed by holding 
inflation-linked bonds and an inflation-linked insurance contract in respect of some of the obligation. In the UK, the 
liability matching portfolio held in conventional and index-linked gilts was transferred into liability driven investments 
in order to reduce inflation risk. 

During 2015, the Trustees of the UK Plan offered eligible retired and deferred members three benefit options which 
would provide them with greater flexibility to manage their final benefit. The three options further minimised the 
exposure of the UK Plan to inflation risk and were:
 − an option to exchange future increases on pension benefits for a higher level of pension with no increases;
 − an option to take a transfer and draw their pension in a more flexible form; and
 − an option to take a transfer in excess of a standard cash equivalent transfer which could be taken to another 

pension arrangement. 

The US Plan has been closed to future accrual which eliminates the exposure to this risk.

Investment risk

If the return on plan assets is below the discount rate, all else being equal, there will be an increase in the 
plan deficit.

In the UK, this risk is partially managed by a portfolio of liability matching assets and a bulk annuity, together with a 
dynamic de-risking policy to switch growth assets into liability matching assets over time.

The US Plan has a dynamic de-risking policy to shift plan assets into longer-term stable asset classes. The policy 
established 10 pre-determined funded status levels and when each trigger point is reached, the plan assets are 
re-balanced accordingly.

Longevity risk

The present value of the plans defined benefit liability is calculated by reference to the best estimate of the mortality 
of the plan participants both during and after their employment. An increase in the life expectancy of plan 
participants above that assumed will increase the benefit obligation.

The UK Plan, in order to minimise longevity risk, has entered into an insurance contract which covers a portion of 
pensioner obligations. 

The three options offered to members in the UK during 2015 further minimised the exposure to longevity risk (see 
Inflation risk above).

Salary risk

The calculation of the defined benefit obligation uses the future estimated salaries of plan participants. Increases in 
the salary of plan participants above that assumed will increase the benefit obligation.

The exposure to salary risk in the US has been eliminated with the closure of the US Plan to future accrual.

18.8 Funding
A full valuation is performed by actuaries for the Trustees of each plan to determine the level of funding required. Employer contributions rates, 
based on these full valuations, are agreed between the trustees of each plan and the Group. The assumptions used in the funding actuarial 
valuations may differ from those assumptions above.

UK Plan
The most recent full actuarial valuation of the UK Plan is being undertaken as at 30 September 2015. Contributions to the UK Plan in 2015 were 
$37m (2014 – $33m, 2013 – $37m). This included supplementary payments of $29m (2014 – $23m, 2013 – $31m).

The Group has currently agreed to pay supplementary payments until 2017 and the agreed supplementary contribution for 2016 is $29m. A new 
schedule of contributions will be agreed in 2016.

US Plan
Full actuarial valuations were performed annually for the US Plan with the last undertaken as at 20 September 2013 before the closure of the  
Plan to future accrual. Contributions to the US Plan were $20m (2014 – $22m, 2013 – $20m) which included supplementary payments of $20m. 
The planned contribution for 2016 is $20m.

 
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19 Equity

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of ordinary shares, net of any tax effects, are recognised as a deduction from equity.

When shares recognised as equity are repurchased, the amount of the consideration paid, which includes directly attributable costs, net of any 
tax effects, is recognised as a deduction from equity. Repurchased shares are classified as treasury shares and are presented in the treasury 
share reserve. When treasury shares are sold or reissued subsequently, the amount received is recognised as an increase in equity and the 
resulting surplus or deficit on the transaction is presented within share premium.

19.1 Share capital

Authorised
At 31 December 2013
At 31 December 2014
At 31 December 2015
Allotted, issued and fully paid
At 1 January 2013
Share options
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2013

Share options
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2014
Share options
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2015

Ordinary shares (20¢)

Deferred shares (£1.00)

Thousand

$ million

Thousand

$ million

Total 
$ million

1,223,591 
1,223,591
1,223,591

963,580
5,587
(51,000)
918,167

4,180
(4,405)
917,942
1,855
(4,350)
915,447

245 
245
245

193
1
(10)
184

1
(1)
184
–
(1)
183

50 
50
50

50
–
–
50

–
–
50
–
–
50

– 
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

245 
245
245

193
1
(10)
184

1
(1)
184
–
(1)
183

The deferred shares were issued in 2006 in order to comply with English Company law. They are not listed on any stock exchange and have 
extremely limited rights and effectively have no value. These rights are summarised as follows:
 − The holder shall not be entitled to participate in the profits of the Company;
 − The holder shall not have any right to participate in any distribution of the Company’s assets on a winding up or other distribution except that 

after the return of the nominal amount paid up on each share in the capital of the Company of any class other than the deferred shares and the 
distribution of a further $1,000 in respect of each such share there shall be distributed to a holder of a deferred share (for each deferred share 
held by him) an amount equal to the nominal value of the deferred share;

 − The holder shall not be entitled to receive notice, attend, speak or vote at any general meeting of the Company; and
 − The Company may create, allot and issue further shares or reduce or repay the whole or any part of its share capital or other capital reserves 

without obtaining the consent of the holders of the deferred shares.

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to ensure the Group has adequate funds to continue as a going concern and sufficient flexibility 
within the capital structure to fund the ongoing growth of the business and to take advantage of business development opportunities 
including acquisitions.

The Group determines the amount of capital taking into account changes in business risks and future cash requirements. The Group reviews its 
capital structure on an ongoing basis and uses share buy-backs, dividends and the issue of new shares to adjust the retained capital.

The Group considers the capital that it manages to be as follows:

Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Treasury shares
Retained earnings and other reserves

2015 
$ million

183
590
12
(294)
3,475
3,966

2014 
$ million

184
574
11
(315)
3,586
4,040

2013 
$ million

184 
535 
10 
(322)
3,640 
4,047 

 
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19.2 Treasury shares
Treasury shares represents the holding of the Company’s own shares in respect of the Smith & Nephew Employee’s Share Trust and shares 
bought back as part of the share buy-back programme. On 2 May 2013, as part of the new Capital Allocation Framework, the Group announced 
the start of a new share buy-back programme to return $300m of surplus capital to its shareholders. The programme was suspended in February 
2014 following the announcement of the ArthroCare acquisition. Shares issued in connection with the Group’s share incentive plans are bought 
back on a quarterly basis. During 2015, a total of 4.4m ordinary shares (0.5%) had been purchased at a cost of $77m and 4.4m (0.5%) had been 
cancelled. During 2014, a total of 4.4m ordinary shares (0.5%) had been purchased at a cost of $72m and 4.4m ordinary shares (0.5%) had been 
cancelled. The maximum number of ordinary shares held in treasury during 2015 was 25.0m (2.7%) with a nominal value of $5.0m. 

The Smith & Nephew 2004 Employees’ Share Trust (‘Trust’) was established to hold shares relating to the long-term incentive plans referred to in 
the ‘Directors’ Remuneration Report’. The Trust is administered by an independent professional trust company resident in Jersey and is funded by a 
loan from the Company. The cost of the Trust is charged to the income statement as it accrues. A partial dividend waiver is in place in respect of 
those shares held under the long-term incentive plans. The Trust only accepts dividends in respect of nil-cost options and deferred bonus plan 
shares. The waiver represents less than 1% of the total dividends paid.

The movements in Treasury shares and the Employees’ Share Trust are as follows:

At 1 January 2014
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2014
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury

Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2015

At 1 January 2014
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2014
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2015

19.3 Dividends

Treasury  
$ million
318
72
(11)
(8)
(57)
314
77
(58)

(9)
(60)
264

Number  
of shares  
million
25.5
4.4
(0.9)
(0.6)
(4.4)
24.0
4.4
(4.4)
(0.7)
(4.4)
18.9

Employees’  
Share Trust  
$ million
4
3
11
(17)
–
1
–
58

(29)
–
30

Number  
of shares  
million
0.3
0.2
0.9
(1.3)
–
0.1
–
4.4
(2.2)
–
2.3

Total  
$ million
322
75
–
(25)
(57)
315
77
–

(38)
(60)
294

Number  
of shares  
million
25.8
4.6
–
(1.9)
(4.4)
24.1
4.4
–
(2.9)
(4.4)
21.2

The following dividends were declared and paid in the year:
Ordinary final of 18.6¢ for 2014 (2013 – 17.0¢, 2012 – 16.20¢) paid 6 May 2015
Ordinary interim of 11.8¢ for 2015 (2014 – 11.0¢, 2013 – 10.40¢) paid 27 October 2015

2015 
$ million

2014 
$ million

2013 
$ million

166
106
272

152
98
250

146
93
239

A final dividend for 2015 of 19.0 US cents per ordinary share was proposed by the Board on 3 February 2016 and will be paid, subject to 
shareholder approval, on 11 May 2016 to shareholders on the Register of Members on 22 April 2016. The estimated amount of this dividend 
is $170m. 

 
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20 Cash flow statement

ACCOUNTING POLICY

In the Group cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents includes cash at bank, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities 
of three months or less and bank overdrafts. In the Group balance sheet, bank overdrafts are shown within bank overdrafts and loans under 
current liabilities.

Analysis of net debt

At 1 January 2013
Net cash flow
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2013
Net cash flow
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2014
Net cash flow
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2015

Cash  
$ million
178
(38)
(3)
137
(35)
(9)
93
34
(7)
120

Overdrafts  
$ million
(11)
–
–
(11)
(19)
2
(28)
9
1
(18)

Due within  
one year  
$ million
(27)
(6)
–
(33)
22
–
(11)
(17)
–
(28)

Due after  
one year  
$ million
(430)
84
(1)
(347)
(1,322)
3
(1,666)
231
1
(1,434)

Net 
currency swaps  
$ million
2
1
(2)
1
11
(13)
(1)
15
(16)
(2)

Net
 interest swaps
 $ million
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
1
–
1

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt

Net cash flow from cash net of overdrafts
Settlement of currency swaps
Net cash flow from borrowings
Change in net debt from net cash flow
Exchange adjustment
Change in net debt in the year
Opening net debt
Closing net debt

2015 
$ million
43
15
215
273
(21)
252
(1,613)
(1,361)

2014 
$ million
(54)
11
(1,300)
(1,343)
(17)
(1,360)
(253)
(1,613)

Borrowings

Total  
$ million
(288)
41
(6)
(253)
(1,343)
(17)
(1,613)
273
(21)
(1,361)

2013 
$ million
(38)
1 
78 
41 
(6)
35 
(288)
(253)

Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the Group cash flow statement cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2015 comprise cash at bank net of bank overdrafts.

Cash at bank
Bank overdrafts
Cash and cash equivalents

2015 
$ million
120
(18)
102

2014 
$ million
93
(28)
65

2013 
$ million
137
(11)
126

The Group operates in over 100 countries around the world, some of which impose restrictions over cash movement. These restrictions have only a 
minimal impact of the management of the Group’s cash.

 
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21 Acquisitions and disposals

ACCOUNTING POLICY

The Group accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method when control is transferred to the Group. The consideration 
transferred in the acquisition is measured at fair value, as are the identifiable net assets acquired. Any goodwill that arises is tested annually for 
impairment. Any gain on a bargain purchase is recognised in profit or loss immediately. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred, except if 
related to the issue of debt or equity securities.

Any contingent consideration payable is measured at fair value at the acquisition date. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity, 
then it is not re-measured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent 
consideration are recognised in profit or loss.

21.1 Acquisitions
Year ended 31 December 2015
During the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group acquired its distributor in Colombia and its distributor and a manufacturer in Russia. 
The acquisitions are deemed to be business combinations within the scope of IFRS 3 Business Combinations.

The aggregated total estimated fair value of the consideration is $68m and included $23m of contingent consideration and $13m through the 
settlement of working capital commitments. The fair values shown below have been determined on a provisional basis. If new information is 
obtained within the measurement period about facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date, the acquisition accounting will 
be revised.

The following table summarises the aggregate consideration transferred and the aggregate amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at 
the acquisition date:

Aggregate identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Intangible assets
Other assets1
Liabilities
Net assets
Goodwill
Cost of acquisition

1 

Including net cash of $1m.

$ million

19
29
(14)
34
34
68

The provisional aggregated estimate of goodwill arising on the acquisitions is $34m. This is attributable to the additional economic benefits 
expected from the transactions, including the assembled workforces, which have been transferred as part of the acquisitions. The goodwill 
recognised is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

The contribution to revenue and attributable profit from these acquisitions for the year ended 31 December 2015 was immaterial. If the acquisitions 
had occurred at the beginning of the year, their contributions to revenue and attributable profit for the year ended 31 December 2015 would also 
have been immaterial.

Year ended 31 December 2014
Acquisition of ArthroCare
On 29 May 2014, the Group acquired 100% of the shares of ArthroCare Corporation, an innovative medical device company with a highly 
complementary sports medicine portfolio. The purchase price was $48.25 per share, paid in cash with the fair value of the total consideration 
equalling $1,715m. The acquisition was financed through existing debt facilities and cash balances, including an existing $1bn revolving credit 
facility and a new two-year $1.4bn term loan facility, established in February 2014.

The acquisition is deemed to be a business combination within the scope of IFRS 3 Business Combinations. The acquisition accounting was 
completed during 2015. The fair values shown below include measurement period adjustments recognised during the period. The goodwill arising 
on the acquisition is $829m. It relates to the value of the additional economic benefits expected from the transaction, including synergies and the 
assembled workforce. The goodwill recognised is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

 
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21 Acquisitions and disposals continued
The following table summarises the consideration transferred, and the recognised amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the 
acquisition date.

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Trade receivables and prepayments
Identifiable intangible assets
Investments in associates
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Current tax payable
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Goodwill
Consideration (net of $169m of cash acquired)

$ million

60
66
54
817
4
(74)
(19)
(18)
(173)
717
829
1,546

For the year ended 31 December 2014, ArthroCare’s contribution to Group revenue was $207m representing approximately seven months of sales. 
This gave rise to a pre-tax profit of $28m after amortisation of acquisition intangibles. Had ArthroCare been acquired on 1 January 2014, the 
Group’s revenues for 2014 would have been $147m higher and pre-tax profit would have been $5m higher.

Acquisition of Brazilian distributor
On 17 March 2014, the Group acquired certain assets and liabilities related to the distribution business for its sports medicine, orthopaedic 
reconstruction, and trauma products in Brazil. The acquisition was deemed to be a business combination within the scope of IFRS 3 Business 
Combinations. The acquisition date fair value of the consideration was $31m and included deferred consideration of $26m and $5m in relation 
to the settlement of working capital commitments. The deferred consideration was subsequently settled during the second quarter of 2014.

The acquisition accounting was completed during 2015. As at the acquisition date, the fair value of the net assets acquired, which includes 
measurement period adjustments recognised during the period, was $16m. This includes trade and other receivables of $12m, identifiable 
intangible assets of $16m, inventory of $4m, property, plant and equipment of $2m, trade payables of $1m, provisions of $5m, current tax payable 
of $4m and deferred tax liabilities of $8m. As a result, the goodwill arising on the acquisition was $15m. This is attributable to the additional 
economic benefits expected from the acquisition, including the assembled workforce, which has been transferred as part of the acquisition. 
The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 

The contribution to revenue and attributable profit from this acquisition for the year ended 31 December 2014 was immaterial. If the acquisition had 
occurred at the beginning of the year its contribution to revenue and attributable profit for the year ended 31 December 2014 would also have 
been immaterial. 

21.2 Disposal of business
For the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group did not dispose of any businesses.

During 2014, the Group disposed of a manufacturing facility in the UK for cash consideration of $20m, resulting in a pre-tax gain on disposal 
of $9m. The 2014 revenue and profit contribution of the disposed business was immaterial. 

 
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22 Operating leases

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Leases are classified as finance leases when the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the Group. 
All other leases are classified as operating leases.

Payments under operating leases are expensed in the income statement on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. Lease incentives 
received are recognised as an integral part of the total lease expense, over the term of the lease.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows:

Land and buildings:
Within one year
After one and within two years
After two and within three years
After three and within four years
After four and within five years
After five years

Other assets:
Within one year
After one and within two years
After two and within three years
After three and within four years

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

29
20
14
11
8
9
91

16
9
5
2
32

34
25
18
12
8
8
105

15
9
4
3
31

 
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23 Other Notes to the accounts

23.1 Share-based payments

ACCOUNTING POLICY

The Group operates a number of equity-settled executive and employee share plans. For all grants of share options and awards, the fair value 
at the grant date is calculated using appropriate option pricing models. The grant date fair value is recognised over the vesting period as an 
expense, with a corresponding increase in retained earnings.

Employee plans
The Smith & Nephew Sharesave Plan (2002) (adopted by shareholders on 3 April 2002) (the Save As You Earn (‘SAYE’) plan), the Smith & Nephew 
International Sharesave Plan (2002), Smith & Nephew France Sharesave Plan (2002), Smith & Nephew Sharesave Plan (2012) (the Save As You 
Earn (‘SAYE 2012’) plan) (adopted by shareholders on 12 April 2012), Smith & Nephew International Sharesave Plan (2012) (adopted by shareholders 
on 12 April 2012) and Smith & Nephew France Sharesave Plan (2012) (adopted by shareholders on 12 April 2012) are together termed the 
‘Employee Plans’.

The SAYE and SAYE 2012 plans are available to all employees in the UK employed by participating Group companies, subject to three months’ 
service. The schemes enable employees to save up to £250 per month on plans up to 2014 and £500 per month from 2015 onwards and give 
them an option to acquire shares based on the committed amount to be saved. The option price is not less than 80% of the average of middle 
market quotations of the ordinary shares on the three dealing days preceding the date of invitation. The Smith & Nephew International Sharesave 
Plan (2002) and Smith & Nephew International Sharesave Plan (2012) are available to employees in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, 
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, 
Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates. Employees in Malaysia and Costa Rica became 
eligible to join the plan in 2015. Puerto Rico participants were eligible to receive options under the International Plans up to 2011 and are eligible to 
receive phantom options from 2013 onwards. The Smith & Nephew France Sharesave Plans were available to all employees in France up to 2012. 
The International and French plans operate on a substantially similar basis to the SAYE plans. 

Employees in the US are able to participate in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which gives them the opportunity to acquire shares, in the form of 
ADSs, at a discount of 15% (or more if the shares appreciate in value during the plan’s quarterly purchase period) to the market price, through a 
regular savings plan.

Executive plans
The Smith & Nephew 2001 UK Approved Share Option Plan, the Smith & Nephew 2001 UK Unapproved Share Option Plan, the Smith & Nephew 
2001 US Share Plan (adopted by shareholders on 4 April 2001), the Smith & Nephew 2004 Executive Share Option Plan (adopted by shareholders 
on 6 May 2004) and the Smith & Nephew Global Share Plan 2010 (adopted by shareholders on 6 May 2010) are together termed the 
‘Executive Plans’.

