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Smith & Nephew

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FY2019 Annual Report · Smith & Nephew
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 Life Unlimited

Annual Report 2019

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Contents

Strategic report
At a glance
Chair’s statement
Chief Executive Officer’s review
Review of strategy
Our growing markets
Our business model
Our franchises
Our resources
Sustainability
Chief Financial Officer’s review
Financial review
Risk report

Governance in action
Letter from the Chair
Board leadership and purpose
Nomination & Governance 
Committee report
Audit Committee report
Compliance & Culture 
Committee report
Directors’ Remuneration report

Accounts
Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities
Independent auditor’s UK report
Critical judgements and estimates
Group income statement
Group statement of  
comprehensive income
Group balance sheet
Group cash flow statement
Group statement of changes  
in equity
Notes to the Group accounts
Company financial statements
Notes to the Company accounts

Other information
Group information
Other information
Shareholder information

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135

185

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198

205

Purpose

Life Unlimited captures the essence 
of our purpose to improve the health 
issues that hinder people from living 
their lives to the fullest. We design and 
make technology that takes the limits 
off living, and we help healthcare 
professionals achieve the same goal. 
Together we improve life, while also 
improving performance.

» People + Culture page 24

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Performance

Group revenue  

KPI

Earnings per share (EPS)  

$5,138m

Reported
+4.8%

Underlying1
+4.4%

68.6¢
-10%

Adjusted Earnings per share1 
(EPSA)

102.2¢
+1%

Dividend per share

KPI

Operating profit

Trading profit1

37.5¢
+4%

$815m
-6%

$1,169m
+4%

Return on invested  
capital1 (ROIC)

KPI

10.5%
-200bps

Operating profit margin  

Trading profit margin1  

KPI

15.9%
-170bps

22.8%
-10bps

R&D expenditure  

$292m
+19%

Cash generated 
from operations

$1,370m
+24%

Trading cash flow1  

$970m
+2%

 Full financial highlights  
+ trend page 36

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly 
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 200–204.

1

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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At a glance
We are a leading portfolio 
medical technology company

Who we are

Our purpose
Life Unlimited. 
Smith+Nephew 
exists to restore 
people’s bodies, 
and their self-belief.

 page 16

Our culture
Our culture pillars 
guide our behaviours 
and build winning spirit:

 Care

» Collaboration
» Courage

 page 24

Our strategy
Five strategic imperatives 
form our value creation plan 
for the medium term.

 page 8

1  Achieve the full potential 

of our portfolio

2  Transform the business  

through enabling technologies

3  Expand in high-growth  

segments

4  Strengthen talent 
and capabilities

5  Become the  
best owner

 17,500+

employees supporting 
customers in over

 100

countries, supporting  
healthcare professionals  
for more than

 160

years

2

Group revenue

 $5,138m

Revenue by franchise
We operate through three global 
franchises (see pages 18–23).

Revenue by geography
We serve customers in established 
and emerging markets.

Advanced Wound 
Management 
$1,380m

Orthopaedics 
$2,222m

Emerging 
markets 
$957m

United States 
$2,551m

Sports Medicine 
& ENT $1,536m 

Other established 
markets $1,630m

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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We serve our customers  
through the global franchises

Orthopaedics
Orthopaedics includes an 
innovative range of Hip and Knee 
Implants used to replace diseased, 
damaged or worn joints, robotics-
assisted enabling technologies 
that empower surgeons, and 
Trauma products used to stabilise 
severe fractures and correct 
bone deformities.

Sports Medicine & ENT
Our Sports Medicine & ENT  
(Ear, Nose and Throat) businesses 
offer advanced products and 
instruments used to repair or 
remove soft tissue. They operate 
in growing markets where 
unmet clinical needs provide 
opportunities for procedural 
and technological innovation.

Advanced Wound 
Management
Our Advanced Wound 
Management portfolio provides 
a comprehensive set of products 
to meet broad and complex 
clinical needs, to help healthcare 
professionals get CLOSER TO 
ZERO human and economic 
consequences of wounds.

 pages 18–19

 pages 20–21

 pages 22–23

Manufacturing & quality
Smith+Nephew takes great pride 
in its manufacturing expertise 
and maintains focus on delivering 
products that are safe and 
effective for patients.

19%

more invested  
in R&D in 2019

Innovation
Smith+Nephew delivers 
innovation that aims to improve 
quality of life. New products 
and business models empower 
healthcare professionals with 
options to improve patient 
outcomes. We develop 
technology through our global 
R&D programme, and additionally 
acquire exciting products where 
we can add value through 
technical or commercial acumen. 

3

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Chair’s statement

Dear Shareholder

In 2019 Smith+Nephew delivered an 
improved revenue performance whilst 
embedding an authentic culture and 
undergoing a leadership change. The Board 
is pleased with the progress made, and 
encouraged by the opportunities ahead.

Chief Executive Officer
In October 2019 we announced the 
appointment of Roland Diggelmann 
as the Company’s new CEO, effective 
1 November 2019. Roland replaced Namal 
Nawana who left by mutual agreement.

Roland joined Smith+Nephew’s Board as 
a Non-Executive Director in March 2018. 
The immediate availability of such a high 
quality individual, who had recently stood 
down from his previous executive role 
as CEO of Roche Diagnostics, enabled 
a rapid and seamless transition.

Roland is committed to Smith+Nephew’s 
strategy, purpose and culture pillars, 
which he fully endorsed as a Non-Executive 
Director. In his first few months as CEO 
he has brought both continuity and further 
improved performance, whilst also 
delivering on the Company’s strategic 
imperatives. The Board has welcomed  
his open and collaborative style and the 
strong leadership tone he sets, listening  
to employees and encouraging them 
to take responsibility and deliver 
our commitments.

I would also like to say thank you 
to Namal, who initiated much needed 
change to the Company during his time 
as CEO and put Smith+Nephew on 
an improved growth trajectory.

4

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Culture
In-line with corporate governance best 
practice, the Board has heightened its 
focus on Smith+Nephew’s new ‘Life 
Unlimited’ purpose, culture pillars and 
wider stakeholders. We closely monitor 
the executive team’s work to embed 
the new culture, visiting sites and meeting 
and talking directly to employees as 
well as reviewing the results of employee 
engagement surveys. This work is led by 
our Compliance & Culture Committee.

Performance
The Board is acutely aware that financial 
performance is still the principal metric 
that determines if a company is delivering 
shareholder value.

In 2019 Smith+Nephew delivered 
significantly improved revenue growth 
over the prior year. At the same time, 
we continued to invest in the business, 
and completed and integrated a number 
of acquisitions. The Board endorses the 
management team’s stated ambition 
to sustain positive momentum in  
2020 whilst continuing to invest for 
the medium-term.

The Board is pleased to recommend 
a Final Dividend of 23.1¢ per share. 
This, together with an Interim Dividend 
of 14.4¢ per share, will give a total 

distribution of 37.5¢ per share for 2019, 
representing year-on-year growth  
of 4% in the declared full year dividend. 
This equates to 28.94p per share. 
In addition to these distributions, 
shareholders benefitted from a 28.3% 
increase in the share price over the 
course of 2019.

Remuneration
We set out our new Remuneration Policy 
on page 86 of this Annual Report, and 
will present this for shareholder approval at 
the Annual General Meeting in April 2020. 

The policy is designed to increase 
strategic alignment to drive top-line 
profitable and sustained growth, to simplify 
our remuneration framework and to make 
it more aspirational to incentivise and 
drive outstanding performance. 

Angie Risley, the Chair of our Remuneration 
Committee, conducted an extensive 
shareholder engagement programme, 
meeting nearly half of our shareholders by 
value. We are very grateful to all of you 
who took the time to meet with her and 
comment on our proposals. We have made 
some changes reflecting the comments 
she received and look forward to 
your support. 

Board changes
During 2019 Ian Barlow and Michael 
Friedman retired from the Board. Ian served 
as our Senior Independent Director and 
previously as Chair of the Audit Committee. 
Michael chaired our Compliance & Culture 
Committee. I thank them both for their 
leadership and service. Robin Freestone 
has succeeded Ian and Marc Owen has 
succeeded Michael.

2019 was a year of good progress and 
we enter the new decade as a strong 
and ambitious Company with a clear and 
unifying purpose. None of this would be 
possible without the dedication of our 
employees and the engagement of our 
shareholders. On behalf of the Board, 
I thank both groups for their continued 
support during what we believe is 
going to be an exciting new phase 
for Smith+Nephew.

Yours sincerely,

Roberto Quarta
Chair

Our culture pillars:
» Care
» Collaboration
» Courage

 Our people page 24

 Financial review page 36

“ In-line with corporate governance best 
practice, the Board has heightened 
its focus on Smith+Nephew’s new 
‘Life Unlimited’ purpose, culture pillars 
and wider stakeholders.”

Roberto Quarta
Chair

5

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Chief Executive Officer’s review

Dear Shareholder

I was delighted to be appointed 
Chief Executive Officer of Smith+Nephew 
in November, succeeding Namal Nawana. 
The Company was already well known 
to me as I was a Non-Executive Director, 
but since taking on my new role it has 
become even clearer that this is a great 
Company with exciting prospects.

People are the backbone of our businesses. 
I have visited many of our sites around the 
world and been impressed with the calibre 
of our employees and their commitment 
to our business and customers. Their pride 
in the work we do, the difference we 
make, and our purpose of Life Unlimited 
is clear to see. Our culture pillars of 
Care, Collaboration and Courage are 
things I believe in strongly, particularly 
as they relate to valuing diversity and 
being inclusive. Our new brand identity, 
evident in this Annual Report, is an 
outward expression of our renewed 
purpose and vitality.

As a Non-Executive Director I fully 
endorsed our strategy and the move to 
a franchise operating model, changes 
put in place by Namal. Their impact was 
important in delivering the improved 
performance in 2019, they stand 
us in good stead for 2020 and beyond, 
and we intend to build on them.

6

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019

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Positive 2019 performance
The Group delivered good growth in 2019, 
with revenue up 4.8% on a reported 
basis and 4.4% on an underlying basis. 
Highlights included the double-digit growth 
from Sports Medicine Joint Repair and 
China. I was equally pleased with our 
progress turning around franchises that 
have underperformed in the past, such 
as Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies.

We built momentum across the year, and 
at the same time were able to continue to 
invest behind our commercial teams and 
acquisitions to support sustained success 
over the medium-term. We launched a 
number of important new products, and 
brought new technologies and expertise 
into the business through acquisitions. 
You will find more detail on all these 
areas in this report.

The operating profit margin of 15.9% 
reflects restructuring and acquisition costs. 
The trading profit margin of 22.8% reflects 
savings realised under the Accelerating 
Performance and Execution (APEX) 
programme offset by re-investment in 
the business, including more in R&D, and 
dilution from acquisitions.

2020 priorities
2019 showed that we are on the right path. 
In 2020 our emphasis is on sustaining 
the positive momentum.

Our first priority remains commercial 
execution. All of our franchises are 
expected to build on 2019, with additional 
benefits coming from cross franchise 
opportunities such as the growing 
ambulatory surgery segment in the US, 
our strength in the Emerging Markets, and 
bringing greater rigour to product launches 
and portfolio management.

Second, we are renewing our commitment 
to innovation and to bringing the best 
technology to customers. This means 
taking our R&D programmes up a level. 
There are a number of important launches 
planned for the year, including a new 
robotics platform. We will also continue 
to bring new technologies in through 
acquisitions, such as Tusker Medical, which 
completed in January 2020 and which gives 
us a unique technology in the ENT segment, 
an important area of opportunity for us. 
We plan to invest more in R&D, both to 
accelerate the cadence of launches, and to 
position us at the forefront of converging 
surgical technologies in areas such as 
digital health and regenerative medicine.

Third, we see opportunities to drive 
excellence across our operational 
backbone. These include operating an 
optimal facility footprint, driving lean 
manufacturing methods across our 
network, identifying opportunities within 
our supply chain to deliver world-class 
service levels, and building an ever-more 
efficient support infrastructure.

We also believe that we can be more 
responsive to the challenges facing 
society in areas where we can make a 
meaningful difference, and have updated 
our Sustainability Strategy for 2020 
and beyond.

Enhancing stakeholder value
2019 has been one of the most successful 
years in Smith+Nephew’s history and 
I congratulate and thank our employees 
for this. However, I have been clear that 
it is only the start of our transformation. 
I want us to consistently deliver to 
high standards, becoming one of the most 
innovative and fastest growing companies 
in our medical technology space.

Achieving this requires us to be more 
agile so that we can move faster and 
become easier to do business with from 
our customers’ perspective. In this way 
we will enhance our value to all our 
stakeholders over the medium-term 
and help transform the quality of life 
for more patients.

Yours sincerely,  

Roland Diggelmann
Chief Executive Officer

“ 2019 has been one of the most 
successful years in Smith+Nephew’s 
history and I congratulate and thank 
our employees for this.”

Roland Diggelmann
Chief Executive Officer

7

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Review of strategy
Our strategic imperatives

Five strategic imperatives form the basis of 
our value creation plan for the medium-term. 
They are designed to help us grow together; 
not just as a Company, but as a global team,  
and to do so in an efficient and effective way.

Grow

Together

Effectively

4 Strengthen talent  

and capabilities

5 Become the  

best owner

of our portfolio

1 Achieve the full potential  
2 Transform the business 
3 Expand in high-growth  

segments

through enabling technologies

8

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Achieve the full potential  
of our portfolio

1 This strategic imperative is focused on improving 

execution to accelerate organic performance. 
In 2019 we delivered reported revenue growth 
of 4.8%, a significant improvement over the 
previous year (2018: 3%).

“Our strong Emerging Markets 
performance is built upon 
a deep understanding of 
our customers and markets 
developed over many years  
of service.”

Myra Eskes
President of Asia Pacific 

At the start of 2019 we 
introduced a new commercial 
model organised around three 
global franchises. This new 
model provides greater insight 
into customers’ needs, and 
allows us to bring the full 
resources of our franchises 
to meet these.

We performed strongly 
in a number of our higher 
growth segments in 2019. 
Sports Medicine & ENT was 
up 7.0% in 2019, led by a 
stand out performance from 
Sports Medicine Joint Repair 
which delivered double-digit 
growth in every quarter.

Our Emerging Markets 
business delivered 16.1% 
revenue growth, and 
now accounts for 19% 
of Group revenue.

Our R&D team benefitted 
from greater investment, 
and launched multiple 

new platforms and products 
(see page 28), supporting improved 
performance at a franchise level, 
such as in Arthroscopic Enabling 
Technologies (see page 20). This, 
coupled with a renewed focus on 
driving excellence across Quality 
and Regulatory Affairs, is allowing 
us to bring new products to 
market faster across the globe.

Our second largest market
China grew strongly in 2019, 
up 24% on a reported basis and 
30% on an underlying basis, 
and is now our second largest 
market behind the US.

Reported revenue growth

 4.8%

2019 

2018 

2017 

$5,138m

$4,904m

$4,765m

9

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Review of strategy continued

2

Transform the business 
through enabling technologies

This strategic imperative focuses on acquiring  
and developing leading enabling technologies  
to transform procedures.

new version of our  
robotics-assisted NAVIO 
system, NAVIO◊ 7.0, 
to improve efficiency. 
And we announced a new 
robotics R&D centre in 
Pittsburgh, US, which will 
open in the first half of 2020.

Other areas of focus 
include orthobiologics, 
where we recognise 
the synergy with devices 
and surgical procedures, 
forming a Biologics and 
Regenerative Medicine R&D 
team in 2019 dedicated to 
development of innovative 
orthobiologic products.

Smith+Nephew is developing 
a unique approach to create 
enabling platforms that 
are both multi-procedural 
and multi-franchise.

In 2019 we announced our 
strategy to bring together 
advanced technologies 
in robotics, digital surgery, 
and machine learning as 
well as augmented reality 
to empower surgeons to 
improve clinical outcomes.

Important steps during the 
year included the purchase 
of the Brainlab Orthopaedic 
Joint Reconstruction business, 
which will enable us to bring 
hip navigation to our robotics 
customers. The two companies 
are also undertaking an R&D 
partnership. We launched a 

Reduced the number  
of steps by

 40%

NAVIO 7.0 incorporates 
improvements that reduce  
the number of surgical 
workflow steps by over 40%.

“The potential of computer 
assisted surgery with 
robotics is to provide 
faster, more accurate, 
reproducible results 
that enable surgeons 
to restore quality of 
life to more patients.”

Skip Kiil
President of Orthopaedics 

10

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3

Expand in high- 
growth segments

This strategic imperative focuses on accelerating 
portfolio growth, strengthening our established 
leadership positions, and driving meaningful synergies.

In 2019 we acquired a number 
of valuable technologies that 
strengthen our portfolio today, 
and boost our R&D expertise 
and programmes.

Our largest acquisition 
was Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. 
(Osiris) for $660 million, which 
completed in April.

Osiris is a fast-growing company 
delivering regenerative 
medicine products, including 
skin, bone-graft and articular 
cartilage substitutes. The Osiris 
portfolio has improved the 
overall growth outlook for 
Advanced Wound Bioactives.

Other acquisitions included 
Ceterix Orthopaedics, Inc.,  
enhancing our leading 
position in meniscal repair 
(see page 20), and the LEAF◊ 
Patient Monitoring System, 
supporting our pressure injury 
prevention strategy (page 23). 
The Brainlab Orthopaedic 
Joint Reconstruction business 
(OJR) and Atracsys fusionTrack 
500 optical tracking camera 
acquisitions brought core 
enabling technologies that we 
are integrating into our next 
generation robotics-assisted 
surgical platform.

We are also investing in 
developing a turnkey service 
to support healthcare 

providers seeking to move 
orthopaedic cases into 
ambulatory surgery centers 
(ASCs) and other outpatient 
settings. Smith+Nephew is 
well positioned to assist 
healthcare providers make 
the transition as our Sports 
Medicine franchise has 
been supporting ASC-based 
procedures since these centers 
first appeared and we are a 
leader in orthopaedic implants 
and enabling technologies, 
including robotics. The LENS 
4K Surgical Imaging System, 
a new surgical video platform 
launched in 2019, is designed 
for use in ASC and multi-
surgery settings.

“Our M&A strategy is to pursue 
growth enhancing acquisitions,  
both in the segments we already 
operate in, and in adjacent 
segments where there is attractive 
growth and a good strategic fit.”

Phil Cowdy
Chief Business Development 
and Corporate Affairs Officer

11

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Review of strategy continued

4

Strengthen talent 
and capabilities

This strategic imperative focuses on  
developing a winning culture to improve 
retention and attract talent. 

In late 2018 we introduced 
a new corporate purpose 
‘Life Unlimited’ and new culture 
pillars of Care, Collaboration 
and Courage. These define 
who we are as a Company and 
as employees, and create an 
environment that sets us up 
for collective success. A new 
visual brand identity, launched 
in 2019, both emphasised and 
underpinned these changes.

In 2019 we introduced 
‘Winning Behaviours’, a new 
behavioural competency 
framework directly linked 
to the culture pillars to help 
employees understand how 
they can demonstrate our 
culture on a daily basis.

We strive to create a 
working environment that 
is inclusive and welcomes 
diversity. New initiatives 
in 2019 included delivering 
inclusion training to our top 
100 leaders and embedding 
inclusion in all our leadership 
development programmes.

A strong and consistent 
culture engages and motivates 
employees. 2019 was the first 
year that we used the Gallup 
Global Engagement Survey 
to measure progress, and 
we were pleased that 84% 
of employees participated. 
More details of our people 
and culture programmes  
can be found on page 24.

“Our culture pillars are grounded in the 
service of patients and practitioners 
and guide employees to work together 
and encourage continuous learning 
and improvement.”

Elga Lohler
Chief Human Resources Officer

Life Unlimited
Underpinned by our culture pillars:

Care
A culture of empathy 
and understanding 
for each other, our 
customers and patients.

Collaboration
A culture of teamwork, 
based on mutual trust 
and respect.

Courage
A culture of continuous 
learning, innovation 
and accountability.

12

 45%

of attendees to our  
Elevate women leadership 
programme achieved  
a promotion or changed  
role in 2019.

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5

Operating profit margin

 15.9%

-170 bps

Trading profit margin

 22.8%

-10 bps

“We are striving to 
transform and simplify 
the organisation, 
while maintaining our 
commitments to act 
ethically and deliver 
products that are safe 
and effective for patients.”

Melissa Guerdan
Chief Quality and  
Regulatory Affairs Officer

Become the  
best owner

This strategic imperative focuses on driving 
operational transformation through improved 
agility, and organisation simplification to 
deliver profitable growth.

Smith+Nephew strives to 
deliver products of the highest 
quality at the right cost whilst 
maintaining high standards 
in ethics and compliance. 
We consistently seek to improve 
our performance in these areas.

Our Accelerating Performance 
and Execution (APEX) 
programme, initiated at the 
end of 2017, is nearing its 
conclusion and is now expected 
to deliver annualised benefits of 
$190 million, $30 million more 
than originally expected, for 
a one-off cost of $290 million, 
$50 million more than 
originally planned.

In 2019 APEX both helped 
offset the price erosion that is 
a natural part of our business, 
and contributed to our trading 
profit margin of 22.8%. The 2019 
operating profit margin includes 
APEX and acquisition costs. 

Cash generated from operations 
was $1,370 million and trading 
cash flow was $970 million 
with a good 83% trading profit 
to cash conversion ratio.

In 2020 we expect to sustain 
the improved performance 
achieved in 2019, an important 
step in realising our medium-
term ambition to consistently 
outgrow our markets.

In 2019 we updated our 
Code of Conduct and Business 
Principles, which governs 
the way we operate, and all 
employees received training 
on this (see page 26).

Our Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs function continued 
to focus on improving overall 
Company compliance while 
supporting our growth objectives 
by delivering multiple new 
product approvals as well as 
registering hundreds of existing 
products in new markets 
(see page 31).

13

We are proud of our 
manufacturing expertise.

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Our growing markets

Smith+Nephew competes 
in large and attractive  
markets

The medical device and supplies 
segment of the global healthcare 
industry is worth more than 
$400 billion per annum. 
Within this, Smith+Nephew’s 
product segments are worth 
around $38 billion, growing at 
approximately 4% annually.

14

This growing demand is driven by 
lifestyle related health conditions, such 
as diabetes and obesity, becoming ever 
more prevalent, as well as improvements 
to life expectancy meaning that there are 
increasingly more patients in the world. 
In the emerging markets, these factors are 
compounded by economic development 
driving demand, particularly in China 
and India.

At the same time, governments around 
the world are trying to reduce the cost 
of healthcare, especially in hospitals, 
resulting in a constant downward pressure 
on pricing. Medical device companies are 
under pressure to continue to innovate, 
and also to provide evidence supporting 
both the clinical and economic benefits 
of products.

Clinical innovations, financial incentives 
and patient preferences are also prompting 
hospitals and health systems to move 
certain inpatient procedures to outpatient 
settings. In 2020, nearly 60 percent of 
US outpatient surgeries will take place 
in an ambulatory care setting, an increase 
of 46 percent since 2005.1

The US is expected to continue to lead 
the medical device industry reaching 
US$300 billion in annual sales by 2030.2 
By this stage, China and India, who are 
both growing at twice the overall market 
rate, are expected to be in the top 
five markets, with over US$200 billion 
and US$40 billion of sales respectively.2 
By 2040, there could be as many as 
110 million diabetics in China, and nearly 
70 million in India.3 The emerging middle 
class will also demand more choice over 
healthcare and have greater expectations 
of quality of life.

A highly regulated industry
The medical device sector is one of the 
world’s most heavily regulated industries.

Strict business principles govern the 
way industry interacts with healthcare 
professionals and government officials 
globally, including the AdvaMed Code 
of Ethics and the MedTech Europe 
Code of Ethical Business Practice. 

Anti-bribery and corruption legislation, 
including the UK Bribery Act and the 
US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, also 
apply to Smith+Nephew’s global business. 
There is also a strong focus on compliance 
and cost control in emerging markets, 
especially in China. For more information 
on our approach to compliance see 
page 26.

National regulatory authorities govern 
the design, development, approval, 
manufacture, labelling, marketing and 
sale of healthcare products. They also 
review data supporting the products 
to ensure they are safe and perform 
as intended.

The majority of countries require products 
to be authorised or registered prior to 
entering the market, and such authorisation 
or registration needs to be subsequently 
maintained. For example, the US Food 
and Drug Administration (FDA) continues 
to conduct increasingly rigorous reviews 
of technical documentation on the safety 
and the performance of medical devices 
for approval. Moreover, the European 
Union Medical Device Regulations 
(MDR) came into force in May 2017 
with full implementation across Europe 
from May 2020, imposing tougher 
requirements of market entry and  
post-market surveillance of 
medical devices.

Smith+Nephew’s major regulatory 
authorities include the US FDA, the 
Medicines and Healthcare products 
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK, 
the Ministry of Health, Labour and 
Welfare in Japan, the National Medical 
Products Administration (NMPA) in 
China, and the Australian Therapeutic 
Goods Administration (TGA).

Inspections and audits by these 
authorities continue to increase  
year-on-year and involve significant 
and continued financial and resource 
investment by Smith+Nephew to 
respond appropriately.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

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Other information

Geo-political factors
On 31 January 2020, the UK left the 
European Union (EU), a process known 
as ‘Brexit’. The UK and EU have entered a 
transition period which is due to run until 
31 December 2020, during which the 
trading arrangements relating to areas 
such as tariffs and regulation remain largely 
the same for the medical technology 
industry as before the UK’s exit.

During 2020, the UK government and 
the EU intend to negotiate the future 
relationship between them. If a new 
arrangement is agreed, it is expected 
to take affect at the end of the transition 
period. Smith+Nephew’s preparations for 
the UK exiting the EU include transferring 
certain product registrations from BSI UK 
to BSI Netherlands and building safety 
stock. We continue to closely follow 
the negotiations and have the ability, 
if required, to make adjustments in our 
supply chain to protect the Group from 
the impact of new arrangements after 
31 December 2020.

In early 2020, the US and China reached 
a phase one trade agreement, which 
alleviates some risk of additional tariffs 
on exports between the two countries. 
However, the additional tariffs on some 
medical devices being exported between 
the two countries remain in place while 
both governments begin a second 
round of negotiations.

In the US, the Medical Device Excise Tax, 
which had been deferred from 2016 
to 2019, was permanently repealed  
effective 1 January 2020.

The importance of seasonality
There tends to be a higher volume 
of orthopaedic and sports medicine 
procedures during the winter months  
when accidents and sports-related  
injuries are more frequent. Elective  
procedures tend to slow down in 
the summer months due to holidays. 
Advanced Wound Management is 
less impacted by seasonality due 
to the nature of the products.

At Smith+Nephew, the majority of our 
business is in the northern hemisphere, 
including approximately 50% in 
the US and 20% in Europe. In the US,  
out-of-pocket costs for health insurance 
plans are tied to medical expenses in a 
calendar year. As a result, households 
that have reached their annual deductible 
amount and/or annual out-of-pocket  
cap before year’s end will find it to be  
cost-effective to schedule necessary 
procedures later in that year rather  
than delaying into the next year.

References
1  Becker’s ASC Review: 4 trends driving change in healthcare.
2  KPMG: Medical devices 2030: Making a power play to avoid 

the commodity trap.

3  TranslateMedia: How China and India are disrupting the 

global healthcare sector.

Competition
Smith+Nephew’s three global franchises 
have several major competitors which 
differ with respect to product focus, 
geographic reach and scale. For example, 
our main surgical competitors are larger 
in scale and tend to be more exposed 
to the US, whereas the majority of our key 
wound competitors are not US-centric.

In our Orthopaedic franchise we are one 
of four leading players, competing against  
US-based companies Stryker, Zimmer 
Biomet and DePuy Synthes (a Johnson 
& Johnson company). In Sports Medicine, 
Smith+Nephew holds a leading position 
behind Arthrex (US), and also competes 
against Stryker and DePuy Synthes.

We are the second largest global Advanced 
Wound Management business. In the 
Advanced Wound Care sub-segment 
we compete with Mölnlycke (Sweden) 
and ConvaTec (UK). In Advanced 
Wound Devices, we are the primary 
challenger to Negative Pressure Wound 
Therapy incumbent Acelity (US), which 
was acquired by 3M in 2019. In our 
Advanced Wound Bioactives franchise, 
we have leadership positions in our 
respective categories.

15

Market size1
Orthopaedics

Hip and  
Knee Implants
$14.8bn
+3%

Trauma and  
Extremities
$6.2bn
+4%

E

A

E

A

D

B

C

D

C

E

C

D

B

A Smith+Nephew

B Zimmer Biomet

C Stryker

D DePuy Synthes3

E Others

12%

32%

22%

19%

15%

A Smith+Nephew

B DePuy Synthes3

C Stryker

D Zimmer Biomet

E Others

8%

42%

27%

11%

12%

A Smith+Nephew

B Arthrex

C Stryker

D DePuy Synthes3

E Others

Sports Medicine2

Advanced Wound 
Management

$5.3bn
+5%

$9.4bn
+4%

A

B

26%

33%

11%

13%

17%

A

B

E

D

A Smith+Nephew

B 3M4

C Mölnlycke

D ConvaTec

E Others

C

14%

19%

9%

7%

51%

1  Data used in 2019 estimates generated by Smith+Nephew is based on publicly available sources and internal analysis 

and represents an indication of market shares and sizes.

2  Representing repair products and arthroscopic enabling technologies, and excluding ENT.
3  A division of Johnson & Johnson.
4  3M acquired Acelity in 2019.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

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Other information

Our business model
Value creation is driven by our purpose, 
culture pillars and strategic imperatives

Our resources

» Creating value through

Our people & culture
Attracting, developing and retaining 
the best employees is important. 
We strive to build a purpose-
driven culture based on strong 
and authentic values.

Ethics & compliance
Committed to doing business the 
right way, compliance is embedded 
in the way we work.

Sales & marketing
Supporting customers through highly 
specialised sales teams with in-depth 
technical product knowledge that 
surgeons and nurses value greatly.

Manufacturing & quality
Operating global manufacturing 
efficiently and to high standards 
to ensure quality and competitiveness.

Medical education
Supporting the safe and effective 
use of our products through 
medical education.

Research & development
Innovation is part of our culture 
and we are increasing the amount 
we invest in new products.

Sustainability
We focus on three aspects 
of sustainability; economic 
prosperity, social responsibility 
and environmental stewardship.

 See page 24 for our resources

16

Purpose-driven culture
Having a clear purpose gives employees 
a sense of belief and determination. 
This supports a strong culture which 
improves performance across the 
business both in terms of financial  
and non-financial value.

 See page 24 to read about our  
purpose at work in the business

Life 
Unlimited

Strategic imperatives
Our five strategic imperatives are 
fundamental to how we focus the resources 
of the business to maximise commercial 
impact in our markets. They form the basis of 
our value creation plan for the medium term.

 See page 8 to read about our strategy 
 in action and how it creates value

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

» Value delivered in 2019

Strong product portfolio
We have market-leading technology 
across our broad range of products. 
We deploy our capital to drive continued 
innovation from our R&D programmes 
and invest in product and technology 
acquisitions which improve outcomes 
and widen access to life-changing care.

 See pages 18–23 to read more  
about our products at work

Customer centricity
Serving our customers is at the heart  
of our business model. We have a global 
franchise model led by management  
who are specialists in their areas.  
This keeps us close to our customers, 
ensuring we can anticipate and meet  
their needs.

 See pages 18–23 to read more 
about the performance across our 
franchise areas

17

Operating 
profit

Trading  
profit1

Revenue
$5,138m $815m $1,169m $80m

Efficiency  
savings

Philanthropic 
donations
Dividend
$318m 17,637 110,000+ $13m

Jobs

Practitioner  
training 
instances

 See page 36 for our financial review

Shareholders
In 2019 we were pleased to deliver 
a 4% increase in dividend, in-line 
with our progressive policy. 
Shareholders also benefitted 
from a 28.3% increase in share 
price over the year.

Patients
Our products are used in more 
than 100 countries to improve 
the quality of life of patients. 
We strive to widen access 
to such technology, with 19% 
of revenue now coming from 
the Emerging Markets.

Customers
We continue to bring new, 
innovative products to 
customers, and support these 
with clinical evidence, as 
well as delivering professional 
development training to 
healthcare professionals 
around the world.

Employees
In 2019 we improved our 
employee engagement and 
promoted diversity and inclusion.

Communities
We aim to work in a sustainable, 
ethical and responsible 
manner, supporting local 
charities, and reducing our 
environmental footprint.

 See page 24 for our resources

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly 
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 200–204.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Other information

Our franchises
Orthopaedics

Enhancing quality of life

Smith+Nephew’s Orthopaedics 
franchise includes an innovative 
range of Hip and Knee Implants 
used to replace diseased, 
damaged or worn joints, 
robotics-assisted enabling 
technologies that empower 
surgeons, and Trauma products 
used to stabilise fractures and 
correct bone deformities.

Performance

Franchise revenue
Franchise profit

2019

2018
$2,222m $2,168m
N/A

$666m

2019  
Revenue  

$1,042m

2019  
Reported  
growth
2.5%

2019  
Underlying
growth*
4.4%

$613m

0.0%

2.1%

$79m

27.9%

12.6%

$488m

2.4%

4.3%

Knee  
Implants
Hip  
Implants
Other 
Recon
Trauma 

Knee Implants
Smith+Nephew’s specialised 
knee replacement systems include 
leading products for total, partial and 
patellofemoral joint resurfacing procedures.

The JOURNEY◊ II Total Knee Arthroplasty 
system is demonstrated to replicate 
normal knee positions, shapes, and 
motions.1–3 The LEGION◊/GENESIS◊ II 
Total Knee System is a comprehensive 
system which includes the LEGION 
Revision Knee System, designed to offer 
surgeons improved options to deal with 
the complexities associated with revision 
knee arthroplasty. Both of these systems 
feature VERILAST◊ Technology, our 
advanced hard-wearing bearing surface 
of OXINIUM◊ Oxidized Zirconium with 
highly cross-linked polyethylene.

Hip Implants
Smith+Nephew’s range of specialised 
products for reconstruction of the hip 
joint include the ANTHOLOGY◊ Hip 
System, SYNERGY◊ Hip System and the 
POLAR3◊ Total Hip Solution. In Q4 2019 
we announced OR3O◊, our new Advanced 
Dual Mobility system. All these systems 
feature VERILAST. 

The diversity of our portfolio exemplifies 
our commitment to providing surgeons with 
implant and instrumentation options that 
meet the specific demands of their patients 
and preferred surgical approach. We also 
market the BIRMINGHAM HIP◊ Resurfacing 
(BHR) System, an important option for 
surgeons treating suitable patients.

Smith+Nephew’s portfolio includes 
the REDAPT◊ Revision Hip System. 
The REDAPT Fully Porous and Modular 
Acetabular Cups with CONCELOC◊ 
Technology is designed to allow 
ingrowth through an additive, or 
3D printing, manufacturing process 
which produces a porous implant 
designed to mimic the structure  
of cancellous bone.

Other Reconstruction
The NAVIO◊ Surgical System utilises 
real-time imaging (without the need 
for a pre-operative CT scan), hand-held 
robotics and a portable cart. NAVIO offers 
both partial and total knee options that 
include the first and only robotics-assisted 
bi-cruciate retaining knee procedure 
commercially available.

We enhanced our offering in 2019 
with the acquisition of Brainlab’s 
Orthopaedic Joint Reconstruction 
business. The transaction included the 
Brainlab hip software, and we expect 
to introduce a new hip application  
in early 2020. For more details on our 
digital surgical robotics ecosystem 
see page 10.

This franchise also includes 
Smith+Nephew’s diverse portfolio of 
bone cement and accessory options.

“With high quality products utilising  

differentiated materials and backed by 
strong data, our Orthopaedics franchise  
is well-positioned for further growth.”
Skip Kiil
President of Orthopaedics

18

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Other information

Hip Implants revenue growth was led by 
demand for the POLAR3 total hip solution, 
with its class-leading survivorship data. 
The REDAPT Revision Hip System also 
drove performance in this franchise 
in 2019.

Other Reconstruction delivered double-
digit revenue growth, and benefitted 
from strong capital sales in the 
fourth quarter.

Trauma revenue improved on 2018 
led by sustained double-digit growth 
from the INTERTAN Intertrochanteric 
Antegrade Nail and the roll-out of the 
EVOS System across the year.

References
1  Murakami K, Hamai S, Okazaki K, et al. Knee kinematics 
in bi-cruciate stabilized total knee arthroplasty during 
squatting and stair-climbing activities. J Orthop. 
2018;15:650-654.

2  Grieco TF, Sharma A, Dessinger GM, Cates HE, Komistek RD. 
In Vivo Kinematic Comparison of a Bicruciate Stabilized 
Total Knee Arthroplasty and the Normal Knee Using 
Fluoroscopy. J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(2):565-571.
Iriuchishima T, Ryu K. A comparison of Rollback Ratio 
between Bicruciate Substituting Total Knee Arthroplasty 
and Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.  
J Knee Surg. 2018;31(6):568-572.

3 

4  Data on file with Smith+Nephew. 05036 V2 TRIGEN 

INTERTAN Claims Brochure 0817.

*  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained 
and reconciled to the most directly comparable 
financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS 
on pages 200–204.

Trauma
In Trauma, the TRIGEN◊ INTERTAN◊ 
hip fracture system allows patients to 
experience lower risk of implant failure 
and non-union, reduced post-operative 
pain, faster time to fracture union, 
and a proven high return to pre-fracture 
status.4 The EVOS◊ SMALL Plating System 
is an expansive, user friendly system 
with multiple fixation options including  
non-locking, locking, variable-angle 
locking, optimised plate contours and 
screw trajectories as well as a low profile 
construct designed to give patients 
stability and flexibility. For extremities 
and limb restoration, our range includes 
the TAYLOR SPATIAL FRAME◊ External 
Fixator as well as plating systems 
and soft tissue repair products.

Our performance in 2019
Our Orthopaedics franchise delivered 
4.0% underlying revenue growth* in 2019, 
an improvement over the 3% growth 
in 2018.

Knee Implants revenue growth was 
led by demand for our JOURNEY II and 
LEGION Revision knee systems and 
was strongest outside of the US.

OR3O◊

We are excited to be launching OR3O◊, 
our new Advanced Dual Mobility system 
incorporating our proprietary VERILAST 
technology, giving us access to an 
important product segment that we  
have not been active in.

19

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019

Strategy

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Other information

Our franchises continued
Sports Medicine & ENT

Innovative technology for 
minimally invasive surgery

Smith+Nephew’s Sports 
Medicine & ENT franchise 
operates in growing markets  
where unmet clinical needs 
provide opportunities 
for procedural and 
technological innovation.

Performance

Franchise revenue
Franchise profit

2019

2018
$1,536m $1,461m
N/A

$489m

2019  
Revenue  

$794m
$591m
$151m

2019  
2019  
Underlying
Reported  
growth*
growth
10.8% 12.3%
0.8%
-1.5%
6.7%
4.9%

SMJR
AET
ENT 

Sports Medicine Joint Repair (SMJR)
In Sports Medicine Joint Repair, our 
technologies, instruments and implants 
enable surgeons to perform minimally 
invasive surgery of the joints, including 
the repair of soft tissue injuries and 
degenerative conditions of the shoulder, 
knee, hip and small joints.

For shoulder repair, we market products 
primarily for Rotator Cuff Repair (RCR) 
and instability repair, two of the most 
common sports medicine procedures. 
Key shoulder repair products include suture 
anchors such as the open-architecture 
HEALICOIL◊ Suture Anchor, SUTUREFIX◊ 
and Q-FIX◊ All-Suture Anchors. 
The portfolio also includes suture passers 
such as FIRSTPASS◊. The REGENETEN◊ 
Bioinductive Implant enhances the body’s 
natural healing response to support 
growth of new tendon-like tissue,1–2 
further enhancing our RCR portfolio.

In knee repair, the NOVOSTICH◊ PRO 
Meniscal Repair System, acquired 
in 2019, addresses complex meniscal 
tear patterns not adequately served by 
other repair systems, including horizontal 
cleavage tears affecting approximately 
one-third of meniscal repair patients.3 
It is highly complementary to our 
FAST-FIX◊ 360 Meniscal Repair System, 
which addresses vertical tears, the most 
commonly repairable meniscal injury. 
For ligament reconstructions, our portfolio 
gives surgeons multiple tools to perform 
single and complex repairs. This includes 
fixed and adjustable loop devices 
(ENDOBUTTON◊ and ULTRABUTTON◊), 
interference screws (BIOSURE◊), as 
well as a reconstruction guide system 
(ACUFEX◊ EXTRA-ARTICULAR).

Smith+Nephew offers implants made 
from a variety of biocompatible materials, 
including next-generation anchors 
made of soft, all-suture material and 
REGENESORB◊, an advanced biocomposite.

Arthroscopic Enabling 
Technologies (AET)
AET products facilitate the practice 
of arthroscopic surgery. These include 
high definition imaging solutions, industry 
leading energy-based and mechanical 
resection platforms, and fluid management 
and access technologies. Our 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.

The WEREWOLF◊ and QUANTUM 2◊ 
COBLATION◊ Controllers enable surgeons 
to remove soft tissue precisely4 and 
control bleeding in a variety of arthroscopic 
procedures. COBLATION Technology, and 
the FLOW 50◊ Wand, have demonstrated 
faster patient recovery5 and better 
long-term patient outcomes5–7 in knee 
procedures compared to mechanical 
debridement. Launched in 2019, 
the WEREWOLF FLOW 90◊ Wand 
with FLOW~IQ◊ Technology brings this 
technology to shoulder repair.

Adding to our DYONICS◊ PLATINUM 
Blades portfolio in 2019, the 
BONECUTTER◊, 3.5mm PLATINUM 
INCISOR◊ PLUS and 3.5mm PLATINUM 
SYNOVATOR◊ Blades show significantly 
faster resection rates and lower to no 
incidents of clogging compared with 
competitive blades.8

“We are proud that through our leadership 
and innovation we are helping to bring 
the benefits of soft tissue repair to many 
more patients every year.”
Brad Cannon
President of Sports Medicine & ENT

20

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Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies 
finished the year strongly with recent 
product launches, including the 
WEREWOLF FLOW 90 Wand with 
FLOW~IQ Technology, new mechanical 
resection blades, and the LENS 4K Surgical 
Imaging System, all contributing to an 
improved growth profile.

In ENT we continued to successfully 
convert surgeons conducting tonsil and 
adenoid procedures with traditional 
surgery approaches to using our 
COBLATION technology. In Q1 2020 we 
acquired Tusker Medical, Inc., developer 
of Tula, a new system for in-office 
delivery of ear tubes to treat recurrent 
or persistent ear infections which is 
highly complementary to our existing 
ENT portfolio, with the same customer 
and patient populations.

References
1  Schlegel TF, et al. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2918; 27; 242-251.
2  Bokor DJ, et al. MLTJ. 2016;6(1):16-25.
3  Metcalf MH, Barrett GR. AJSM. 2004;32(3):675-680. 
4  Amiel D, et al. Arthroscopy. 2004;20(5):503-510.
5  Spahn G, et al. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 

2008;16(6):565–573.

6  Spahn, G, et al. Arthroscopy. 2010;26(Suppl 9):S73-80.
7  Spahn G, et al. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 

2016;24(5):1560-1568.

8  Competitive testing report 15007992.
9  Woloszko J, et al. Proc of SPIE. 2003;4949:341-352.
10 2018 SmartTRAK US Meniscal Repair Fixation 

market report.

*  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained 
and reconciled to the most directly comparable 
financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS 
on pages 200–204.

Our LENS 4K Surgical Imaging System offers 
exceptional image quality, connectivity and 
workflow integration to benefit ambulatory 
and multi-specialty surgical centres.

Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
In ENT, our COBLATION Plasma 
Technology, which has been used to 
remove tonsils and adenoids for over 
15 years, has an ability to remove tissue 
at low temperatures with minimal damage 
to surrounding tissue.9 The technology 
is also marketed for use in turbinate 
and laryngeal procedures.

Our ENT portfolio also includes 
the RAPID RHINO◊ product line which 
features a wide range of dissolvable and 
removable postoperative nasal dressings, 
as well as a comprehensive portfolio 
of epistaxis solutions.

Our performance in 2019
Our Sports Medicine & ENT franchise 
achieved 7.0% underlying revenue growth* 
in 2019, an improved performance over 
the 2% growth in 2018. 

Sports Medicine Joint Repair delivered 
four straight quarters of double-digit 
growth. Performance was consistent 
across both our knee and shoulder repair 
ranges, including growing contributions 
from the recently acquired REGENETEN 
Bioinductive Implant for rotator cuff repair 
and NOVOSTITCH Meniscal Repair System. 

NOVOSTITCH◊ PRO

There are currently more than 1.2 million 
meniscal tears treated surgically in the US 
each year with only 15–20% of the cases 
receiving a meniscal repair, rather than 
removal.10 With products like NOVOSTITCH◊ 
PRO and FAST-FIX 360, we see the opportunity 
to double this proportion in the medium term.

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Our franchises continued
Advanced Wound Management

Reducing the human 
and economic burden 
of wounds

Smith+Nephew’s extensive 
Advanced Wound Management 
portfolio is designed to meet 
broad and complex clinical 
needs, helping healthcare 
professionals get ‘CLOSER TO 
ZERO’ human and economic 
consequences of wounds.

Performance

Franchise revenue
Franchise profit

2019

2018
$1,380m $1,275m
N/A

$370m

2019  
Revenue  

2019  
2019  
Underlying
Reported  
growth*
growth
-0.2%
-3.5%
$714m
$424m
-0.4%
32.3%
$242m 12.8% 15.7%

AWC
AWB
AWD 

22

Advanced Wound Management
With the prevalence of chronic wounds 
in the UK alone growing at around 12% 
annually1 and increasing pressure on 
resources, there is a need for consistent, 
intuitive clinical practice that promotes 
both prevention and healing and provides 
structured and measureable outcomes.

Smith+Nephew promotes best practice 
guidelines, including the globally recognised 
T.I.M.E. principles, which were first 
published in 2003 and later revised as the 
T.I.M.E. clinical decision support tool (CDST) 
in 2019, offering a systematic approach 
to wound healing.2 T.I.M.E. is an acronym 
representing the critical barriers to wound 
healing: Tissue non-viable, Infection/
inflammation, Moisture imbalance, and 
Edge of wound non-advancing.

T.I.M.E. is the most recognised assessment 
tool in wound care,2 and having supported 
T.I.M.E. since its inception, Smith+Nephew 
is uniquely positioned to provide customers 
with a set of comprehensive products 
in Advanced Wound Care (AWC), Advanced 
Wound Bioactives (AWB) and Advanced 
Wound Devices (AWD) across each T.I.M.E. 
based clinical need.

Advanced Wound Care (AWC)
Our AWC range covers several segments 
aimed at helping improve outcomes in 
the Infection and Moisture balance 
clinical goals of T.I.M.E.

In infection management, our silver-based 
ACTICOAT◊ Antimicrobial Barrier Dressings, 
DURAFIBER◊ Ag Absorbent Gelling 
Silver Fibrous Dressing, and ALLEVYN◊ 
Ag Antimicrobial Foam Dressing, provide 
clinicians with a range of solutions 
to address individual patient needs 
in managing wound infection.

In exudate or moisture management, 
our products are designed to respond to 
varying levels of wound exudate providing 
appropriate wound fluid absorption, lock 
in and evaporation properties to promote 
an optimal wound healing environment. 
Our key growth brand in this space is the 
ALLEVYN range with two focus variants; 
ALLEVYN Gentle Border Foam Dressing, 
a range of versatile foam dressings to 
suit multiple wound types, and ALLEVYN 
LIFE Foam Dressing, our most advanced 
dressing, uniquely differentiated by its 
distinct quadrilobe shape and with the 
EXUMASK◊ Change Indicator, the dressing 
last up to 1.9 times longer than other 
foam dressings.3

The AWC range also includes film 
and post-operative dressings, skincare 
products and gels. Leading brands include 
OPSITE◊ Film Dressings, IV3000◊ Moisture 
Responsive Intravenous Catheter Dressing, 
and the PROSHIELD◊ Skin Care and 
SECURA◊ Skin Care ranges.

Advanced Wound Bioactives (AWB)
Our AWB portfolio covers key product 
segments aimed at helping improve 
outcomes in the tissue viability and 
wound edge advancement clinical goals 
of T.I.M.E.

AWB topical biologics and skin substitutes 
provide a unique approach to debridement, 
dermal repair, and tissue regeneration. 
Our portfolio includes Collagenase 
SANTYL◊ Ointment 250 units/gram, 
our most significant product by sales 
in this segment, as well as REGRANEX◊ 
(becaplermin) gel 0.01%, OASIS◊ Wound 
Matrix and OASIS ULTRA Tri-Layer 
Matrix, a naturally-derived, extracellular 
matrix replacement product indicated 
for the management of both chronic 
and traumatic wounds.

“Our broad portfolio helps healthcare 
providers prevent and treat wounds  
as well as conserve resources for  
healthcare systems.”
Simon Fraser
President of Advanced Wound Management

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sensor that monitors patient position and 
orientation to automate and document 
the management of prescribed patient 
turn protocols. This is an important 
tool in a hospital’s pressure injury 
prevention strategy.

The AWD portfolio also includes 
our traditional RENASYS◊ Negative 
Pressure Wound Therapy System and 
the VERSAJET◊ Hydrosurgery System, 
a surgical debridement device.

Our performance in 2019
Our Advanced Wound Management 
franchise delivered 2.2% underlying 
revenue growth* in 2019, an improvement 
over the flat growth in 2018.

Advanced Wound Care declined in 2019. 
Whilst we improved performance in Europe 
across the year, this was offset by price 
pressure in the US.

Advanced Wound Bioactives performance 
improved over 2018. Reported growth 
reflects the acquisition of Osiris which has 
also improved the underlying growth  
profile from -6% in 2018. 

Advanced Wound Devices delivered 
four quarters of double-digit growth. 
This reflected continued strong demand 
for PICO and an increasing contribution 
from RENASYS across the year.

Expanding our skin substitute product 
range, GRAFIX◊ Cryopreserved Placental 
Membrane and STRAVIX◊ Cryopreserved 
Umbilical Tissue, acquired in 2019 with 
Osiris, are intended for application directly 
to acute and chronic wounds and as 
surgical cover or wrap to support soft 
tissue repair. For more information on 
this acquisition see page 11.

Advanced Wound Devices (AWD)
In AWD, our portfolio helps improve 
outcomes in the tissue viability, moisture 
balance, and wound edge advancement 
clinical goals of T.I.M.E.2

The PICO◊ 7 Single Use Negative 
Pressure Wound Therapy System (sNPWT) 
with AIRLOCK◊ Technology brings the 
effectiveness of traditional NPWT in a 
modern, small portable system, and is 
applicable for both open wounds and 
closed incisions. We expanded the range 
in 2019 with the launch of PICO 7Y 
sNPWT, enabling the utilisation of two 
dressings concurrently from one pump, 
in practice allowing for two wounds to 
be addressed at the same time, as well 
as with the launch of PICO 14 sNPWT, 
a variant that can be used to treat a wound 
for up to 14 days. New 2019 guidance 
from the UK’s National Institute for Health 
and Care Excellence (NICE) states that 
PICO sNPWT should be considered as 
an option for closed surgical incisions in 
patients who are at high risk of surgical 
site infections (SSIs).4

Our AWD portfolio also includes the 
LEAF◊ Patient Monitoring System, acquired 
in 2019, a wireless, patient wearable 

References
1  Guest J F, Vowden K, Vowden P. The economic burden 
that acute and chronic wounds impose on an average 
clinical commissioning group/health board in the UK. 
J Wound Care 2017; 26(6):292-303.

2  Moore Z, Dowsett C, Smith G, et al. TIME CDST: an updated 
tool to address the current challenges in wound care. 
J Wound Care 2019; 28(3):154-161.

3  Joy H, et al. A collaborative project to enhance efficiency 

through dressing change practice. J Wound Care 
2015;24(7):312,314-7. 