Under the terms of the Executive Plans, the Remuneration Committee, consisting of Non-Executive Directors, may at their discretion approve the 
grant of options to employees of the Group to acquire ordinary shares in the Company. Options granted under the Smith & Nephew 2001 US Share 
Plan (the ‘US Plan’) and the Smith & Nephew 2004 Executive Share Option Plan are to acquire ADSs or ordinary shares. For Executive Plans 
adopted in 2001 and 2004, the market value is the average quoted price of an ordinary share for the three business days preceding the date of 
grant or the average quoted price of an ADS or ordinary share, for the three business days preceding the date of grant or the quoted price on the 
date of grant if higher. For the Global Share Plan adopted in 2010, the market value is the closing price of an ordinary share or ADS on the last 
trading day prior to the grant date. With the exception of options granted under the 2001 US Plan and the Global Share Plan 2010, the vesting of 
options granted from 2001 is subject to achievement of a performance condition. Options granted under the 2001 US Plan and the Global Share 
Plan 2010 are not subject to any performance conditions. Prior to 2008, the 2001 US Plan options became cumulatively exercisable as to 10% after 
one year, 30% after two years, 60% after three years and the remaining balance after four years. With effect from 2008, options granted under the 
2001 US Plan became cumulatively exercisable as to 33.3% after one year, 66.7% after two years and the remaining balance after the third year. 
The 2001 UK Unapproved Share Option Plan was open to certain employees outside the US and the US Plan was open to certain employees in the 
US, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The Global Share Plan 2010 is open to employees globally. The 2004 Plan was open to Senior 
Executives only.

The maximum term of options granted, under all plans, is 10 years from the date of grant. All share option plans are settled in shares.

From 2012 onwards, Senior Executives were granted share awards instead of share options and from 2013 executives were granted conditional 
share awards instead of share options. The awards vest 33.3% after one year, 66.7% after two years and the remaining balance after the third year 
subject to continued employment. There are no performance conditions for executives. Vesting for Senior Executives is subject to personal 
performance levels. The market value used to calculate the number of awards is the closing price of an ordinary share on the last trading day prior 
to the grant date.

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

At 31 December 2015, 7,235,070 (2014 – 8,708,000, 2013 – 13,601,000) options were outstanding under share option plans as follows:

Number of  
shares  
thousand

Range of option  
exercise prices  
pence

Weighted average  
exercise price  
pence

Employee Plans:
Outstanding at 1 January 2013
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at 31 December 2013
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at 31 December 2014
Granted
Forfeited
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at 31 December 2015
Options exercisable at 31 December 2015
Options exercisable at 31 December 2014
Options exercisable at 31 December 2013
Executive Plans:
Outstanding at 1 January 2013
Forfeited
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at 31 December 2013
Forfeited
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at 31 December 2014
Forfeited
Exercised
Expired
Outstanding at 31 December 2015
Options exercisable at 31 December 2015
Options exercisable at 31 December 2014
Options exercisable at 31 December 2013

3,162
1,178
(174)
(751)
(128)
3,287
799
(289)
(743)
(18)
3,036
1,622
(275)
(744)
(45)
3,594
82
94
71

16,528
(118)
(5,540)
(556)
10,314
(115)
(4,114)
(413)
5,672
(8)
(1,841)
(182)
3641
3641
4,713
6,631

380.0 – 609.0
625.0
380.0 – 625.0
380.0 – 609.0
380.0 – 625.0
380.0 – 625.0
831.0
380.0 – 831.0
380.0 – 625.0
461.0 – 556.0
380.0 – 831.0
949.0
380.0 – 949.0
380.0 – 831.0
461.0 – 535.0
452.0 – 949.0
461.0 – 556.0
380.0 – 585.0
461.0 – 556.0

409.5 – 680.5
514.0 – 650.0
435.5 – 671.0
435.5 – 650.0
409.5 – 680.5
599.0 – 650.0
454.0 – 671.0
409.5 – 650.0
470.0 – 680.5
622.0 – 650.0
479.0 – 680.5
479.0 – 650.0
470.0 – 650.0
470.0 – 650.0
470.0 – 680.5
409.5 – 680.5

473.1
625.0
488.2
453.8
490.0
530.5
831.0
533.8
436.2
465.7
632.7
949.0
683.6
514.6
533.0
797.3
521.4
439.6
467.8

583.3
618.8
568.0
582.3
591.1
645.0
583.0
587.8
596.2
630.2
602.2
604.2
592.7
592.7
585.3
571.1

The weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding at 31 December 2015 was 5.1 years (2014 – 5.8 years, 2013 – 6.2 years) for 
Executive Plans and 2.7 years (2014 – 2.5 years, 2013 – 2.5 years) for Employee Plans.

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

23 Other Notes to the accounts continued

Weighted average share price

Options granted during the year were as follows:

Employee Plans

2015  
pence
1,144.4

Weighted  
average  
share price at  
grant date  
pence
1,155.0

2014  
pence
994.4

Weighted  
average  
exercise  
price  
pence
949.0

2013  
pence
764.7

Weighted  
average  
option life  
years
3.8

Weighted  
average fair  
value per  
option at  
grant date  
pence
293.9

Options  
granted  
thousand
1,622

The weighted average fair value of options granted under Employee Plans during 2014 was 255.8p (2013 – 203.9p) and those under Executive 
Plans during 2014 was nil (2013 – nil).

Options granted under Employee Plans are valued using the Black-Scholes option model as management consider that options granted under 
these plans are exercised within a short period of time after the vesting date.

For all plans the inputs to the option pricing models are reassessed for each grant. The following assumptions were used in calculating the fair 
value of options granted:

Dividend yield %
Expected volatility %1
Risk free interest rate %2
Expected life in years

2015
2.0
25.0
1.3
3.8

2014
2.0
20.0
1.3
3.9

Employee Plans

2013
2.0
25.0
1.3
3.8

1  Volatility is assessed on a historic basis primarily based on past share price movements over the expected life of the options.
2  The risk free interest rate reflects the yields available on zero coupon government bonds over the option term and currency.

Share-based payments – long-term incentive plans
In 2004, a share-based incentive plan was introduced for Executive Directors, Executive Officers and the next level of Senior Executives. The plan 
included a Performance Share Plan (‘PSP’) and a Bonus Co-Investment Plan (‘CIP’).

Vesting of the PSP awards is dependent upon performance relative to the FTSE 100 and an index based on major international companies in the 
medical devices industry.

Under the CIP, participants could elect to use up to a maximum of one-half of their annual bonus to purchase shares. If the shares are held for 
three years and the Group’s EPSA growth targets are achieved, participants receive an award of matching shares for each share purchased.

From 2009, the CIP was replaced by the Deferred Bonus Plan. This plan was designed to encourage Executives to build up and maintain a 
significant shareholding in the Company. Under the plan, up to one-third of any bonus earned at target level or above by an eligible employee was 
compulsorily deferred into shares which vested, subject to continued employment, in equal annual tranches over three years (i.e. one-third each 
year). No further performance conditions applied to the deferred shares.

From 2010, Performance Share awards were granted under the Global Share Plan 2010 for all Executives other than Executive Directors. 
Awards granted under both plans are combined to provide the figures below.

From 2012, Deferred Bonus Plan and GSP 2010 options for Executive Directors, Executive Officers and the next level of Senior Executives were 
replaced by Equity Incentive Awards (‘EIA’). EIA are designed to encourage Executives to build up and maintain a significant shareholding in the 
Company. EIA will vest, in equal annual tranches over three years (i.e. one-third each year), subject to continued employment and personal 
performance. No further performance conditions apply to the EIA.

The fair values of awards granted under long-term incentive plans are calculated using a binomial model. Performance Share awards under both 
the PSP and Global Share Plan 2010 contain vesting conditions based on TSR versus a comparator group which represent market-based 
performance conditions for valuation purposes and an assessment of vesting probability is therefore factored into the award date calculations. 
The assumptions include the volatilities for the comparator groups. A correlation of 35% (2014 – 40%, 2013 – 40%) has also been assumed for the 
companies in the medical devices sector as they are impacted by similar factors. The Performance Target for the Global Share Plan 2010 is a 
combination of Free Cash Flow growth, Revenue in Emerging & International Markets and the Group’s TSR performance over the three-year 
performance period.

The other assumptions used are consistent with the Executive scheme assumptions disclosed earlier in this Note.

 
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NOTES TO THE  
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At 31 December 2015, the maximum number of shares that could be awarded under the Group’s long-term incentive plans was:

Number of shares in thousands

Outstanding at January 2013
Awarded
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at 31 December 2013
Awarded
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at 31 December 2014
Awarded

Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at 31 December 2015

Other 
Awards
718
1,179
(437)
(11)
1,449
751
(583)
(96)
1,521
661

(678)
(93)
1,411

EIA
929
785
(379)
(51)
1,284
642
(751)
(24)
1,151
592

(648)
(84)
1,011

PSP
5,242
1,963
(411)
(1,597)
5,197
1,510
–
(2,188)
4,519
1,393

(1,794)
(138)
3,980

Deferred 
Bonus Plan
164
–
(115)
(5)
44
–
(44)
–
–
–

–
–
–

Total
7,053
3,927
(1,342)
(1,664)
7,974
2,903
(1,378)
(2,308)
7,191
2,646

(3,120)
(315)
6,402

Other awards mainly comprises of conditional share awards granted under the Global Share Plan 2010.

The weighted average remaining contractual life of awards outstanding at 31 December 2015 was 1.1 years (2014 – 1.1 years, 2013 – 1.4 years) for the 
PSP, nil years (2014 – nil years, 2013 – 0.2 years) for the Deferred Bonus Plan, 1.6 years (2014 – 1.5 years, 2013 – 1.8 years) for the EIA and 1.9 years 
(2014 – 2.0 years, 2013 – 2.1 years) for the other awards.

Share-based payments – charge to income statement
The expense charged to the income statement for share-based payments is as follows:

Granted in current year
Granted in prior years
Total share-based payments expense for the year1

2015  
$ million
11
19
30

2014  
$ million
9
23
32

2013  
$ million
10 
18 
28 

1  The total share-based payments expense comprises $29m taken through reserves as well as $1m cash settlements during the year.

Under the Executive Plans, PSP, EIA and CIP the number of ordinary shares over which options and share awards may be granted is limited so that 
the number of ordinary shares issued or that may be issued during the 10 years preceding the date of grant shall not exceed 5% of the ordinary 
share capital at the date of grant. The total number of ordinary shares which may be issuable in any 10-year period under all share plans operated 
by the Company may not exceed 10% of the ordinary share capital at the date of grant.

23.2 Related party transactions
Trading transactions
In the course of normal operations, the Group traded with its associates detailed in Note 11. The aggregated transactions, which have not been 
disclosed elsewhere in the financial statements, are summarised below:

Sales to the associates
Purchases from the associates

2015  
$ million
–
–

All sale and purchase transactions occur on an arm’s length basis.

Key management personnel
The remuneration of executive officers (including Non-Executive Directors) during the year is summarised below:

Short-term employee benefits
Share-based payments expense
Pension and post-employment benefit entitlements
Other benefits

2015  
$ million
16
8
1
–
25

2014  
$ million
–
1

2014  
$ million
14
8
1
3
26

2013  
$ million
5 
2 

2013  
$ million
15 
11 
1 
– 
27 

 
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NOTES TO THE  
GROUP ACCOUNTS

23 Other Notes to the accounts continued

23.3 Group Companies
In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a full list of subsidiaries, associates, joint arrangements, joint ventures and 
partnerships are listed below, including their country of incorporation. All companies are 100% owned, unless otherwise indicated. 
Unless otherwise stated, the share capital disclosed comprises ordinary shares which are indirectly held by Smith & Nephew plc.

Company name1
UK:
The Albion Soap Company Limited4
ArthroCare UK Limited3
Michelson Diagnostics Ltd5 (12.5%)
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics Limited4
Neotherix Limited5 (24.9%)
Smith & Nephew China Holdings UK Limited3
Smith & Nephew UK Executive Pension Scheme 
Trustee Limited4
Smith & Nephew UK Pension Fund Trustee Limited4
T.J.Smith and Nephew, Limited3
TP Limited3
Smith & Nephew ESN Limited4
Smith & Nephew Finance4
Smith & Nephew Pharmaceuticals Limited4
Smith & Nephew USD Limited3
Smith & Nephew ARTC Limited3
Smith & Nephew Pensions Nominees Limited4
Smith & Nephew Trading Group Limited3
Smith & Nephew Collagenase Limited
Smith & Nephew Finance Oratec4
Smith & Nephew Medical Limited4
Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Limited2,3
Smith & Nephew Extruded Films Limited4
Smith & Nephew Healthcare Limited4
Smith & Nephew Investment Holdings Limited3
Smith & Nephew Medical Fabrics Limited4
Smith & Nephew Nominee Company Limited4
Smith & Nephew Nominee Services Limited3, 4
Smith & Nephew Employees Trustees Limited(4
Smith & Nephew UK Limited2, 3
Plus Orthopedics (UK) Limited4
Smith & Nephew Raisegrade Limited3, 4
Smith & Nephew Rareletter Limited4
Smith & Nephew Beta Limited4

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales

Company name1
Continental Europe:
Smith & Nephew GmbH
ArthroCare Belgium SPRL4
Smith & Nephew S.A.-N.V
Smith & Nephew A/S
Smith & Nephew Oy
A2 Surgical
Smith & Nephew France SAS3
Smith & Nephew S.A.S.
Joimax GmbH5 (0.46%)
Smith & Nephew GmbH
Smith & Nephew Business Services  
GmbH & Co. KG3
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics GmbH
Smith & Nephew Business Services  
Verwaltungs GmbH3
Smith & Nephew Deutschland (Holding) GmbH3
Plus Orthopedics Hellas SA
Smith & Nephew Hellas S.A.
Smith & Nephew Limited
Smith & Nephew Finance Ireland Limited
Plus Orthopedics Italy S.r.l
Smith & Nephew S.r.l.3
ArthroCare Luxembourg Sarl3,4
Smith & Nephew Finance S.a.r.l.3
Smith & Nephew International S.A.3
Smith & Nephew (Europe) B.V.3
Smith & Nephew Nederland CV
Smith & Nephew Management B.V.3
Smith & Nephew Optics B.V.4
Smith & Nephew B.V.3
Smith & Nephew A/S
Smith & Nephew sp. z.o.o.
Smith & Nephew Lda
Smith & Nephew S.A.U
Lumina Adhesives AB5 (11%)
Smith & Nephew AB3
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG3
Plus Orthopedics Holding AG3
Smith & Nephew Schweiz AG
Smith & Nephew Manufacturing AG

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Austria
Belgium
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France
France
France
Germany
Germany
Germany

Germany
Germany

Germany
Greece
Greece
Ireland
Ireland
Italy
Italy
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Spain
Sweden
Sweden
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland

 
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GROUP ACCOUNTS

Company name1
Africa, Asia, Australasia and Other America: 
continued
Smith & Nephew Colombia S.A.S
S&N Holdings SAS3
ArthroCare Costa Rica Srl
Smith & Nephew Curacao N.V.
ArthroCare (Hong Kong) Limited
Smith & Nephew Limited3
Smith & Nephew Beijing Holdings Limited3
Smith & Nephew Suzhou Holdings Limited3
Adler Mediequip Private Limited
ArthroCare India Medical Device Private Limited3
Smith & Nephew Healthcare Private Limited
Ortho-Space Ltd.5 (14.3%)
Smith & Nephew Endoscopy KK
Smith & Nephew KK3
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics KK
Smith & Nephew Wound Management KK
Smith & Nephew Chusik Hoesia
Smith & Nephew Healthcare Sdn Berhad
Smith & Nephew S.A. de C.V.
Smith & Nephew Limited
Smith & Nephew Surgical Limited
Smith & Nephew Inc.
D-Orthopaedics LLC
LLC DC
LLC Smith & Nephew
Smith & Nephew Pte Limited
Smith & Nephew Pharmaceuticals  
(Proprietary) Limited
ICEMBE Medical (pty) Ltd5 (10%)
Smith & Nephew (pty) Limited3
Smith & Nephew Limited
Sri Siam Medical Limited3, 5 (48.9%)
Smith ve Nephew Medikal Cihazlar Ticaret  
Limited Sirketi
Smith & Nephew FZE

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Colombia
Colombia
Costa Rica
Curaçao
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
India
India
India
Israel
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Korea, Republic of
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
New Zealand
Puerto Rico
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Singapore

South Africa
South Africa
South Africa
Thailand
Thailand
Turkey

United Arab 
Emirates

Company name1
US: 
ArthroCare Corporation3
Bioventus LLC5 (49%)
Blue Sky Medical Group, Inc.
Delphi Ventures V, L.P.5 (6.9%)
Smith & Nephew TE II, L.L.C3
Surgical Frontiers Series I, LLC5 (32%)
Smith & Nephew AHP, Inc.4
Smith & Nephew Holdings, Inc.3
Smith & Nephew Consolidated, Inc.3
Smith & Nephew TE I, LLC3, 4
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
Smith & Nephew Wound Management (La Jolla)
OsteoBiologics, Inc.
Oratec Interventions, Inc.
Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd., Inc.
Plus Orthopedics LLC
Sinopsys Surgical, Inc.5 (11.5%)
Smith & Nephew OUS, Inc.3
Healicoil, Inc.
Hipco, Inc.
Kalypto Medical, Inc.
LifeModeler, Inc.
Memphis Biomed Ventures I, L.P.5 (4.6%)
Norseman Acquisition Corp.

Africa, Asia, Australasia and Other America:
Smith & Nephew Argentina S.R.L.4
ArthroCare (Australasia) Pty Ltd4
Smith & Nephew Surgical Pty Limited3
Smith & Nephew Pty Limited
Smith & Nephew Surgical Holdings Pty Limited3
Smith & Nephew do Brasil Participacoes S.A.3
Smith & Nephew Comercio de Produtos
Medicos LTDA
Smith & Nephew Inc.
Smith & Nephew (Alberta) Inc.4
Tenet Medical Engineering, Inc.
ArthroCare Corporation Cayman Islands3
Smith & Nephew Finance Holdings Limited3
ArthroCare Medical Devices (Beijing) Co. Limited
Smith & Nephew Medical (Shanghai) Limited4
Smith & Nephew Medical (Suzhou) Limited
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics (Beijing) Co., Ltd

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States
United States

Argentina
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Brazil
Brazil

Canada
Canada
Canada
Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands
China
China
China
China

1  The activity of all companies listed above is the provision of medical devices, unless indicated otherwise.
2  Directly owned by Smith & Nephew plc.
3  Holding company.
4  Dormant company.
5  Not 100% owned by Smith & Nephew Group.

 
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24 Post balance sheet events
On 4 January 2016, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Blue Belt Holdings, Inc., a business specialising in robotic 
technologies. This acquisition will be treated as a business combination under IFRS 3. The maximum consideration is $279m and a provisional  
fair value consideration is $265m cash. Acquired net assets have a provisional value of $1m which is not expected to have material fair value 
adjustments. The remaining $264m will be allocated between identifiable intangible assets including technology, research and development 
in-progress and goodwill, with the majority expected to be goodwill (representing know-how and workforce), and is not expected to be deductible 
for tax purposes.