4  NICE Medical Technology Guidance MTG43. PICO Negative 
Pressure Wound Dressings for closed surgical incisions. 
May 9th 2019 https://www.nice.org.uk/

*  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained 
and reconciled to the most directly comparable 
financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS 
on pages 200–204.

A new model  
of care

Throughout 2019 Smith+Nephew and 
a panel of clinicians in the UK started 
implementing a new digital clinical 
decision support tool (CDST), a patient-
centric approach to offer a systematic, 
holistic and multidisciplinary daily 
practice that aims to improve outcomes.

Designed to help ensure clinical decision 
making follows best practice, the CDST 
also helps to ensure product selection is 
appropriate, reducing waste and optimising 
clinical outcomes, as well as potentially 
releasing nurse time.2

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Strategy

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Other information

Our resources
Our people & culture

A culture of Care, 
Collaboration and Courage

Smith+Nephew has a proud 
history of more than 160 years 
of improving health around the 
world. Whilst we have grown 
significantly from our beginnings 
as a small family pharmacy in 
Hull, England, our caring spirit 
has remained the same.

Our culture of Care, Collaboration 
and Courage defines who we are as a 
Company and as employees, and creates an 
environment that sets us up for collective 
success. A strong and consistent culture 
engages and motivates employees, creates 
a community where they understand 
our strategy and purpose, makes them 
feel valued for their contributions to it, 
and drives behaviours that help us realise 
our business ambitions.

2019 was the first year that we used 
the Gallup Global Engagement Survey 
to measure how well our employees are 
engaged, and to determine where we 
need to focus and improve the employee 
experience. This decision to prioritise 
and measure engagement, rather than 
satisfaction, was driven by our new culture.

More than 14,300 – or 84% – of our 
employees gave feedback about the 
state of engagement at Smith+Nephew. 
Our scores were highest where we have 
focused our efforts: sense of purpose, 
pride, and commitment to quality work, 
with more to do in the areas of recognition 
and development. Every manager received 
a results report for his or her team, and 
worked with them to set action plans 
for improvement.

Care
Our culture pillar of Care means that 
we show empathy and understanding for 
each other, our customers and patients, 
and our communities. We anticipate their 
needs and deliver the highest levels of 
innovation and service.

Smith+Nephew is committed to caring 
for its employees, providing benefits such 
as employee assistance and wellness 
programmes. In 2019, we increased 
our focus on promoting mental health 
awareness, piloting mental health first aid 
training to volunteer employees in the UK.

We encourage employees to support 
external community or charity initiatives 
by providing a full day of paid time for 
volunteering. In 2019, employees donated 
more than 10,000 hours to support worthy 
initiatives outside of work. Some groups 
use this time for team building activities. 
For example, our team in South Korea 
volunteered for Habitat for Humanity during 
the year, helping low-income people access 
better housing. Increasing the number 
of employees using volunteering time is 
one of the objectives of our new social 
responsibility strategy, described in more 
detail in our 2019 Sustainability Report.

Committed to  
our employees

Smith+Nephew is committed to  
caring for its employees, providing  
benefits such as employee assistance 
and wellness programmes.

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Courage
Our culture pillar of Courage encourages 
continuous learning, innovation and 
accountability. By staying curious, thinking 
big and having the humility to challenge 
our conventional ways of thinking, we push 
the boundaries of our industry, and we do 
so ethically and with integrity.

Every year, Smith+Nephew sets out clear 
and measurable Group objectives based 
upon our strategic imperatives, which 
are directly linked to personal objectives 
of all employees. This enables employees 
to clearly see how their efforts contribute 
to the overall success of the business, 
which drives execution, accountability 
and engagement.

In 2019 we launched ‘Winning Behaviours’, 
a behavioural competency framework 
directly linked to our culture pillars of Care, 
Courage and Collaboration. It supports 
employee development by helping 
employees understand how they can 
demonstrate our culture on a daily basis. 
Our recruitment and assessment approach, 
and our performance management and 
talent management processes, all directly 
align to these Winning Behaviours.

Smith+Nephew’s compensation 
strategy supports high-performance 
and accountability across both financial 
and cultural performance metrics. 
A robust compensation framework is vital 
in attracting, retaining, and motivating 
high calibre people, driving better 
business results across an equitable work 
environment. Our UK Gender Pay ratios 
improved in 2019 (see page 119) and 
we are Living Wage Accredited in the UK, 
voluntarily paying above the government 
required minimum. We also offer an 
all-employee share plan scheme to the 
majority of employees globally.

The Board’s Compliance & Culture 
Committee closely monitors our 
programmes to embed the new culture, 
visiting sites and meeting and talking 
directly to employees, as well as reviewing 
the Gallup results. More details of the 
Committee’s 2019 activities can be found 
on page 80, alongside its 2020 plans to 
assess the culture and track progress.

Collaboration 
Our culture pillar of Collaboration 
aims to foster successful teamwork 
based on mutual trust and respect. 
Through transparent and respectful 
communication, we are motivated by 
a shared purpose and understand the 
impact of our individual contributions 
on our collective goals.

This commitment to communication 
starts at the top. On a quarterly basis, the 
Chief Executive Officer and members of the 
executive team lead a live global webcast. 
This includes updates on the business 
and gives employees around the world 
the chance to ask questions in real-time.

We encourage networking through 
various groups and activities as it 
fosters a strong culture of Collaboration 
across the business. This includes our 
Young Professionals (SNYP) network 
set up by employees in Memphis (US), 
which has grown into a global initiative 
scheduling both professional development 
opportunities and social activities. 

Our peer-to-peer recognition programme 
– called Going the Extra Mile (GEM) – 
gives employees the opportunity to say 
‘thank you’ to colleagues.

We strive for a culture where everyone 
is working collaboratively, has a voice, 
is heard and is respectful of other’s needs. 
Building inclusion and embracing diversity 
is vital and strengthens our business as 
the variety of perspectives, experience 
and work styles enhance creativity 
and innovation. We are committed to 
employment practices based on equal 
opportunities, regardless of race, ethnicity, 
gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic 
status, age, physical abilities, religious 
beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. 

In 2019 we recruited through more 
channels in order to improve diversity 
across new hires and we are exploring 
the use of technology to remove bias or 
subjectivity from our hiring processes. 
We also delivered inclusion training to our 
top 100 leaders and in all our leadership 
development programmes, as well as to our 
Talent Acquisition and HR teams involved 
in recruiting. We continued to develop 
our female leaders in 2019, with up to 
200 female employees enrolling in our 
‘Elevate’ female leaders programme each 
month, and 45% of participants achieved 
a promotion or new role during the year.

25

Total employees1

 17,637

Male
58%

Female
42%

Senior managers2,3  
and above

 947

Male
70%

Female
30%

Board of Directors

 9

Male
67%

Female
33%

1  Number of employees at 31 December 
2019 including part time employees 
and employees on leave of absence.
2  Senior managers and above include 
all employees classed as Directors, 
Senior Directors, Vice Presidents, 
Executive Officers and includes all 
statutory directors and Directors 
of our subsidiary companies.

3  For 2019 we have updated our definition 
of senior managers to include employees 
classed as Director and above but who 
do not have direct reports.

» For more information 
about how we are putting 
people first, download 
our Sustainability Report 
from our website

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Our resources continued
Ethics & Compliance

Smith+Nephew has 
a strong reputation 
for integrity and 
ethical conduct

At Smith+Nephew we 
are committed to integrity, 
honesty and professionalism 
in all aspects of our business.

Code of Conduct and 
Business Principles
We believe that it is a privilege to provide 
products and services for patients and 
healthcare professionals. We believe 
that everyone who works for us – or on 
our behalf – shares the responsibility for 
upholding our reputation for integrity and 
ethical conduct, and that the sustainability 
of our business depends on doing things 
the right way.

Our Code of Conduct and Business 
Principles governs the way we operate, 
taking into account ethical, social, 
environmental, legal and financial 
considerations as part of Smith+Nephew’s 
operating methods. We have a robust 
whistle-blowing system in all jurisdictions 
where we operate, which is benchmarked 
against industry metrics.

Global Compliance Programme 
Smith+Nephew has implemented what 
we believe to be a world-class Global 
Compliance Programme that helps our 
businesses comply with applicable laws 
and regulations.

As part of the programme, we provide 
resources and tools to guide employees 
to make decisions that comply with the 
law, local industry codes and our Code 
of Conduct. Significant interactions with 
healthcare professionals and government 
officials are reviewed and approved in 
advance, and we regularly assess existing 
and emerging risks in the countries in 
which we operate.

Compliance controls at Smith+Nephew 
are also reviewed regularly, and we conduct 
audits, supported by data analytics, 
with central and local monitoring. 

We work with third parties who adhere 
to business principles and health, safety, 
social and environmental standards 
consistent with our own. New distributors 
and other higher-risk third parties are 
subject to screening, compliance training 
and certification.

Senior leaders, including all Vice 
Presidents and above, are required to 
complete an annual certification to the 
Chief Executive Officer to confirm the 
implementation of required policies. 
Managers and employees complete an 
annual compliance certification and 
conflict of interest disclosure.

The programme is reviewed and 
developed regularly.

An ethical employer
At Smith+Nephew, 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 do not use any form of forced, 
compulsory or child labour. Smith+Nephew 
supports the Universal Declaration of 
Human Rights of the United Nations, 
respecting the human rights, dignity 
and privacy of individuals and their right 
to freedom of association, freedom of 
expression and the right to be heard.

As a global medical technology business, 
we recognise our responsibility to take 
a robust approach to preventing slavery 
and human trafficking. Smith+Nephew is 
committed to preventing such activities 
in all of its corporate operations and in its 
supply chains. Our full policy on modern 
slavery is available on our website.

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Sales & marketing

Customers are at the heart 
of our business model

Healthcare professionals are our 
customers, and they can range 
from orthopaedic surgeons 
to wound care nurses, general 
practitioners and other clinicians, 
but increasingly also economic 
stakeholders such as purchasing 
professionals in hospitals and 
healthcare insurers.

Smith+Nephew has a global franchise 
structure with dedicated global 
presidents of Orthopaedics, Sports 
Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound 
Management leading customer facing 
activities. Each president has global 
upstream marketing responsibility as 
well as commercial responsibility for the 
US, our largest market. The franchises 
share global commercial support teams 
in the areas of medical education, 
sales training, marketing services and 
healthcare economics.

Aligned with and supporting the franchises 
are presidents and regional commercial 
organisations for Europe, Middle East and 
Africa (EMEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC). 
Under these presidents are country 
clusters, based on geographic proximity, 
critical mass of revenue, and similar 
go-to-market strategies. They are led 
by managing directors with business 
unit leads for each franchise.

Our sales representatives are 
highly trained and skilled individuals. 
Depending on their area of specialism, 
representatives in our surgical businesses 
will not only know the devices that they 

sell, but also have a detailed knowledge 
of the surgical instruments used to implant 
them, and specific understanding of the 
various surgical techniques a customer 
might use.

Once a sales representative is trained and 
certified, they typically spend the majority 
of their time working directly with and 
supporting customers to aid in the safe 
and effective use of our advanced medical 
technologies, or identifying and contacting 
new customers. 

In Advanced Wound Management, sales 
representatives have deep knowledge of 
how clinicians seek to prevent and treat 
wounds, as well as an understanding of the 
economic benefits of using our products 
within treatment protocols.

We pride ourselves on giving customers 
a high standard of service and invest 
in developing our sales and marketing 
organisation. In 2019 we renewed this 
commitment by introducing a new Global 
Commercial Training and Education 
structure, which delivers a more consistent 
content and curriculum-based approach, 
coupled with deep commercial training 
specialisation in key markets. 

Award  
winning  
training 

Our training team has won  
many awards for its training  
programmes, especially 
for its use of digital and 
mobile technology.

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Our resources continued
Research & Development

Investing in 
meaningful innovation

We invested $292 million in 
Research and Development 
(R&D) in 2019, equivalent 
to 5.7% of Group revenue.

Major product launches 
announced in 2019 included 
the launch of the OR3O 
Dual Mobility System for use 
in primary and revision hip 
arthroplasty, the EVOS WRIST 
Plating System, the WEREWOLF 
FLOW 90 Wand with FLOW~IQ 
Technology, the LENS 4K 
Surgical Imaging System 
and PICO 7Y sNPWT.

We also invested in evidence demonstrating 
the clinical and economic benefits of our 
products. Such evidence was fundamental 
to the UK’s National Institute for Health 
and Care Excellence (NICE) 2019 
recommendation for PICO sNPWT as  
an option for closed surgical incisions in 
patients who are at high risk of surgical 
site infections.

Our enterprise R&D operating model
Smith+Nephew’s R&D model provides 
governance and simple processes for 
new product development, starting 
with front end innovation and research, 
moving through new product development 
and launch, and ending with support 
of released products.

We focus on projects that will make a 
meaningful difference to our customers 
and their patients. This includes investing 
in incremental innovation to improve 
existing products, but also to transform 
our business using disruptive technologies, 
services and business models. Driving greater 
efficiency through innovation supporting 
our sustainability strategy, is also a 
priority for the R&D teams.

Strict criteria are applied to ensure that 
new products are aimed at fulfilling unmet 
clinical needs, have a strong commercial 
rationale, and are technically feasible. 
Our R&D experts in the US, UK, Europe, 
Singapore and China have extensive 
customer and sector knowledge. 

The R&D function works closely with 
the marketing, clinical, quality, regulatory 
affairs, manufacturing, procurement 
and supply chain management teams 
to ensure we produce new products 
to cost, scope and schedule. We work 
in partnership with our customers, 
and welcome new product concepts 
from healthcare professionals, working 
collaboratively to bring ideas to reality.

The global R&D function includes 
our Clinical and Medical Affairs (CMA) 
team that ensures that, from conception, 
plans are developed to support product 
launches with the evidence increasingly 
required by clinicians, payers and 
regulators. Our products undergo clinical 
and health economic assessments 
both during their development and  
post-launch.

A strong pipeline
For 2020, we have a strong pipeline 
with a number of important launches 
planned and also expect to maintain 
the high cadence of clinical and 
economic evidence.

One area of focus is surgical robotics, 
with our next generation platform 
anticipated to be launched in 2020 
following necessary regulatory clearances 
and approvals. When launched, the new 
product will reduce the physical device 
footprint. This, together with its CT-free 
technology, makes it an ideal solution for 
all surgical settings, including ambulatory 
surgery centers (ASCs). In addition, our 
R&D programme is focused on a number 
of options to broaden this platform for 
customers, including innovations intended 
to incorporate augmented reality, and 
machine learning technologies.

“In 2019 our global R&D team delivered  

game-changing innovation, launching new 
products, systems and services backed  
by compelling clinical evidence.”
Vasant Padmanabhan
President of Research & Development

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Other information

Game changing  
innovation in 2019

For 2020, we have a strong pipeline with a 
number of important launches planned and 
also expect to maintain the high cadence 
of clinical and economic evidence.

Ultra-versatile  
EVOS WRIST
Plating System 
gives surgeons a 
choice of approach, 
material, and 
locking technology.

PICO 7Y Single 
Use Negative 
Pressure Wound 
Therapy System
with AIRLOCK 
Technology brings 
the effectiveness 
of traditional NPWT 
in a modern, small 
portable system, 
and is applicable for 
both open wounds 
and closed incisions. 

OR3O Dual  
Mobility System
utilising unique OXINIUM 
DH metal alloy – the 
first advanced bearing 
material available to 
support modular dual 
mobility throughout 
the entire offering. 

WEREWOLF 
COBLATION
FLOW 90 Wand 
with FLOW~IQ◊ 
Technology 
expands the unique 
WEREWOLF 
COBLATION system 
into shoulder repair.

LENS 4K Surgical 
Imaging System
brings exceptional 
image quality, 
connectivity 
and workflow 
integration benefits 
to ambulatory and 
multi-specialty 
surgical centers.

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Our resources continued
Medical education

Smith+Nephew is proud to 
support the development 
of surgeons and nurses by 
providing skills training and 
education on our products 
and techniques

Medical education at Smith+Nephew 
provides healthcare professionals 
opportunities to learn about the latest 
evidence, new skills and techniques, and 
safe and effective use of our products. 
We are dedicated to assisting them 
in their focus to improve outcomes 
for their patients.

To support that aim, we provided more 
than 110,000 instances of training in 
2019 to surgeons and nurses through 
Smith+Nephew training centres globally. 
We had a large training impact in each 
region with notable instances in the US, 
UK and APAC, as well as running many 
courses at third party centres around 
the world. Additionally, we transformed 
our Global Medical Education function 
to increase the strategic focus on content 
development, delivery and a healthcare 
professional centric learning approach 
through educational pathways.

In collaboration with expert healthcare 
professionals as faculty, Smith+Nephew 
provides programme attendees the  
opportunity for peer-to-peer interaction, 
demonstration and practice of new  
techniques and to refine skills. 
Courses are attended by residents, 
fellows and practicing surgeons who work 
together to review, discuss and train on 
current and innovative surgical techniques 
and our products in their areas of clinical 
expertise. Our courses support surgeons 
who gain the experience and confidence 
necessary to become experts in their field.

Thousands of nurses receive face-to-face 
training on our products from Smith+Nephew 
representatives every year, including 
attending courses at our centres, conference 
symposium and customised educational 
programmes at local venues and facilities. 

Additionally, we support healthcare 
professionals with online resources at 
smith-nephew.com/education and 
WoundCME.org.

Supporting safe 
and effective use 
of products

Working under expert guidance, 
attendees at Smith+Nephew training 
courses learn new techniques 
and refine skills, to ensure the safe 
and effective use of our products.

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Manufacturing & quality

Delivering high quality 
products efficiently

Smith+Nephew takes great 
pride in its manufacturing 
expertise and commitment 
to distributing innovative, 
quality products globally.

31

We operate manufacturing facilities in 
eight countries across the globe, and have 
central distribution facilities in the US, 
Europe and Asia. Our Global Operations 
team supports the delivery of the Group’s 
strategic imperatives by ensuring that 
we respond efficiently to geographical 
growth, new product development 
and increasing regulatory requirements. 
Global Operations is focused on delivering 
ever-greater efficiency by focusing on 
operating an optimal facility footprint, 
driving lean manufacturing methods across 
our network and identifying opportunities 
within our supply chain to deliver world-
class service levels.

Products for our Orthopaedics franchise 
are primarily manufactured at our facilities 
in Memphis (US), Aarau (Switzerland), 
Tuttlingen (Germany), Beijing (China), 
and Warwick (UK). In 2019 we announced 
our decision to build a new high technology 
manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia, 
primarily to support our Orthopaedics 
franchise, which has been growing strongly 
in the Asia Pacific region. First production 
batches from this facility are expected 
to ship before the end of 2022.

Sports Medicine Joint Repair products 
are primarily manufactured at the 
Mansfield (US) and Alajuela (Costa Rica) 
facilities. The majority of Advanced Wound 
Management products are made in Hull (UK), 
Fort Worth (US), Columbia, Maryland (US), 
and Suzhou (China). In 2019 we announced 
our decision to consolidate manufacture  
of SANTYL into Fort Worth and shut  
our site in Curaçao. We also have a facility  
in Oklahoma City (US), which produces 
and services electro/mechanical capital 
equipment and single use sterile devices 
and assembles some NPWT devices 
using components from third parties.

We procure raw materials, components, 
finished products and packaging materials 
from suppliers globally. These include 
metal forgings and castings, optical 
and electronic sub-components, active 
ingredients and semi-finished goods, as 
well as packaging materials. Suppliers are 
contracted to ensure value for money 
based on total spend across the Group. 
We work closely with our 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 or quality. We monitor suppliers 
through on-site assessments and 
performance audits to ensure the required 
levels of quality, service and delivery.

Our Global Supply Chain team is responsible 
for making sure that our products reach 
internal and external demands in a timely, 
compliant and efficient manner. We operate 
main logistics and warehousing facilities 
for surgical products in Memphis (US), Baar 
(Switzerland) and Singapore. For wound 
products, our main facilities are located 
in Neunkirchen (Germany), Derby (UK) 
and Lawrenceville (US). 

Quality and Regulatory Affairs 
A global Quality and Regulatory Affairs 
function supports full product life-
cycle management of Smith+Nephew’s 
global product portfolio from design and 
development through manufacturing and 
post-market surveillance. These functions 
establish appropriate processes and 
procedures to facilitate compliance to 
complex global regulations and laws that 
govern the design, development, approval, 
manufacture, labelling, marketing and 
sale of healthcare products. The Quality 
and Regulatory Affairs functions directly 
support expansion of our global portfolio 
through the registration of new products 
and existing products in new markets, 
as well as ensuring compliance with 
regulatory reporting standards.

Requirements of global regulatory 
agencies are becoming increasingly 
stringent and we expect this to continue. 
The team is leading a major Group-wide 
programme to prepare for implementation 
of the European Union (EU) Medical Devices 
Regulation (MDR), which came into force 
in May 2017, with a three-year transition 
period until the date of application in 
May 2020. The regulation includes new 
requirements for the manufacture, supply 
and sale of all CE marked products sold 
in Europe and requires the re-registration 
of all medical devices with CE marking, 
regardless of where the devices 
are manufactured.

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Other information

Sustainability
Sustainability is better business

Our sustainability strategy 
is integrated with our 
Group business strategy, 
embedding the three main 
drivers of sustainability 
– economic prosperity, 
social responsibility 
and environmental 
stewardship – across  
all our activities

Sustainability is at  
the core of our business
In 2016, we launched our Group 
sustainability strategy, setting out 
aspirational goals and targets. This is  
a summary report of our activities  
and progress in 2019. 

Our annual Sustainability Report, 
published at the same time as this 
Annual Report, describes the Group 
sustainability strategy and its associated 
goals in more detail. It specifies targets 
to move our performance towards 
these goals, and provides more detail 
of the progress made during 2019. It is 
available on our website.

At the end of 2019 we revisited and 
updated the sustainability strategy 
for 2025 and beyond. This is summarised 
below, and described in greater detail 
in the Sustainability Report.

Sustainability strategy  
2016 through 2019
Smith+Nephew has been and remains 
committed to working in a sustainable, 
ethical and responsible manner 
everywhere we do business. We are proud 
of our achievements over many years, 
as witnessed by our recurring inclusion 
in leading indices such as FTSE4Good 
and the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

At the heart of the sustainability 
strategy are 10 long-term aspirational 
goals. These encompassed all aspects 
of our business, and informed and 
supported our business strategy. 
The Board endorsed these and executive 
management championed them. In 2019, 
we established a new Sustainability 
Council to widen executive leadership 
across the programme.

Employee safety, wellness 
and volunteering
A healthy and safe working environment 
is fundamental to the way we work at 
Smith+Nephew. We must ensure that 
the safety of our employees and those 
who work with us is given the highest 
priority when we perform our daily 
activities in our offices around the world, 
when we visit customers and in our 
manufacturing environment.

Engagement with the communities in 
which we operate continues to broaden 
and deepen through the active attention 
of site leadership and the empowerment 
of local camaraderie councils, as well 
as encouraging the application of 
company-paid volunteering allowance 
and matching of employee donations 
to charity. 

We continue to strengthen and deepen 
employee wellness programmes with 
a focus on enabling healthy lifestyle 
choices. For more information see our 
people & culture report on page 24.

The impact of climate change
One of the United Nations’ Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs), is to ‘take 
urgent action to combat climate change 
and its impacts’.

It is widely recognised that continued 
emission of greenhouse gases will 
cause further warming of the planet 
and this warming could lead to damaging 
social and economic consequences. 
During 2019, we have continued 
to consider, and mitigate against, 
the potential impact of climate change 
on our business operations.

 See more in our 
Sustainability Report 
www.smith-nephew.com/
sustainability

32

Cycling from the UK to Paris  
to combat liver disease
A team of 34 employees completed a Croxley, 
UK to Paris three day bike ride, raising over £15,000 
for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) support, 
a cause close to one of our employees. The route 
took them through the UK South Downs and 
Northern France, ending 235 miles later with 
the team riding through the cobbled Parisian 
streets to finish at the Eiffel Tower. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Our physical assets and supply chains  
are vulnerable to weather and climate 
change (eg sea level rise, increased 
frequency and severity of extreme  
weather events, stress on water  
resources). In our Orthopaedics business, 
mineral-based raw materials are 
dependent upon energy-intensive 
processes (smelting). Patient populations 
are vulnerable to a potential rise in infectious 
disease propagation. Governments and 
corporations alike are under increasing 
pressure to mitigate the expected effects 
of climate change, potentially resulting  
in infrastructure projects which 
would require large capital outlays, 
further increasing the pressure 
on healthcare payments.

We have for several years rigorously 
measured our GHG emissions using 
internationally recognised standards, 
have set GHG reduction targets, have 
consistently achieved these targets and 
have taken a science-based goal going 
forward aligned with the recommendations 
of the Intergovernmental Panel on 
Climate Change to reduce total life cycle 
greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. 
Climate change risk is a component of our 
business resilience and crisis management 
programme and we have taken several 
measures to reduce vulnerability to climate 
change-exacerbated incidents, such as 
the improvement of flood defences at Hull 
(UK). Our new sustainability strategy takes 
full account of the risks and opportunities 
presented by climate change, focusing 
investment on de-carbonising our 
operations and those of our suppliers and 
customers. The sustainability strategy 
is owned by the Sustainability Council, 
including members of the Executive 
Committee which ensures that the 
strategy adequately addresses climate 
impacts. We understand how important 
it is to balance environmental initiatives 
with business activities, and strive to 
reduce emissions through new technology 
development, renewable energy use 
and other measures.

33

Future Focus
We will enhance how we adhere 
to the principles set out by the Task 
Force on Climate-related Financial 
Disclosures (TCFD). The TCFD 
structured its recommendations 
around four areas that represent 
core elements of how organisations 
operate: governance, strategy, risk 
management, and metrics and targets. 
These overarching themes will guide 
our assessment of climate-related 
risks and opportunities.

» Governance

Consideration of short, medium and 
long term climate-related issues.

» Strategy

Ensuring that the new sustainability 
strategy addresses the risks and 
opportunities of climate change.

» Risk Management

Full consideration given to  
climate-based impacts on business 
continuity and recovery.

» Metrics & Targets

Commitment to implement 100% 
renewable electricity at our strategic 
manufacturing sites by 2025.

CO2e reporting methodology, 
materiality and scope
We report the carbon footprint of our 
Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) 
emissions in tonnes of CO2 equivalent 
from our business operations for the 
calendar year ended 31 December 2019. 

Our focus is on the areas of largest 
environmental impact including 
manufacturing sites, warehouses, 
R&D sites and offices. Smaller locations 
representing less than 2% of our 
overall emissions are not included. 
Acquisitions completed before 2019 
are included in the data.

Our GHG emissions reporting represents 
our core business operations and 
facilities which fall within the scope of 
our consolidated financial statements. 
Primary data from energy suppliers 
has been used wherever possible.

We report our emissions in two scopes:

 – Scope 1 figures include: Direct sources 
of emissions which mainly comprise the 
fuels we use on-site, such as gas and 
heating oil and fugitive emissions arising 
mainly from the losses of refrigerant gases.

 – Scope 2 figures include: Indirect sources 
of emissions such as purchased electricity 
and steam we use at our sites.

Location-based emissions are calculated 
in compliance with the WRI/WBCSD 
GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting 
and Reporting Standard and have 
been calculated using carbon conversion 
factors published by BEIS/DEFRA for 2019. 
We have applied the emission factors 
most relevant to the source data, including 
DEFRA 2019 (for UK locations), IEA 2017 
(for overseas locations) and for the US 
we have used the most recently available 
US EPA ‘Emissions & Generation Resource 
Integrated Database’ (eGRID) for the 
regions in which we operate. All other 
emission factors for gas, oil, steam and 
fugitive emissions are taken from 
DEFRA 2019.

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

2019

2018

2017

2016

9,888
67,324
77,212

15.1
4.3

9,956
67,886
77,842

15.9
4.7

9,451
76,107
85,558

17.8
5.2

9,822
82,415
92,237

19.6
5.9

Revenue: 2019: $5.1bn; 2018: $4.9bn; 2017: $4.8bn. Full-time employee data: 2019: 18,030; 2018: 16,681; 2017: 16,333.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019 
 
 
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Sustainability continued
Our performance
Our 10 long-term aspirational goals

 See more in the 
Sustainability Report

2020 target

Performance to 31 December 2019

Zero work-related injuries and illnesses across the value chain

 – 10% reduction in Total Injury Rate (TIR) from 2016 actual.

 – A reduction of 6% since 2016 (in 2016 the TIR was 0.52, in 2019  

the TIR is 0.49).

Water: Total water impacts of products and solutions balanced with local human and ecosystem needs

 – Water footprint available for products accounting for 75% 
of revenue and considerations embedded in new product 
development process. Total potable water consumption 
no higher than 2016 actual.

 – Products accounting for 75% of revenue identified. Water footprint 

tools identified.

 – Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) not completed.
 – Water reduction of 5% since 2016.

Waste: All materials are either shipped as part of product or returned for beneficial use

 – Total material efficiency estimated for products accounting for 
75% of revenue and 80% or more of waste generated reused, 
recycled or recovered.

 – Products accounting for 75% of revenue identified. Material efficiency 

tools identified.
 – LCA not completed.
 – We currently reuse, recycle or recover energy from 76% of our total waste, 

up from 74% in 2016.

Carbon: 80% absolute reduction in total life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

 – Estimate total life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of products  

 – Products accounting for 75% of revenue identified. Total life cycle 

accounting for 75% of revenue.

 – Total Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 10% 

from 2016 actual.

greenhouse gas emissions tools identified.

 – LCA not completed.
 – Greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 16% since 2016.

Ethical Business Practices: All activities conducted in compliance with applicable International Labour Organization (ILO) 
conventions, involve no environmental degradation, and are free from corruption

 – Labour practices throughout the supply chain associated 

with products accounting for 75% of revenue compliant with 
applicable ILO conventions.

 – Products accounting for 75% of revenue identified. Assessment  
to applicable ILO conventions completed for internal operations. 
Engagement with upstream suppliers and downstream distributors  
and agents under way.

Zero product-related and service-related patient injuries

 – Robust system in place to detect, record, investigate and eliminate 

 – Systems are in place to detect, record and investigate patient injury incidents. 

root cause of product and service-related patient injuries.

Patterns in the data are being used to craft models which will allow 
identification of at-risk attributes. The root cause elimination  
protocols are in place and operational.

Robust social responsibility programmes that contribute to the attraction and retention of top talent

 – Social responsibility strategy which aligns philanthropy, 

employee volunteering and wellness to the business strategy.

 – Social responsibility strategy in place but requires updating to align  

with the Group business strategy and the new sustainability strategy.

Products and services are aligned to market economic, social and environmental expectations and anticipate future 
market conditions

 – Sustainability attributes described for products accounting for 
75% of revenue. Robust emphasis on sustainability attributes 
of new products/services in place.

 – Products accounting for 75% of revenue identified. Product/service 

sustainability attributes agreed.

 – New product development (NPD) sustainability focus planning under way.

Strategic risks and opportunities are understood and business activities are aligned to risk appetite

 – Enterprise Risk Management arrangements are embedded in the  

routine business decision-making process.

 – Enterprise Risk Management processes and supporting manual redeveloped.
 – Senior business risk champions appointed and trained in risk management.
 – Risk registers refreshed and mitigating actions regularly monitored 

and updated.

 – Principle risks aligned to new organisation structure and 

strategic imperatives.

Environmental, social, and economic impacts of business activities fully understood and appropriately balanced

 – Formal programmes in place to measure/assess the economic,  
social and environmental impacts of (1) potential acquisitions, 
(2) technologies to be extended to Emerging Markets, 
(3) innovative business models, (4) cost-of-quality reduction 
initiatives, and (5) manufacturing siting, functional optimisation 
and site utilisation alternatives.

34

 – Conducted a number of ‘deep dives’ into several key risks. Tools and 

standards to address new technologies are being developed to support 
our NPD work above.

 – LCA outputs not available. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Looking forward: our new 
sustainability strategy

Our new sustainability strategy is more responsive 
to the challenges facing society in areas in which we 
can make a meaningful difference. It is also more 
deeply embedded into our Group business strategy, 
ensuring that sustainability is fully connected to 
our business success.

To realise the goals in our strategy, 
we must work towards achieving our 
medium-term sustainability targets. 
Delivery against these will be key to 
the continued success of our Company.

In 2019, we established our Sustainability 
Council to set and ensure delivery 
of our sustainability strategy, so that 
sustainability becomes embedded 
throughout Smith+Nephew.

Delivering this is critical to achieving 
our strategic business imperatives, which 
deliver long-term shareholder value not 
only through profits, but also by engaging 
our employees and positively impacting 
society in the communities in which 
we operate. Our Council is intentionally 
set at the executive level to ensure a 
top down approach to sustainability 
and that sustainability is visible to 
the Board through regular updates to 
the Culture & Compliance Committee. 
The Sustainability Council is made up 
of executives from Human Resources, 
Global Operations, Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs, Research & Development, 
Commercial and Procurement.

Our sustainability strategy includes 
challenging targets in the three 
areas of People, Planet and Products. 
More details on these, including the 
actions we are undertaking to meet 
our commitments, are contained 
in our 2019 Sustainability Report.  
Our new targets are summarised below.

Enhanced targets

People

Planet

Creating a lasting positive impact  
on our communities

Having the most positive impact 
in the MedTech sector

Products

Innovating sustainably

 – Between 2020 and 2030, contribute 

 – Achieve an 80% absolute reduction in 

 – By 2022, include sustainability 

1 million volunteer hours to the 
communities in which we live and work.

 – Between 2020 and 2030, donate 

$125 million in cash and products 
to underserved communities.

total life cycle greenhouse gas emissions 
by 2050 beginning by implementing 
100% renewable electricity  
(eg solar or wind) plans at our facilities 
in Memphis (US) and Malaysia by 2022 
and at all of our strategic manufacturing 
facilities by 2025.

 – Achieve zero waste to landfill at our 

facilities in Memphis (US) and Malaysia 
by 2025 and at all of our strategic 
manufacturing facilities by 2030.

review in New Product Development 
phase reviews for all new products 
and product acquisitions.

 – By 2025, incorporate at least 30%  
post-consumer recycled content  
into all packaging materials.
 – By 2025, complete supply chain 
assessment of all suppliers 
and subsequent tier levels to 
assure compliance with our 
sustainability requirements.

35

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Chief Financial Officer’s review

Dear Shareholder

In 2019 the Group adopted a new global 
commercial model built around three 
specialised global franchises, unveiled a new 
purpose and culture pillars, and introduced 
five new strategic imperatives which formed 
our value creation plan. These important 
changes underpinned our improved 
performance in 2019.

2019 Performance
Group revenue in 2019 was $5,138 million, 
an increase of 4.8% on a reported basis  
and 4.4% on an underlying basis.1  
Our performance accelerated across  
the year, with revenue growth of 7.7% 
on a reported basis and 4.9% on an 
underlying basis1 in the second half.

The reported operating profit for 2019 
was $815 million, a 6% reduction from the 
previous year as the costs associated with 
recent acquisitions and amortisation of 
acquired intangibles both rose, reflecting 
our strategic commitment to sourcing 
innovation externally as well as from 
our internal R&D activities, in order to 
drive mid-term growth. The costs of the 
Accelerating Performance and Execution 
(APEX) restructuring programme and 
legal and other charges were also 
marginally higher than the prior year.

Trading profit1 for the year was 
$1,169 million and the trading profit margin1 
was 22.8% reflecting savings realised 
under the APEX programme offset by 
re-investment in the business, including 
more in R&D, and dilution from acquisitions 
(2018: 22.9% including 50bps benefit from 
one-off legal settlement not repeated 
in 2019). We took a $121 million charge 
in the year to increase our provision 
for metal-on-metal hip claims globally 
and received $147 million in insurance 
recoveries relating to the same matter.

“In 2020 we intend 

to build on the success 
of 2019, sustaining our 
improved performance 
whilst continuing to 
invest in the business 
and improve efficiency.”
Graham Baker
Chief Financial Officer

36

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Each of the three global franchises made 
a good contribution to the Group’s 2019 
trading profit.

The reported tax rate was 19.2% 
(2018: 15.1%). The tax rate on trading 
results1 for the year to 31 December 2019 
was 19.1% (2018: 16.1%). This was at the 
lower end of the guided rate of between 
19–21%. The reported tax rate was in-line 
with the tax rate on trading results as 
most non-trading items are expected to 
be tax deductible.

Basic earnings per share (‘EPS’) was 
down 10% to 68.6¢ reflecting the impact 
of acquisitions completed during the year 
and restructuring charges related to the 
APEX programme. Adjusted earnings 
per share1 (‘EPSA’) was up 1% at 102.2¢, 
reflecting improved trading performance 
but suppressed by the one-off benefit from 
a tax provision release in the prior year.

I’m pleased to report that trading cash flow1 
was $970 million, up from $951 million in 
2018, and we had another year of strong 
cash conversion (as defined on page 201) 
at 83% (2018: 85%). Return On Invested 
Capital (ROIC1 – as defined on page 204) 
was 10.5% (2018: 12.5%), reflecting the 
reduction in operating profit compared 
to the prior year, principally as a result 
of additional costs of acquisitions.

Capital allocations and net debt 
The appropriate 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.

Net debt2 including lease liabilities 
was $1,770 million at year end, 
an increase of $666 million from 
$1,104 million at 31 December 2018. 
The Group transitioned to IFRS 16 on 
1 January 2019 resulting in lease liabilities 
of $170 million at 31 December 2019. 
As part of our strategy to expand in 
higher growth markets, we actively  
pursued value-enhancing M&A 
opportunities in 2019, investing 
$869 million in acquisitions.

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained 
and reconciled to the most directly comparable 
financial measure prepared in accordance with 
IFRS on pages 200–204.

Efficiency
The APEX programme, initiated at the 
end of 2017, incurred restructuring costs 
of $134 million in 2019, with additional 
benefits recognised in the 2019 income 
statement of around $80 million. 
This programme is nearing its conclusion 
and is now expected to deliver annualised 
benefits of $190 million, $30 million more 
than originally expected, for a one-off 
cost of $290 million, $50 million more 
than originally planned.

As part of the APEX programme significant 
changes have been made to the finance 
team within Smith+Nephew. We have an 
integrated team that combines resources 
across our major markets with significant 
support and leadership resource now located 
in our business services centres in India, 
Poland, Malaysia and Costa Rica. The finance 
team has undertaken the challenge of 
making these changes in a positive way. 
I am proud of what we have already 
achieved and excited about the next steps 
toward our target operating model.

Outlook
In 2020 we expect our underlying revenue 
growth to be in the range of 3.5% to 
4.5%. On a reported basis this equates 
to a range of around 4.0% to 5.0%, with 
foreign exchange reducing reported growth 

Financial highlights

by around -80bps based on exchange 
rates prevailing on 14 February 2020, 
and acquisitions adding 130bps. 

We expect to deliver a 2020 trading profit 
margin1 at or slightly above 2019 levels. 
This is after absorbing a transactional 
foreign exchange headwind of around 
-50bps, dilution from the 2019 acquisitions 
and Tusker Medical acquired in January 
2020, and the planned increase in 
investment in R&D, offset by the benefits 
of the APEX programme.

Smith+Nephew is monitoring the COVID-19 
outbreak closely, which introduces 
additional uncertainty. Our full year outlook 
assumes that the situation normalises 
in early Q2. China represented 7% of 
Group revenue in 2019.

The tax rate on trading results for 2020 
is expected to be in the range 18.5% 
to 19.5%, subject to any material changes 
to tax law or other one-off items.

Yours sincerely,

Graham Baker
Chief Financial Officer

Revenue growth  
– reported 

KPI

Operating profit  
margin 

Earnings per share 
(EPS)

4.8%

4.8%

19.6%

17.6%

15.9%

15.9%

87.8¢

76.0¢

68.6¢

68.6¢

3%

2%

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

Revenue growth  
– underlying1 

KPI

Trading profit  
margin1 

KPI

Adjusted earnings 
per share1 (EPSA)

4.4%

4.4%

22.0%

22.9%

22.8%

22.8%

100.9¢

102.2¢

94.5¢

102.2¢

3%

2%

2  Net debt is reconciled in Note 15 to the Group accounts. 

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

37

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Financial review
Important changes in 2019 
underpinned our improved performance 

Dividends
The 2018 final dividend of 22.0 US 
cents per ordinary share totalling 
$192 million was paid on 8 May 
2019. The 2019 interim dividend 
of 14.4 US cents per ordinary share 
totalling $126 million was paid on 
30 October 2019.

Return on invested capital
Return On Invested Capital1 (ROIC) 
is a measure of the return generated 
on capital invested by the Group. 
It provides a metric for long-term 
value creation and encourages 
compounding reinvestment within 
the business and discipline around 
acquisitions with low returns and 
long payback. ROIC decreased 
from 12.5% in 2018 to 10.5% in 
2019 as a result of the reduction 
in operating profit.

ROIC is defined as:

Operating Profit less Adjusted Taxes

(Opening Net Operating Assets +  
Closing Net Operating Assets)/2

Group performance

Revenue
Operating profit
Trading profit1
Profit before tax
Attributable profit
EPS
EPSA1

2019  
$ million
5,138
815
1,169
743
600
68.6¢
102.2¢

2018  
$ million
4,904
863
1,123
781
663
76.0¢
100.9¢

Change  
$ million
234
(48)
46
(38)
(63)
(7.4¢)
1.3¢

Non-IFRS measures
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:

2019  
$ million
2,551

2018  
$ million
2,354

Reported  
growth  
%
8.4%

Underlying  
growth  
%
3.3%

Acquisitions/ 
Disposals 
%
5.1%

Reconciling items
Currency  
impact 
%
0%

1,630
957
5,138

1,693
857
4,904

(3.7%)
11.7%
4.8%

0.2%
16.1%
4.4%

0.2%
0.4%
2.6%

(4.1%)
(4.8%)
(2.2%)

US
Other 
Established Markets
Emerging Markets
Total

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

Operating profit
Acquisition and disposal related items
Restructuring and rationalisation costs
Amortisation and impairment  
of acquisition intangibles
Legal and other
Trading profit

2019 
$ million
815
32
134

143
45
1,169

2019 
%
15.9%
0.6%
2.6%

2.8%
0.9%
22.8%

2018 
$ million
863
(7)
120

113
34
1,123

2018 
%
17.6%
(0.1%)
2.4%

2.3%
0.7%
22.9%

38

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019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.

The Group’s net debt2 increased 
from $1,104 million at the beginning 
of 2019 to $1,770 million at the 
end of 2019, representing an overall 
increase of $666 million of which 
$170 million relates to IFRS 16 
lease liabilities.

At 31 December 2019, the Group 
held $257 million (2018: $333 million) 
in cash net of bank overdrafts. 
The Group had committed 
available facilities of $2,851 million 
at 31 December 2019 of which 
$1,851 million was drawn.

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 2020, as well as its other 
known or expected commitments 
or liabilities, can be met from its 
existing resources and facilities.

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Balance sheet data and net debt

Goodwill and intangible assets
Other non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Total equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Total liabilities and equity
Net debt2 including lease liabilities

2019  
$ million
4,356
1,724
3,219
9,299
5,141
2,594
1,564
4,158
9,299
1,770

2018  
$ million
3,547
1,435
3,077
8,059
4,874
1,720
1,465
3,185
8,059
1,104

Change  
$ million
809
289
142
1,240
267
874
99
973
1,240
666

Goodwill increased by $452 million as a 
result of acquisitions in the year giving rise 
to goodwill of $441 million and foreign 
currency movements of $11 million. 
Intangible assets increased by $357 million 
primarily because of acquisitions of 
$515 million and additions of $49 million 
being partially offset by amortisation of 
$204 million.

Other non-current assets increased by 
$289 million primarily due to an increase 
of $261 million in property, plant and 
equipment of which $156 million relates to 
IFRS 16 right-of-use assets. Current assets 
increased by $142 million primarily as a 
result of inventories increasing $219 million 

due to sales growth and new product 
build which was partially offset by a 
decrease in cash of $88 million.

Non-current liabilities increased  
by $874 million primarily due to a 
$674 million increase in borrowings  
of which $124 million relates to the  
non-current portion of IFRS 16 lease 
liabilities and $553 million relates to 
new Euro-denominated borrowings. 
Current liabilities increased by $99 million 
primarily relating to the $46 million 
current portion of IFRS 16 lease liabilities 
and increases in payables and provisions of 
$171 million which was partially offset by a 
repayment of borrowings of $125 million.

Cash flow data

Cash generated from operations 
Trading cash flow1
Free cash flow1

Cash generated from operations of 
$1,370 million is after paying out $36 million 
of acquisition and disposal related items, 
$123 million of restructuring and 
rationalisation expenses and a $105 million 
inflow relating to legal and other items.

Trading cash flow1 increased by $19 million 
driven by higher trading profit. Free cash 
flow1 increased by $130 million primarily 
related to insurance recoveries for ongoing  
metal-on-metal hip claims.

2019 
$ million
1,370
970
714

2018  
$ million
1,108
951
584

Change  
$ million
262
19
130

During the year ended 31 December 2019, 
the Group purchased a total of 3.1 million 
(2018: 2.7 million) ordinary shares at a 
cost of $63 million (2018: $48 million) 
as part of the ongoing programme to buy 
back an equivalent number of shares to 
those vesting as part of the employee 
share plans.

39

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained 
and reconciled to the most directly comparable 
financial measure prepared in accordance with 
IFRS on pages 200–204.

2  Net debt is reconciled in Note 15 to the Group accounts. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Risk report
Our risk management process

Like all businesses, 
we face a number of 
risks and uncertainties
Successful management of existing 
and emerging risks is critical to the 
achievement of our strategic objectives 
and to the long-term success of our 
business. Risk management is therefore 
an integral component of the Group’s 
Corporate Governance.

As in previous years our Enterprise Risk 
Management process is based on a 
holistic approach to risk management. 
Our belief is that the strategic and 
operational benefits of managing 
risk are achieved when Enterprise 
Risk Management is aligned with the 
strategic and operational goals of 
the organisation, and our process and 
governance structure achieves this.

The current financial year has 
seen a further maturing of the risk 
management framework which is 
now fully aligned to our structure and 
integrated into our business processes.

Our risk governance framework

Internal Audit  

Board of  
Directors and  
Board Committees

G

r

o

u

p

R

i

s

k

T

e

a

m

Executive Committee

Business Area

Our risk governance framework is set out 
above. At the very top of our structure is 
our Board, setting our risk appetite and 
monitoring the application of our risk 
framework including strategy, execution 
and outputs of risk reviews by the 
business and Group Risk Team. The Board 
cascades our risk appetite throughout 
our organisation through the Executive 
Committee, risk owner community 
and our management group. A formal 
‘bottom-up’ exercise ensures that risks 
are escalated back through the process 
to our Board and form our Principal Risks 
as appropriate. Providing guidance and 
rigour across this process is our Executive 
Committee and the Group Risk Team.

At the third line of defence is our Internal 
Audit Function, providing an annual 
opinion on the effectiveness of our Risk 
Management process to the Executive 
Committee, chaired by the Chief Executive 
Officer, and then to the Board and 
its Committees.

Board of Directors 
and Board Committees
 – Responsible for regular oversight of risk 
management, for our annual strategic 
risk review and for determining the risk 
appetite the organisation is willing to 
take in achieving its strategic objectives.

 – Monitors risks through Board processes 
(Strategy Review, Disclosures, M&A, 
Investments, Disposals) and Committees 
(Audit and Compliance & Culture).
 – The Audit Committee is responsible 
for ensuring oversight of the process 
by which risks relating to the Company 
and its operations are managed 
and for reviewing the operating 
effectiveness of the Group’s Risk 
Management process.

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Executive Committee sitting 
as Group Risk Committee
 – Identifies and ensures the 

management of risks that would 
prevent us from achieving  
our objectives.

 – Appoints Business Area Risk 

Champions who are accountable 
for applying the Enterprise Risk 
Management Policy and Framework 
to produce the risk deliverables.

 – Reviews external/internal 

environment for emerging risks.
 – Reviews risk register updates from 
Business Area Risk Champions.

 – Identifies significant risks and assesses 
effectiveness of mitigating actions.

Business Area Risk Champions
 – Carry out day-to-day risk 
management activities.
 – Identify and assess risk.
 – Implement strategy and mitigating 

actions to treat risk within Business Area.

 – Business Area Risk Champions 

lead regular risk register updates.

Group Risk Team
 – Manages all aspects of the 

Group’s approach to Enterprise 
Risk Management including design 
and implementation of processes, 
tools and systems to identify, 
assess, measure, manage, monitor 
and report risks.

 – Facilitates implementation and 

co-ordination through Business 
Area Risk Champions.

 – Provides resources and training 

to support process.

 – Regular risk reporting to the 

Executive Committee.

 – Prepares Board and Group Risk 

Committee reports.

Annual assessment of 
effectiveness – Internal audit
 – Provides independent assurance 

to the Board and Audit Committee 
on the effectiveness of the Group’s 
Risk Management process.

41

Risk management life cycle

Our risk management life cycle 
was fully refreshed in 2017 and 
was updated in 2019 to align 
with strategic imperatives 
and franchise structure.

Our Risk Management Policy, 
sponsored by our Chief Executive 
Officer, is supported by an Enterprise 
Risk Management Manual and the 
risk team provide training to all risk 
champions. As in prior years risks 
continue to be managed through a 
‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ process, 
with regular oversight from the 
Executive Committee and quarterly 
reports to the Board Committees. 
An overview of our risk management 
life cycle is illustrated.

1. Risk identification
Identifying risks associated 
with the achievement of 
our objectives by function 
at the Group level.

2. Gross (inherent) 
risk assessment
Assessing the level of inherent 
(gross) risk.

3. Current control 
identification
Identifying existing controls 
to mitigate risks.

4. Net (residual) risk
Assessing the level of residual 
(net) risk after mitigation so that 
risk levels are managed within 
tolerance thresholds without 
being over-controlled or foregoing 
desirable opportunities.

5. Risk response planning
Identifying additional 
actions required to meet our 
expected risk tolerance level 
and assigning risk owners, 
timeframes and actions 
for ongoing management 
and reporting.

6. Risk reporting
Reporting the status of our 
most significant risks through 
the ‘bottom-up’ business area 
processes and the ‘top-down’ 
Executive Committee and 
Board process.

7. Monitoring and review
Monitoring of risks and 
actions by management, 
the accountable Executive 
and Board.

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Risk report continued

2019 principal risks

We assess our Principal Risks in terms of their potential impact on our ability 
to deliver our Strategic Imperatives. These links are highlighted across the 
following pages and further information on the Strategic Imperatives is found 
on page 8. Our Group risk profile has not changed significantly in 2019. 

Business continuity and business change

The need to ensure the continuous operations of key sites and facilities in order to develop, 
manufacture and sell our products is a key strategic imperative of the organisation. In addition, 
the pace and scope of our business ‘change’ initiatives increases the execution risk that benefits 
may not be fully realised, costs of these changes may increase, or that our business as usual 
activities may not perform in-line with our plans.

Oversight
Board

Examples of risks
 – Natural disaster causes disruption to 

manufacturing at single or sole source 
facility (lack of manufacturing redundancy).

 – Severe weather patterns caused 

by climate change or natural disaster 
causes damage to manufacturing or 
distribution facilities, impacting ability 
to meet customer demand.

 – Significant ‘change’ prevents our 

projects and programmes achieving 
the intended benefits and disrupts  
existing business activities.
 – Disruption to the business due  

to critical systems unavailability.
 – Widespread outbreaks of infectious 

diseases (such as COVID-19).

Supply (New risk*)

Actions taken by management
 – Emergency and incident management 
and business recovery plans are in 
place at major facilities and for key 
products and key suppliers.

 – Sustainability Council and policy in place.
 – Project management governance and 

toolkits and project steering committee 
oversight to support successful 
execution of programme and projects.

 – Executive Committee and Audit 
Committee oversight of Risks to 
change programmes.