 
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Company balance sheet

Fixed assets:
Investments
Current assets:
Debtors
Cash and bank

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year:
Borrowings
Other creditors

Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year:
Borrowings
Total assets less total liabilities

Equity shareholders’ funds:
Called up equity share capital
Share premium account
Capital redemption reserve
Capital reserve
Treasury shares
Exchange reserve
Profit and loss account
Shareholders’ funds

COMPANY 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

At 31 December  
2015 
$ million

At 31 December 
2014 
$ million

Notes

3

4
6

6
5

6

7
7
7
7
7
7
7

5,322

2,234
47
2,281

(3)
(1,881)
(1,884)
397
5,719

(1,425)
4,294

183
590
12
2,266
(294)
(52)
1,589
4,294

5,322

2,143
1
2,144

(40)
(1,287)
(1,327)
817
6,139

(1,655)
4,484

184
574
11
2,266
(315)
(52)
1,816
4,484

The accounts were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 24 February 2016 and signed on its behalf by:

Roberto Quarta 
Chairman  

Olivier Bohuon 
Chief Executive Officer 

Julie Brown
Chief Financial Officer

>    THE PARENT COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF SMITH & NEPHEW PLC ON PAGES 167 TO 170 DO NOT FORM PART OF THE SMITH & NEPHEW’S  

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NOTES TO THE  
COMPANY ACCOUNTS

1 Basis of preparation
Smith & Nephew plc (the ‘Company’) is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales.

The separate accounts of the Company are presented as required by the Companies Act 2006. On 1 January 2015, the Company transitioned from 
previously extant UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practices to Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework (‘Reduced 
Disclosure Framework’). These financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with the Reduced Disclosure 
Framework for all periods presented. There were no transitional adjustments required on adoption of the new standard. The financial information 
for the Company has been prepared on the same basis as the consolidated financial statements, applying identical accounting policies as outlined 
throughout the Notes to the Group accounts. 

In applying these policies, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities 
and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the accounts and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the 
reporting period. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions, actual results ultimately 
may differ from those estimates.

In these financial statements, the Company has applied the exemptions available under FRS 101 in respect of the following disclosures:
 − A Cash Flow Statement and related notes; 
 − Comparative period reconciliations for share capital and tangible fixed assets;
 − Disclosures in respect of transactions with wholly-owned subsidiaries;
 − Disclosures in respect of capital management;
 − The effects of new but not yet effective IFRSs; and 
 − Disclosures in respect of the compensation of Key Management Personnel; 

As the consolidated financial statements include the equivalent disclosures, the Company has also taken the exemptions under FRS 101 available 
in respect of the following disclosures:
 − FRS 2 Share Based Payments in respect of group settled share based payments; and
 − Certain disclosures required by IFRS 13 Fair Value Measurement and the disclosures required by IFRS 7 Financial Instrument Disclosures.

The Company proposes to continue to adopt the reduced disclosure framework of FRS 101 in its next financial statements.

2 Results for the year
As permitted by Section 408(4) of the Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account. Profit for the year was 
$107m (2014 – $922m).

3 Investments

ACCOUNTING POLICY

Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for impairment.

At 1 January
Additions
At 31 December

2015 
$ million
5,322
–
5,322

2014 
$ million
3,597
1,725
5,322

Investments represent holdings in subsidiary undertakings.

In accordance with Section 409 of the Companies Act 2006, a listing of all entities invested in by the consolidated Group is provided in Note 23.3 of 
the Notes to the Group Accounts. Entities directly owned by Smith & Nephew plc are highlighted in this section.

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4 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings
Prepayments and accrued income
Current asset derivatives – forward foreign exchange contracts
Current asset derivatives – forward foreign exchange contracts – subsidiary undertakings
Current taxation

5 Other creditors 

Amounts falling due within one year:
Amounts owed to subsidiary undertakings
Other creditors
Current liability derivatives – forward foreign exchange contracts
Current liability derivatives – forward foreign exchange contracts – subsidiary undertakings
Current liability derivatives – currency swaps

6 Cash and borrowings

ACCOUNTING POLICY

NOTES TO THE  
COMPANY ACCOUNTS

2015 
$ million

2014 
$ million

2,169
5
30
21
9
2,234

2,074
3
46
19
1
2,143

2015 
$ million

2014 
$ million

1,813
15
21
30
2
1,881

1,212
9
19
46
1
1,287

Financial instruments
Currency swaps are used to match foreign currency net assets with foreign currency liabilities. They are initially recorded at fair value and then 
for reporting purposes remeasured to fair value at exchange rates and interest rates at subsequent balance sheet dates.

Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognised in the profit and loss account as they arise.

Bank loans and overdrafts due within one year or on demand
Bank loans due after one year
Borrowings 
Cash and bank
Credit balance on derivatives – forward exchange contracts and currency swaps
Net debt

2015 
$ million
3
1,425
1,428
(47)
2
1,383

2014 
$ million
40
1,655
1,695
(1)
1
1,695

All currency swaps are stated at fair value. Gross US Dollar equivalents of $368m (2014 – $261m) receivable and $370m (2014 – $262m) payable 
have been netted. Currency swaps comprise foreign exchange swaps and were used in 2015 and 2014 to hedge intragroup loans. 

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7 Equity and reserves

At 1 January
Attributable profit for the year
Net losses on cash flow hedges
Exchange adjustments
Equity dividends paid in the year
Share-based payments 
recognised
Cost of shares transferred to 
beneficiaries
New shares issued on exercise 
of share options
Cancellation of treasury shares
Treasury shares purchased
At 31 December

Share 
capital 
$ million
184
–
–
–
–

Share 
premium 
$ million
574
–
–
–
–

Capital 
redemption 
reserve 
$ million
11
–
–
–
–

–

–

(1)
–
183

–

–

16
–
–
590

–

–

1
–
12

Capital 
reserves 
$ million
2,266
–
–
–
–

–

–

–
–
2,266

Treasury 
shares 
$ million
(315)
–
–
–
–

Exchange 
reserves 
$ million
(52)
–
–
–
–

Profit and 
loss account 
$ million
1,816
107
1
1
(272)

–

38

60
(77)
(294)

–

–

–
–
(52)

29

(33)

(60)
–
1,589

NOTES TO THE  
COMPANY ACCOUNTS

2015

2014

Total 
shareholders’ 
funds 
$ million
4,484
107
1
1
(272)

29

5

16
–
(77)
4,294

Total 
shareholders’ 
funds 
$ million
3,816
922
(5)

(250)

32

4

40
–
(75)
4,484

Further information on the share capital of the Company can be found in Note 19.1 of the Notes to the Group accounts.

The total distributable reserves of the Company are $1,243m (2014 – $1,449m). In accordance with the exemption permitted by Section 408 of the 
Companies Act 2006, the Company has not presented its own profit and loss account. The attributable profit for the year dealt with in the accounts 
of the Company is $107m (2014 – $922m).

Fees paid to KPMG LLP for audit and non-audit services to the Company itself are not disclosed in the individual accounts because Group financial 
statements are prepared which are required to disclose such fees on a consolidated basis. The fees for the consolidated Group are disclosed in 
Note 3.2 of the Notes to the Group accounts.

8 Share-based payments
The Company operates a number of equity-settled executive and employee share plans. For all grants of share options and awards, the fair value 
as at the date of grant is calculated using an appropriate option pricing model and the corresponding expense is recognised over the vesting 
period. Subsidiary companies are recharged for the fair value of share options that relate to their employees.

The disclosure relating to the Company is detailed in Note 23.1 of the Notes to the Group accounts.

9 Contingencies

Guarantees in respect of subsidiary undertakings

2015 
$ million
–

2014 
$ million
11

The Company gives guarantees to banks to support liabilities and cross guarantees to support overdrafts. 

The Company operated defined benefit pension plans in 2004 but at the end of 2005 its pension plan obligations were transferred to Smith & 
Nephew UK Limited. The Company has provided guarantees to the trustees of the pension plans to support future amounts due from participating 
employers (see Note 18 of the Notes to the Group accounts).

>  

 The Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 167 to 170 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew’s  
Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

 
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OUR BUSINESS

OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

GROUP 
INFORMATION

Business overview and Group history
Smith & Nephew’s operations are organised into geographical selling regions and product franchises within the medical technology industry.

The Group has a history dating back over 150 years to the family enterprise of Thomas James Smith who opened a small pharmacy in Hull,  
UK in 1856. Following his death in 1896, his nephew Horatio Nelson Smith took over the management of the business.

By the late 1990s, Smith & Nephew had expanded into being a diverse healthcare conglomerate with operations across the globe, producing 
various medical devices, personal care products and traditional and advanced wound care treatments. In 1998, Smith & Nephew announced a 
major restructuring to focus management attention and investment on three global business units – Advanced Wound Management, Endoscopy 
and Orthopaedics – which offered high growth and margin opportunities. In 2011, the Endoscopy and Orthopaedics businesses were brought 
together to create an Advanced Surgical Devices division.

Smith & Nephew was incorporated and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1937 and in 1999 the Group was also listed on the New York Stock 
Exchange. In 2001, Smith & Nephew became a constituent member of the FTSE 100 index in the UK. This means that Smith & Nephew is included 
in the top 100 companies traded on the London Stock Exchange measured in terms of market capitalisation.

Today, Smith & Nephew is a public limited company incorporated and headquartered in the UK and carries out business around the world.

Property, plant and equipment
The table below summarises the main properties which the Group uses and their approximate areas.

Group head office in London, UK
Group research facility in York, UK
Regional headquarters in Andover, Massachusetts, US
Manufacturing and distribution facility in Hull, UK
Manufacturing facilities in Memphis, Tennessee, US
Distribution facility in Memphis, Tennessee, US
Manufacturing facility in Aarau, Switzerland
Manufacturing facility in Beijing, China
Manufacturing and warehouse facility in Tuttlingen, Germany
Distribution facility and European headquarters in Baar, Switzerland
Manufacturing facility in Mansfield, Massachusetts, US
Manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
Manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas, US
Manufacturing facility in La Aurora and Alayuela, Costa Rica
Research facility in Irvine, California, US
Manufacturing facility in Sangameshwar, India
Manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China
Manufacturing facility in Puschino, Russia
Bioactives headquarters and laboratory space in Fort Worth, Texas, US
Manufacturing facility in Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

Approximate area 
(square feet 000’s) 
21
84
144
473
968
248
121
192
64
67
98
155
198
292
23
39
288
9
105
16

The Group Global Operations strategy includes ongoing assessment of the optimal facility footprint. The Advanced Surgical Devices manufacturing 
facilities in Memphis, Tennessee are largely freehold, a portion of Tuttlingen and the Advanced Wound Management facilities in Hull are freehold 
while other principal locations are leasehold. The Group has freehold and leasehold interests in real estate in other countries throughout the world, 
but no other is individually significant to the Group. Where required, the appropriate governmental authorities have approved the facilities.

Off-balance sheet arrangements
Management believes that the Group does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined by the SEC in item 5E of Form 20-F, that have 
or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Group’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, 
results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

Related party transactions
Except for transactions with associates (see Note 23.2 of Notes to the Group accounts), no other related party had material transactions or loans 
with Smith & Nephew over the last three financial years.

Risk factors
There are known and unknown risks and uncertainties relating to Smith & Nephew’s business. The factors listed on pages 172 to 174 could cause 
the Group’s business, financial position and results of operations to differ materially and adversely from expected and historical levels. In addition, 
other factors not listed here that Smith & Nephew cannot presently identify or does not believe to be equally significant could also materially 
adversely affect Smith & Nephew’s business, financial position or results of operations.

 
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GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

GROUP 
INFORMATION

Highly competitive markets
The Group competes across a diverse range of geographic and product markets. Each market in which the Group operates contains a number of 
different competitors, including specialised and international corporations. Significant product innovations, technical advances or the intensification 
of price competition by competitors could adversely affect the Group’s operating results.

Some of these competitors may have greater financial, marketing and other resources than Smith & Nephew. These competitors may be able to 
initiate technological advances in the field, deliver products on more attractive terms, more aggressively market their products or invest larger 
amounts of capital and research and development (‘R&D’) into their businesses.

There is a possibility of further consolidation of competitors, which could adversely affect the Group’s ability to compete with larger companies due 
to insufficient financial resources. If any of the Group’s businesses were to lose market share or achieve lower than expected revenue growth, 
there could be a disproportionate adverse impact on the Group’s share price and its strategic options.

Competition exists among healthcare providers to gain patients on the basis of quality, service and price. There has been some consolidation in 
the Group’s customer base and this trend is expected to continue. Some customers have joined group purchasing organisations or introduced 
other cost containment measures that could lead to downward pressure on prices or limit the number of suppliers in certain business areas, 
which could adversely affect Smith & Nephew’s results of operations and hinder its growth potential.

Continual development and introduction of new products 
The medical devices industry has a rapid rate of new product introduction. In order to remain competitive, the Group must continue to develop 
innovative products that satisfy customer needs and preferences or provide cost or other advantages. Developing new products is a costly, lengthy 
and uncertain process. The Group may fail to innovate due to low R&D investment, a R&D skills gap or poor product development. A potential 
product may not be brought to market or not succeed in the market for any number of reasons, including failure to work optimally, failure to receive 
regulatory approval, failure to be cost-competitive, infringement of patents or other intellectual property rights and changes in consumer demand. 
The Group’s products and technologies are also subject to marketing attack by competitors. Furthermore, new products that are developed and 
marketed by the Group’s competitors may affect price levels in the various markets in which the Group operates. If the Group’s new products do 
not remain competitive with those of competitors, the Group’s revenue could decline.

The Group maintains reserves for excess and obsolete inventory resulting from the potential inability to sell its products at prices in excess of 
current carrying costs. Marketplace changes resulting from the introduction of new products or surgical procedures may cause some of the 
Group’s products to become obsolete. The Group makes estimates regarding the future recoverability of the costs of these products and records a 
provision for excess and obsolete inventories based on historical experience, expiration of sterilisation dates and expected future trends. If actual 
product life cycles, product demand or acceptance of new product introductions are less favourable than projected by management, additional 
inventory write-downs may be required.

Dependence on government and other funding
In most markets throughout the world, expenditure on medical devices is ultimately controlled to a large extent by governments. Funds may be 
made available or withdrawn from healthcare budgets depending on government policy. The Group is therefore largely dependent on future 
governments providing increased funds commensurate with the increased demand arising from demographic trends.

Pricing of the Group’s products is largely governed in most markets by governmental reimbursement authorities. Initiatives sponsored by 
government agencies, legislative bodies and the private sector to limit the growth of healthcare costs, including price regulation, excise taxes and 
competitive pricing, are ongoing in markets where the Group has operations. This control may be exercised by determining prices for an individual 
product or for an entire procedure. The Group is exposed to government policies favouring locally sourced products. The Group is also exposed to 
changes in reimbursement policy, tax policy and pricing which may have an adverse impact on revenue and operating profit. Provisions in US 
healthcare legislation which previously imposed significant taxes on medical device manufacturers have been suspended for two years but may 
be reinstated. There may be an increased risk of adverse changes to government funding policies arising from deterioration in macro-economic 
conditions from time to time in the Group’s markets.

The Group must adhere to the rules laid down by government agencies that fund or regulate healthcare, including extensive and complex rules in 
the US. Failure to do so could result in fines or loss of future funding.

World economic conditions
Demand for the Group’s products is driven by demographic trends, including the ageing population and the incidence of osteoporosis and obesity. 
Supply of, use of and payment for the Group’s products are also influenced by world economic conditions which could place increased pressure 
on demand and pricing, adversely impacting the Group’s ability to deliver revenue and margin growth. The conditions could favour larger, better 
capitalised groups, with higher market shares and margins. As a consequence, the Group’s prosperity is linked to general economic conditions 
and there is a risk of deterioration of the Group’s performance and finances during adverse macro-economic conditions.

During 2015, economic conditions worldwide continued to create several challenges for the Group, including deferrals of joint replacement 
procedures, heightened pricing pressure, significant declines in capital equipment expenditures at hospitals (notably in China) and increased 
uncertainty over the collectability of government debt, particularly those in the Emerging Markets and certain parts of southern Europe. 
These factors tempered the overall growth of the Group’s global markets and could have an increased impact on growth in the future.

Political uncertainties
The Group operates on a worldwide basis and has distribution channels, purchasing agents and buying entities in over 100 countries. 
Political upheaval in some of those countries or in surrounding regions may impact the Group’s results of operations. Political changes in a country 
could prevent the Group from receiving remittances of profit from a member of the Group located in that country or from selling its products or 
investments in that country. Furthermore, changes in government policy regarding preference for local suppliers, import quotas, taxation or other 
matters could adversely affect the Group’s revenue and operating profit. War, economic sanctions, terrorist activities or other conflict could also 
adversely impact the Group. These risks may be greater in Emerging Markets, which account for an increasing portion of the Group’s business.

 
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GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

GROUP 
INFORMATION

Currency fluctuations
Smith & Nephew’s results of operations are affected by transactional exchange rate movements in that they are subject to exposures arising from 
revenue in a currency different from the related costs and expenses. The Group’s manufacturing cost base is situated principally in the US, the UK, 
China and Switzerland, from which finished products are exported to the Group’s selling operations worldwide. Thus, the Group is exposed to 
fluctuations in exchange rates between the US Dollar, Sterling and Swiss Franc and the currency of the Group’s selling operations, particularly the 
Euro, Australian Dollar and Japanese Yen. If the US Dollar, Sterling or Swiss Franc should strengthen against the Euro, Australian Dollar and the 
Japanese Yen, the Group’s trading margin could be adversely affected.

The Group manages the impact of exchange rate movements on revenue and cost of goods sold by a policy of transacting forward foreign 
currency commitments when firm purchase orders are placed. In addition, the Group’s policy is for forecast transactions to be covered between 
50% and 90% for up to one year. However, the Group is exposed to medium to long-term adverse movements in the strength of currencies 
compared to the US Dollar.

The Group uses the US Dollar as its reporting currency and the US Dollar is the functional currency of Smith & Nephew plc. The Group’s revenues, 
profits and earnings are also affected by exchange rate movements on the translation of results of operations in foreign subsidiaries for financial 
reporting purposes. See ‘Liquidity and capital resources’ on page 117.

Manufacturing and supply
The Group’s manufacturing production is concentrated at main facilities in Memphis, Mansfield and Oklahoma City in the US, Hull and Warwick in 
the UK, Aarau in Switzerland, Tuttlingen in Germany, Sangameshwar in India, Suzhou and Beijing in China, La Aurora in Costa Rica, Puschino in 
Russia and Curaçao. If major physical disruption took place at any of these sites, it could adversely affect the results of operations. Physical loss and 
consequential loss insurance is carried to cover such risks but is subject to limits and deductibles and may not be sufficient to cover catastrophic 
loss. Management of orthopaedic inventory is complex, particularly forecasting and production planning. There is a risk that failures in operational 
execution could lead to excess inventory or individual product shortages.