 – IT disaster recovery policy in place.

Risk tolerance
In managing our 
facilities and executing 
our change programmes 
we have a low to 
moderate tolerance 
for this risk.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative 
to ‘Become 
the best owner’ 
requires us to 
ensure we remain 
sustainable into 
the future and 
to drive meaningful 
margin expansion 
through operational 
transformation 
and organisation 
simplification.

Operating with a global remit, increased outsourcing, more sophisticated materials and the speed 
of technological change in an already complex manufacturing process leads to greater potential 
for disruption in our supply chain.

Oversight
Board

Examples of risks
 – Failure or significant performance 

issues experienced at critical/single 
source facilities.

 – Disruption to manufacturing  

at single or sole source facility  
(lack of manufacturing redundancy).

 – Supplier failure impacts ability 
to meet customer demand 
(single source suppliers).

 – Inadequate sales and operational  
planning impacts ability to meet  
customer demand for product.

 – Manufacturing and supply chain capacity 

not adequate to support growth.

*  Previously incorporated into Business Continuity.

42

Actions taken by management
 – Comprehensive product quality 

processes and controls are in place 
from design to customer supply.
 – Undertaking risk-based review 

programmes for critical suppliers.
 – Global Operations transformation 

programme to optimise manufacturing 
and distribution centres.
 – Executive oversight of sales 
and operational planning.

 – Executive Committee and Audit 
Committee oversight of risks 
to change programmes.

Risk tolerance
In operating our 
business and managing 
our supply chain 
we have a low to 
moderate tolerance 
for this risk.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative to 
‘Achieve the full 
potential of our 
portfolio’ requires 
us to optimise the 
supply chain to 
support business 
growth.

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Cybersecurity

High profile incidents coupled with increasing government focus has resulted in raised awareness 
of the extent and potential impact of cybersecurity breaches. Our increasing business dependence 
on networked systems and the internet, the design of new products, digital medical devices 
and the rapidly evolving cybersecurity threat landscape provides a new level of risk exposure. 
In response to this we have progressed our activities to manage our threats and vulnerabilities 
to target cybersecurity investment in the right places.

Examples of risks
 – Loss of intellectual property/major 
data privacy breach or significant 
impact on business operations.

 – Inadequate consideration of  
cybersecurity in the design 
of new products.

Risk tolerance
In managing our 
cyber risk and the 
possible disruption 
and reputational 
impact we have 
a low to moderate 
tolerance for 
cybersecurity risk.

Actions taken by management
 – Security information and event 

management (SIEM) in place provides  
real-time analysis of security alerts 
generated by applications and 
network hardware.

 – Regular penetration testing and 
frequent vulnerability scanning. 
Endpoint protection and Intrusion 
detection/prevention.

 – The adoption of Multi-Factor 

authentication tools to reduce 
the likelihood of remote attacks.
 – Annual mandatory training and 

continuous awareness training for  
end-users.

 – Security governance structure in 
place including a Cybersecurity 
Steering Committee.

 – Further strengthening governance 
including a programme to monitor 
cybersecurity capabilities and controls, 
technical and governance matters.

Oversight
Audit Committee

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative 
to ‘Transform 
the business 
through enabling 
technologies’ 
requires us to deliver 
technology solutions 
in compliance with 
laws and regulations 
and in a way 
that protects 
any vulnerability 
to cyber risk.

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Risk report continued

2019 principal risks continued

Quality and regulatory

Global regulatory bodies continue to increase their expectations of manufacturers and distributors 
of medical devices. Our products are used in the human body and therefore patient safety is of 
paramount importance. The European Medical Device Regulations, launch of ISO 13485:2016, 
the Medical Device Single Audit Programme and the tightening of the Chinese YY standards have 
increased the focus on clinical and technical evidence, supplier controls and continual product 
risk reduction.
Uncertainty in terms of the UK’s future trade and regulatory relations between the EU and 
UK continued in 2019. Like many other companies we have planned for the impact of a range 
of eventualities, particularly in continuity assessment and how our products will continue 
to be appropriately registered for trade around the EU.

Oversight
Compliance & 
Culture Committee

Risk tolerance
Our response to 
this risk continues 
to be critical and our 
ability to align the 
standards required 
to ensure safe and 
compliant products is 
the key driver for our 
extremely low tolerance 
for risk in this area.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative to 
‘Become the 
best owner’ requires 
us to operate 
effectively and 
efficiently and to 
produce compliant 
products of high 
quality to provide 
safe and effective 
solutions to our 
customers.

Examples of risks
 – Changes to Medical Device Regulations 
effective in May 2020, impact ability 
to meet customer demand.

 – Increase in Notified Body Review 

product submission and site/system 
certification time impacting ability 
to meet customer demand.

 – Defects in design or manufacturing 
of products supplied to, and sold 
by, the Group could lead to product 
recalls or product removal or result 
in loss of life or major injury.

 – Significant non-compliance with policy, 
regulations or standards governing 
products and operations regarding 
registration, manufacturing, distribution, 
sales or marketing.

 – Failure to obtain proper approvals 
for new or changed technologies, 
products or processes.

Actions taken by management
 – Regular engagement with Notified 

Body and regulatory representatives 
to monitor regulatory changes and 
understand interpretation of legislation.

 – Comprehensive and documented 

product quality processes and controls 
from design to customer distribution 
are in place.

 – Standardised monitoring and compliance 
with quality management practices 
through our Global Quality Assurance 
and Regulatory Affairs organisation.
 – Incident management teams in place 

to provide timely response in the event 
of an incident relating to patient safety.

 – Governance framework in place for 

reporting, investigating and responding 
to instances of product safety 
and complaints.

 – Medical Device Regulation 

Steering Group regularly monitors 
preparation activities to comply 
with new requirements.

 – Transition of Medical Device Directive 

certificates to EU notified body.
 – Brexit working group is following 

their planned mitigations.

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New product innovation, design & development including intellectual property

Our new product innovation pipeline is becoming larger and increasingly complex as we start 
to make our products digital and focused for growth in emerging markets like China. As a result, 
we need to continue to consider the impact of new standards and regulations such as cybersecurity, 
and country/region specific standards and requirements. We also need to continue to consider 
intellectual property matters.

Oversight
Board

Risk tolerance
In pursuit of our 
strategy to be 
innovative in our 
product offering  
we have a moderate 
to high tolerance  
for risk.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative 
to ‘Transform 
the business 
through enabling 
technologies’ 
depends heavily on 
our ability to continue 
to develop new 
innovative products 
and bring them to 
market.

Examples of risks
 – Failure to develop an appropriate 

pipeline of commercially successful 
products to meet and anticipate 
the needs of our customers ahead 
of the competition.

 – Insufficient long-term planning to 
respond to competitor disruptive 
entries into marketspace.

 – Inadequate innovation due to low 
Research & Development (R&D) 
investment, R&D skills gap or poor 
product development execution.

 – Loss of proprietary data due to 

natural disasters or failure of Product 
Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.

 – Competitors may assert patents 

or other intellectual property rights 
against the Company, or fail to 
respect the Company’s intellectual 
property rights.

Talent management

Actions taken by management
 – Global R&D organisation and governance 
framework providing strategic direction 
for allocation of R&D investments 
across all businesses. Clear stage-gate 
process to continually evaluate R&D 
investments decisions and development 
of new products.

 – Enhanced relationship with Commercial 
team to focus on developing products 
that customers need.

 – Strengthened Clinical Affairs programme.
 – Cross functional New Product Design 

and R&D processes focused on 
identifying new products and potentially 
disruptive technologies and solutions.
 – Project initiated for global PLM systems.
 – Monitoring of external market trends 
and collation of customer insights 
to develop product strategies.
 – Careful attention to intellectual 

property considerations.

We recognise that people management, effective succession planning and the ability to engage, 
retain and attract talent is of great importance to the success of our Company. In the current 
economic environment of strong competition and reduced spending, retention of top talent is 
a critical risk which requires a strong retention and engagement process. Failure to do so can 
result in risks in our ability to execute the Group strategy and be effective in the chosen  
market/discipline. 

Oversight
Board

Examples of risks
 – Loss of key talent, high attrition 

and lack of appropriate succession 
planning in context of required 
skillsets for future business needs.

 – Loss of competitive advantage 

due to an inability to attract and 
retain top talent.

 – Loss of intellectual capital due 
to poor retention of talent.

Actions taken by management
 – Wage and benefit levels are benchmarked 

against industry averages every six 
months and adjusted as necessary.

 – Talent planning and people development 
processes are well established across the 
Group. Talent and succession planning 
is discussed annually by the Board and 
regularly by the Executive Committee and 
Nomination & Governance Committee.

 – Identification of high performing 

individuals and practices to plan for 
the succession of key roles.

 – Consistent and robust performance 

management process.

 – Development of strategic skills 

resourcing plan by functional areas.

Risk tolerance
We have a moderate 
tolerance for this risk.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative 
‘Strengthen talent 
and capabilities’ 
underpins all other 
strategic imperatives 
to ensure that 
we have the right 
talent within our 
organisation to 
deliver in everything 
we do and to build 
strong leaders for 
the future.

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Risk report continued

2019 principal risks continued

Pricing and reimbursement

Our success depends on our ability to sell our products profitably in spite of increasing pricing 
pressures from customers, and governments providing adequate funding to meet increasing 
demands arising from demographic trends. The prices we charge are therefore impacted by 
budgetary constraints and our ability to persuade customers and governments of the economic 
value of our products, based on clinical data, cost, patient outcomes and comparative effectiveness. 
We further face challenging market dynamics, such as consolidation of customers into buying 
groups, increasing professionalisation of procurement departments and the commoditisation 
of entire product groups, which continue to challenge prices.

Oversight
Board

Examples of risks
 – Reduced reimbursement levels 
and increasing pricing pressures.
 – Systemic challenge on number 

of elective procedures.

 – Lack of compelling health economics 

data to support reimbursement requests.
 – Risk of adverse trading margins due to 
fluctuating foreign currency exchange 
rates across our main manufacturing 
countries (US, UK, Costa Rica and China) 
and where our products are sold.

Actions taken by management
 – Franchise structure and enhanced franchise 
reporting to improve visibility of profitability.

 – Development of innovative economic 
product and service solutions for both 
Established and Emerging Markets.
 – Appropriate breadth of portfolio and 

geographic spread to mitigate exposure 
to localised risks.

Risk tolerance
In implementing 
innovative pricing 
strategies, we have 
a moderate to high 
tolerance for risk and 
are willing to accept 
certain risks in pursuit 
of new business 
opportunities.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative to 
‘Achieve the 
full potential of our 
portfolio’ depends on 
our ability to sell our 
products profitably 
in spite of increased 
pricing pressures 
from payers.

 – 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.

Mergers and acquisitions

As the Company grows to meet the needs of our customers and patients, we recognise that we are not 
able to develop all the products and services required using internal resources and therefore need 
to undertake mergers and acquisitions in order to expand our offering and to complement our 
existing business. In other areas, we may divest businesses which are no longer core to our activities. It is 
crucial for our long-term success that we make the right choices around acquisitions and divestments. 
We have a well-defined cross-functional process for managing risks associated with mergers and 
acquisitions that is subject to scrutiny from executive management and the Board of Directors.

Oversight
Board

Examples of risks
 – Failure to identify appropriate acquisitions.
 – Failure to conduct effective acquisition 

due diligence.

 – Failure to integrate newly acquired 
businesses effectively, including 
integration with Company standards, 
policies and financial controls.

Actions taken by management
 – 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 range of valuation 
metrics including return on capital, 
in accordance with Capital Allocation 
Framework and comprehensive  
post-acquisition review programme.
 – Undertaking detailed and comprehensive 

cross-functional due diligence prior 
to acquisitions.

 – Compliance risks included as part of 

due diligence reviews, integration plans  
and reporting for acquisitions.

Risk tolerance
In acquiring new 
businesses and 
business models, 
we have a moderate 
to high tolerance for 
commercial risk and 
are willing to accept 
certain risks in pursuit 
of new business.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperatives to 
‘Expand in  
high-growth 
segments’ and 
‘Transform the  
business through 
enabling technologies’ 
depend on our ability 
to identify the 
right acquisitions, 
to conduct thorough 
due diligence and to 
integrate acquisitions 
effectively.

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Other information

Legal and compliance risks

Our global remit results in heavy regulation across multiple jurisdictions. There is increasing 
public scrutiny of ethics in business and ‘doing the right thing’ is part of our licence to operate. 
National regulatory authorities enforce a complex pattern of laws and regulations that govern the 
design, development, approval, manufacture, labelling, marketing and sale of healthcare products.
Operating across this increasingly complex and dynamic legal and compliance environment, 
including regulations on bribery and corruption, with poor legal and compliance practices can lead 
to fines, penalties, reputational risk and competitive disadvantage. We have adopted a proactive, 
holistic approach, which guides the Company towards a culture of compliance and turns the 
resolution of legal and compliance issues into a source of competitive advantage.

Oversight
Compliance & 
Culture Committee

Examples of risks
 – Failure to act in an ethical manner 

consistent with our Code of Conduct.

 – Violation of anti-corruption or 

healthcare laws, breach by employee 
or third party representative.

 – Misuse or loss of personal information of 
patients, employees, research subjects, 
consumers or customers results in 
violations of data privacy laws, including 
General Data Protection Regulations.

Actions taken by management
 – Group Executive Compliance 

Committee oversees our ethical 
and compliance practices.

 – Global compliance programme, 

policies and procedures.

 – All employees are required to  

undertake annual training and to  
certify compliance on an annual  
basis with our Code of Conduct  
and Business Principles.

 – Group monitoring and auditing 

programmes in place.

 – Confidential independent reporting 
channels for employees and third  
parties to report concerns.

Risk tolerance
In fulfilling legal 
and compliance 
requirements, we 
have an extremely 
low tolerance for 
this risk.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative to 
‘Become the 
best owner’ requires 
us to comply with 
applicable laws and 
regulations and do 
the right thing as 
part of our licence 
to operate.

Commercial execution

We continue to make good and strong progress delivering our priorities and are proud of the 
pace with which our strategic and operational decisions are quickly translated into actions. 
Effective communication and engagement with our customers are critical to the long-term 
success of our business. We are confident that we have the right priorities, structures and 
capabilities across the Group and we acknowledge that only strong and continued execution 
will keep us ahead of our competitors and best placed to serve our customers. Failure to execute 
our priorities will impact our ability to continue to grow our business and serve our customers.

Risk tolerance
We have a low to 
moderate tolerance 
level for commercial 
execution risk.

Actions taken by management
 – Franchise structure and enhanced 
franchise reporting to improve 
visibility of profitability.

 – Global R&D organisation and supporting 

governance framework.

 – Improved market development and 
launch execution – commitment to 
win profitably in our target markets.

 – Strategic planning process clearly 
linked to business and Group risk.
 – Policies and procedures to enhance 
channel management implemented.

Examples of risks
 – Failure to execute our strategy 

adequately from high-level ambition 
to specific actions to make the 
ambition a reality.

 – Inability to keep pace with significant 
product innovation and technical 
advances to develop commercially 
viable products.

 – Failure to adapt our priorities and 

execution appropriately when conditions 
change meaning that transformational 
programmes do not deliver the 
expected outcomes.

 – Failure to engage effectively with our 

key stakeholders to meet their evolving 
needs leading to loss of customers.

 – Failure to manage distributors effectively 
leading to stocking and compliance issues.

47

Oversight
Board

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperatives 
to ‘Achieve the 
full potential 
of our portfolio’, 
‘Transform 
the business 
through enabling 
technologies’ and 
‘Expand in high-
growth segments’ 
requires excellent 
commercial 
execution.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Other information

Risk report continued

2019 principal risks continued

Political and economic

Across our business we are exposed to the effects of political and economic risks from the impact of 
Brexit to changes in the regulatory and competitive landscape to the impact of the US Trade Policy. 
Turning to Brexit, there remain heightened levels of political and regulatory uncertainty in the UK 
following the referendum vote to leave the EU in June 2016. This uncertainty is expected to continue 
for the foreseeable future until alternative trade deals have been put in place. This situation may 
adversely impact trading performance across the sector.

Oversight
Board

Actions taken by management
 – Continued engagement with 

governments, administrations 
and regulatory bodies.

 – The Group has a Brexit committee 

which meets regularly and addresses 
all affected areas including Regulation, 
Supply Chain, HR and Finance.

 – Ongoing engagement and monitoring/
lobbying on localisation initiatives.

Risk tolerance
In managing risk arising 
from changes to our 
political economic 
environment, we have 
a low to moderate 
tolerance.

Examples of risks
 – Regulatory and supply chain risk if 

alternative trade arrangements are not 
in place at the end of the post-Brexit 
transition period.

 – Global political and economic uncertainty 

and conflict.

 – Implementation of healthcare reforms 
and/or protectionist measures and 
regulation or legislation in local markets.
 – The availability of markets and market 

access rights.

 – Increases in import and labour costs.
 – Increases in tariffs and restrictions on 

global trade.

Finance (New risk*) 

Our financial results depend on our ability to comply with financial reporting and disclosure 
requirements, comply with tax laws, appropriately manage treasury risks and avoid significant 
transactional errors and customer defaults. Failure to comply with our financial reporting 
requirements or relevant tax laws can lead to litigation and regulatory activity and ultimately 
to material loss to the Group.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative to 
‘Become the best 
owner’ requires us  
to operate effectively 
within different 
global political 
situations, which 
change constantly.
Further, the 
Strategic Imperative 
to ‘Expand in high-
growth segments’ 
includes an Emerging 
Market focus.

Oversight
Audit Committee

Examples of risks
 – Failure to report accurate financial 

information in compliance 
with accounting standards and 
applicable legislation.

Actions taken by management
 – Comprehensive financial controls 

framework ensuring compliance with 
Sarbanes-Oxley legislation including 
Minimum Acceptable Practices.

 – Failure to comply with current tax laws 
or to manage treasury risks effectively.

 – Failure to operate adequate financial 

 – Experienced Finance team.
 – Internal Audit and Audit 
Committee oversight.

controls over business operations leading 
to material financial loss to the Group.

 – Financial systems implementations  

and cybersecurity programme.

Risk tolerance
In financial reporting 
and disclosure, 
tax compliance and 
managing treasury 
and transaction 
processing we have 
a low to moderate 
tolerance for this risk.

Link to strategy
Our Strategic 
Imperative to 
‘Become the best 
owner’ requires us to 
comply with financial 
reporting and tax 
obligations and 
manage our financial 
risks appropriately.

*  Aspects of which were previously incorporated in Legal and Compliance, Commercial Execution and Political and Economic risks.

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Other information

2020 Risk Management Plan

Our work will continue to evolve in 2020 and we will strengthen our approach 
to managing risks across the organisation.

We will continue to ensure a truly collaborative approach to risk management with risk 
accountability sitting squarely with management and a proactive Group Risk function 
influencing decision-making through effective challenge and timely consultation.

2020 Risk Management timeline

Q1 2020

Q2 2020

Q3 2020

Q4 2020

Q1 2021

Group Risk Team

 – Refresh Enterprise 

Risk Management Policy.

Business Risk Areas

 – Quarterly Risk Review 
by leadership teams.

Executive Committee

 – Risk training.
 – Report to Audit Committee.
 – Facilitate ‘top-down’ 

review process.

 – Quarterly Risk Review 
by leadership teams.

 – Review Principal 
Risks and map to 
Strategic Imperatives.

 – Quarterly Risk Review 
by leadership teams.
 – Risk Register refresh 
and submission to 
Group Risk Team.

 – Prepare 2021 Enterprise 

 – Refresh Enterprise 

Risk Management Strategy.

Risk Management Policy.

 – Prepare Review of 
Principal Risks.

 – Report to Audit Committee.

 – Quarterly Risk Review 
by leadership teams.

 – Quarterly Risk Review 
by leadership teams.

 – Review reports from 
Group Risk Team.

 – Review reports from 
Group Risk Team.

 – ‘Top-Down’ review 
of Principal Risks.

 – Approve Principal Risks.

 – Review reports from 
Group Risk Team.

Internal Audit

 – Risk Management 

Effectiveness Review 
report to Audit Committee.

Compliance & Culture Committee

 – 2021 Risk-Based Internal 
Audit Plan Preparation.

 – Risk Management 

Effectiveness Review 
report to Audit Committee.

 – Receive reports from Chief Legal and Compliance Officer and Chief Quality and Regulatory Officer including Risk Updates.

Audit Committee

 – Review and approval 

of the Group’s 2019 Risk 
Management Process 
and Viability Statement.

 – Receive report from 
the Group Risk Team 
and review Enterprise 
Risk Management process.

 – Receive report from 
the Group Risk Team 
and review Enterprise 
Risk Management process.

Board

 – Approve Principal Risks.

 – Review and approve 

 – Review and approval 

Principal Risks.

of the Group’s 2020 Risk 
Management Process 
and Viability Statement.

 – Approve Principal Risks.

49

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Scenario testing
For the purpose of testing the viability 
of the Company, we have undertaken 
a robust scenario assessment of the 
principal risks, which could threaten the 
viability or existence of the Company. 
These have been modelled as follows:
 – In carrying out scenario modelling of 

the principal and significant risks on the 
following page we have also evaluated 
the impact of a severe but plausible 
combination of these risks actually 
occurring over the three-year period. 
We have considered and discussed 
a report setting out the terms of 
our current financing arrangements 
and potential capacity for additional 
financing should this be required in 
the event of one of the scenarios 
modelled occurring.

 – We are satisfied that we have robust 
mitigating actions in place as detailed 
on pages 42–48 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.

 – Principal risks have been realigned to 

our Strategic Imperatives. 12 Principal 
Group Risks have been identified 
building on 10 identified in 2018. 
Supply and Finance are new in 2019.

 – All Accountable Executives have 

attested alignment to the Group’s 
Enterprise Risk Management Process 
as part of the annual certification on 
governance, risks and compliance.
 – Final principal risks were presented 

to the Audit Committee and the Board 
in February 2020 for their consideration 
and approval.

 – As part of the strategy business updates 
in November, 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 these risks 
were being managed and mitigated.

 – Throughout the year, a number of 
reviews into different risks were 
conducted by the Board, the Audit 
Committee and the Compliance & 
Culture Committee looking into the 
nature of the risks and how they 
were mitigated.

Assessment period
The Board have determined that the 
three-year period to December 2022 is an 
appropriate period over which to provide its 
Viability Statement. This period is aligned 
to the Group’s Strategic Planning process 
and reflects the Board’s best estimate 
of the future viability of the business.

Risk report continued

Our Viability Statement
How we assess our prospects
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 41–49 of 
this Annual Report.

In reaching our Viability Statement 
conclusion, we have undertaken the 
following process:
 – The Audit Committee reviewed the Risk 
Management process at their meetings 
in February, July and November, 
receiving presentations from the Group 
Risk function, explaining the processes 
followed by management in identifying 
and managing risk throughout 
the business.

 – In June 2019, the Executive Committee 
(‘ExCo’) met as a Risk Committee to:  
(1) review the 2019 principal risks  
(the top down risk review process),  
(2) discuss the importance of assessing 
risk at the Enterprise level, and (3) to 
discuss emerging risks. The Executives 
were asked to consider the significant 
risks which they believed could seriously 
impact the profitability and future 
prospects of the Company and the 
principal risks that would threaten its 
business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity.

 – All ExCo members nominated the Risk 
Champions and have worked with 
them to prepare risk registers. The Risk 
Champions nominated by the ExCo are 
senior, trained in risk management and 
the majority of the team have at least 
two years of experience in the Company. 

 – Using the outputs from the Business 
Area ‘bottom-up’ risk identification 
completed in September 2019 and 
following ‘top-down’ discussions with 
ExCo, the most significant risks affecting 
our organisation were presented to ExCo 
for approval in November as the draft 
2019 Principal Risks facing the Company. 

50

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Viability Statement
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 2020. In our long-term 
planning we consider horizons of both five 
and ten years. However, as most of our 
efforts are focused on the coming three 
years, we have chosen this period when 
considering our viability.

Our conclusion is based on our current 
Strategic Plan approved by the Board 
in February 2020, 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 
plan. 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, on 20 February 2020.

Susan Swabey
Company Secretary

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

2019 Scenarios modelled

Scenario 1 – Pricing and reimbursement pressures

Pricing and reimbursement pressures 
(Principal Risk) – leading to a major loss 
of revenues and profits.

Action taken: We have modelled additional annual 
price erosion of 1% from 2020.

Link to strategy
 – Achieve the full potential of our portfolio

Link to principal risks
 – Pricing and Reimbursement

Scenario 2 – Operational risk

Execution risk – our inability to launch new 
products losing significant market share 
to the competition.

Action taken: We have modelled revenue 
growth for China at 50% of the plan over the 
three-year period.

Key supplier disruption – resulting in our 
inability to manufacture or supply a few key 
products for a full year.

Action taken: We have modelled an interruption 
to receiving goods from a key supplier for a 
period of one year.

Temporary loss of key production capability – 
resulting in our inability to manufacture several 
key products for two years.

Action taken: We have modelled the loss 
of strategic production machinery, resulting in 
the loss of production and sales of several key 
products for two years from 2021.

Product liability claim – giving rise to significant 
claim or loss.

Action taken: One-off significant loss occurring 
due to a new product defect.

Link to strategy
 – Become the best owner.
 – Transform the business through 

enabling technologies.

 – Achieve the full potential of our portfolio.

Link to principal risks
 – Supply
 – New Product Innovation, Design & Development 

Including Intellectual Property.

 – Commercial Execution.
 – Business Continuity and Business Change.

Scenario 3 – Finance, legal regulatory and compliance risks

Regulatory measures – impacting our ability 
to continue to sell key products.

Tax or treasury failure – giving rise to a 
significant fine or loss.

Link to strategy
 – Become the best owner.

Scenario 4 – Cybersecurity
Inability to issue invoices or collect  
money for a period of time.

Link to strategy
 – Transform the business through 

enabling technologies.

Action taken: We have modelled the complete 
loss of revenue from a key product effective 
beginning of 2020 for two years and returning 
back in lower volumes in 2022.

Action taken: We have assumed a one-off 
significant fine or loss resulting from a tax 
compliance or treasury operations issue in 2021.