The Group is reliant on certain key suppliers of raw materials, components, finished products and packaging materials or in some cases on a 
single supplier. These suppliers must provide the materials and perform the activities to the Group’s standard of quality requirements. 

A supplier’s failure to meet expected quality standards could create liability for the Group and adversely affect sales of the Group’s related products. 

The Group may be forced to pay higher prices to obtain raw materials, which it may not be able to pass on to its customers in the form of increased 
prices for its finished products. In addition, some of the raw materials used may become unavailable, and there can be no assurance that the 
Group will be able to obtain suitable and cost effective substitutes. Any interruption of supply caused by these or other factors could negatively 
impact Smith & Nephew’s revenue and operating profit.

The Group will, from time to time, outsource the manufacture of components and finished products to third parties and will periodically relocate the 
manufacture of product and/or processes between existing facilities. While these are planned activities, with these transfers there is a risk of 
disruption to supply.

Attracting and retaining key personnel
The Group’s continued development depends on its ability to hire and retain highly-skilled personnel with particular expertise. This is critical, 
particularly in general management, research, new product development and in the sales forces. If Smith & Nephew is unable to retain key 
personnel in general management, research and new product development or if its largest sales forces suffer disruption or upheaval, its revenue 
and operating profit would be adversely affected. Additionally, if the Group is unable to recruit, hire, develop and retain a talented, competitive 
workforce, it may not be able to meet its strategic business objectives.

Proprietary rights and patents
Due to the technological nature of medical devices and the Group’s emphasis on serving its customers with innovative products, the Group has 
been subject to patent infringement claims and is subject to the potential for additional claims.

Claims asserted by third parties regarding infringement of their intellectual property rights, if successful, could require the Group to expend time 
and significant resources to pay damages, develop non-infringing products or obtain licences to the products which are the subject of such 
litigation, thereby affecting the Group’s growth and profitability. Smith & Nephew attempts to protect its intellectual property and regularly opposes 
third party patents and trademarks where appropriate in those areas that might conflict with the Group’s business interests. If Smith & Nephew fails 
to protect and enforce its intellectual property rights successfully, its competitive position could suffer, which could harm its results of operations.

Product liability claims and loss of reputation
The development, manufacture and sale of medical devices entail risk of product liability claims or recalls. Design and manufacturing defects with 
respect to products sold by the Group or by companies it has acquired could damage, or impair the repair of, body functions. The Group may 
become subject to liability, which could be substantial, because of actual or alleged defects in its products. In addition, product defects could lead 
to the need to recall from the market existing products, which may be costly and harmful to the Group’s reputation.

There can be no assurance that customers, particularly in the US, the Group’s largest geographical market, will not bring product liability or related 
claims that would have a material adverse effect on the Group’s financial position or results of operations in the future, or that the Group will be able 
to resolve such claims within insurance limits. During 2015, developments in the Group’s metal-on-metal hip implant claims led to a $203m charge 
being recognised relating to known and future claims.

Regulatory standards and compliance in the healthcare industry
Business practices in the healthcare industry are subject to regulation and review by various government authorities. In general, the trend in many 
countries in which the Group does business is towards higher expectations and increased enforcement activity by governmental authorities. 
While the Group is committed to doing business with integrity and welcomes the trend to higher standards in the healthcare industry, the Group 
and other companies in the industry have been subject to investigations and other enforcement activity that have incurred and may continue 
to incur significant expense. Under certain circumstances, if the Group were found to have violated the law, its ability to sell its products to certain 
customers could be restricted.

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

GROUP 
INFORMATION

International regulation
The Group operates across the world and is subject to extensive legislation, including anti-bribery and corruption and data protection, in each 
country in which we operate. Our international operations are governed in part by the UK Bribery Act and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act 
(‘FCPA’) which prohibit us or our agents from making, or offering, improper payments to government officials and other persons for the purpose 
of obtaining or maintaining business or product approvals. Enforcement of such legislation has increased in recent years with significant fines and 
penalties being imposed on companies and individuals. Our international operations, particularly in the Emerging Markets, expose the Group to 
the risk that our employees or agents will engage in prohibited activities.

Regulatory approval
The international medical device industry is highly regulated. Regulatory requirements are a major factor in determining whether substances and 
materials can be developed into marketable products and the amount of time and expense that should be allotted to such development.

National regulatory authorities administer and enforce a complex series of laws and regulations that govern the design, development, approval, 
manufacture, labelling, marketing and sale of healthcare products. They also review data supporting the safety and efficacy of such products. 
Of particular importance is the requirement in many countries that products be authorised or registered prior to manufacture, marketing or sale and 
that such authorisation or registration be subsequently maintained. The major regulatory agencies for Smith & Nephew’s products include the Food 
and Drug Administration (‘FDA’) in the US, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency in the UK, the Ministry of Health, Labour and 
Welfare in Japan, the China Food and Drug Administration and the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. At any time, the Group is awaiting 
a number of regulatory approvals which, if not received, could adversely affect results of operations.

The trend is towards more stringent regulation and higher standards of technical appraisal. Such controls have become increasingly demanding to 
comply with and management believes that this trend will continue. 

Regulatory requirements may also entail inspections for compliance with appropriate standards, including those relating to Quality Management 
Systems or Good Manufacturing Practices regulations. All manufacturing and other significant facilities within the Group are subject to regular 
internal and external audit for compliance with national and Group medical device regulation and policies.

Payment for medical devices may be governed by reimbursement tariff agencies in a number of countries. Reimbursement rates may be set in 
response to perceived economic value of the devices, based on clinical and other data relating to cost, patient outcomes and comparative 
effectiveness. They may also be affected by overall government budgetary considerations. The Group believes that its emphasis on innovative 
products and services should contribute to success in this environment.

Failure to comply with these regulatory requirements could have a number of adverse consequences, including withdrawal of approval to sell a 
product in a country, temporary closure of a manufacturing facility, fines and potential damage to company reputation.

Failure to make successful acquisitions
A key element of the Group’s strategy for continued growth is to make acquisitions or alliances to complement its existing business. Failure to 
identify appropriate acquisition targets or failure to conduct adequate due diligence or to integrate them successfully would have an adverse impact 
on the Group’s competitive position and profitability. This could result from the diversion of management resources towards the acquisition or 
integration process, challenges of integrating organisations of different geographic, cultural and ethical backgrounds, as well as the prospect of 
taking on unexpected or unknown liabilities. In addition, the availability of global capital may make financing less attainable or more expensive and 
could result in the Group failing in its strategic aim of growth by acquisition or alliance.

Relationships with healthcare professionals
The Group seeks to maintain effective and ethical working relationships with physicians and medical personnel who assist in the research and 
development of new products or improvements to our existing product range or in product training and medical education. If we are unable to 
maintain these relationships our ability to meet the demands of our customers could be diminished and our revenue and profit could be materially 
adversely affected.

Reliance on sophisticated information technology
The Group uses a wide variety of information systems, programmes and technology to manage our business. Our systems are vulnerable to a 
cyber-attack, malicious intrusion, loss of data privacy or any other significant disruption. Our systems have been and will continue to be the target 
of such threats. We have systems in place to minimise the risk and disruption of these intrusions and to monitor our systems on an ongoing basis 
for current or potential threats. There can be no assurance that these measures will prove effective in protecting Smith & Nephew from future 
interruptions and as a result the performance of the Group could be materially adversely affected.

Other risk factors
Smith & Nephew is subject to a number of other risks, which are common to most global medical technology groups and are reviewed as part of 
the Group’s risk management process. 

Factors affecting Smith & Nephew’s results of operations
Government economic, fiscal, monetary and political policies are all factors that materially affect the Group’s operation or investments of 
shareholders. Other factors include sales trends, currency fluctuations and innovation. Each of these factors is discussed further in the ‘Our Global 
Market’ on pages 14 to 15, ‘Financial review’ on pages 40 to 41 and ‘Taxation information for shareholders’ on pages 191 to 192.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

Selected financial data 

Income statement
Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross Profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Operating profit
Net interest (payable)/receivable
Other finance (costs)/income
Share of results of associates
Profit on disposal of net assets held for sale
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Attributable profit for the year
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic
Diluted
Adjusted attributable profit
Attributable profit for the year
Acquisition related costs
Restructuring and rationalisation expenses
Legal and other
Amortisation of acquisition intangibles and impairments
Profit on disposal of net assets held for sale
Taxation on excluded items
Adjusted attributable profit
Adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share (‘EPSA’)1
Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share2

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

2013  
$ million

2012  
$ million

2011  
$ million

4,634
(1,143)
3,491
(2,641)
(222)
628
(38)
(15)
(16)
–
559
(149)
410

45.9¢
45.6¢

410
25
65
187
204
–
(130)
761
85.1¢
84.6¢

4,617
(1,162)
3,455
(2,471)
(235)
749
(22)
(11)
(2)
–
714
(213)
501

56.1¢
55.7¢

501
125
61
(2)
129
–
(71)
743
83.2¢
82.6¢

4,351 
(1,100)
3,251 
(2,210)
(231)
810 
4 
(11)
(1)
– 
802 
(246)
556 

61.7¢
61.4¢

556 
31 
58 
– 
88 
– 
(40)
693 
76.9¢
76.5¢

4,137 
(1,070)
3,067 
(2,050)
(171)
846 
2 
(11)
4 
251 
1,092 
(371)
721 

80.4¢
80.0¢

721 
11 
65 
– 
43 
(251)
82 
671 
74.8¢
74.5¢

4,270 
(1,140)
3,130 
(2,101)
(167)
862 
(8)
(13)
– 
– 
841 
(266)
575 

64.5¢
64.2¢

575 
– 
40 
23 
36 
– 
(17)
657 
73.7¢
73.4¢

1  Adjusted basic earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing adjusted attributable profit by the average number of shares.
2  Adjusted diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing adjusted attributable profit by the diluted number of shares.

 
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Group balance sheet
Non-current assets
Current assets
Assets held for sale
Total assets
Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Treasury shares
Retained earnings and other reserves
Total equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Liabilities directly associated with assets held for sale
Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

Group cash flow statement
Cash generated from operations
Net interest paid
Income taxes paid
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Capital expenditure (including trade investments and net of disposals of property, 
plant and equipment)
Acquisitions and disposals
Proceeds on disposal of net assets held for sale
Investment in associate
Proceeds from associate loan redemption
Proceeds from own shares
Equity dividends paid
Issue of ordinary capital and treasury shares purchased
Net cash flow from financing and investing activities
Exchange adjustments
Opening net debt
Closing net debt
Selected financial ratios
Gearing (closing net debt as a percentage of total equity)
Dividends per ordinary share1
Research and development costs to revenue
Capital expenditure (including intangibles but excluding goodwill) to revenue

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

2015  
$ million

2014  
$ million

2013  
$ million

2012  
$ million

2011  
$ million

4,692
2,475
–
7,167
183
590
12
(294)
3,475
3,966
1,857
1,344
–
3,201
7,167

1,203
(36)
(137)
1,030

(358)
(46)
–
(25)
–
5
(272)
(61)
273
(21)
(1,613)
(1,361)

34%
30.8¢
4.8%
7.7%

4,866
2,440
– 
7,306
184
574
11
(315)
3,586
4,040
2,104
1,162
– 
3,266
7,306

961
(33)
(245)
683

(375)
(1,556)
– 
(2)
188
4
(250)
(35)
(1,343)
(17)
(253)
(1,613)

3,563 
2,256 
– 
5,819 
184 
535 
10 
(322)
3,640 
4,047 
699 
1,073 
– 
1,772 
5,819 

1,138 
(6)
(265)
867 

(340)
(67)
– 
– 
–
3 
(239)
(183)
41 
(6)
(288)
(253)

3,498 
2,144 
– 
5,642 
193 
488 
– 
(735)
3,938 
3,884 
828 
930 
– 
1,758 
5,642 

1,184 
(4)
(278)
902 

(265)
(782)
103 
(10)
–
6 
(186)
77 
(155)
5 
(138)
(288)

2,542 
2,080 
125 
4,747 
191 
413 
– 
(766)
3,349 
3,187 
422 
1,119 
19 
1,560 
4,747 

1,135 
(8)
(285)
842 

(321)
(33)
– 
– 
–
7 
(146)
11 
360 
(6)
(492)
(138)

40%
29.60¢
5.1%
8.1%

6%
27.40¢
5.3%
7.8%

7%
26.10¢
4.1%
6.4%

4%
17.40¢ 
3.9%
7.5%

1  The Board has proposed a final dividend of 19.0 US cents per share which together with the first interim dividend of 11.8 US cents makes a total for 2015 of 30.8 US cents.

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Non-GAAP financial information
These Financial Statements include financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’). 
These measures, which include trading profit, trading profit margin, EPSA and underlying growth, exclude the effect of certain cash and non-cash 
items that Group management believes are not related to the underlying performance of the Group. These non-IFRS financial measures are also 
used by management to make operating decisions because they facilitate internal comparisons of performance to historical results on both a 
business segment and a consolidated Group basis.

Non-IFRS financial measures are presented in these Financial Statements as the Group’s management believe that they provide investors with a 
means of evaluating performance of the business segment and the consolidated Group on a consistent basis, similar to the way in which the 
Group’s management evaluates performance, that is not otherwise apparent on an IFRS basis, given that certain non-recurring, infrequent or 
non-cash items that management does not otherwise believe are indicative of the underlying performance of the consolidated Group may not be 
excluded when preparing financial measures under IFRS. These non-IFRS measures should not be considered in isolation from, as substitutes for, 
or superior to financial measures prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Revenue
‘Underlying growth in revenue’ is used to compare the revenue in a given year to the previous year on a like-for-like basis. This is achieved by 
adjusting for the impact of sales of products acquired in material business combinations and for movements in exchange rates. Underlying growth 
in revenue is not presented in the accounts prepared in accordance with IFRS and is therefore a measure not in accordance with Generally 
Accepted Accounting Principles (a ‘non-GAAP’ measure).

The Group believes that the tabular presentation and reconciliation of reported revenue growth to underlying revenue growth assists investors 
in their assessment of the Group’s performance in each business segment and for the Group as a whole.

Underlying growth in revenue is considered by the Group to be an important measure of performance in terms of local functional currency since  
it excludes those items considered to be outside the influence of local management. The Group’s management uses this non-GAAP measure  
in its internal financial reporting, budgeting and planning to assess performance on both a business segment and a consolidated Group basis. 
Revenue growth at constant currency is important in measuring business performance compared to competitors and compared to the growth 
of the market itself.

The Group considers that revenue from sales of products acquired in material business combinations results in a step-up in growth in revenue  
in the year of acquisition that cannot be wholly attributed to local management’s efforts with respect to the business in the year of acquisition. 
Depending on the timing of the acquisition, there will usually be a further step change in the following year. A measure of growth excluding the 
effects of business combinations also allows senior management to evaluate the performance and relative impact of growth from the existing 
business and growth from acquisitions. The process of making business acquisitions is directed, approved and funded from the Group corporate 
centre in line with strategic objectives.

The material limitation of the underlying growth in revenue measure is that it excludes certain factors, described above, which ultimately have a 
significant impact on total revenues. The Group compensates for this limitation by taking into account relative movements in exchange rates in its 
investment, strategic planning and resource allocation. In addition, as the evaluation and assessment of business acquisitions is not within the 
control of local management, performance of acquisitions is monitored centrally until the business is integrated. 

The Group’s management considers that the non-GAAP measure of underlying growth in revenue and the GAAP measure of growth in revenue 
are complementary measures, neither of which management uses exclusively.

‘Underlying growth in revenue’ reconciles to growth in revenue reported, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance 
with IFRS by making two adjustments, the ‘constant currency exchange effect’ and the ‘acquisitions and disposals effect’, described below.

The ‘constant currency exchange effect’ is a measure of the increase/decrease in revenue resulting from currency movements on non-US Dollar 
sales and is measured as the difference between: 1) the increase/decrease in the current year revenue translated into US Dollars at the current 
year average exchange rate and the prior revenue translated at the prior year rate; and 2) the increase/decrease being measured by translating 
current and prior year revenues into US Dollars using the prior year closing rate.

The ‘acquisitions and disposals effect’ is the measure of the impact on revenue from newly acquired material business combinations and recent 
material business disposals. This is calculated by comparing the current year, constant currency actual revenue (which include acquisitions and 
exclude disposals from the relevant date of completion) with prior year, constant currency actual revenue, adjusted to include the results of 
acquisitions and exclude disposals for the commensurate period in the prior year. These sales are separately tracked in the Group’s internal 
reporting systems and are readily identifiable.

Reported revenue growth, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS, reconciles to underlying growth in 
revenue as follows:

Reported revenue growth
Constant currency exchange effect
Acquisitions/Disposals effect
Underlying revenue

2015  
%
0
8
(4)
4

2014  
%
6
1
(5)
2

2013  
%
5
1
(2)
4

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Trading profit, trading profit margin and trading cash flow
Trading profit, trading profit margin and trading cash flow are trend measures, which present the long-term profitability of the Group excluding the 
impact of specific transactions that management considers affect the Group’s short-term profitability and cash flows. The Group has identified the 
following items, where material, as those to be excluded from operating profit and cash generated from operations when arriving at trading profit 
and trading cash flow, respectively: acquisition and disposal related items arising in connection with business combinations, including amortisation 
of acquisition intangible assets, impairments and integration costs; restructuring events; gains and losses resulting from legal disputes; and 
significant uninsured losses. In addition to these items, gains or losses that materially impact the Group’s profitability or cash flows on a short-term 
or one-off basis, are excluded from operating profit and cash generated from operations when arriving at trading profit and trading cash flow, 
respectively.

Underlying growth in trading profit and trading profit margin (trading profit expressed as a percentage of revenue and trading cash flow) are 
measures, which present the growth trend in the long-term profitability of the Group. 

Underlying growth in trading profit is used to compare the period-on-period growth in trading profit on a like-for-like basis. This is achieved by 
adjusting for the impact of material business combinations and disposals and for movements in exchange rates in the same manner as underlying 
revenue growth is determined, as described above. 

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (‘EPSA’)
EPSA is a trend measure, which presents the long-term profitability of the Group excluding the post-tax impact of specific transactions that 
management considers affects the Group’s short-term profitability. The Group presents this measure to assist investors in their understanding of 
trends. Adjusted attributable profit is the numerator used for this measure and is determined by adjusting attributable profit for the items that are 
excluded from operating profit when arriving at trading profit and items that are recognised below operating profit that affect the Group’s short-term 
profitability. The most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS is earnings per ordinary share (‘EPS’).

For the year ended 31 December 2015
Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling, general and administration expenses
Research and development expenses
Trading/operating profit
Trading/operating profit margin
Interest receivable
Interest payable
Other finance costs
Share of loss from associates
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Adjusted attributable/attributable profit
EPSA/EPS
Weighted average number of shares (million)
Diluted EPSA/EPS
Diluted weighted average number of shares (million)
Trading cash flow/cash generated from  
operating activities
Trading profit to cash conversion ratio (%)

Acquisition 
related  
costs  
$ million
–
–
–
(12)
–
(12)

Restructuring 
and 
rationalisation 
costs  
$ million
–
–
–
(65)
–
(65)

Amortisation  
of acquisition 
intangibles  
$ million
–
–
–
(204)
–
(204)

Legal  
and  
other  
$ million
–
–
–
(190)
–
(190)

Capital 
expenditure  
$ million
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
(2)
–
(11)
(25)
9
(16)
(1.8)

(1.8)

–
–
–
–
(65)
18
(47)
(5.3)

–
–
–
–
(204)
66
(138)
(15.4)

5
–
(2)
–
(187)
37
(150)
(16.7)

(5.2)

(15.4)

(16.6)

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

Reported  
results  
2015  
$ million
4,634
(1,143)
3,491
(2,641)
(222)
628
13.6%
11
(49)
(15)
(16)
559
(149)
410
45.9
894
45.6
899

(36)

(52)

–

(3)

358

1,203

Trading  
results  
2015  
$ million
4,634
(1,143)
3,491
(2,170)
(222)
1,099
23.7%
6
(47)
(13)
(5)
1,040
(279)
761
85.1
894
84.6
899

936
85%

Acquisition related costs and cash flows: For the year to 31 December 2015, these costs primarily relate to ongoing ArthroCare integration and 
deferred consideration for an acquisition made by an associate. 

Restructuring and rationalisation costs: For the year to 31 December 2015, these costs primarily relate to the ongoing implementation of the 
Group Optimisation plan that was announced in May 2014. 

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles: For the year ended 31 December 2015, these charges relate to the amortisation of 
intangible assets acquired in material business combinations and a total impairment of $51m including $40m relating to Oasis, a product acquired 
with the Healthpoint acquisition in 2013.

Legal and other: For the year to 31 December 2015, the net charge primarily relates to $203m for known, anticipated and settled metal on metal 
hip claims and associated legal expenses of $21m. This was offset by a net gain of $33m relating to patent litigation with Arthrex and past service 
and curtailment gains of $19m arising on US and UK post-retirement benefits. 

In addition, a total of $18m charge primarily relates to final costs relating to RENASYS distribution hold and redundancies from the decision to cease 
development of HP802.

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Acquisition 
related  
costs  
$ million
– 
(23)
(23)
(95)
– 
(118)

Restructuring 
and 
rationalisation 
costs  
$ million
– 
(12)
(12)
(49)
– 
(61)

Amortisation  
of acquisition 
intangibles  
$ million
– 
– 
– 
(129)
– 
(129)

– 
(7)
– 
– 
(125)
30 
(95)
(10.6¢)

– 
– 
– 
– 
(61)
15 
(46)
(5.2¢)

– 
– 
– 
– 
(129)
35 
(94)
(10.5¢)

Legal  
and  
other  
$ million
– 
– 
– 
2 
– 
2 

– 
– 
– 
– 
2 
(9)
(7) 
(0.8¢)

Capital 
expenditure  
$ million
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

(10.5¢)

(5.1¢)

(10.5¢)

(0.8¢)

– 

Reported  
results  
2014  
$ million
4,617 
(1,162)
3,455 
(2,471)
(235)
749 
16.2%
13 
(35)
(11)
(2)
714 
(213)
501 
56.1¢
893 
55.7¢
899

(112)

(60)

– 

(23)

 375

961 

Trading  
results  
2014  
$ million
4,617 
(1,127)
3,490 
(2,200)
(235)
1,055 
22.9%
13 
(28)
(11)
(2)
1,027 
(284)
743 
83.2¢
893 
82.6¢
899

781 
74%

For the year ended 31 December 2014
Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling, general and administration expenses
Research and development expenses
Trading/operating profit
Trading/operating profit margin
Interest receivable
Interest payable
Other finance costs
Share of loss from associates
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Adjusted attributable/attributable profit
EPSA/EPS
Weighted average number of shares (million)
Diluted EPSA/EPS
Diluted weighted average number of shares (million)
Trading cash flow/cash generated from  
operating activities
Trading profit to cash conversion ratio (%)

Acquisition related costs: For the year ended 31 December 2014, these costs primarily relate to transaction and integration costs associated with 
the ArthroCare acquisition with a small portion of costs relating to the continued integration of Healthpoint and the recent acquisitions in the 
Emerging & International Markets. In addition, trading results eliminate the short-term increase in cost of goods sold from recognising acquired 
inventory at fair value rather than standard cost. For the year ended 31 December 2013, these costs primarily relate to the integration of the 
Healthpoint business. 

Restructuring and rationalisation costs: For the year ended 31 December 2014, these costs relate to the Group Optimisation programme that 
was announced in May 2014 and the structural and efficiency programme announced in August 2011. 

Amortisation of acquisition intangibles: This charge relates to the amortisation of intangible assets acquired in material business combinations.

Legal and other: For the year ended 31 December 2014, this net credit relates to a past service gain and a settlement credit on the closure of US 
Pension Plan of $46m and a gain on disposal of a UK manufacturing facility of $9m, offset by a charge of $25m relating to the likely costs of a 
distribution hold on RENASYS in the US pending new regulatory approvals and a charge of $28m relating to the HP802 programme which was 
stopped in the fourth quarter.

 
 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

Acquisition 
related  
costs  
$ million
– 
(5)
(5)
(26)
– 
(31)

Restructuring 
and 
rationalisation 
costs  
$ million
– 
(12)
(12)
(46)
– 
(58)

Amortisation  
of acquisition 
intangibles  
$ million
– 
– 
– 
(88)
– 
(88)

Legal  
and  
other  
$ million
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
(31)
6 
(25)
(2.8¢)

– 
– 
– 
– 
(58)
11 
(47)
(5.2¢)

– 
– 
– 
– 
(88)
23 
(65)
(7.2¢)

(2.8¢)

(5.2¢)

(7.1¢)

(25)

(54)

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

–

–

Trading  
Results  
2013 
$ million
4,351 
(1,083)
3,268 
(2,050)
(231) 
987 
22.7%
14 
(10)
(11)
(1)
979 
(286)
693 
76.9¢
901 
76.5¢
906

877 
89%

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Capital 
expenditure  
$ million
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

–

Reported  
results  
2013  
$ million
4,351 
(1,100)
3,251 
(2,210)
(231) 
810 
18.6%
14 
(10)
(11)
(1)
802 
(246)
556 
61.7¢
901 
61.4¢
906

340 

1,138 

For the year ended 31 December 2013
Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling, general and administration expenses
Research and development expenses
Trading/operating profit
Trading/operating profit margin
Interest receivable
Interest payable
Other finance costs
Share of loss from associates
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Adjusted attributable/attributable profit
EPSA/EPS
Weighted average number of shares (million)
Diluted EPSA/EPS
Diluted weighted average number of shares (million)
Trading cash flow/cash generated from 
operating activities
Trading profit to cash conversion ratio (%)

Acquisition related costs: For the year ended 31 December 2013, these costs primarily relate to the integration of the Healthpoint business. 

Restructuring and rationalisation costs: For the year ended 31 December 2013, these costs primarily relate to the structural and efficiency 
programme announced in August 2011. 

Amortisation of acquisition intangibles: This charge relates to the amortisation of intangible assets acquired in material business combinations.

Transactional and translational exchange
The Group’s principal markets outside the US are, in order of significance, Continental Europe, UK, Australia and Japan. Revenues in these markets 
fluctuate when translated into US Dollars on consolidation. During the year, the average rates of exchange against the US Dollar used to translate 
revenues and profits arising in these markets changed compared to the previous year as follows: the Euro weakened from 1.33 to 1.09 (–18%), 
Sterling weakened from 1.65 to 1.48 (–10%), the Swiss Franc weakened from 1.09 to 1.00 (–8%), the Australian Dollar weakened from 0.90 to 0.73 
(–18%) and the Japanese Yen weakened from 105.84 to 120.38 (14%).

The Group’s principal manufacturing locations are in the US, Switzerland, UK and China. The majority of the Group’s selling and distribution 
subsidiaries around the world purchase finished products from these locations. As a result of currency movements compared with the previous 
year, sales from the US became relatively more profitable to all of these countries. The Group’s policy of purchasing forward a proportion of its 
currency requirements and the existence of an inventory pipeline reduce the short-term impact of currency movements. 

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

Contractual obligations
Contractual obligations at 31 December 2015 were as follows:

Debt obligations
Finance lease obligations
Operating lease obligations
Retirement benefit obligation
Purchase obligations
Capital expenditure
Other

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Payments due by period

Less than  
1 year  
$ million
44
2
45
49
19
24
31
214

1–3 years  
$ million
300
5
48
–
19
–
19
391

3–5 years  
$ million
–
3
21
–
15
–
–
39

More than  
5 years  
$ million
–
–
9
–
3
–
–
12

Other contractual obligations represent $23m of foreign exchange contracts and $27m of acquisition consideration. Provisions that do not relate to 
contractual obligations are not included in the above table.

The agreed contributions for 2016 in respect of the Group’s defined benefits plans are: $36m for the UK (including $29m of supplementary 
payments), $20m for the US Plan and $6m for other funded defined benefit plans. The table above does not include amounts payable in respect of 
2016 and beyond as these are subject to future agreement and amounts cannot be reasonably estimated.

There are a number of agreements that take effect, alter or terminate upon a change in control of the Company or the Group following a takeover, 
such as bank loan agreements and Company share plans. None of these are deemed to be significant in terms of their potential impact on the 
business of the Group as a whole. In addition, there are service contracts between the Company and its Executive Directors which provide for the 
automatic payment of a bonus following loss of office or employment occurring because of a successful takeover bid. Further details are set out on 
page 100.

The Company does not have contracts or other arrangements which individually are essential to the business.

2014 Financial highlights
Revenue
Group revenue increased by $266m (6% on a reported basis), from $4,351m in 2013 to $4,617m in 2014.

The underlying increase is 2%, after adjusting for the 5% impact of the acquisitions of ArthroCare and a Brazilian distributor and 1% attributable to 
the unfavourable impact of currency movements. Despite flat growth in the Established Markets, growth of 17% in the Emerging & International 
Markets contributed to this underlying increase of 2%.

Cost of goods sold
Cost of goods sold increased by $62m (6% on a reported basis) from $1,100m in 2013 to $1,162m in 2014. The underlying movement is 5% after 
adjusting for the net impact of 4% from the ArthroCare acquisition and 3% attributable to the unfavourable impact of currency movements. 
The movement in underlying costs of goods sold of 5% is largely attributable to the increase in underlying trading.

During 2014, $12m of restructuring and rationalisation expenses (2013 – $12m) and $23m of acquisition related costs (2013 – $5m) were charged to 
cost of goods sold.

Selling, general and administration expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $261m (12% on a reported basis) from $2,210m in 2013 to $2,471m in 2014. 
The underlying movement is 5% after adjusting for the net impact of 7% from the ArthroCare acquisition. Currency movements had no impact.

The underlying increase of 5% is due to the promotion of new product and costs associated with the RENASYS distribution hold and HP802 
termination and the underlying increase in trading.

In 2014, administrative expenses included $62m of amortisation of other intangible assets (2013 – $64m), $49m of restructuring and rationalisation 
expenses (2013 – $46m), an amount of $129m relating to amortisation of acquisition intangibles (2013 – $88m) and $95m of acquisition related 
costs (2013 – $26m).

 
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OUR PERFORMANCE

GOVERNANCE

OUR FINANCIALS

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Research and development expenses
Research and development expenditure as a percentage of revenue remained broadly consistent at 5.1% in 2014 (2013 – 5.3%). Actual expenditure 
was $235m in 2014 compared to $231m in 2013. The Group continues to invest in innovative technologies and products to differentiate it 
from competitors. 

Operating profit
Operating profit decreased by $61m to $749m from $810m in 2013. This comprised an increase of $6m in Advanced Surgical Devices and a 
decrease of $67m in Advanced Wound Management.

The movement in Advanced Surgical Devices is attributable to the continuing pressure on margins and its investment in the  
Emerging & International Markets. Advanced Wound Management has been adversely impacted by the costs associated with the 
RENASYS distribution hold and the impairment and costs associated with the termination of the HP802 programme.

Net interest receivable/(payable)
Net interest receivable increased by $26m from net $4m receivable in 2013 to a net receivable of $22m in 2014. This movement is primarily due to 
an increase in interest payable as a result of financing the ArthroCare acquisition. Interest receivable also decreased following the repayment by 
Bioventus LLC of their loan note in October 2014.

Other finance cost
Other finance costs in 2014 remained at $11m and principally relate to costs associated with the Group’s retirement benefit schemes.

Taxation
The taxation charge decreased by $33m to $213m from $246m in 2013. The reported rate of tax was 29.9%, compared with 30.5% in 2013.

After adjusting for specific transactions that management considers affect the Group’s short-term profitability, restructuring and rationalisation 
expenses, amortisation of acquisition intangibles, acquisition related costs and legal and other items, the tax rate on trading profit was 27.7% 
(2013 – 29.2%).

Commentary on the Group balance sheet
Non-current assets
Non-current assets increased by $1,303m to $4,866m in 2014 from $3,563m in 2013. This is principally attributable to the following:
 − Property, plant and equipment increased by $75m from $816m in 2013 to $891m in 2014. Depreciation of $222m was charged during 2014, 

assets with a net book value of $15m were disposed of and $14m was impaired relating to HP802. These movements were offset by $298m of 
additions relating primarily to instruments and other plant & machinery and $62m of additions arising on acquisitions of ArthroCare. The balance 
relates to unfavourable currency movements totalling $34m.

 − Goodwill increased by $771m from $1,256m in 2013 to $2,027m in 2014. Of this movement, $829m arose on the acquisition of ArthroCare and 

$15m on the acquisition in Brazil. The remaining balance relates to favourable currency movements totalling $73m.

 − Intangible assets decreased by $693m from $1,054m in 2013 to $1,747m in 2014. Intangible assets totalling $817m and $16m arose on the 

acquisition of ArthroCare and Brazil respectively. Amortisation of $191m was charged during the year and assets with a net book value of $1m 
were disposed of. A total of $77m relates to the cost of intellectual property, distribution rights and software acquired. The balance relates to 
unfavourable currency movements totalling $25m.

 − Investment in associates of $112m in 2014 has increased from $107m in 2013. The loan to the associate was fully repaid in the year.
 − Deferred tax assets decreased by $68m in the year from $145m in 2013 to $77m in 2014.

Current assets
Current assets increased by $184m to $2,440m from $2,256m in 2013. The movement relates to the following:
 − Inventories rose by $175m to $1,181m in 2014 from $1,006m in 2013. This movement is principally attributable to the acquisitions of ArthroCare 
and distributor in Brazil which increased inventory by $70m and $36m relating to the purchase of an advanced quantity of an ingredient to 
ensure continued supply of REGRANEX.

 − The level of trade and other receivables increased by $53m to $1,166m in 2014 from $1,113m in 2013. The movement primarily relates to the 

increase in underlying revenues and $54m from the ArthroCare acquisition offset by $75m of unfavourable currency movements.

 − Cash at bank has fallen by $44m to $93m from $137m in 2013.

Non-current liabilities
Non-current liabilities increased by $1,405m from $699m in 2013 to $2,104m in 2014. This movement relates to the following items:
 − Long-term borrowings have increased from $347m in 2013 to $1,666m in 2014 as a result of the $1.1bn private placements and $400m additional 

long-term facility use to fund the acquisition of ArthroCare.

 − The Retirement benefit obligation increased by $3m to $233m in 2014 from $230m in 2013.
 − Deferred tax liabilities increased by $48m in the year from $50m in 2013 to $98m in 2014.

Current liabilities
Current liabilities increased by $89m from $1,073m in 2013 to $1,162m in 2014. This movement is attributable to:
 − Bank overdrafts and current borrowings have decreased by $5m from $44m in 2013 to $39m in 2014.
 − Trade and other payables have increased by $53m to $838m in 2014 from $785m in 2013. This increase includes $75m of trade and other 

payables arising on the acquisition of ArthroCare and distributor in Brazil offset by $34m of favourable currency movements.

 − Current tax payable is $218m at the end of 2014 compared to $184m in 2013.

 
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OUR FINANCIALS

Total equity
Total equity decreased by $7m from $4,047m in 2013 to $4,040m in 2014. The principal movements were:

1 January 2014
Attributable profit
Currency translation gains
Hedging reserves
Actuarial losses on retirement benefit obligations
Dividends paid during the year
Purchase of own shares
Taxation on other comprehensive income and equity items
Net share-based transactions
31 December 2014

2013 Financial performance by business segment
2013 Financial highlights

OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Total equity  
$ million
4,047
501
(196)
12
(94)
(250)
(75)
19
76
4,040

Revenue
Group revenue increased by $214m (5% on a reported basis), from $4,137m in 2012 to $4,351 in 2013. The underlying increase is 4% after adjusting 
for the net impact of 2% on the Healthpoint acquisition and Clinical Therapies disposal and 1% attributable to the unfavourable impact of 
currency movements.

Costs of goods sold
Costs of goods sold increased by $30m (3% on a reported basis) from $1,070m in 2012 to $1,100m in 2013. The underlying movement is 2% after 
adjusting for the net impact of 2% on the Healthpoint acquisition and Clinical Therapies disposal and 1% attributable to the favourable impact of 
currency movements. The movement in underlying costs of goods sold of 2% is largely attributable to the increase in underlying trading.

During 2013, $12m of restructuring and rationalisation expenses (2012 – $3m) and $5m of acquisition related costs (2012 – $nil) were charged to 
costs of goods sold.

Selling, general and administration expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $160m (8% on a reported basis) from $2,050m in 2012 to $2,210m in 2013. 
The underlying movement is 6% after adjusting for the net impact of 3% on the Healthpoint acquisition and Clinical Therapies disposal and 1% 
attributable to the favourable impact of currency movements.

The underlying increase of 6% is due to the continuing investment in Emerging & International Markets, promotion of new products in ASD and 
AWM and the underlying increase in trading.

In 2013, administrative expenses included $64m of amortisation of other intangible assets (2012 – $51m), $46m of restructuring and rationalisation 
expenses (2012 – $62m), an amount of $88m relating to amortisation of acquisition intangibles (2012 – $43m) and $26m of acquisition related 
costs (2012 – $11m).

Research and development expenses
Research and development expenditure as a percentage of revenue increased by 1.2% to 5.3% in 2013 (2012 – 4.1%). Actual expenditure  
was $231m in 2013 compared to $171m in 2012. The Group continues to invest in innovative technologies and products to differentiate it 
from competitors.

 
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OTHER FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Operating profit
Operating profit decreased by $36m to $810m from $846m in 2012. This comprised a decrease of $12m in Advanced Surgical Devices and a 
decrease of £24m in Advanced Wound Management.