Link to principal risks
 – Legal and Compliance.
 – Quality and Regulatory.
 – Finance.

Action taken: We have modelled one of our 
key regions being unable to invoice for a month 
in 2021 due to an IT disruption.

Link to principal risks
 – Cybersecurity.

Scenario 5 – Mergers and acquisitions

Failure to integrate newly acquired business 
effectively to achieve expected growth.

Action taken: We have modelled a scenario  
of zero growth in a recently acquired business.

Link to strategy
 – Achieve the full potential of our portfolio.

Link to principal risks
 – Mergers and Acquisitions.

Scenario 6 – Political and economic

Political and economic risk – for example, 
political upheaval, which could cause us to 
withdraw from a major market for a period of time.

Action taken: We have modelled a loss of revenue 
in our Middle East markets due to global conflict 
for twelve months.

Link to strategy
 – Become the best owner.

Link to principal risks
 – Political and Economic.

51

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Letter from the Chair
The 2018 UK Corporate 
Governance Code continues 
to be implemented and this 
will proceed throughout 
2020. As a Board we’re 
thinking about our purpose 
and culture pillars with every 
decision we make, including 
the appointment of our new 
Chief Executive Officer.

Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the governance 
section of our Annual Report, which 
includes details about the Board and an 
explanation of our individual roles and 
responsibilities. We also summarise the 
activities of the Board and the Chair 
of each Board Committee discusses 
the activities of that Committee 
during the past year.

One of the Board’s key decisions in 
2019 was the appointment of Roland 
Diggelmann as Chief Executive Officer. 
In October 2019, we announced that 
Namal Nawana was leaving by mutual 
agreement to pursue opportunities outside 
the UK and Roland was appointed the 
Company’s new Chief Executive Officer, 
effective 1 November 2019. I wish Namal 
well in his next role and thank him for the 
seamless handover he provided to Roland 
up to his departure as an employee on 
31 December 2019. 

Roland Diggelmann had been a potential 
candidate to replace Olivier Bohuon 
following his retirement in May 2018. 
He was at that time unavailable due 
to his executive duties, but we were 
so impressed with his medical devices 

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Governance  
in action

Board Leadership and Purpose
Letter from the Chair
Board of Directors
Executive team
Division of Responsibilities
Roles and composition
Corporate governance framework
Responsibilities
Composition, Succession and Evaluation
Board effectiveness review
Board development
Nomination & Governance Committee report
Audit, Risk and Control
Audit Committee report
Compliance & Culture Committee report
Stakeholder Statement
Remuneration
Directors’ Remuneration report
Directors’ Remuneration Policy

52
54
58

62
63
64

67
68
69

72
80
84

86
90

Statement of Compliance
The Board is committed to the highest standards of corporate governance. 
We comply with all the provisions and principles of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018 (2018 Code), except that we recognise we have not complied fully 
with Provision 41 to engage with the workforce on the alignment of executive pay 
with the wider company pay policy. The Board will address this in 2020 at their 
Board Listening Sessions, described on page 85. Nor did we comply with Provision 38 
in 2019 in aligning Executive Director pension payments with the wider workforce. 
This will be addressed in 2020 as described on pages 87 and 91.

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 and Exchange Commission 
(SEC) applicable to foreign private issuers. We comply with the requirements of 
the NYSE and SEC and have no significant differences to report between the US 
and UK corporate governance standards.

We explain in this ‘Governance in Action’ section how we comply with and have applied 
the 2018 Code during the year. The 2018 Code can be found at www.frc.org.uk/
getattachment/88bd8c45-50ea-4841-95b0-d2f4f48069a2/2018-UK-Corporate-
Governance-Code-FINAL.pdf. We also explain how we have complied with the 
Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Listing Rules, Disclosure & Transparency Rules 
(DTRs) throughout the year.

52

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019

Changes to the Board in 2019
During the year to 31 December 2019, 
there were the following changes to 
the Board:
1. Ian Barlow, after nine years’ service 
retired from the Board as Senior 
Independent Director at the Annual 
General Meeting on 11 April 2019 
and Robin Freestone, Chair of the 
Audit Committee and member of 
the Remuneration Committee was 
appointed as Senior Independent 
Director in his place.

2. Michael Friedman retired from 
the Board as Chair of the Ethics 
& Compliance Committee on 
11 April 2019. Marc Owen, member 
of the Audit Committee became 
Chair of the now Compliance & Culture 
Committee on that date and the first 
meeting took place on 10 April 2019. 

3. Namal Nawana resigned 

as Chief Executive Officer on  
31 October 2019 and was  
succeeded by Roland Diggelmann. 

We would like to thank both Ian and 
Michael for their outstanding contribution 
to the Company through periods of change. 

These few changes have provided relative 
stability to the Board during a time of 
change of Chief Executive Officer and 
development of a new Remuneration Policy. 

Roberto Quarta
Chair

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

knowledge and character that the Board 
invited him to be a Non-Executive Director. 
From our Board evaluation in 2017 we had 
identified a skills gap in medical devices 
and he fulfilled this requirement. Not only 
did he have 18 months insight into the 
Company as a Non-Executive Director but 
he has approved and genuinely believed 
in the work on culture, strategy, people, 
markets and geographies undertaken by 
the Executive Team during his time as a 
Non-Executive Director. He has developed 
a strong link with the Executive team 
already from his medical devices market 
knowledge and understanding of their 
own pressures and requirements.

Roland spent 12 years at Zimmer Group, 
in the role of MD of Zimmer Japan and 
then later as Senior Vice President, EMEA. 
The next 10 years of his career were 
spent at Roche Diagnostics where he 
was both MD of Asia Pacific and CEO of 
Diagnostics. Here, he led 34,000 people 
to beat market growth over a 10 year 
period. He has the appetite to be a Chief 
Executive Officer in a UK and US listed 
company and understands the principles 
of governance and remuneration in a UK 
listed environment. Roland is motivated 
by his interest in medical devices and 
I was proud to announce him as our 
new Chief Executive Officer.

Governance
The publication by the Financial Reporting 
Council in 2018 of the new UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the ‘Code’) and the 
Guidance on Board Effectiveness caused 
us to reconsider some aspects of how we 
operate as a Board. We now focus even 
more on our purpose, culture pillars and 
stakeholders. As explained on page 2, our 
strategy is derived directly from our purpose 
and culture. We have thought carefully 
about how to formalise our consideration 
of the impact our decisions have on our key 
stakeholders and section 172 duties under 
the Companies Act 2006. See pages 84 
and 85. 

All Board papers requiring a Board decision 
are required to include a specific section 
discussing the impact of that decision 
on our employees, customers, suppliers, 
investors, governments and regulators, 
where relevant. This is discussed further 
on pages 84 and 85 and elsewhere 

throughout the report. We feel as a Board 
our decision to not appoint an employee 
representative or a designated single director 
was the right decision for Smith+Nephew. 
The Compliance & Culture Committee 
comprises Non-Executive Directors 
based in Europe, US and Asia, which 
enables a greater global reach to all 
our international employees. 

The Compliance & Culture Committee 
conducted its first meeting on 10 April 2019,  
with Marc Owen as Chair Elect. It has 
reviewed the results from our culture survey 
and reported these results to the Board, 
who also had access to the findings. 
With this information the Board has been 
able to ensure that policy and practices 
are aligned throughout the business to the 
Company purpose: Life Unlimited. For us, 
this model is working well. The Board 
has built on the work Namal and his 
team did in 2018 to listen effectively 
through town halls and other means of 
engagement and respond to the employee 
voice. Roland has continued this with the 
induction that he has undertaken during 
Q4 2019 as your new Chief Executive 
Officer. This programme will be developed 
further by the expanded Compliance & 
Culture Committee and will be in addition 
to the engagement we currently have 
with employees when we undertake site 
visits as part of our Board programme. 
We visited our Memphis site in June and 
were pleased to report on the changes the 
Executive team made to such an important 
manufacturing plant, to our business 
and the positive impact this is already 
having on our staff. Further information 
about some of our stakeholders we 
met as a Board when visiting a hospital 
in Switzerland, last September is also 
reported by Marc Owen, the Chair of 
the Compliance & Culture Committee. 

As you will read later, the Remuneration 
Committee, like many other FTSE 
companies, has been busy this year, 
meeting shareholders to discuss our 
new proposed Remuneration Policy and 
ensuring shareholders were able to engage. 
We hope the feedback they provided 
can be shown in our reporting and they 
continue to fully support our proposals 
outlined in our 2020 Remuneration Policy. 

53

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Board Leadership and Purpose

Board of Directors

Committee key

A

C

N

R

Member of the Audit Committee

Member of the Compliance  
& Culture Committee

Member of the Nomination  
& Governance Committee

Member of the Remuneration  
Committee

Committee Chair

RN

Roberto Quarta (70)
Chair
Joined the Board in December 2013 
and appointed Chair following election 
by shareholders at the 2014 Annual 
General Meeting.

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 VP of Hitchiner Manufacturing 
Co., Inc. He returned to BTR plc in 1989 as 
Divisional Chief Executive, where he was 
appointed to the main board. From here he 
moved to BBA Aviation plc, as CEO and then 
as Chair, until 2007. In 2001, he joined Clayton 
Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) as Partner and is 
currently Chair of CD&R Europe.

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., IMI plc and 
SPIE SA. Roberto was also a former member 
of the Investment Committee of Fondo 
Strategico Italiano S.p.A.

Other current appointments
 – Chair of WPP plc.
 – Partner at CD&R.
 – Chair of CD&R Europe.

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 chair of a number of UK and 
international companies.

Since his appointment as Chair 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 in 2015, 
Angie Risley and Marc Owen during 2017  
and Roland Diggelmann in 2018. Roberto  
also conducted the search resulting in the 
appointment of Namal Nawana as our  
CEO in 2018.

Nationality

 American/Italian

Roland Diggelmann (52)
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director and Member of the Audit Committee 
on 1 March 2018 until 21 October 2019, 
when the Company announced Roland  
would be appointed Chief Executive Officer 
with effect from 1 November 2019. He was 
re-elected by shareholders at the 2019 Annual 
General Meeting (AGM) and will stand for  
re-election as Chief Executive Officer at 
the AGM on 9 April 2020. Roland is based 
in Zug, Switzerland.

Career and experience
Roland studied Business Administration at 
the University of Berne. In 1995, he joined 
Sulzer Medica AG as Manager Strategic 
Planning and progressed into further senior 
roles over the years until his appointment as 
Executive Vice President, Sales Europe and 
Asia Pacific from 2002 to 2004 for Sulzer 
Medica AG (later known as Centerpulse).

Roland joined Zimmer Group in 2004, in 
the role of Managing Director of Zimmer 
Japan and then later in 2006 as Senior Vice 
President, EMEA until 2008. Roland joined 
Roche Diagnostics in 2008 starting as 
president of Asia Pacific before assuming 
the role of Chief Executive Officer of the 
Diagnostics Division of F. Hoffmann-La Roche 
Ltd from 2012 until September 2018.

Other current appointments
 – Director of Igenomix.
 – Director of HeartForce AG.
 – Director of Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc., 

which is listed on NASDAQ (Nasdaq: AXDX).

Skills and competencies
Having spent his whole career in medical 
devices, with 12 years at Sulzer and Zimmer, 
Roland brings an in-depth knowledge of 
the medical device industry and healthcare 
environment, which is of great value to 
Smith+Nephew.

Nationality
 Swiss

54

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Graham Baker (51)
Chief Financial Officer
Appointed in March 2017.  
Graham is based in Watford, UK.

Career and experience
Graham holds an MA degree in Economics 
from Cambridge University and qualified 
as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered  
Tax Adviser with Arthur Andersen. In 1995,  
he joined AstraZeneca PLC where he worked 
for 20 years, holding multiple senior roles, 
including Vice President Finance & Chief 
Financial Officer, North America (2008–2010), 
Vice President, Global Financial Services 
(2010–2013) and Vice President, Finance, 
International (2013–2015) with responsibility 
for all emerging markets. Most recently, 
Graham was Chief Financial Officer of 
generic pharmaceuticals company Alvogen.

Other current appointments
 – N/A.

Skills and competencies
Graham has deep sector knowledge and  
has had extensive exposure to established  
and emerging markets which is extremely 
relevant to his role at Smith+Nephew. He has 
a strong track record of delivering operational 
excellence and has relevant experience 
across major finance roles and geographic 
markets, leading large teams responsible 
for significant budgets.

Nationality
 British

Vinita Bali (64)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed in December 2014.

C

R

Career and experience
Vinita holds an MBA from the Jamnalal Bajaj 
Institute of Management Studies, University 
of Bombay and a BA in Economics from 
the University of Delhi. She commenced her 
career in India with a Tata Group company, 
and then joined Cadbury India, subsequently 
working with Cadbury Schweppes plc in 
the UK, Nigeria and South Africa. She has 
also 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 VP, Corporate 
Strategy in 2001. In 2003, she joined Zyman 
Group, LLC, a US-based consultancy, as 
Managing Principal. Vinita was MD and CEO 
of Britannia Industries Limited, a leading 
Indian publicly listed food company from 
2005 to 2014.

Other current appointments
 – NED of Syngene International Limited.
 – NED of Bunge Limited.
 – NED of CRISIL India  

(a Standard & Poor company).

 – Member of the Advisory Board of PwC India.
 – NED of Cognizant Technology 

Solutions Corporation.

Skills and competencies
Vinita has an impressive track record 
of achievement with blue-chip global 
corporations in multiple roles and multiple 
geographies including India, Africa, South 
America, US and UK, all key markets for 
Smith+Nephew. Her CEO experience together 
with strong appreciation of customer 
service and marketing adds deep insight 
as Smith+Nephew continues to develop 
innovative ways to serve our markets  
and grow our business.

Nationality
 Indian

55

C

The Rt. Hon Baroness  
Virginia Bottomley  
of Nettlestone DL (71)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed in April 2012.

RN

Virginia has been a Member of the Compliance 
& Culture Committee since April 2019.

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 
AkzoNobel NV.

Other current appointments
 – Director of International Resources 

Group Limited, where she is Chair of Board  
& CEO Practice at Odgers Berndtson.
 – Member of the International Advisory 
Council of Chugai Pharmaceutical Co.

 – Chancellor of University of Hull.
 – Sheriff of Kingston upon Hull.
 – Trustee of The Economist Newspaper.

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

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Board Leadership and Purpose continued

Board of Directors continued

Erik Engstrom (56)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed in January 2015.

NA

Robin Freestone (61)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed in September 2015.

NA

R

Marc Owen (60)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed in October 2017.

A

C

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 1988, 
he graduated with an MBA from Harvard 
Business School as a Fulbright Scholar. 
Erik commenced his career at McKinsey 
& Company and then worked in publishing, 
latterly as President and COO of Random 
House Inc. and as President and CEO of  
Bantam Doubleday Dell, North America. 
In 2001, he moved on to be a partner at 
General Atlantic Partners, a private equity 
investment firm. Between 2004 and 2009, 
he was CEO of Elsevier, the division specialising 
in scientific and medical information and  
then from 2009 CEO of RELX Group.

Other current appointments
 – Member of Bonnier Group’s Board.
 – CEO 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 and 
Nomination & Governance Committees.

Nationality
 Swedish

Robin was appointed Senior Independent 
Director following the Annual General Meeting 
on 11 April 2019.

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. He has 
held a number of senior financial positions 
throughout his career, including at ICI plc, 
Henkel Ltd and at Amersham plc. Robin was 
the Deputy CFO and then later the CFO 
of Pearson plc between 2006 and August 
2015, where he was heavily involved with the 
transformation and diversification of Pearson. 
He was previously NED at eChem Ltd, Chair 
of the 100 Group and Senior Independent 
Director and Chair of the Audit Committee 
of Cable & Wireless Communications plc. 
Robin was also previously Chair of the Audit 
Committee of MoneySupermarket.com plc.

Other current appointments
 – NED and Chair of the Audit Committee 

at Capri Holdings Ltd, (formerly Michael Kors 
Holdings Ltd).

 – Chair of the ICAEW Corporate 

Governance Committee.

 – Chair of the Board at MoneySupermarket.

com plc as well as Chair of their 
Nomination Committee.

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

Nationality
 British

Appointed Chair of the Compliance 
& Culture Committee in April 2019.

Career and experience
Marc graduated from Oxford University with 
a BA and BCL in Law. In 1984 he was called 
to the Bar, following four years at Corpus 
Christi College Cambridge as a fellow and 
director of studies in law. He decided upon 
a corporate career and undertook an MBA 
at Stanford University. Marc commenced his 
healthcare and technology career at McKinsey 
& Company where he progressed to senior 
partner and eventually a founding partner 
of McKinsey’s Business Technology Office. 
In September 2001, Marc joined McKesson 
Corporation and served as Executive Vice 
President and member of the Executive 
Committee. He delivered strategic objectives 
and led over 40 acquisitions and divestments 
over a 10-year period. In late 2011 he headed 
Mckesson Speciality Health, which operates 
over 130 cancer centres across the US and 
provides services including market intelligence, 
supply chain services, patient access to 
therapy, provider and patient engagement 
and clinical trial support. His final executive 
role came in 2014 where he was appointed 
Chair of the European Management Board 
at Celesio AG. He retired in March 2017 once 
he had improved operations, set the strategy 
and recruited his successor.

Other current appointments
 – N/A.

Skills and competencies
Marc is a proven leader with an astute, 
strategic vision, capable of building significant 
international healthcare businesses. He has 
strong commercial healthcare expertise, 
which the Board values deeply and makes 
him ideally placed to Chair the Compliance 
& Culture Committee.

Nationality
 British

56

Susan Swabey (58)
Company Secretary
Joined Smith+Nephew in May 2009 as 
Company Secretary with responsibility for 
board support and corporate governance, 
employee and executive share plans 
and subsidiary governance. She is based 
in Watford, UK.

Other current appointments
 – Chair of the CBI Companies Committee.
 – Chair of ShareGift, the share 

donation charity.

 – Member of the Financial Reporting 

Council Lab Steering Group.

Skills and experience
Susan holds an MA from Corpus Christi 
College Oxford in Literae Humaniores 
and is a Fellow of The Chartered 
Governance Institute.

Susan has over 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, remuneration, corporate 
transactions, group risk management, 
share registration, listing obligations, 
corporate social responsibility, pensions, 
insurance and employee and executive 
share plans. Susan is a frequent 
speaker on corporate governance 
and related matters.

Nationality
 British

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Angie Risley (61)
Independent Non-Executive Director
Appointed in September 2017.

R

Career and experience
After graduating from Exeter University, Angie 
joined United Biscuits followed by Pizza Hut 
(UK) Ltd as Human Resources Director, a joint 
venture between PepsiCo and Whitbread 
plc. After five years she joined Whitbread, 
becoming Executive Director on the plc 
board responsible for HR and Corporate Social 
Responsibility in 2004. Between 2007–2013 
she was the Group HR Director for Lloyds 
Banking Group, joining J Sainsbury plc as 
Group HRD and a member of their Operating 
Board in January 2013. Over the years, 
Angie has been a member of the Low Pay 
Commission and has held a number of  
Non-Executive Directorships with Biffa 
plc, Arriva and Serco Group plc, and now 
Smith+Nephew. At Serco she was the 
Chair of the Remuneration Committee. 
Previously she has attended Remuneration 
Committees of Whitbread, Lloyds Banking 
Group, Arriva and now J Sainsbury plc.

Other current appointments
 – J Sainsbury plc Group HRD and member 

of their Operating Board.

Skills and competencies
Angie is a well-regarded FTSE 100 Human 
Resources Director, proven Non-Executive 
Director and Remuneration Committee Chair. 
She has gained experience in a wide range 
of sectors, including a regulated environment. 
This diversity of experience is welcomed by 
the Board and the Remuneration Committee. 
Angie is also an additional resource and 
sounding board for Smith+Nephew’s own 
internal Human Resources function.

Nationality
 British

57

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Board Leadership and Purpose continued

Executive team
Roland Diggelmann is supported in the day-to-day  
management of the Group by Graham Baker,  
Chief Financial Officer, and a strong team of Executives.

Brad Cannon (51)
President, Sports Medicine & ENT
Joined Smith+Nephew in 2012 and has 
since been the President of Smith+Nephew’s 
Europe and Canada business, the Company’s 
Chief Marketing Officer, and now serves as 
the President of the Global Sports Medicine 
and Ear, Nose and Throat business. He is 
based in Andover, US.

Skills and experience
Brad was most recently the Chief Marketing 
Officer and prior to that the President of 
Europe and Canada, where he successfully 
led the commercial business in those regions. 
He has also served as the President of 
Global Orthopaedic Franchises, leading 
Smith+Nephew’s Reconstruction, Endoscopy, 
Trauma and Extremities businesses. Prior to 
Smith+Nephew, Brad worked in Medtronic’s 
Spine and Biologics division. From 2009,  
he was responsible for Medtronic’s Spine 
International division and held positions 
heading US sales and global commercial 
operations. Brad is a graduate of Washington 
and Lee University, and the Wharton School 
of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Chief Financial Officer  

President,  
Global Operations & GBS

Chief Quality and 
Regulatory Affairs Officer

President,  
Research & Development

Chief Business development 
and Corporate Affairs Officer

Nationality
 American

Chief Human  
Resources Officer

Chief Legal &  
Compliance Officer

Our commercial model

Chief Executive Officer

President, 
Orthopaedics

President,  
Sports  
Medicine  
& ENT

President,  
Advanced  
Wound  
Management

President, Europe,  
Middle East and Africa – 
position currently vacant

President, Asia Pacific  

58

 
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Phil Cowdy (52)
Chief Business Development 
and Corporate Affairs Officer
Joined Smith+Nephew in 2008 as Director of 
Investor Relations. From 2010 his responsibility 
expanded as Head of Corporate Affairs, 
including media, investor relations, global 
brand and government affairs, together with 
Strategic Planning. Between 2015 and 2018 
he was also responsible for IT. In 2018 he 
took on additional responsibility for Business 
Development. He is based in Watford, UK.

Skills and experience
Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, Phil served 
as a Senior Director at Deutsche Bank and 
predecessor firms for 13 years, providing 
corporate finance and equity capital markets 
advice to a variety of UK-based companies. 
He qualified as a chartered accountant  
with EY.

Nationality
 British

Myra Eskes (48)
President, Asia Pacific
Joined Smith+Nephew in May 2019 with 
responsibility for Asia Pacific. Myra is based 
in Singapore.

Skills and experience
Myra is a strong and highly respected 
leader with deep cross-cultural experience 
bringing more than two decades of enterprise-
wide experience in finance, manufacturing, 
operations, sales and marketing. Most recently, 
Myra was President and CEO of GE Healthcare 
Southeast Asia, Korea, Australia and New 
Zealand, reporting directly to the CEO as part 
of the global management team. In this role, 
she was responsible for the diagnostic and 
interventional imaging, patient monitoring, 
healthcare digital and life sciences businesses.

Prior to this, Myra led the GE Life Sciences 
business for the Eastern & African growth 
markets, covering Turkey, the Middle East, 
Africa and Russia/Commonwealth of 
Independent States (CIS) countries. There, 
she drove growth in the region by working 
with customers who were investing in life 
sciences technologies and research, including 
pharmaceutical diagnostics, bioprocessing, 
services and in-vitro diagnostics. In addition 
to her diverse operational experience 
in complex and broad-based businesses 
around the world, Myra has a proven track 
record of driving strong revenue growth 
and increasing profitability. She has created 
high performing teams to deliver innovative 
medical devices and life sciences solutions 
on three continents and has a true passion 
for customers and improving access to 
quality healthcare.

Nationality
 Dutch

Simon Fraser (52)
President, Advanced Wound Management
Joined Smith+Nephew in January 2019 
with commercial leadership responsibility for 
Advanced Wound Management in the US and 
global marketing for the Advanced Wound 
Management Franchise. Simon is based in 
Fort Worth, US.

Skills and experience
Simon brings to this role more than 25 years’ 
of experience across medical devices, 
pharmaceuticals and diagnostics, including 
wound management. Importantly, he is a 
purpose-driven and accomplished business 
leader who has successfully managed large, 
global commercial organisations with full 
P&L responsibility while growing business 
and earning market share.

Prior to joining Smith+Nephew Simon was 
Group Vice President of Dentsply-Sirona’s 
Dental Implant Global Business Unit. Prior to 
this Simon was Vice President, US Commercial 
Infectious Diseases including corporate 
accounts at Abbott Laboratories. Simon joined 
Abbott following the acquisition of Alere where 
he had three successful years as the President 
of Latin America. Prior to these roles, Simon 
had a 15-year career with Johnson & Johnson, 
where he held increasingly senior commercial 
roles spanning surgical devices, wound 
management, implants and pharmaceuticals 
including both global strategic marketing 
and P&L responsibilities.

Nationality

 American/Canadian

59

Skip Kiil (45)
President, Orthopaedics
Joined Smith+Nephew in November 2018 
with global responsibility for the Orthopaedics 
franchise which includes Reconstruction, 
Trauma, Extremities and Robotics. Skip is 
based in Memphis, US.

Skills and experience
Skip is a seasoned leader who brings a 
wealth of global experience from diverse 
medical technology companies, and 
importantly, significant global experience 
in Orthopaedics markets over an extended 
period. Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, Skip 
was most recently responsible for all Global 
Commercial Operations at NuVasive and 
member of the senior executive leadership 
team. Prior to this, Skip spent three years 
with Alcon, a division of Novartis Corporation, 
based in Geneva, Switzerland, where he 
served as Surgical Head, Europe, Middle East, 
Africa and Russia. While at Alcon, Skip led 
the successful commercial transformation 
of its $1.1bn surgical business across both 
developed and emerging growth markets.

Before joining Alcon, Skip had a successful  
12-year career with Stryker Corporation, 
beginning in sales and holding progressively 
senior positions in commercial leadership 
in the US as well as in global marketing. 
Skip also had general management 
experience in Japan, as well as group 
leadership responsibilities in Europe 
where he held the role of Vice President 
and General Manager of its Medical 
Surgical Group.