The movement in Advanced Surgical Devices is attributable to the continuing pressure on margins and its investment in the Emerging & 
International Markets. Advanced Wound Management has continued to invest in new products and new geographic markets throughout the year.

Net interest receivable/(payable)
Net interest receivable increased by $2m from net $2m receivable in 2012 to a net receivable of $4m in 2013. This increase is principally a 
consequence of the interest receivable on the Bioventus LLC (‘Bioventus’) loan note issued following the disposal of the Clinical Therapies business 
which has been in place for a full year in 2013 compared to eight months in 2012. This loan note was repaid in full in 2014.

Other finance cost
Other finance costs in 2013 remained at $11m and principally relate to costs associated with the Group’s retirement benefit schemes.

Taxation
The taxation charge decreased by $125m to $246m from $371m in 2012. The reported rate of tax was 30.5%, compared with 33.7% in 2012.

After adjusting for specific transactions that management considers affect the Group’s short-term profitability (profit on disposal of the Clinical 
Therapies business, restructuring and rationalisation expenses, amortisation of acquisition intangibles and acquisition related costs) the tax rate on 
trading profit was 29.2% (2012 – 29.9%).

Group balance sheet
The following table sets out certain balance sheet data as at 31 December of the years indicated:

Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Total equity
Total equity and liabilities

2013  
$ million
3,563
2,256
5,819
699
1,073
1,772
4,047
5,819

2012 
$ million
3,498
2,144
5,642
828
930
1,758
3,884
5,642

 
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Financial calendar

Annual General Meeting

First quarter trading report
Payment of 2015 final dividend
Half year results announced
Third quarter trading report
Payment of 2016 interim dividend
Full year results announced
Annual Report available
Annual General Meeting

1  Dividend declaration dates.

INFORMATION FOR 
SHAREHOLDERS

14 April 2016

5 May 2016
11 May 2016
28 July 20161
3 November 2016
November 2016
February 20171
February/March 2017
April 2017

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) will be held on 14 April 2016 at 2:00pm at No. 11 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0AN. 
Registered shareholders have been sent either a Notice of Annual General Meeting or notification of availability of the Notice of  
Annual General Meeting.

Corporate headquarters and registered office
The corporate headquarters is in the UK and the registered office address is: Smith & Nephew plc, 15 Adam Street, London W2N 6LA, UK. 
Registered in England and Wales No. 324357. Tel. +44 (0)20 7401 7646 website: www.smith-nephew.com

Ordinary shareholders

Registrar
All general enquiries concerning shareholdings, dividends, changes to shareholders’ personal details and the AGM should be addressed to:

Equiniti, Aspect House, Spencer Road, Lancing, West Sussex BN99 6DA

Tel: 0371 384 2081* 
Tel: +44 (0) 121 415 7072 from outside the UK 
Website: www.shareview.co.uk

* 

 Lines are open from 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays in England and Wales.

Shareholder facilities
Shareview
Equiniti’s on-line enquiry and portfolio management service for shareholders. To view information about your shareholdings online, register  
at www.shareview.co.uk. Once registered for Shareview, you will also be able to elect to receive future shareholder communications via the 
Company’s website (www.smith-nephew.com), update your address details or dividend payment instructions and register your proxy instructions on-line.

E-communications
We encourage you to elect to receive communications via e-mail as this has significant environmental and cost benefits. You may register for this 
service through Equiniti, at www.shareview.co.uk. You will receive a confirmation letter from Equiniti at your registered address, containing an 
Activation Code for future use.

Payment of dividends direct to your bank or building society account
If you wish to avoid the risk of your dividend awards getting lost or mislaid you can arrange to have your cash dividends paid directly to a bank or 
building society account. This facility is available to UK resident shareholders who receive Sterling dividends. If you do not live in the UK you may  
be able to register for the overseas payment service. Further information is available at www.shareview.co.uk or by contacting Equiniti (UK and 
overseas helpline numbers as above).

Dividend Re-Investment plan (‘DRIP’)
The Company offers shareholders (except those in North America) the opportunity to participate in a DRIP. This enables you to reinvest your cash 
dividends in further ordinary shares of Smith & Nephew plc. These are purchased in the market at competitive dealing costs. For further details 
plus an application form to reinvest future dividends, contact Equiniti.

Duplicate accounts
If you have more than one account due to inconsistency in account details, you may avoid duplicate mailings by contacting Equiniti and requesting 
an amalgamation of your share accounts. 

Keep your personal details up to date
Please remember to tell Equiniti if you move house or change bank details or there is any other change in your account information. You can update 
your information on-line via the Shareview portfolio if you are a Smith & Nephew Shareview member. If you do not have a portfolio you will need to 
write to Equiniti or complete a change of address form which can be downloaded from Shareview. If you hold 2,500 shares or fewer, you can also 
change your address or update your bank details quickly and easily over the phone using the contact details provided. 

 
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INFORMATION FOR 
SHAREHOLDERS

Individual savings account (‘ISA’)
Shareholders who are UK resident may hold Smith & Nephew plc shares in an ISA, which is administered by the Company’s registrar. 
For information about this service please contact Equiniti.

Shareholder communications
We make quarterly financial announcements which are made available through Stock Exchange announcements and on the Group’s website 
(www.smith-nephew.com). Copies of recent Annual Reports, press releases, institutional presentations and audio webcasts are also available on 
the website.

We send paper copies of the Notice of Annual General Meeting and Annual Report only to those shareholders and ADS holders who have elected 
to receive shareholder documentation by post. Electronic copies of the Annual Report and Notice of Annual General Meeting are available on the 
Group’s website at www.smith-nephew.com. Both ordinary shareholders and ADS holders can request paper copies of the Annual Report, which 
the Company provides free of charge. The Company will continue to send to ordinary shareholders by post the Form of Proxy notifying them of the 
availability of the Annual Report and Notice of Annual General Meeting on the Group’s website. If you elect to receive the Annual Report and Notice 
of Annual General Meeting electronically you are informed by e-mail of the documents’ availability on the Group’s website. ADS holders receive the 
Form of Proxy by post, but will not receive a paper copy of the Notice of Annual General Meeting.

Investor communications
The Company maintains regular dialogue with individual institutional shareholders, together with results presentations. To ensure that all members 
of the Board develop an understanding of the views of major investors, the Executive Directors review significant issues raised by investors with the 
Board. Non-Executive Directors are sent copies of analysts’ and brokers’ briefings. There is an opportunity for individual shareholders to question 
the Directors at the Annual General Meeting and the Company regularly responds to letters from shareholders on a range of issues.

UK capital gains tax
For the purposes of UK capital gains tax, the price of the Company’s ordinary shares on 31 March 1982 was 35.04p.

Smith & Nephew share price
The Company’s ordinary shares are quoted on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol SN. The Company’s share price is available on 
the Smith & Nephew website www.smith-nephew.com and at www.londonstockexchange.com where the live financial data is updated with a 
15-minute delay.

ShareGift
If you hold a small number of shares, which would cost more to sell than they are worth, you may wish to consider donating them to the charity 
ShareGift (Registered Charity no. 1052686) which specialises in accepting such shares as donations. There are no implications for Capital Gains 
Tax purposes (no gain or loss) and it may also be possible to obtain income tax relief. The relevant stock transfer form may be obtained from Equiniti 
at the address given on page 185.

Further information about ShareGift is available at www.sharegift.org or by contacting ShareGift at:

ShareGift, PO Box 72253, London SW1P 9LQ

Tel: (+44) (0) 20 7930 3737

Unauthorised brokers (boiler room scams)
You are advised to be very wary of any unsolicited advice, offers to buy shares at a discount or offers of free company reports. These are typically 
from overseas-based ‘brokers’ who target UK shareholders offering to sell them what often turn out to be worthless or high-risk shares in US or UK 
investments. These operations are commonly known as ‘boiler rooms’.

If you deal with an unauthorised firm, you will not be eligible to receive payment under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme if things go 
wrong. If you receive any unsolicited investment advice, obtain the correct name of the person and organisation and check that they are properly 
authorised by the FCA by visiting www.fca.org.uk/register/.

If you think you have been approached by an unauthorised firm you should contact the FCA consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768 or e-mail 
consumer.queries@fca.org.uk. 

More detailed information can be found on the FCA website at www.fca.org.uk/consumers/protect-yourself/unauthorised-firms.

Social media 
Smith & Nephew has a presence across a range of social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, which are linked below. 
Information provided by Smith & Nephew through social media channels is not incorporated by reference herein and does not form part of our 
Annual Report or Form 20-F.

twitter.com/SmithNephewPLC  

facebook.com/SmithNephewPlc  

linkedin.com/company/smith-&-nephew

 
 
 
 
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American Depositary Shares (ADSs) and American Depositary Receipts (ADRs)
In the USA, the Company’s ordinary shares are traded in the form of ADSs, evidenced by ADRs, on the New York Stock Exchange under the 
symbol SNN. Each American Depositary Share represents two ordinary shares. Deutsche Bank is the authorised depositary bank for the 
Company’s ADR programme.

ADS enquiries
All enquiries regarding ADS holder accounts and payment of dividends should be addressed to:

Deutsche Bank Shareholder Services 
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company 
Operations Centre 6201 15th Avenue 
Brooklyn, New York 
NY 11219

Tel: +1 866  249 2593 (toll free) 
E-mail: DB@amstock.com 
Website: www.adr.db.com

The Deutsche Bank Global Direct Investor Services Program is available for US residents, enabling investment directly in ADSs with reduced 
brokerage commissions and service costs. For further information on Global Direct contact Deutsche Bank Shareholder Services (as above) or visit 
www.adr.db.com.

The Company provides Deutsche Bank, as depositary, with copies of Annual Reports containing Consolidated Financial Statements and the 
opinion expressed thereon by its independent auditor. Such financial statements are prepared under IFRS. Deutsche Bank will send these reports 
to recorded ADS holders who have elected to receive paper copies. The Company also provides to Deutsche Bank all notices of shareholders’ 
meetings and other reports and communications that are made generally available to shareholders of the Company. Deutsche Bank makes such 
notices, reports and communications available for inspection by recorded holders of ADSs and sends voting instruction forms by post to all 
recorded holders of ADSs.

Smith & Nephew ADS price
The Company’s ADS price can be obtained from the official New York Stock Exchange website at www.nyse.com, the Smith & Nephew website 
www.smith-nephew.com, and is quoted daily in the Wall Street Journal where the live financial data is updated with a 15-minute delay. 

ADS payment information
The Company hereby discloses ADS payment information for the year ended 31 December 2015 in accordance with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission rules 12.D.3 and 12.D.4 relating to Form 20-F filings by foreign private issuers. The depositary collects its fees for delivery and 
surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for 
them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors, including payment of dividends by the Company by deducting those fees 
from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for 
depositary services by deductions from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts of 
participants acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fee for those services are paid.

Persons depositing or withdrawing shares must pay
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs)
$0.05 (or less) per ADS

$0.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year
Registration or transfer fees

Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or the custodian 
have to pay on any ADS or share underlying an ADS, for example, stock 
transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for servicing the 
deposited securities

For
Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution  
of shares or rights or other property
Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including if the 
deposit agreement terminates
Any cash distribution to ADS registered holders, including payment  
of dividend
Depositary services
Transfer and registration of shares on our share register to or from  
the name of the depositary or its agent when shares are deposited  
or withdrawn
As necessary

As necessary

During 2015, a fee of one US cent per ADS was collected on the 2014 final dividend paid in May and a fee of one US cent per ADS was collected on 
the 2015 interim dividend paid in October. In the period 1 January 2015 to 23 February 2016, the total program payments made by Deutsche Bank 
Trust Company Americas were $517,700.19.

 
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INFORMATION FOR 
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Dividend history
Smith & Nephew has paid dividends on its ordinary shares in every year since 1937. Following the capital restructuring and dividend reduction in 
2000, the Group adopted a policy of increasing its dividend cover (the ratio of EPSA, as set out in the ‘Selected financial data’, to ordinary dividends 
declared for the year). This was intended to increase the financing capability of the Group for acquisitions and other investments. From 2000 to 
2004, the dividend increased in line with inflation and, in 2004, dividend cover stood at 4.1 times. Having achieved this level of dividend cover the 
Board changed its policy, from that of increasing dividends in line with inflation, to that of increasing dividends for 2005 and after by 10%. 
Following the redenomination of the Company’s share capital into US Dollars, the Board re-affirmed its policy of increasing the dividend by 10% a 
year in US Dollar terms.

On 2 August 2012, the Board announced its intention to pursue a progressive dividend policy, with the aim of increasing the US Dollar value  
of ordinary dividends over time broadly based on the Group’s underlying growth in earnings, while taking into account capital requirements and 
cash flows.

At the time of the full year results, the Board reviews the appropriate level of total annual dividend each year. The Board intends that the interim 
dividend will be set by a formula and will be equivalent to 40% of the total dividend for the previous year. Dividends will continue to be declared in 
US Dollars with an equivalent amount in Sterling payable to those shareholders whose registered address is in the UK, or who have validly elected 
to receive Sterling dividends.

An interim dividend in respect of each fiscal year is normally declared in August and paid in November. A final dividend will be recommended by 
the Board of Directors and paid subject to approval by shareholders at the Company’s Annual General Meeting.

Future dividends of Smith & Nephew will be dependent upon: future earnings; the future financial condition of the Group; the Board’s dividend 
policy; and the additional factors that might affect the business of the Group set out in ‘Special note regarding forward-looking statements’ and 
‘Risk Factors’.

Dividends per share
The table below sets out the dividends per ordinary share in the last five years.

Pence per share:
Interim
Final1,2
Total
US cents per share:
Interim
Final2
Total

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Years ended 31 December

8.533
13.496
22.029

13.111
19.000
32.111

7.578
13.711
21.289 

12.222
20.667
32.889

7.211
11.233 
18.444

11.556
18.889
30.445

6.811
11.778
18.589

11.000
18.000
29.000

4.639
7.444 
12.083 

7.333
12.000
19.333

1  Translated at the Bank of England rate on 23 February 2016.
2  2015 final dividend does not include a UK tax credit. See below.

Dividends above include the associated UK tax credit of 10%, but exclude the deduction of withholding taxes, up to and including the interim 
dividend for 2015. From 6 April 2016, please note that dividends below £5,000 per tax year will be tax free and dividends above £5,000 per tax 
year will be subject to personal income tax at the rate of 7.5% for basic rate taxpayers, 32.5% for higher rate taxpayers and 38.1% for additional rate 
taxpayers. A self-assessment form will therefore be required. This will apply to both cash and DRIP dividends, although dividends paid on shares 
held within pensions and ISAs will be unaffected, remaining tax free.

Since the second interim dividend for 2005, all dividends have been declared in US cents per ordinary share.

The 2015 final dividend will be payable on 11 May 2016, subject to shareholder approval.

In respect of the proposed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2015 of 19.0 US cents per ordinary share, the record date will be 22 April 
2016 and the payment date will be 11 May 2016. The Sterling equivalent per ordinary share will be set following the record date. Shareholders may 
elect to receive their dividend in either Sterling or US Dollars and the last day for election will be 22 April 2016. The ordinary shares will trade 
ex-dividend on both the London and New York Stock Exchanges from 21 April 2016. 

The proposed final dividend of 19.0 US cents per ordinary share, which together with the interim dividend of 11.8 US cents, makes a total for 2015  
of 30.8 US cents.

 
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Share prices
The table below sets out, for the periods indicated, the highest and lowest middle market quotations for the Company’s ordinary shares (as derived 
from the Daily Official List of the UK Listing Authority) and the highest and lowest sales prices of its ADSs (as reported on the New York Stock 
Exchange composite tape).

Year ended 31 December:
2011
2012
2013
20141
2015
Quarters in the year ended 31 December:
2014:
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter1
2015:
1st Quarter

2nd Quarter
3rd Quarter
4th Quarter
2016:
1st Quarter (to 23 February 2016)
Last six months:
August 2015
September 2015
October 2015
November 2015
December 2015
January 2016
February 2016 (to 23 February 2016)

High  
£

7.42
6.93
8.68
11.93
12.12

9.60
11.00
10.80
11.93

12.00

11.95
12.03
12.12

11.79

12.03
11.81
11.69
11.33
12.12
11.79
11.61

Ordinary shares

Low  
£

5.21
5.80
6.80
8.57
10.60

8.57
8.61
9.86
9.06

11.13

10.72
10.68
10.60

10.51

10.71
11.22
10.96
10.70
10.60
10.82
10.51

High  
US$

60.19
56.13
71.85
97.27
37.78

80.18
97.27
90.45
83.14

36.85

35.80
37.78
35.88

34.80

37.78
36.32
35.81
34.38
35.88
34.80
33.66

ADSs 

Low  
US$

42.17
45.13
52.90
29.39
32.48

70.84
73.17
82.91
29.39

33.44

33.68
33.24
32.48

30.55

33.62
34.13
33.57
32.74
32.48
31.47
30.55

1  On 14 October 2014, the ratio of ordinary shares per ADS changed from five ordinary shares per ADS to two ordinary shares per ADS. 

 
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Share Capital
The principal trading market for the ordinary shares is the London Stock Exchange. The ordinary shares were listed on the New York Stock 
Exchange on 16 November 1999, trading in the form of ADSs evidenced by ADRs. Each ADS represents two ordinary shares from 14 October 2014, 
before which time one ADS represented five ordinary shares. The ADS facility is sponsored by Deutsche Bank acting as depositary.

All the ordinary shares, including those held by Directors and Executive Officers, rank pari passu with each other. On 23 January 2006, the 
ordinary shares of 122/9p were redenominated as ordinary shares of US 20 cents (following approval by shareholders at the Extraordinary General 
Meeting in December 2005). The new US Dollar ordinary shares carry the same rights as the previous ordinary shares. The share price continues 
to be quoted in Sterling. In 2006, the Company issued £50,000 of shares in Sterling in order to comply with English law. These were issued as 
deferred shares, which are not listed on any stock exchange. They have extremely limited rights and therefore effectively have no value. 
These shares were allotted to the Chief Executive Officer, although the Board reserves the right to transfer them to another member of the Board 
should it so wish.

Shareholdings
As at 23 February 2016, to the knowledge of the Group, there were 17,487 registered holders of ordinary shares, of whom 91 had registered 
addresses in the USA and held a total of 187,058 ordinary shares (0.02% of the total issued). Because certain ordinary shares are registered in the 
names of nominees, the number of shareholders with registered addresses in the USA is not representative of the number of beneficial owners of 
ordinary shares resident in the USA.

As at 23 February 2016, 28,257,095 ADSs equivalent to 56,514,190 ordinary shares or approximately 6.31% of the total ordinary shares in issue, 
were outstanding and were held by 87 registered ADS holders.

Major shareholders
As far as is known to Smith & Nephew, the Group is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation or by any government and 
the Group has not entered into arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of the Group.

As at 23 February 2016, no persons are known to Smith & Nephew to have any interest (as defined in the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the 
FCA) in 3% or more of the ordinary shares, other than as shown below. The following tables show changes over the last three years in the 
percentage and numbers of the issued share capital owned by shareholders holding 3% or more of ordinary shares, as notified to the Company 
under the Disclosure and Transparency Rules:

BlackRock, Inc.
Invesco

BlackRock, Inc.
Invesco

23 February 2016  
%
5.2
6.0

23 February 2016  
’000

46,427
53,693

2015  
%
5.2
5.7

2015  
’000

46,427
51,539

2014  
%
5.5
5.3

2014  
’000

49,008
47,508

As at 31 December

2013  
%
4.7
12.1

As at 31 December

2013  
’000

41,870
107,823

The Company is not aware of any person who has a significant direct or indirect holding of securities in the Company, and is not aware of any 
persons holding securities which may control the Company. There are no securities in issue which have special rights as to the control of 
the Company.

Purchase of ordinary shares on behalf of the Company
At the AGM, the Company will be seeking a renewal of its current permission from shareholders to purchase up to 10% of its own shares. In order 
to avoid shareholder dilution, shares allotted to employees through employee share schemes are bought back on a quarterly basis and 
subsequently cancelled by the Company. From 1 January 2015 to 23 February 2016, in the months listed below, the Company has purchased 
4,564,065 ordinary shares at a cost of US$77,532,429.17.

6–20 May 2015
7–8 September 2015
18–24 November 2015
9–19 February 2016

Total shares  
purchased  
(000s)
1,830
505
965
1,264

Average price  
paid per share  
(pence)
1,129.1436
1,164.3216
1,112.5264
1,099.4366

Approximate US$  
value of shares  
purchased under  
the plan
32,007,094
9,105,910
16,403,478
20,015,947

The shares were purchased in the open market by JP Morgan Cazenove Limited and Merrill Lynch International on behalf of the Company.

 
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INFORMATION FOR 
SHAREHOLDERS

Exchange controls and other limitations affecting security holders
There are no UK governmental laws, decrees or regulations that restrict the export or import of capital or that affect the payment of dividends, 
interest or other payments to non-resident holders of Smith & Nephew’s securities, except for certain restrictions imposed from time to time by Her 
Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom pursuant to legislation, such as the United Nations Act 1946 and the Emergency Laws Act 1964, against 
the government or residents of certain countries.

There are no limitations, either under the laws of the UK or under the Articles of Association of Smith & Nephew, restricting the right of non-UK 
residents to hold or to exercise voting rights in respect of ordinary shares, except that where any overseas shareholder has not provided to the 
Company a UK address for the service of notices, the Company is under no obligation to send any notice or other document to an overseas 
address. It is, however, the current practice of the Company to send every notice or other document to all shareholders regardless of the country 
recorded in the register of members, with the exception of details of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, which are not sent to shareholders 
with recorded addresses in the USA and Canada.

Taxation information for shareholders
The comments below are of a general and summary nature and are based on the Group’s understanding of certain aspects of current UK and US 
federal income tax law and practice relevant to the ADSs and ordinary shares not in ADS form. The comments address the material US and UK tax 
consequences generally applicable to a person who is the beneficial owner of ADSs or ordinary shares and who, for US federal income tax 
purposes, is a citizen or resident of the USA, a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation) created or organised in or under the laws of the 
USA (or any State therein), or an estate or trust the income of which is included in gross income for US federal income tax purposes regardless of its 
source (each a ‘US Holder’). The comments set out below do not purport to address all tax consequences of the ownership of ADSs or ordinary 
shares that may be material to a particular holder and in particular do not deal with the position of shareholders who directly or indirectly own 10% 
or more of the Company’s issued ordinary shares. This discussion does not apply to (i) persons whose holding of ADSs or ordinary shares is 
effectively connected with or pertains to either a permanent establishment in the UK through which a US Holder carries on a business in the UK or 
a fixed base from which a US Holder performs independent personal services in the UK, or (ii) persons whose registered address is inside the UK. 
This discussion does not apply to certain investors subject to special rules, such as certain financial institutions, tax-exempt entities, insurance 
companies, broker-dealers and traders in securities that elect to use the mark-to-market method of tax accounting, partnerships or other entities 
treated as partnerships for US federal income tax purposes, US Holders holding ADSs or ordinary shares as part of a hedging, conversion or other 
integrated transaction or whose functional currency for US federal income tax purposes is other than the US Dollar and US Holders liable for 
alternative minimum tax. In addition, the comments below do not address the potential application of the provisions of the United States Internal 
Revenue Code, known as the Medicare contribution tax, or any US state, local or non-US (other than UK) taxes. The summary deals only with US 
Holders who hold ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets. The summary is based on current UK and US law and practice which is subject to 
change, possibly with retroactive effect. US Holders are recommended to consult their own tax advisers as to the particular tax consequences to 
them of the ownership of ADSs or ordinary shares. The Company believes, and this discussion assumes, that the Company was not a passive 
foreign investment company for its taxable year ended 31 December 2015.

This discussion is based in part on representations by the depositary and assumes that each obligation under the deposit agreement and any 
related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms. For purposes of US federal income tax law, US Holders of ADSs will generally be 
treated as owners of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs. However, the US Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom 
depositary shares are released before shares are delivered to the depositary (‘pre-released’) may be taking actions that are inconsistent with the 
claiming of foreign tax credits by owners of depositary shares. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of tax, 
described below, applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate US Holders. Accordingly, the availability of the reduced tax rate for 
dividends received by certain non-corporate US Holders of ADSs could be affected by actions that may be taken by parties to whom ADSs are 
pre-released.

Taxation of dividends in the UK and the USA
The UK does not currently impose a withholding tax on dividends paid by a UK corporation, such as the Company.

Distributions paid by the Company will be treated for US federal income tax purposes as foreign source ordinary dividend income to a US Holder to 
the extent paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined for US federal income tax purposes. Because the 
Company does not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits under US federal income tax principles, it is expected that distributions 
generally will be reported to US Holders as dividends. Such dividends will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to 
corporate US Holders.

Dividends paid to certain non-corporate US Holders of ordinary shares or ADSs may be subject to US federal income tax at lower rates than those 
applicable to other types of ordinary income if certain conditions are met. Non-corporate US Holders should consult their own tax advisers to 
determine whether they are subject to any special rules that limit their ability to be taxed at these favourable rates.

 
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INFORMATION FOR 
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Taxation of capital gains
US Holders, who are not resident or ordinarily resident for tax purposes in the UK, will not generally be liable for UK capital gains tax on any capital 
gain realised upon the sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares unless the ADSs or ordinary shares are held in connection with a trade 
carried on in the UK through a permanent establishment (or in the case of individuals, through a branch or agency). Furthermore, UK resident 
individuals who acquire ADSs or ordinary shares before becoming temporarily non-UK residents may remain subject to UK taxation of capital gains 
on gains realised while non-resident.

For US federal income tax purposes, gains or losses realised upon a taxable sale or other disposition of ADSs or ordinary shares by US Holders 
generally will be US source capital gains or losses and will be long-term capital gains or losses if the ADSs or ordinary shares were held for more 
than one year. The amount of a US Holder’s gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount realised on the sale or other disposition 
and such holder’s tax basis in the ADSs, or ordinary shares, each determined in US Dollars.

Inheritance and estate taxes
The HM Revenue & Customs imposes inheritance tax on capital transfers which occur on death, and in the seven years preceding death. The HM 
Revenue & Customs considers that the US/UK Double Taxation Convention on Estate and Gift Tax applies to inheritance tax. Consequently, a US 
citizen who is domiciled in the USA and is not a UK national or domiciled in the UK will not be subject to UK inheritance tax in respect of ADSs and 
ordinary shares. A UK national who is domiciled in the USA will be subject to both UK inheritance tax and US federal estate tax but will be entitled 
to a credit for US federal estate tax charged in respect of ADSs and ordinary shares in computing the liability to UK inheritance tax. Conversely, a US 
citizen who is domiciled or deemed domiciled in the UK will be entitled to a credit for UK inheritance tax charged in respect of ADSs and ordinary 
shares in computing the liability for US federal estate tax. Special rules apply where ADSs and ordinary shares are business property of a 
permanent establishment of an enterprise situated in the UK.

US information reporting and backup withholding
Payments of dividends on, or proceeds from the sale of, ADSs or ordinary shares that are made within the USA or through certain US-related 
financial intermediaries generally will be subject to US information reporting, and may be subject to backup withholding, unless a US Holder is an 
exempt recipient or, in the case of backup withholding, provides a correct US taxpayer identification number and certain other conditions are met. 
US backup withholding may apply if there has been a notification from the US Internal Revenue Service of a failure to report all interest or dividends.

Any backup withholding deducted may be credited against the US Holder’s US federal income tax liability, and, where the backup withholding 
exceeds the actual liability, the US Holder may obtain a refund by timely filing the appropriate refund claim with the US Internal Revenue Service.

Certain US Holders who are individuals (and under proposed Treasury regulations, certain entities) may be required to report information relating to 
securities issued by a non-US person (or foreign accounts through which the securities are held), subject to certain exceptions (including an 
exception for securities held in accounts maintained by US financial institutions). US Holders should consult their tax advisers regarding their 
reporting obligations with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs.

UK stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax
UK stamp duty is charged on documents and in particular instruments for the transfer of registered ownership of ordinary shares. Transfers of 
ordinary shares in certificated form will generally be subject to UK stamp duty at the rate of ½% of the consideration given for the transfer with the 
duty rounded up to the nearest £5.

UK stamp duty reserve tax (‘SDRT’) arises when there is an agreement to transfer shares in UK companies ‘for consideration in money or money’s 
worth’, and so an agreement to transfer ordinary shares for money or other consideration may give rise to a charge to SDRT at the rate of ½% 
(rounded up to the nearest penny). The charge of SDRT will be cancelled, and any SDRT already paid will be refunded, if within six years of the 
agreement an instrument of transfer is produced to HM Revenue & Customs and the appropriate stamp duty paid.

Transfers of ordinary shares into CREST (an electronic transfer system) are exempt from stamp duty so long as the transferee is a member of CREST 
who will hold the ordinary shares as a nominee for the transferor and the transfer is in a form that will ensure that the securities become held in 
uncertificated form within CREST. Paperless transfers of ordinary shares within CREST for consideration in money or money’s worth are liable to 
SDRT rather than stamp duty. SDRT on relevant transactions will be collected by CREST at ½%, and this will apply whether or not the transfer is 
effected in the UK and whether or not the parties to it are resident or situated in the UK.

A charge of stamp duty or SDRT at the rate of 1½% of the consideration (or, in some circumstances, the value of the shares concerned) will arise on 
a transfer or issue of ordinary shares to the depositary or to certain persons providing a clearance service (or their nominees or agents) for the 
conversion into ADRs and will generally be payable by the depositary or person providing clearance service. In accordance with the terms of the 
Deposit Agreement, any tax or duty payable by the depositary on deposits of ordinary shares will be charged by the depositary to the party to 
whom ADRs are delivered against such deposits.

No liability for stamp duty or SDRT will arise on any transfer of, or agreement to transfer, an ADS or beneficial ownership of an ADS, provided that 
the ADS and any instrument of transfer or written agreement to transfer remains at all times outside the UK, and provided further that any 
instrument of transfer or written agreement to transfer is not executed in the UK and the transfer does not relate to any matter or thing done or to be 
done in the UK (the location of the custodian as a holder of ordinary shares not being relevant in this context). In any other case, any transfer of, or 
agreement to transfer, an ADS or beneficial ownership of an ADS could, depending on all the circumstances of the transfer, give rise to a charge to 
stamp duty or SDRT.

 
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Articles of Association
The following summarises certain material rights of holders of the Company’s ordinary shares under the material provisions of the Company’s 
Articles of Association and English law. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Companies Act and the Company’s Articles of 
Association. In the following description, a ‘shareholder’ is the person registered in the Company’s register of members as the holder of an 
ordinary share.

The Company is incorporated under the name Smith & Nephew plc and is registered in England and Wales with registered number 324357.

The Company’s ordinary shares may be held in certificated or uncertificated form. No holder of the Company’s shares will be required to make 
additional contributions of capital in respect of the Company’s shares in the future. In accordance with English law, the Company’s ordinary shares 
rank equally.

Directors
Under the Company’s Articles of Association, a Director may not vote in respect of any contract, arrangement, transaction or proposal in which he, 
or any person connected with him, has any material interest other than by virtue of his interests in securities of, or otherwise in or through, the 
Company. This is subject to certain exceptions relating to proposals (a) indemnifying him in respect of obligations incurred on behalf of the 
Company, (b) indemnifying a third party in respect of obligations of the Company for which the Director has assumed responsibility under an 
indemnity or guarantee, (c) relating to an offer of securities in which he will be interested as an underwriter, (d) concerning another body corporate 
in which the Director is beneficially interested in less than 1% of the issued shares of any class of shares of such a body corporate, (e) relating to an 
employee benefit in which the Director will share equally with other employees and (f) relating to any insurance that the Company is empowered to 
purchase for the benefit of Directors of the Company in respect of actions undertaken as Directors (and/or officers) of the Company.

A Director shall not vote or be counted in any quorum present at a meeting in relation to a resolution on which he is not entitled to vote.

The Directors are empowered to exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money, subject to the limitation that the aggregate amount 
of all monies borrowed after deducting cash and current asset investments by the Company and its subsidiaries shall not exceed the sum 
of $6,500,000,000.

Any Director who has been appointed by the Directors since the previous Annual General Meeting of shareholders, either to fill a casual vacancy 
or as an additional Director holds office only until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting and then shall be eligible for re-election by 
the shareholders. The other Directors retire and are eligible for re-appointment at the third Annual General Meeting after the meeting at which they 
were last re-appointed. If not re-appointed, a Director retiring at a meeting shall retain office until the meeting appoints someone in his place, or if it 
does not do so, until the conclusion of the meeting. The Directors are subject to removal with or without cause by the Board or the shareholders. 
Directors are not required to hold any shares of the Company by way of qualification.

Under the Company’s Articles of Association and English law, a Director may be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against liabilities he 
may sustain or incur in the execution of his duties.

Rights attaching to ordinary shares
Under English law, dividends are payable on the Company’s ordinary shares only out of profits available for distribution, as determined in 
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the UK and by the Companies Act 2006. Holders of the Company’s ordinary shares 
are entitled to receive final dividends as may be declared by the Directors and approved by the shareholders in general meeting, rateable 
according to the amounts paid up on such shares, provided that the dividend cannot exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.

The Company’s Board of Directors may declare such interim dividends as appear to them to be justified by the Company’s financial position. 
If authorised by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders, the Board may also direct payment of a dividend in whole or in part by the distribution of 
specific assets (and in particular of paid up shares or debentures of the Company).

Any dividend unclaimed after 12 years from the date the dividend was declared, or became due for payment, will be forfeited and will revert to 
the Company.

There were no material modifications to the rights of shareholders under the Articles during 2016.

Voting rights of ordinary shares
Voting at any general meeting of shareholders is by a show of hands unless a poll, which is a written vote, is duly demanded and held. On a show 
of hands, every shareholder who is present in person at a general meeting has one vote regardless of the number of shares held. On a poll, every 
shareholder who is present in person or by proxy has one vote for each ordinary share held by that shareholder. A poll may be demanded by any 
of the following:
 − the chairman of the meeting;
 − at least five shareholders present or by proxy entitled to vote on the resolution;
 − any shareholder or shareholders representing in the aggregate not less than one-tenth of the total voting rights of all shareholders entitled to vote 

on the resolution; or

 − any shareholder or shareholders holding shares conferring a right to vote on the resolution on which there have been paid-up sums in 

aggregate equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sum paid up on all the shares conferring that right.

A form of proxy will be treated as giving the proxy the authority to demand a poll, or to join others in demanding one, as above.

The necessary quorum for a general meeting is two shareholders present in person or by proxy carrying the right to vote upon the business to 
be transacted.

 
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Matters are transacted at general meetings of the Company by the processing and passing of resolutions of which there are two kinds; ordinary or 
special resolutions:
 − Ordinary resolutions include resolutions for the re-election of Directors, the approval of financial statements, the declaration of dividends (other 
than interim dividends), the appointment and re-appointment of auditors or the grant of authority to allot shares. An ordinary resolution requires 
the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of those persons voting at the meetings at which there is a quorum.

 − Special resolutions include resolutions amending the Company’s Articles of Association, dis-applying statutory pre-emption rights or changing 
the Company’s name; modifying the rights of any class of the Company’s shares at a meeting of the holders of such class or relating to certain 
matters concerning the Company’s winding up. A special resolution requires the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the votes of 
the persons voting at the meeting at which there is a quorum.

Annual General Meetings must be convened upon advance written notice of 21 days. Other general meetings must be convened upon advance 
written notice of at least 14 clear days. The days of delivery or receipt of notice are not included. The notice must specify the nature of the business 
to be transacted. Meetings are convened by the Board of Directors. Members with 5% of the ordinary share capital of the Company may requisition 
the Board to convene a meeting.

Variation of rights
If, at any time, the Company’s share capital is divided into different classes of shares, the rights attached to any class may be varied, subject to the 
provisions of the Companies Act, with the consent in writing of holders of three-quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of that class or upon 
the adoption of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the shares of that class. At every such separate meeting, all the 
provisions of the articles of association relating to proceedings at a general meeting apply, except that the quorum is to be the number of persons 
(which must be two or more) who hold or represent by proxy not less than one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of the class and at any 
such meeting a poll may be demanded in writing by any person or their proxy who hold shares of that class. Where a person is present by proxy or 
proxies, he is treated as holding only the shares in respect of which the proxies are authorised to exercise voting rights.

Rights in a winding up
Except as the Company’s shareholders have agreed or may otherwise agree, upon the Company’s winding up, the balance of assets available 
for distribution:
 − after the payment of all creditors including certain preferential creditors, whether statutorily preferred creditors or normal creditors; and
 − subject to any special rights attaching to any other class of shares;
 − is to be distributed among the holders of ordinary shares according to the amounts paid-up on the shares held by them. This distribution is 

generally to be made in US Dollars. A liquidator may, however, upon the adoption of any extraordinary resolution of the shareholders and any 
other sanction required by law, divide among the shareholders the whole or any part of the Company’s assets in kind.

Limitations on voting and shareholding
There are no limitations imposed by English law or the Company’s Articles of Association on the right of non-residents or foreign persons 
to hold or vote the Company’s ordinary shares or ADSs, other than the limitations that would generally apply to all of the Company’s 
shareholders.