Nationality
 American

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Board Leadership and Purpose continued

Melissa Guerdan (45)
Chief Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs Officer
Joined Smith+Nephew in July 2018 with 
responsibility for Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs and assumed additional responsibility 
in 2019 for the Portfolio Compliance 
organization, inclusive of the Group EU MDR. 
Melissa is based in Andover, US.

Skills and experience 
Melissa brings more than 20 years’ of leadership 
experience in Quality and Regulatory Affairs 
spanning the pharmaceutical, medical device 
and biologics industries. Melissa has deep 
compliance and operations knowledge and 
has progressed through senior leadership roles 
in global organisations including Pfizer, Baxter, 
Covidien and Alere. Most recently, Melissa was 
Senior Vice President, Quality and Regulatory 
for Alere where she had executive responsibility 
for establishing enterprise vision, strategy and 
direction for all aspects of quality, compliance 
and regulatory affairs. Melissa is adept at 
inspiring diverse global organisations to achieve 
common goals and has consistently delivered 
material value at the enterprise level through 
transformational quality and regulatory 
improvement programmes.

Melissa holds a BA degree in Biology and 
Psychology, and holds an MBA from 
DePaul University.

Nationality
 American

Executive team continued
Executive team continued
Mark Gladwell (44)
President, Global Operations  
and Global Business Services
Joined Smith+Nephew in August 2018 
with responsibility for Global Manufacturing, 
Global Supply Chain, Global Procurement, 
Global Engineering and Global Operational 
Excellence, and all Operational Strategy and 
programmes including APEX projects related 
to Global Operations. From 2019 Mark also 
took responsibility for Global Business Services. 
Mark is based in Watford, UK.

Skills and experience
Mark joined Smith+Nephew from QIAGEN, 
a provider of sample and assay technologies 
for molecular diagnostics, applied testing, 
academic and pharmaceutical research. 
There he was Senior Vice President of 
Global Operations responsible for global 
manufacturing, supply chain, quality 
assurance and control, regulatory affairs, 
and global customer service.

Mark is a seasoned operational leader 
bringing more than 20 years’ of experience 
in progressively senior operations roles 
across global organisations including DuPont, 
AGFA Medical Imaging, Johnson & Johnson, 
and Alere Inc. Mark has experience of working 
and living in Europe and the US and operating 
global manufacturing and supply chain 
organisations with a significant focus 
and track record in delivering operational 
excellence transformation programmes.

Nationality
 British

60

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Elga Lohler (52)
Chief Human Resources Officer
Joined Smith+Nephew in January 2002 
as Director of HR and has since held 
progressively senior positions in Wound 
Management, Operations, Corporate 
Functions and Group. Elga became Chief 
Human Resources Officer in December 
2015 and leads the Global Human Resources, 
Internal Communication and Sustainability 
Functions. Elga is based in Fort Worth, US.

Skills and experience
Elga has more than 25 years’ Human 
Resources experience. Prior to joining 
Smith+Nephew, Elga held Human 
Resources roles at Transnet, Sensormatic 
(now Tyco) and Advanced Tissue Sciences, 
which was acquired by Smith+Nephew 
in 2002. Through these roles, Elga has 
developed deep expertise in strategy 
planning and development, organisational 
design and effectiveness, restructuring 
and integration and transformational 
change in support of business objectives. 
In her current role, Elga is responsible for 
driving Smith+Nephew’s human capital 
strategy across the enterprise in support 
of the Company’s overall business plan 
and strategic direction.

Elga holds an undergraduate degree 
in Psychology and a Master’s degree in 
Organizational Psychology, both from 
the University of Witwatersrand in 
South Africa.

Nationality

 American/South African

Catheryn O’Rourke (47)
Chief Legal and Compliance Officer
Joined Smith+Nephew in February 2013 
and became Chief Legal Officer in May 2017 
and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer 
in July 2018. Catheryn heads up the Global  
Legal and Compliance functions and  
is based in Andover, US.

Skills and experience
Prior to being appointed Chief Legal 
and Compliance Officer, Catheryn had 
various responsibilities within Legal as 
Assistant General Counsel – Litigation and 
Investigations. Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, 
Catheryn spent 11 years of her career 
with Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.

Catheryn is a graduate of Princeton University 
and Harvard Law School.

Nationality
 American

Vasant Padmanbhan (53)
President, Research & Development
Joined Smith+Nephew in August 2016 and 
is responsible for Research and Innovation, 
New Product Development, Safety 
Affairs, Clinical Affairs, Medical Device/
Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Operations. 
Vasant is based in Andover, US.

Skills and experience
Vasant brings extensive experience in 
R&D and technology. Prior to Smith+Nephew, 
Vasant was Senior Vice President of Technical 
Operations at Thoratec Corporation, a leader  
in mechanical circulatory support solutions  
for the treatment of heart failure. In this role, 
he provided leadership to a 600 member  
team, with responsibility for global R&D, 
Programme Management, Operations 
and Quality. Prior to Thoratec, Vasant had  
an 18-year career at Medtronic, starting 
as a Staff Scientist and, progressing through 
more senior roles, ultimately becoming 
Vice President of Product Development 
for the Implantable Defibrillator Business. 
Vasant holds a Ph.D degree in Biomedical 
Engineering from Rutgers University, 
US and an MBA degree from the Carlson 
School of Management, Minnesota.

Nationality
 American

61

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Division of Responsibilities

Roles and composition
Whilst we all share collective responsibility for the activities of the Board, some of our roles have been defined in greater detail below.

Chair

Senior Independent Director

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

annual review of effectiveness.

 – Encouraging constructive challenge and facilitating 
effective communication between Board members.

 – Promoting effective Board relationships.
 – Holding meetings with Non-Executive Directors in the 

absence of Executive Directors.

 – Ensuring one-to-one discussions with each Board Member.
 – Ensuring appropriate induction and development programmes.
 – Ensuring effective two-way communication and debate 

with shareholders and stakeholders.

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

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

Board-related matters.

 – Acting as an intermediary for the other Directors 

where necessary.

 – Available to shareholders and stakeholders  

on matters which cannot otherwise be resolved.

 – Leading the annual evaluation into the 

Board’s effectiveness.

 – Leading the search for a new Chair, if necessary.

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Company Secretary

 – 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 long-term strategic 
and financial plan.

 – Maintaining relationships 

with shareholders.

 – Advising the Board on matters 
of corporate governance.
 – Supporting the Chair 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.

 – Developing and implementing 

Group strategy.

 – Recommending the annual 

budget and long-term 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 Chair 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 culture, compliance 
and sustainability matters.

 – Day-to-day running of  

the business.

Non-Financial Reporting Regulations
In accordance with The Companies, Partnerships and Groups (Accounts and Non-Financial Reporting) Regulations 2016 information 
can be found on the following pages of this 2019 Annual Report relating to the environment (pages 32–35 of this report and the 
2019 Sustainability Report), social (pages 24–27 of this report and the 2019 Sustainability Report), anti-corruption and anti-bribery 
matters (pages 34–35), employees (pages 24–25 and 84–85) and human rights (page 26).

62

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Corporate governance framework
The Board is responsible to shareholders and stakeholders 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 Board delegates certain matters, as follows, to Board Committees, consisting of members of the Board:

Audit Committee
Provides independent 
assessment of the 
financial affairs of the 
Company, reviews 
financial statements 
and controls oversight 
of the risk management 
process and key risks, 
such as cybersecurity.

Manages use of internal 
and external auditors.

Remuneration 
Committee
Determines 
Remuneration Policy 
and packages for 
Executive Directors 
and Executive Officers, 
having regard to pay 
across our workforce.

Ensures alignment with 
our purpose, values and 
long-term strategy.

Our Board

Nomination & 
Governance  
Committee
Reviews size, skills, 
experience, knowledge 
and composition of 
the Board, succession 
planning, diversity and 
governance matters.

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

Compliance & 
Culture Committee
Reviews and monitors 
ethics and compliance, 
quality and regulatory  
and related legal matters 
across the Group.

Role was expanded 
in 2019 to include 
oversight of culture,  
sustainability 
and stakeholder  
relationships.

 See page 72

 See page 86

 See page 69

 See page 80

The Board delegates certain matters, as follows, to Board Committees, consisting of Executive Board Members:

Finance & Banking Committee
Approves banking and treasury matters, guarantees, Group structure 
changes relating to mergers, acquisitions and disposals.

Disclosures Committee
Approves release of communications to investors and Stock Exchanges. 
Reviews whether communications are inside information.

The Board delegates the day-to-day running of the business to Roland Diggelmann, Chief Executive Officer, who is assisted in his role  
by the Executive Committee comprising the Executive team shown on pages 58–61. The governance framework below outlines  
the Executive Committee arrangements as follows:

Recommends and implements strategy, recommends budget and three-year plan to the Board for approval, ensures liaison between commercial 
and corporate functions, receives regular reports from sub-committees, monitors succession planning and talent pipeline below Board level, 
reviews major investments, divestment and capital expenditure proposals and approves business development projects.

Executive Committee

Monthly Operating Review
Wider group of senior commercial 
and financial leaders reviews monthly 
commercial and marketing and operating 
results against budget, identifying 
gaps and agreeing remedial actions.

Franchise, Functional and 
Regional Leadership Meetings
Senior management meetings to drive 
performance across each franchise, 
function and region.

Health, Safety &  
Environment Committee
Oversees health, safety and 
environmental matters.

Group Ethics &  
Compliance Committee 
Reviews compliance matters and 
country business unit or function 
compliance reports.

63

Diversity & Inclusion Council
Implements strategies to promote 
diversity and inclusion.

Mergers & Acquisitions 
Investment Committee
Oversees Corporate Development Strategy, 
monitors status of transactions and approves 
various stages in the merger, acquisition and 
disposal process.

Portfolio Innovation Board
Defines portfolio allocation principles, 
reviewing and challenging current 
shape of portfolio, identifying gaps 
and opportunities and re-prioritising 
segments and geographies.

Global Benefits Committee
Oversees all policies and processes 
relating to pensions and employee 
benefit plans.

Sustainability Council
Monitor Sustainability strategy  
and deliver agreed plan.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Division of Responsibilities continued

Responsibilities of the Board
Board timetable 2019

Strategy

 – 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, three-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 sustainability, health and safety, 

Code of Conduct and Code of Share Dealing and other matters.

 – Approving the appointment and removal of key professional advisers.

Performance

 – 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.

Shareholder communications

 – Approving preliminary announcement of annual results, the publication 

of the Annual Report, the half-yearly report, the quarterly Trading Reports, 
the release of price sensitive announcements and any listing particulars, 
circulars or prospectuses.

 – Approving the Sustainability Report.
 – Maintaining relationships and continued engagement with shareholders.

Risk

Early February

2018 Preliminary Results

Late February

2018 Financial Statements and  
Notice of Annual General Meeting

April

Annual General Meeting

May

Q1 2019

July

H1 2019

September

October

Q3 2019

November

Strategic Planning

Reviewed capital allocation policies.
Reviewed report on post 
acquisitions reviews.
Approval to pursue acquisition 
of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. 
considering the impact 
on employees, customers 
and patients.
Approval to pursue the 
acquisition of Brainlab’s OJR 
business considering the impact 
on employees, customers 
and patients.

Reviewed financial performance.
Received update on 
Orthopaedics Franchise.
Considered payment of 
final dividend.
Reviewed New Product 
Development Plan.
Approved and noted 
Board and Committee 
membership changes.

Approved and  

declared payment  

of interim dividend.

Considered 

and approved 

Chief Executive 

Officer changes.

Reviewed the 

strategic plan 

for 2020–2022.

Approved the 

budget for 2020.

Considered 

succession and 

development plans.

Reviewed financial  

performance.

Received updates on the 

progress of the Global 

Operations Plan, including 

the new manufacturing 

plant in Malaysia. 

Received updates on Advanced 

Wound Management and the 

ENT franchise.

Reviewed financial  

performance.

Received business 

updates for the APAC, 

EMEA and DACH regions.

Received updates on 

Sports Medicine and 

the ENT franchise.

Approved Preliminary 
Announcement 2018.

Approved the Annual Report 
for 2018.
Notice of the 2019 Annual 
General Meeting.

Prepared for the Annual 

Approved Q1 2019 

Approved H1  

General Meeting to be held 

Trading Report.

2019 Results 

Announcement.

later that day.

Approved Q3 2019 

Trading Report.

 – Overseeing the Group’s risk management programme.
 – Regularly reviewing the risk register.
 – Overseeing risk management processes (see pages 40–41 for further details).

Received Annual Risk 
Management Update.

Stakeholders

 – Overseeing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders including 

shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, regulators and governments.

Providing advice

 – Using experience gained within other companies and organisations 
to advise management both within and between Board meetings 
on an ad hoc basis.

Considered update on planning for 
Brexit and the impact on employees 
and our ability to continue to supply 
our worldwide customer base.

Sustainability Report 2018.
Modern Slavery Statement 2018.

Other matters

64

Reviewed the impact the new 

manufacturing plant in Malaysia 

would have on employees, 

suppliers and customers.

Received an operational update on 

the progress made in embedding 

the new cultural pillars and in 

particular the positive reaction 

from our employees.

Considered the proposed new 

brand identity and purpose.

Reviewed the leadership 

teams in the APAC, 

EMEA and DACH cluster 

for succession planning.

Received updates on 

Global Operations and 

Research & Development 

considering the 

development of innovative 

products for the benefit  

of patients in the future.

Considered changes to 

the structure of Product 

Liability Insurance.

In addition there were three 

meetings held in September and 

October to discuss the position 

of the Chief Executive Officer.

Reviewed results 

of internal board 

effectiveness review 

and agreed follow 

up actions.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Reviewed report on post 

acquisitions reviews.

Approval to pursue acquisition 

of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. 

considering the impact 

on employees, customers 

and patients.

Approval to pursue the 

acquisition of Brainlab’s OJR 

business considering the impact 

on employees, customers 

and patients.

Received update on 

Orthopaedics Franchise.

Considered payment of 

final dividend.

Reviewed New Product 

Development Plan.

Approved and noted 

Board and Committee 

membership changes.

Board timetable 2019

Early February

2018 Preliminary Results

Late February

2018 Financial Statements and  

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Strategy

 – Approving the Group strategy including major changes to corporate 

Reviewed capital allocation policies.

 – Approving acquisitions, mergers, disposals, capital transactions 

and management structure.

in excess of $50 million.

 – Setting priorities for capital investment across the Group.

 – Approving annual budget, financial plan, three-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 sustainability, health and safety, 

Code of Conduct and Code of Share Dealing and other matters.

 – Approving the appointment and removal of key professional advisers.

Performance

and business plans.

 – Reviewing performance against strategy, budgets and financial 

Reviewed financial performance.

 – 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.

Shareholder communications

 – Approving preliminary announcement of annual results, the publication 

of the Annual Report, the half-yearly report, the quarterly Trading Reports, 

the release of price sensitive announcements and any listing particulars, 

Approved Preliminary 

Announcement 2018.

circulars or prospectuses.

 – Approving the Sustainability Report.

 – Maintaining relationships and continued engagement with shareholders.

Approved the Annual Report 

for 2018.

Notice of the 2019 Annual 

General Meeting.

 – Overseeing the Group’s risk management programme.

 – Regularly reviewing the risk register.

Received Annual Risk 

Management Update.

 – Overseeing risk management processes (see pages 40–41 for further details).

Risk

Stakeholders

 – Overseeing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders including 

Considered update on planning for 

Sustainability Report 2018.

shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, regulators and governments.

Modern Slavery Statement 2018.

Brexit and the impact on employees 

and our ability to continue to supply 

our worldwide customer base.

Providing advice

on an ad hoc basis.

 – Using experience gained within other companies and organisations 

to advise management both within and between Board meetings 

Other matters

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

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.

April

Annual General Meeting

May

Q1 2019

July

H1 2019

September

October

Q3 2019

November

Strategic Planning

Approved and  
declared payment  
of interim dividend.

Considered 
and approved 
Chief Executive 
Officer changes.

Reviewed the 
strategic plan 
for 2020–2022.
Approved the 
budget for 2020.

Considered 
succession and 
development plans.

Reviewed financial  
performance.
Received updates on the 
progress of the Global 
Operations Plan, including 
the new manufacturing 
plant in Malaysia. 
Received updates on Advanced 
Wound Management and the 
ENT franchise.

Reviewed financial  
performance.
Received business 
updates for the APAC, 
EMEA and DACH regions.
Received updates on 
Sports Medicine and 
the ENT franchise.

Prepared for the Annual 
General Meeting to be held 
later that day.

Approved Q1 2019 
Trading Report.

Approved H1  
2019 Results 
Announcement.

Approved Q3 2019 
Trading Report.

Reviewed the impact the new 
manufacturing plant in Malaysia 
would have on employees, 
suppliers and customers.

Received an operational update on 
the progress made in embedding 
the new cultural pillars and in 
particular the positive reaction 
from our employees.
Considered the proposed new 
brand identity and purpose.

Reviewed the leadership 
teams in the APAC, 
EMEA and DACH cluster 
for succession planning.

Received updates on 
Global Operations and 
Research & Development 
considering the 
development of innovative 
products for the benefit  
of patients in the future.

Considered changes to 
the structure of Product 
Liability Insurance.
In addition there were three 
meetings held in September and 
October to discuss the position 
of the Chief Executive Officer.

Reviewed results 
of internal board 
effectiveness review 
and agreed follow 
up actions.

65

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Division of Responsibilities continued

Responsibilities of the Board
Board and committee attendance

Board

Audit  Remuneration 

Total meetings

11

8

Appointed

Roberto Quarta
Namal Nawana1
Graham Baker2
Vinita Bali3
Ian Barlow4
Virginia Bottomley
Roland Diggelmann5
Erik Engstrom6
Robin Freestone6
Michael Friedman7
Marc Owen
Angie Risley

March 2010

December 2013 11/11
7/10
May 2018
March 2017 10/11
December 2014 11/11
2/3
April 2012 11/11
March 2018 11/11
January 2015 11/11
September 2015 11/11
3/3
April 2013
October 2017 11/11
September 2017 11/11

–
–
–
–
2/3
–
6/6
8/8
8/8
–
8/8
–

8

8/8
–
–
7/8
–
8/8
–
–
8/8
–
–
8/8

Nomination  
& Governance 

5 

5/5
–
–
–
1/1
5/5
–
4/4
4/4
–
–
–

Committee
Compliance  
& Culture 

4

–
–
–
4/4
2/2
3/3
2/2
–
–
2/2
4/4
–

1  Namal Nawana missed three Board meetings held after his departure as Chief Executive Officer had been announced.
2  Graham Baker missed one meeting at which the departure of the Chief Executive Officer was considered.
3  Vinita Bali attended all meetings except for one Remuneration Committee convened on short notice, when she had 

4 

an unavoidable prior commitment.
Ian Barlow retired from the Board at the Annual General Meeting on 11 April 2019, having completed nine years’ service. 
He missed one Board and one Audit Committee meeting on 20 February 2019 due to a funeral.

5  Roland Diggelmann attended all meetings prior to the announcement of his appointment as Chief Executive Officer,  

when he ceased to be a member of the Audit Committee and the Compliance & Culture Committee.
6  Erik Engstrom and Robin Freestone joined the Nomination & Governance Committee on 11 April 2019.
7  Michael Friedman retired from the Board at the Annual General Meeting on 11 April 2019.

In advance of the Board and Committee 
meetings, the Chair met with the  
Non-Executive Directors in the absence 
of Executive Directors. In addition, the 
Chair held one-to-one discussions with 
each Board Member throughout the year.

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.

Management of conflicts of interest
None of our Directors or their connected 
persons, has any family relationship with any 

66

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 14 February 2020.

Each Director has a duty under the 
Companies Act 2006 to avoid a situation 
in which they 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 must, and do, 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 
of Conflicts 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, 6 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 Non-Executive Directors of 
external companies. 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. 
Roland Diggelmann is also a Non-Executive 
Director of Accelerate Diagnostics, Inc. 
listed on the NASDAQ. Roland discussed 
his external role with the Chair prior to his 
appointment and the Chair and the Board 
was satisfied that he 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. 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.

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 stated in Note 19.2 of the Group 
accounts on page 178.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Composition, Succession and Evaluation

Recommendation 1

Recommendation 2

Recommendation 3

Recommendation 4

Board effectiveness review
The Board effectiveness review in 
2019 was internally facilitated by 
Robin Freestone, Senior Independent 
Director, assisted by the Company 
Secretary. The 2019 review comprised a 
questionnaire completed by each member 
of the Board. This questionnaire focused on 
the progress made addressing the issues 
raised in previous Board Evaluations, being 
mindful of the promotion of true diversity 
within the Code, as well as looking into how 
the Board had handled particular topics 
throughout the year. Robin Freestone then 
conducted individual interviews with each 
Board member, where he also specifically 
discussed the performance of the Chair. 
In November 2019, he prepared a report, 
detailing his findings, which he shared with 
the Chair. The report was then discussed 
by the full Board in November 2019. 
In discussion, we concluded the Board 
operated effectively, with a good breadth 
of skills, backgrounds and experience. 
The culture was open and collaborative 
and visits to different markets were 
welcomed. We did identify four key areas  
of improvement and the following 
recommendations were made:

The recent change in Chief Executive Officer, after a relatively short period of tenure had 
highlighted the need for increased oversight at Board level of Executive Succession Planning.

The full Board would welcome more involvement in the appointment of additional  
Non-Executive Directors. It was noted that the Nomination & Governance Committee 
would arrange this for the upcoming recruitment of an Audit Chair Elect and an additional  
Non-Executive Director with Medtech and International experience.

Positive feedback had been received on the Board site visits in 2019 to Memphis and to 
the Schulthess Klinik in Switzerland and more visits such as these would be welcomed. 

Whilst good progress had been made during the year in enhancing Board oversight of Stakeholder 
relationships, particularly with employees in Memphis and customers in Switzerland, it was 
recognised that this could be further enhanced through greater workforce engagement 
on-site visits and by members of the Compliance & Culture Committee between meetings. 
The Compliance & Culture Committee Chair would work with the Committee and the 
Chief Executive Officer to further develop an employee engagement programme for 2020.

The areas for attention identified in the 2018 review have been addressed as follows:

Actions identified

Action taken

The Board will need to ensure that it continually reviews and ensures 
alignment of its appetite for risk against the changing landscape and 
revised Strategic Imperatives, particularly as the Company continued 
to evolve. This will require continued monitoring of Board composition 
and succession planning.

Performance management will need to evolve to monitor alignment 
with the new strategy, with an increased emphasis on a globally 
consistent culture and purpose.

The Board is mindful of the continually evolving environment and has 
taken this into account both when considering Board composition and 
when reviewing changes to the management team and discussing 
succession planning.

During the year, the performance management system was re-aligned 
with the new corporate strategy and culture pillars.

The workload, composition and support of the Board Committees 
will be reviewed to ensure a more even balance of workload and 
greater diversity on each Committee.

The composition of the Board Committees was reviewed in February, 
which led to additional members of the Compliance & Culture 
Committee and the Nomination & Governance Committee.

The Chair and Chief Executive Officer will agree shared priorities for 
Board site visits at the beginning of each year, so that individual and 
group site visits could be arranged within those agreed parameters 
rather than on an ad hoc basis.

The Board undertook a successful visit to two of our sites in Memphis, 
US. The visit focused on two key areas agreed between the Chair and 
the Chief Executive Officer; the implementation of our new culture 
pillars in the workplace; and the new technologies being developed 
and acquired.

The last externally facilitated Board Effectiveness Review was carried out in 2018 by Dr Tracy Long. The review in 2020 will 
again be facilitated internally and led by the Senior Independent Director and the Company Secretary. The 2021 review will be 
facilitated externally.

67

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Other information

Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

Board development
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 and stakeholders 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 effective investment and strategic 
decisions. Meeting our local managers 
also helps us when making succession 
planning decisions below Board level.

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 Chair 
regularly reviews the development needs 
of individual Directors and the Board as 
a whole. 

The Board visited two of our key sites in 
Memphis, Tennessee in June 2019 with 
a two-fold purpose. Firstly to listen to 
the employee voice at one of our largest 
manufacturing sites, meeting employees 
and hearing about recent improvements 
to their working environment and secondly 
to review the next generation of products 
currently being developed by engineers 
who were on hand to talk us through 
our programme of innovation.

68

Timetable 2019

June

September

October

November

Board Development 
The Board visited our Memphis 
facility, including a manufacturing 
site and a product development 
building. The Board met 
employees and saw first-hand 
the improvements made 
to employees’ facilities and  
welfare following the Chief 
Executive Officer’s first 
impressions in 2018.

Visit to Switzerland 
to meet a local 
hospital and 
understand 
our customers 
perspective better.

Presentations from 
the entire Executive 
team as part of 
the Board’s annual 
Strategy Review, 
covering the whole 
business.

Induction for new Directors
During 2019, the Directors continued 
to receive tailored induction programmes 
relevant to their skills and experiences and 
their roles on the Board. These induction 
programmes included:
 – One-to-one meetings with senior 

executives to understand the roles 
played by our senior employees and 
specifically how we do things at 
Smith+Nephew;

 – Visits to our sites local to the 

Director in UK, US and Switzerland 
to get a feel of how our research and 
manufacturing operations are run;
 – Opportunities to accompany our 
sales representatives in the US on 
the road to better understand the 
daily challenges they face; and

 – Meetings with our external advisers 
for example Slaughter and May, 
our Corporate lawyers, KPMG LLP, 
our Auditor and Deloitte LLP, our 
Remuneration Committee adviser 
to explain the legal and regulatory 
background to their role on our Board 
and how these issues are approached 
at Smith+Nephew.

Induction programme for new 
Chief Executive Officer 
 – On 1 November 2019, Roland Diggelmann 

became the Chief Executive Officer 
of Smith & Nephew plc. He had previously 
received a tailored induction when 
he became a Non-Executive Director 
on 1 March 2018. 

 – In the first few months of his tenure 
he has travelled extensively to many 
of our sites: Croxley and Hull in the 
UK, Baar in Switzerland, Pittsburgh, 
Fort Worth, Memphis and Andover in 
the US. Later in his induction he visited 
our Washington DC office and our 
2019 acquisition Osiris in Baltimore. 
In Asia, he visited Singapore, Shanghai, 
Beijing and Tokyo.