Transfers of shares
The Board may refuse to register the transfer of shares held in certificated form which:
 − are not fully paid (provided that it shall not exercise this discretion in such a way as to prevent stock market dealings in the shares of that class 

from taking place on an open and proper basis);

 − are not duly stamped or duly certified or otherwise shown to the satisfaction of the Board to be exempt from stamp duty, lodged at the Transfer 
Office or at such other place as the Board may appoint and (save in the case of a transfer by a person to whom no certificate was issued in 
respect of the shares in question) accompanied by the certificate for the shares to which it relates, and such other evidence as the Board may 
reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer and, if the instrument of transfer is executed by some other person on 
his behalf, the authority of that person so to do;
 − are in respect of more than one class of shares; or
 − are in favour of more than four transferees.

Deferred shares
Following the re-denomination of share capital on 23 January 2006, the ordinary shares’ nominal value became 20 US cents each. There were no 
changes to the rights or obligations of the ordinary shares. In order to comply with the Companies Act 2006, a new class of Sterling shares was 
created, deferred shares, of which £50,000 were issued and allotted in 2006 as fully paid to the Chief Executive Officer though the Board reserves 
the right to transfer them to another member of the Board should it so wish. These deferred shares have no voting or dividend rights and on 
winding up only are entitled to repayment at nominal value only if all ordinary shareholders have received the nominal value of their shares plus an 
additional $1,000 each.

Amendments
The Company does not have any special rules about amendments to its Articles of Association beyond those imposed by law.

 
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Cross Reference to Form 20-F
This table provides a cross reference from the information included in this Annual Report to the requirements of Form 20-F. 

Part I
Item 1
Item 2
Item 3

Item 4

Item 4A
Item 5

Item 6

Item 7

Item 8

Item 9

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Key Information
A – Selected Financial Data
B – Capitalization and Indebtedness
C – Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
D – Risk Factors
Information on the Company
A – History and Development of the Company
B – Business Overview
C – Organizational Structure
D – Property, Plant and equipment
Unresolved Staff Comments
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
A – Operating results
B – Liquidity and Capital Resources
C – Research and Development, patents and licences, etc.
D – Trend information
E – Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
F – Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
G – Safe Harbor
Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A – Directors and Senior Management
B – Compensation
C – Board Practices
D – Employees
E – Share Ownership
Major shareholders and Related Party Transactions
A – Major shareholders
   – Host Country shareholders
B – Related Party Transactions
C – Interests of experts and counsel
Financial information
A – Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
   – Legal Proceedings
   – Dividends
B – Significant Changes
The Offer and Listing
A – Offer and Listing Details
B – Plan of Distribution
C – Markets
D – Selling shareholders
E – Dilution
F – Expenses of the Issue

INFORMATION FOR 
SHAREHOLDERS

Page

n/a
n/a

175–176
n/a
n/a
171–174

171
3, 8–48, 120–123, 171–174, 181–184
8, 135–136, 164–165
130–131, 171
None

9, 12–13, 16, 40–41, 113, 115, 117, 181–184
117, 138–141, 156
3, 13, 28
14–15, 111, 171–174
171
181
200

50–56, 58–60
78–102
50–56, 58–77
9, 36–37, 125
89–90, 160–163

190
190
163, 171
n/a

104–166
146–147
188
None

189–191
n/a
190
n/a
n/a
n/a

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Part I
Item 10

Item 11
Item 12

Part II
Item 13
Item 14
Item 15
Item 16
Item 16A
Item 16B
Item 16C
Item 16D
Item 16E
Item 16F
Item 16G
Item 16H
Part III
Item 17
Item 18
Item 19

Additional Information
A – Share capital
B – Memorandum and Articles of Association
C – Material Contracts
D – Exchange Controls
E – Taxation
F – Dividends and Paying Agents
G – Statement by Experts
H – Documents on Display
I – Subsidiary Information
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
A – Debt securities
B – Warrants and rights
C – Other securities
D – American Depository shares

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
Controls and Procedures
(Reserved)
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Code of Ethics
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
Corporate Governance
Mine Safety Disclosure

Financial Statements
Financial Statements
Exhibits

Page

n/a
193–194
117, 157–158
191
191–192
n/a
n/a
200
164–165
141–145, 171–174

n/a
n/a
n/a
187

None
None
72–77, 105
n/a
73
77
76–77, 125
n/a
155, 190
76
2, 57
n/a

n/a
104–166

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Glossary of terms
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the meanings shown below: 

Term
ACL
ADR

ADS

Advanced Surgical Devices

Advanced Wound Management

AGM
Arthroscopy

ASD
AWM
Basis Point
Chronic wounds 

Company

Companies Act
EBITA
EBITDA
Emerging Markets
EPSA

Endoscopy

ERP

Established Markets

Euro or €
External fixation
FDA
Financial statements
FTSE 100
GMP

Group or Smith & Nephew

Meaning
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments in the human knee.
In the US, the Company’s ordinary shares are traded in the form of ADSs evidenced by American 
Depository Receipts (‘ADRs’).
In the US, the Company’s ordinary shares are traded in the form of American Depositary Shares 
(‘ADSs’).
A product group comprising products for orthopaedic replacement and reconstruction, endoscopy 
devices and trauma devices. Products for orthopaedic replacement include systems for knees, hips, 
and shoulders. Endoscopy devices comprise of support products for orthopaedic surgery such as 
computer assisted surgery and minimally invasive surgery techniques using specialised viewing and 
access devices, surgical instruments and powered equipment. Orthopaedics trauma devices are 
used in the treatment of bone fractures including rods, pins, screws, plates and external frames. 
A product group comprising products associated with the treatment of skin wounds, ranging from 
products that provide moist wound healing using breathable films and polymers to products providing 
active wound healing by biochemical or cellular action.
Annual General Meeting of the Company.
Endoscopy of the joints is termed ‘arthroscopy’, with the principal applications being the knee 
and shoulder.
Advanced Surgical Devices division.
Advanced Wound Management division.
One hundredth of one percentage point.
Chronic wounds are those with long or unknown healing times including leg ulcers, pressure sores 
and diabetic foot ulcers.
Smith & Nephew plc or, where appropriate, the Company’s Board of Directors, unless the context 
otherwise requires.
Companies Act 2006, as amended, of England and Wales.
Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation.
Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.
Emerging Markets include Greater China, India, Brazil and Russia.
EPSA is a trend measure, which presents the long-term profitability of the Group excluding the 
post-tax impact of specific transactions that management considers affects the Group’s short-term 
profitability. The Group presents this measure to assist investors in their understanding of trends. 
Adjusted attributable profit is the numerator used for this measure and is determined by adjusting 
attributable profit for the items that are excluded from operating profit when arriving at trading profit 
and items that are recognised below operating profit that affect the Group’s short-term profitability.
Through a small incision, surgeons are able to see inside the body using a monitor and identify and 
repair defects.
Enterprise Resource Planning: a software system which integrates internal and external management 
information, facilitating the flow of information across an organisation.
Established Markets include United States of America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada 
and Japan.
References to the common currency used in the majority of the countries of the European Union.
The use of wires or pins transfixed through bone to hold a frame to the position of a fracture.
US Food and Drug Administration.
Refers to the consolidated Group Accounts of Smith & Nephew plc.
Index of the largest 100 listed companies on the London Stock Exchange by market capitalisation.
Good manufacturing practice or ‘GMP’ is the guidance that outlines the aspects of production and 
testing that can impact the quality of a product.
Used for convenience to refer to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context 
otherwise requires.

 
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Term
Health economics

IFRIC

IFRS

International Markets

LSE
Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing

Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

NYSE
Orthobiologics products
Orthopaedic products

OXINIUM

Parent Company
Pound Sterling, Sterling, £, pence or p
Repair

Resection

SEC
Trading results

UK
UK GAAP
Underlying growth

US
US Dollars, US $ or cents
US GAAP
Visualisation

Wound bed

Meaning
A branch of economics concerned with issues related to efficiency, effectiveness, value and behaviour 
in the production and consumption of health and healthcare.
International Financial Reporting Interpretations as adopted by the EU and as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board.
International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU and as issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board.
International Markets include Middle East, North Africa, Southern Africa, Latin America, ASEAN, 
South Korea and Eastern Europe.
London Stock Exchange.
A less invasive surgical approach to treating arthritis in certain patients whereby only the surfaces 
of the hip joint are replaced leaving the hip head substantially preserved.
A technology used to treat chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, pressure sores and post-operative 
wounds through the application of sub-atmospheric pressure to an open wound.
New York Stock Exchange.
Any product that is primarily intended to act as a scaffold and/or actively stimulates bone growth.
Orthopaedic reconstruction products include joint replacement systems for knees, hips and shoulders 
and support products such as computer-assisted surgery and minimally invasive surgery techniques. 
Orthopaedic trauma devices are used in the treatment of bone fractures including rods, pins, screws, 
plates and external frames. Clinical therapies products include joint fluid therapy for pain reduction of 
the knee and an ultrasound treatment to accelerate the healing of bone fractures.
OXINIUM material is an advanced load bearing technology. It is created through a proprietary 
manufacturing process that enables zirconium to absorb oxygen and transform to a ceramic on the 
surface, resulting in a material that incorporates the features of ceramic and metal. Management 
believes that OXINIUM material used in the production of components of knee and hip implants 
exhibits unique performance characteristics due to its hardness, low-friction and resistance to 
roughening and abrasion.
Smith & Nephew plc.
References to UK currency. 1p is equivalent to one hundredth of £1.
A product group within ASD comprising specialised devices, fixation systems and bio-absorbable 
materials to repair joints and associated tissue.
Products that cut or ablate tissue within ASD comprising mechanical blades, radio frequency wands, 
electromechanical and hand instruments for resecting tissue.
US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Trading profit, trading profit margin and trading cash flow are trend measures, which present the 
long-term profitability of the Group excluding the impact of specific transactions that management 
considers affect the Group’s short-term profitability and cash flows. The Group has identified the 
following items, where material, as those to be excluded from operating profit and cash generated 
from operations when arriving at trading profit and trading cash flow, respectively: acquisition and 
disposal related items arising in connection with business combinations, including amortisation of 
acquisition intangible assets, impairments and integration costs; restructuring events; gains and losses 
resulting from legal disputes and significant uninsured losses. In addition to these items, gains or 
losses that materially impact the Group’s profitability or cash flows on a short-term or one-off basis are 
excluded from operating profit and cash generated from operations when arriving at trading profit and 
trading cash flow, respectively.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United Kingdom.
Growth after adjusting for the effects of currency translation and the inclusion of the comparative 
impact of acquisitions and exclusion of disposals.
United States of America.
References to US currency. 1 cent is equivalent to one hundredth of US$1.
Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Products within ASD comprising digital cameras, light sources, monitors, scopes, image capture, 
central control and multimedia broadcasting systems for use in endoscopic surgery with visualisation.
An area of healthy dermal and epidermal tissue of a wound.

 
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Index

2013 Financial highlights
2014 Financial highlights
Accounting Policies
Accounts Presentation
Acquisitions
Acquisition related costs
American Depository Shares
Articles of Association
Audit fees
Board
Business overview
Business segment information
Cash and borrowings
Chairman’s statement
Chief Executive Officer’s review
Company balance sheet
Company notes to the accounts
Contingencies
Contractual obligations
Corporate Governance Statement
Critical accounting policies
Cross Reference to Form 20-F
Currency fluctuations
Currency translation
Deferred taxation
Directors’ Remuneration Report
Directors’ responsibilities for the accounts
Directors’ responsibility statement
Dividends
Earnings per share
Employees/People
Employees’ Share Trust
Ethics and compliance
Executive officers
Factors affecting results of operations
Financial instruments
Financial position, liquidity and capital resources
Glossary of terms
Goodwill
Group balance sheet
Group cash flow statement
Group history
Group income statement
Group notes to the accounts
Group overview
Group statement of changes in equity

183
181
111, 119
200
7, 13, 45, 157
125
187
193
125
50
8, 171
9, 16, 120
138
2
4
167
168
147, 170
181
68
111
195
173
119
128
78
104
104
155, 188
3, 129
36
155
29, 48, 70
54
174
141
117
197
132
114
116
171
112
119
8, 171
118

Group statement of comprehensive income
Independent auditor’s reports
Information for shareholders
Intangible assets
Intellectual property
Interest 
Inventories
Investments
Investment in associates
Key Performance Indicators 
Leases 
Legal and other
Legal proceedings 
Manufacturing
Marketplace
New accounting standards
Off-balance sheet arrangements
Operating profit 
Other finance (costs)/income
Outlook and trend information
Parent Company accounts
Payables 
People/Employees 
Principal subsidiary undertakings
Provisions 
Property, plant and equipment 
Receivables 
Regulation 
Related party transactions 
Research and development 
Restructuring and rationalisation expenses
Retirement benefit obligation 
Risk factors
Risk management 
Sales and marketing
Selected financial data 
Share based payments 
Share capital 
Shareholder return 
Strategy 
Sustainability
Taxation
Taxation information for shareholders 
Training and education
Treasury shares 

112
105, 106
185
133
147, 133
126
136
135
135
12
140, 159
125
147
30
14
119
171
124
126
74, 111, 171
167
138
36
164
146
130
137
14, 47
163
28
125
148
174
42
35
175
160
154, 190
87
10, 12
38
126
191
34
118, 155

 
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Special note regarding forward-looking statements 
The Group’s reports filed with, or furnished to, the US Securities and 
Exchange Commission (‘SEC’), including this document and written 
information released, or oral statements made, to the public in the 
future by or on behalf of the Group, contain ‘forward-looking statements’ 
within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 
1995, that may or may not prove accurate. For example, statements 
regarding expected revenue growth and trading profit margins 
discussed under ‘Outlook’, ‘Global Outlook’ and ‘Strategic performance’, 
market trends and our product pipeline are forward-looking statements. 
Phrases such as ‘aim’, ‘plan’, ‘intend’, ‘anticipate’, ‘well-placed’, ‘believe’, 
‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘target’, ‘consider’ and similar expressions are 
generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-
looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties 
and other important factors that could cause actual results, to differ 
materially from what is expressed or implied by the statements. 

For Smith & Nephew, these factors include: economic and financial 
conditions in the markets we serve, especially those affecting health 
care providers, payers and customers; price levels for established and 
innovative medical devices; developments in medical technology; 
regulatory approvals, reimbursement decisions or other government 
actions; product defects or recalls; litigation relating to patent or other 
claims; legal compliance risks and related investigative, remedial or 
enforcement actions; strategic actions, including acquisitions and 
dispositions and our success in performing due diligence, valuing and 
integrating acquired businesses; disruption that may result from 
transactions or other changes we make in our business plans or 
organisation to adapt to market developments and numerous other 
matters that affect us or our markets, including those of a political, 
economic, business, competitive or reputational nature; relationships 
with healthcare professionals; reliance on information technology. 
Specific risks faced by the Group are described under ‘Risk factors’ on 
pages 171to 174 of this Annual Report. Any forward-looking statement is 
based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date of the 
statement. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to 
Smith & Nephew are qualified by this caution. Smith & Nephew does 
not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking 
statement to reflect any change in circumstances or 
in Smith & Nephew’s expectations. 

Division data 
Division data and division share estimates throughout this report are 
derived from a variety of sources including publicly available 
competitors’ information, internal management information and 
independent market research reports. 

Documents on display 
It is possible to read and copy documents referred to in this Annual 
Report at the Registered Office of the Company. Documents referred to 
in this Annual Report that have been filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission in the US may be read and copied at the SEC’s 
public reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington DC 
20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information 
on the public reference rooms and their copy charges. The SEC also 
maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports and other 
information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. 
This Annual Report and some of the other information submitted by the 
Group to the SEC may be accessed through the SEC website.

About Smith & Nephew 
The Smith & Nephew Group (the ‘Group’) is a global medical devices 
business operating in the markets for advanced surgical devices 
comprising orthopaedic reconstruction, trauma and sports medicine 
and advanced wound management, with revenue of approximately 
$4.6bn in 2015. Smith & Nephew plc (the ‘Company’) is the parent 
company of the Group. It is an English public limited company with its 
shares listed on the premium list of the UK Listing Authority and traded 
on the London Stock Exchange. Shares are also traded on the New 
York Stock Exchange in the form of American Depositary 
Shares (‘ADSs’). 

This is the Annual Report of Smith & Nephew plc for the year ended 
31 December 2015. It comprises, in a single document, the Annual 
Report and Accounts of the Company in accordance with UK 
requirements and the Annual Report on Form 20-F in accordance with 
the regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange 
Commission (‘SEC’). 

Smith & Nephew operates on a worldwide basis and has distribution 
channels in over 100 countries. In the more established countries by 
revenue, the Group’s business operations are organised by divisions. 
In the majority of the remaining markets, operations are managed by 
country managers who are responsible for sales and distribution of the 
Group’s entire product range. These comprise the Emerging Markets & 
International Markets. 

Smith & Nephew’s corporate website, www.smith-nephew.com, gives 
additional information on the Group, including an electronic version of 
this Annual Report. Information made available on this website, or other 
websites mentioned in this Annual Report, are not and should not be 
regarded as being part of, or incorporated into, this Annual Report. 

For the convenience of the reader, a Glossary of technical and financial 
terms used in this document is included on pages 197 to 198. 
The product names referred to in this document are identified by use of 
capital letters and the ◊ symbol (on first occurrence) and are trademarks 
owned by or licensed to members of the Group. 

Presentation 
The Group’s fiscal year end is 31 December. References to a particular 
year in this Annual Report are to the fiscal year, unless otherwise 
indicated. Except as the context otherwise requires, ‘Ordinary Share’ or 
‘share’ refer to the ordinary shares of Smith & Nephew plc of 20 US 
cents each. 

The Group Accounts of Smith & Nephew in this Annual Report are 
presented in US Dollars. Solely for the convenience of the reader, 
certain parts of this Annual Report contain translations of amounts in US 
Dollars into Sterling at specified rates. These translations should not be 
construed as representations that the US Dollar amounts actually 
represent such Sterling amounts or could be converted into Sterling at 
the rate indicated. 

Unless stated otherwise, the translation of US Dollars and cents to 
Sterling and pence in this Annual Report has been made at the Bank 
of England exchange rate on the date indicated. On 23 February 2016, 
the Bank of England rate was US$1.4078 per £1.

The results of the Group, as reported in US Dollars, are affected by 
movements in exchange rates between US Dollars and other 
currencies. The Group applied the average exchange rates prevailing 
during the year to translate the results of companies with functional 
currency other than US Dollars. The currencies which most influenced 
these translations in the years covered by this report were Sterling, 
Swiss Franc and the Euro. 

The Accounts of the Group in this Annual Report are presented in 
millions (‘m’) unless otherwise indicated. 

 
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The inks used are renewable, biodegradable and emit fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) than mineral-oil inks. 
They are based on high levels of renewable raw materials such as vegetable oils and naturally occurring resin. 
The inks do not contain any toxic heavy metals and therefore, do not pose a problem if placed in landfill.

Designed by Radley Yeldar. 
Printed by RR Donnelley 472599.

 
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Smith & Nephew plc 
15 Adam Street 
London WC2N 6LA 
United Kingdom

T  +44 (0) 20 7401 7646

enquiries@smith-nephew.com 

www.smith-nephew.com