 – At these sites he met employees 

and visited the factory floor learning 
about our products and manufacturing 
facilities. He held town halls with local 
employees, where he welcomed and 
answered questions. He was recorded 
or photographed and information 
added to the Smith+Nephew intranet 
site for all our employees to enjoy. 
 – Roland was able to better understand 
the trajectory of where the culture 
of Smith+Nephew is moving from 
these visits, which can be used to 
galvanise this change. 

 – Roland is well known to the Executive 
Committee having already met  
many members in his previous role 
as Non-Executive Director. 

 – He is also known to many of our 
advisers, those he is yet to meet 
will be completed in 2020. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Nomination & Governance Committee report
Ensuring the Board evolves 
to align with the new 
Strategic Imperatives and 
with the developing external 
regulatory environments.

The Terms of Reference for the Nomination 
& Governance Committee describe the 
role and responsibilities of this Committee 
more fully and can be found on our website 
at www.smith-nephew.com.

Membership

Roberto Quarta (Chair)
Ian Barlow1
Erik Engstrom2
Robin Freestone2
Virginia Bottomley

Member  
from
April 2014
April 2014
April 2019
April 2019

Meetings  
attended
5/5
1/1
4/4
4/4

April 2014

5/5

1 

Ian Barlow retired from the Board and the Committee 
at the Annual General Meeting on 11 April 2019, 
having completed nine years’ service.

2  Erik Engstrom and Robin Freestone joined the 

Nomination & Governance Committee on 11 April 2019.

Non-Executive Directors
The Committee has reviewed the 
composition of the Board and its 
Committees to ensure that it evolves to 
align with the new Strategic Imperatives 
and with the developing external 
regulatory environment.

The Committee have identified the 
need for a Non-Executive Director with 
recent and relevant financial experience 
to chair the Audit Committee, replacing  
Robin Freestone, who will continue in 
his role as Senior Independent Director. 
We have also identified the need for a 
Non-Executive Director with international 
medical devices experience following the 
appointment of Roland Diggelmann as 
Chief Executive Officer. Russell Reynolds 
is advising the Committee on both these 
appointments. In both these appointments 
we shall be considering a diverse range 
of candidates.

During 2020, the Committee will continue 
to review the balance and composition 
of the Board and consider whether any 
additional appointments will be required. 

Diversity
We aim for our Board to have 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 
stronger and better equipped to consider 
matters from a broader perspective, 
understanding the views of our 
stakeholders as well as our shareholders 
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. 

In 2019, we held five meetings. In addition to 
members of the Committee, the Company 
Secretary, Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Human Resources Officer also attended 
all or some of the meetings.

Since the year end, we have also discussed 
the future structure of the Board and its 
committees and completed our year end 
governance processes.

Appointment of  
Chief Executive Officer
The appointment of Roland Diggelmann 
as our new Chief Executive Officer was 
one of the key activities of the Nomination 
& Governance Committee during the 
year. The Board and the executive team 
knew Roland well as he had been a Non-
Executive Director since March 2018 and 
had approved the new strategic direction 
of the Company. Roland had originally 
been considered as Chief Executive 
Officer in 2017, but at that stage was 
unable to take up the position and joined 
the Board in a Non-Executive capacity. 
When it was decided that Namal Nawana 
would be leaving the Company, by mutual 
agreement, to pursue opportunities outside 
the UK, the Nomination & Governance 
Committee then re-considered Roland for 
the role. We were advised on this process by 
Russell Reynolds who undertook a rigorous 
analysis in respect of his appointments as 
Chief Executive Officer. Russell Reynolds 
do not undertake any services for the 
Company other than assisting with 
Board appointments. 

“We aim for a balanced Board 

with a wide range of backgrounds, 
skill and experiences and a 
diversity of outlook.”
Roberto Quarta
Chair of the Nomination  
& Governance Committee

69

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Governance

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Other information

Composition, Succession and Evaluation continued

Nomination & Governance Committee report continued
We believe the Board’s composition gives us the necessary balance of diversity, skills, experience, independence and knowledge to 
ensure we continue to run the business effectively and deliver sustainable growth. In order to ensure that our Board remains diverse, 
we analyse the skills and experiences we require against the skills and experiences on our Board using the matrix above. We review 
this matrix regularly to ensure that it is refreshed to meet the changing needs of the Company.

CEO

Financial

International

Four members of 
the Board are either 
current or recent Chief 
Executive Officers.

Two members 
of the Board have 
recent and relevant 
financial experience.

Six members 
of the Board have 
international experience.

Healthcare/ 
Medical Devices

Five members of the 
Board have different levels 
of experience within the 
Healthcare industry.

Emerging market 

Two members of the 
Board have Emerging 
Market experience.

UK Governance 

Remuneration 

Gender

Ethnic

Other

Five members of the 
Board have considerable 
experience of working in 
a UK listed environment 
and three members of the 
Board have experience of 
the US listed environment.

Five members of the 
Board have Remuneration 
Committee experience 
within a UK listed context.

Six members of the 
Board are male and 
three are female.

Eight members of the 
Board are white and 
one of Asian ethnicity.

Various Board members 
bring experiences in a 
variety of fields including 
customer focus, investment 
markets, government 
affairs, sustainability 
and digital.

Diversity is not simply a matter of gender, 
ethnicity, social or other easily measurable 
characteristics. 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 understanding the 
business in which we operate and the needs 
of our stakeholders. 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, ethnicity, industry, 
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 should 
also provide a new way of looking at things.

During 2019, following the retirement 
of Ian Barlow and Michael Friedman and 
the resignation of Namal Nawana, 33.3% 
of our Board were female. Looking forward, 
we would intend to maintain this gender 
balance in-line with the Hampton-Alexander 
Review. Following the Annual General 
Meeting on 11 April 2019, 20% of our Board 
were of non-white ethnicity, although this 
has fallen to 11% following the resignation 
of Namal Nawana.

We will also look to increase ethnic 
diversity on the Board following the Parker 
Review as appropriate. We will continue 
to appoint our Directors on merit, valuing 
the unique contribution that they will 
bring to the Board, regardless of gender, 
ethnicity or any other diversity measure.

Succession planning
Since the appointment of Namal Nawana 
as Chief Executive Officer in May 2018, 
we have initiated substantial changes to 
our structure to move to a franchise-led 
model. Throughout the year, the Board 
and Nomination & Governance Committee 
have monitored the consequent changes 
to the organisational structure and 
approved changes to key leadership roles. 
Individual directors have acted as a sounding 
board for the executive team when 
considering succession plans in key areas. 
In November, the Board as a whole reviewed 
succession plans for Executives below Board 
level. These plans included consideration 
of diversity in the Executive pipeline. 
Pages 58–61 gives details of the members 
of the Executive Committee, 25% of whom 
are female, with one member of Asian 
ethnicity. The Committee will continue to 
monitor diversity in the Executive pipeline.

Governance
During the year, the Nomination & 
Governance Committee also addressed a 
number of governance matters. 

We received updates from the Company 
Secretary on new developments in 
corporate governance and reporting 
in the UK. 

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
Chair of the Nomination 
& Governance Committee

Looking forward
During 2020 our focus will include:

Monitoring the implementation of the 
revised Board and Committee structure 
to ensure that the Company continues 
to comply with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code.

Commence search for additional  
Non-Executive Director with international 
medical devices experience.

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Other information

Responsibilities of the Nomination & Governance Committee

Timetable 2019

Early February

July

September

October

November

Approved the 
re-appointment 
of Directors who 
had completed 
three or six years’ 
service and the 
annual appointment 
of Directors serving 
in excess of six years.
Reviewed and 
updated the 
Committee 
membership. 

Considered 
candidates 
for the role of  
Non-Executive 
Director with 
recent and relevant 
financial experience.

The Senior 
Independent 
Director provided 
an update to  
the Board on the  
progress of the 
appointment of 
a Non-Executive 
Director with  
recent and relevant  
financial experience.

Accepted the 
resignation of 
Namal Nawana 
with effect from 
31 October 2019 
and approved the 
appointment of 
Roland Diggelmann 
with effect from 
1 November 2019.

The Senior Independent 
Director provided 
a further update on 
the progress of the 
appointment of  
a Non-Executive 
Director with recent 
and relevant financial 
experience.

Reviewed and 
approved the 
Schedule of Matters 
Reserved to the 
Board and the Terms 
of Reference of the 
Board Committees.

Agreed the 
commencement  
of the Board 
effectiveness  
review.

Received an  
update on the 
progress of  
the Board 
effectiveness  
review. 

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.

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Other information

Audit, Risk and Control

Audit Committee report
2019 was another busy 
year for the Audit Committee, 
which met eight times during 
the year.

Membership

Member  
from

Meetings  
attended

Robin Freestone  
(Chair)1
Ian Barlow1,2
Roland  
Diggelmann3
Erik Engstrom

Marc Owen

September 2015
May 2010

March 2018
January 2015

October 2017

8/8
2/3

6/6
8/8

8/8

1  Designated financial experts under the SEC Regulations 
or recent and relevant financial experience under the UK 
Corporate Governance Code.
Ian Barlow retired from the Board and the Committee 
at the Annual General Meeting on 11 April 2019, having 
completed nine years’ service. He missed one Audit 
Committee meeting on 20 February 2019 due to a funeral. 

2 

3.  Roland Diggelmann resigned as Non-Executive Director 

and became Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2019. 
He resigned from the Committee on 21 October 2019. 

“…the Committee has  

met its commitments  
to provide assurance  
in respect of various  
non-routine matters.”
Robin Freestone
Chair of the Audit Committee

72

In addition to discharging its role in 
accordance with its Terms of Reference, 
the Committee has met its commitments 
to provide assurance in respect of various 
non-routine matters. Areas of scrutiny 
for the Committee in 2019 have included: 
 – Reviewing the new franchise-based 
organisational structure which came 
into effect from January 2019 and has 
appeared to work well so far. The impact 
of that was to move to reportable 
segments for our three main franchises: 
Orthopaedics, Sports Medical & ENT 
and Advanced Wound Management 
to provide our investors and other 
stakeholders additional information. 
This franchise-based structure will 
continue under Roland’s leadership. 
The Committee has continued to monitor 
this move and review the updated 
reporting provided to the Committee 
and of course the half-year results.
 – Reviewed accounting matters and 
judgements relating to various 
acquisitions during the year.

 – Continued vigilance over our IT control 

environment and cybersecurity. 

 – Monitoring the Principal Risks 

identified in the 2018 Annual Report 
and approving two additional risks 
identified by management for 2019: 
Supply and Financial. 

In 2019 the Committee oversaw the 
implementation of the new IFRS 16 Leases 
standard. A detailed analysis of the impact 
of this new standard including due diligence 
to ensure all leases were captured resulted 
in the initial recognition of right-of-use 
assets and lease liabilities of $164 million 
on the balance sheet on 1 January 2019. 

The Committee has received regular updates 
from the Company Secretary regarding 
the 2018 Corporate Governance Code 
even though there have been few changes 
affecting the Audit Committee. In 2020 
we will consider the impact of the Brydon 
Review, which was published at the end 
of 2019. 

KPMG have now completed their fifth 
year’s audit and continued to provide 
robust challenge to both management 
and the Committee. 

The Committee challenged management 
on matters such as field-based assets in 
the Orthopaedics franchise, intangible 
assets, segmental reporting and 
accounts receivable, which KPMG 
also challenged. KPMG also provided 
challenge on cybersecurity matters, 
which like many companies, received 
increased vigilance during 2018 and 
2019. Management provided additional 
updates to ensure the Committee 
was appropriately satisfied. 

We have negotiated fees that will continue 
to be reviewed for good market practice. 
We have also agreed arrangements 
for rotation of the senior partner in 
accordance with recommendations set 
out in the Financial Reporting Council’s 
(‘FRC’) Guidance for Audit Committees 
2016 and as required by the Securities 
Exchange Commission (‘SEC’). 

Finally, we were pleased to see the improved 
results from the Financial Reporting Council 
following its review of KPMG’s audit of FTSE 
companies financial statements for 2018. 
This gave the Committee further comfort 
on KPMG’s audit quality.

Our focus for 2020 will include:

 Group’s restructuring programmes.

  Risk management process – aligned to the 
new strategy and organisational structure.

Monitor the two new principal risks set out 
in our risk report: Supply and Finance.

Ensuring that we review and consider all 
UK governance changes – such as the 
Brydon Review.

Robin Freestone
Chair of the Audit Committee

The Terms of Reference of the Audit Committee describe 
the role and responsibilities more fully and can be found 
on our website at www.smith-nephew.com

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Significant matters related  
to the financial statements
We considered the following key areas of 
judgement in relation to the 2019 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 Orthopaedics franchise 
(whose inventory makes up approximately 
60% of the Group total 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 estimation of customer 
demand, effectiveness of inventory 
deployment, length of product lives, 
phase-out of old products and efficiency 
of manufacturing planning systems.

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 
16% at 31 December 2019 (18% as at 
31 December 2018). 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 of the loss can 
be reasonably estimated. In making its 
estimates, management takes into account 
the advice of internal and external legal 

73

counsel and uses third party actuarial 
modelling where appropriate. 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 
bring to light new facts.

Our action
As members of the Board, we receive 
regular updates from the Chief Legal and 
Compliance Officer. These updates form 
the basis for the level of provisioning. 
The Group carries a provision relating to 
potential liabilities arising on its portfolio 
of metal-on-metal hip products of 
$315 million as of 31 December 2019. 
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 
claim. The provisions for legal matters 
have increased by $138 million during the 
year, primarily due to an increase in the 
metal-on-metal provision and provisions 
recognised on acquisitions. There have 
been some smaller movements from 
other cases having been resolved. We have 
determined that the proposed levels of 
provisioning at year end of $355 million 
included within ‘provisions’ in Note 17.1 
in 2019 ($217 million in 2018) were 
appropriate in the circumstances.

Impairment
In carrying out impairment reviews of 
acquisition 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 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 
acquisition intangible assets – particularly 
the forecast future cash flows and discount 
rates used to make these calculations. 
We concluded that the carrying value 
of these assets is appropriately supported 

by the cash flow projections. We have 
also considered the disclosure surrounding 
these reviews, and concluded that the 
review and disclosure were appropriate.

Taxation
The Group operates in numerous tax 
jurisdictions around the world and is 
subject to factors that may affect future 
tax charges. At any given time the Group 
has unagreed years outstanding in various 
countries and is involved in tax audits and 
disputes, some of which may take several 
years to resolve. Management considers 
the specific circumstances of each tax 
position and takes external advice, where 
appropriate, to assess the range of potential 
outcomes and estimate additional tax 
that may be due. The ultimate liability 
may differ from the amount provided 
depending on interpretations of tax 
law or settlement negotiations.

Our action
We annually review policies and approve 
the principles for management of tax 
risks. We review quarterly reports from 
management evaluating existing tax profile, 
tax risks and tax provisions. Based on a 
thorough report from management of tax 
liabilities and our challenge of the basis of 
any tax provisions recorded, we concluded 
that the levels of provisions and disclosures 
were appropriate.

Business combinations
The Group initially recognises the fair 
value of identifiable assets acquired, the 
liabilities assumed and the consideration 
transferred in a business combination. 
Management is required to estimate 
the fair value of acquired intangible 
assets which involves, but is not limited 
to, forecasting revenue growth rates and 
determining the appropriate royalty rate.

Our action
The Group completed five business 
combinations in 2019, the most significant 
of which was Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. for 
$660 million. We reviewed management’s 
provisional fair value of consideration 
transferred, assets acquired and liabilities 
assumed and challenged the values 
of assets and liabilities that have been 
recognised. We also considered the useful 
economic lives of intangible assets acquired 
and whether they are appropriate. We also 
reviewed the disclosure of business 
combinations in Note 21 and considered 
them reasonable. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Audit, Risk and Control continued

Audit Committee report continued
Regular private meetings have taken 
place between the Audit Committee 
and the external auditor (KPMG) and the 
Audit Committee and the Group Head 
of Internal Audit. 

knowledge and belief, there is no relevant 
audit information of which the Auditor, 
KPMG, is 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.

Non-Audit Fees Paid to the auditor
Non-audit fees are subject to approval 
in-line with the Auditor Independence 
Policy which is reviewed annually and 
forms part of the Terms of Reference 
of the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee recognises the 
importance of the independence of the 
external auditor and ensures that the 
Auditor’s independence should not be 
breached. The Audit Committee ensures 
that the Auditor does not receive a fee 
from the Company or its subsidiaries 
that would be deemed large enough to 
impact its independence or be deemed 
a contingent fee. The total fees for 
permitted non-audit services shall be 
no more than 70% of the average of the 
fees paid in the last three consecutive 
financial years for the statutory audits 
of the Company and its subsidiaries.

Any pre-approved aggregate, individual 
amounts up to $25,000 may be authorised 
by the Group Treasurer and Senior  
Vice-President Group Finance respectively 
and amounts up to $50,000 by the Chief 
Financial Officer. Any individual amount 
over $50,000 must be pre-approved by 
the Chairman of the Audit Committee. 
If unforeseen additional permitted services 
are required, or any which exceed the 
amounts approved, again pre-approval 
by the Chairman of the Audit Committee 
is required.

The following reflects the non-audit 
fees incurred with KPMG in 2019, 
which were approved by the Chair of the 
Audit Committee:

Audit related services

2019  
$ million
0.3

2018  
$ million
–

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. Stephen Oxley has been in tenure 
for five years as our Audit Partner. It was 
therefore agreed that Kamran Zulfikar 
Walji would become the Company’s 
Audit Partner with effect from 1 January 
2019. The Audit Committee confirms it 
has complied with the provision of the 
Competition and Markets Authority Order.

Effectiveness of external auditor
We conducted a review into the 
effectiveness of the external audit as part 
of the 2019 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 Board in the UK and determined 
that we were satisfied with the audit 
quality provided by KPMG. 

The Audit Committee regularly receives 
feedback from KPMG, including at each 
meeting where management present 
their summary of critical accounting 
estimates as at each quarter end.

Overall therefore, we concluded that 
KPMG had carried out their audit for 
2019 effectively.

The Audit Committee continues to 
review not only the effectiveness of 
the external auditor, KPMG, but also 
its market competitiveness.

Appointment of external auditor  
at Annual General Meeting 
Resolutions will be put to the Annual 
General Meeting to be held on 9 April 2020 
proposing the re-appointment of KPMG 
as the Company’s auditor and authorising 
the Board to determine its remuneration, 
on the recommendation of the Audit 
Committee in accordance with the 
Competition and Markets Authority  
(CMA) Order 2014.

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 

Other matters related  
to the financial statements
As well as the identified significant matters, 
other matters that the Audit Committee 
considered during 2019 were:

Post Retirement Benefits
The Group has post retirement defined 
benefit pension schemes, which require 
estimation in setting the assumptions. 
We received a report from management 
setting out their proposed assumptions 
for the UK and US schemes and concurred 
with management that these assumptions 
were appropriate.

Since the year end
Since the year end we have also reviewed 
the results for the full year 2019, Annual 
Report and Accounts for 2019, and have 
concluded that they are fair, balanced 
and understandable. 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 16–17, 
risks and the key performance indicators 
and their link to the strategy.

External auditor
Independence of external auditor
Following a competitive tender in 2014, 
KPMG was appointed external auditor 
of the Company in 2015. We are satisfied 
that KPMG 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 also 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.

74

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Throughout the year, the Audit Committee 
maintained oversight of this programme. 
We reviewed the principal risks identified 
and the heat maps prepared by 
management showing how these risks 
were being managed. We considered the 
two new principal risks and those risks 
where the risk profile was changing. 

Since the year end, we have reviewed 
a report from the Group Head of Internal 
Audit into the effectiveness of the Risk 
Management Programme throughout 
the year. We considered the principal 
risks, the actions taken by management 
to review those risks and the Board risk 
appetite in respect of each risk.

We concluded that the Risk Management 
process during 2019 and up to the date 
of approval of this Annual Report was 
effective. Work will continue in 2020 
and beyond to continue to enhance 
the process.

See pages 40–49 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 50–51.

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

A periodic review of the Internal Audit 
function is undertaken by an independent 
external consultant, in accordance with 
the guidelines of the Institute of Internal 
Auditors. Finally, the performance of the 
function is assessed using a structured 
questionnaire, allowing Non Executive and 
Executive and senior management, plus 
the external auditor, to comment on key 
aspects of the function’s performance. 
The Audit Committee, which re-approved 
the function’s charter in November 2019, 
has satisfied itself that adequate, objective 
internal audit standards and procedures 
exist within the Group and that the Internal 
Audit function is effective.

Risk management programme
Whilst the Board is responsible for 
ensuring oversight of strategic risks 
relating to the Company, determining 
an appropriate level of risk appetite, 
and monitoring risks through a range of 
Board and Board Committee processes, 
the Audit Committee is responsible for 
ensuring oversight of the processes by 
which operational risks, relating to the 
Company and its operations are managed 
and for reviewing financial risks and the 
operating effectiveness of the Group’s 
Risk Management process.

During the year, we reviewed our Risk 
Management processes and progress 
was discussed at our meetings in February, 
July and November. We approved the Risk 
Management Programme for 2019 and 
monitored performance against that plan 
specifically reviewing the work undertaken 
by the risk champions across the Group, 
identifying the risks which could impact 
their areas of our business.

The Risk Management programme in 2019 
followed the updated risk management 
policy and manual rolled out across 
the Company in 2019. This programme 
combines a ‘bottom-up’ approach  
(whereby risks are identified within business  
areas by local risk champions working  
with their leadership teams), with a  
top-down approach (when the Executive 
Committee meets as the Risk Committee 
to consider the risks facing the Group at 
an enterprise level). 

The ratio of non-audit fees to audit fees 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
is 0.04. The ratio of non-audit fees to audit 
fees for the year ended 31 December 2018 
was 0.00.

Full details are shown in Note 3.2 of the 
Notes to the Group accounts.

Audit Fees paid to the auditor
Fees for professional services provided 
by KPMG, the Group’s independent auditor 
in each of the last two fiscal years, in each 
of the following categories were:

Audit fees
Audit related fees
Total

2019  
$ million
6.5
0.3
6.8

2018  
$ million
6.0
–
6.0

Internal audit
The Internal Audit team, which reports 
functionally to the Audit Committee, 
carries out risk-based reviews across 
the Group. These reviews examine 
the management of risks and controls 
over financial, operational, IT and 
transformation programme activities.

The audit team, led by the Group Head 
of Internal Audit, consists of appropriately 
qualified and experienced employees. 
Third parties may be engaged to support 
audit work as appropriate.

The Group Head of Internal Audit has direct 
access to, and has regular meetings with, 
the Audit Committee Chair and prepares 
formal reports for Audit Committee 
meetings on the activities and key findings 
of the function, together with the status 
of management’s implementation of 
recommendations. The Audit Committee 
has unrestricted access to all internal audit 
reports, should it wish to review them.

During the year, the team completed 
40 risk-based audits and reviews across 
the Group. These included Financial and 
Operational Market-based reviews covering 
the EMEA, APAC, US and LATAM Regions; 
Global Operations, including supply chain, 
IT and various programme assurance 
reviews ranging from SAP security, 
Brexit readiness, GDPR compliance, and 
further work on EU MDR preparedness. 
Key issues noted during reviews included 
the need for systems user access rights 
to be automated. Management has 
taken swift action to implement Internal 
Audit’s recommendations. 

75

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Audit, Risk and Control continued

Responsibilities of the Audit Committee

Timetable 2019

Financial accounting and 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.

 – Monitoring announcements relating to the Group’s financial performance.

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.

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 reporting any issues arising out of such reviews to the Board.

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

the Viability Statement and recommending its adoption to the Board.

 – Reviewing the impact of risk management and internal controls and working 

closely with the Compliance & Culture Committee.

 – Overseeing risk management processes (see pages 40–41 for further details).
 – Regularly reviewing the risk register.

Internal controls

Early February

Late February

2018 Preliminary Results

2018 Financial Statements and  
Notice of Annual General Meeting

Reviewed Q4 2018 reporting 
matters and accounting.
Noted draft 2018 results and 
Preliminary announcement. 
Report from KPMG on 
2018 results, audit and 
Sarbanes-Oxley (SoX).
Reviewed draft 2018 Annual 
Report including report 
of the Audit Committee.
Assessed compliance with 
UK and US governance 
requirements.

Reviewed Year end Report.

Approved the Annual Report 
and Accounts for 2018 including 
report of the Audit Committee 
– confirming fair, balanced 
and understandable.
Report from KPMG on 2018 
statements – Unqualified Opinion.
Approved letter of 
representation for 2018.
Confirmed Going Concern 
and Viability Statement.

Reviewed effectiveness  
of Internal Audit including 
the collation of senior  
stakeholder’s views.

Risk Management Update
Review of principal risks 
through endorsement 
of Viability Statement.

Confirmed effective system 
of risk management in place.

April

Annual General Meeting

May

Q1 2019

July

H1 2019

September

October

November

Q3 2019

Strategic Planning

Debrief of 2018 annual 

report process and reviewed 

plan and timetable for 2019.

Reviewed summary 

of company audits.

Approved Senior Finance 

Officers Code of Ethics.

Approved the Company’s 

policy and report on Conflict 

Minerals for submission  

to NYSE.

Reviewed and 

endorsed 2019 

Q1 Trading Report 

and announcement.

Noted KPMG’s update.

Reviewed and 

endorsed H1 results 

and announcement 

including review of 

areas of judgement.

Report from 

KPMG on H1 results.

Approved letter 

of representation 

for H1 2019.

Reviewed progress.

Reviewed progress.

Reviewed progress.

Reviewed 

and endorsed 

Q3 Trading 

Report and 

announcement.

Reviewed accounting 

matters for 2019.

Considered and approved 

critical accounting 

policies and judgements 

Report from KPMG.

in advance of 2019 

Corporate 

governance 

update.

year end.

Reviewed 2019 

Annual Report design 

and delivery plans.

Reviewed KPMG’s Audit 

and Controls update.

Reviewed progress 

and approved 2020 

Charter and 2020 

flexed Audit Plan.

Received Risk 

management  

update.

Risk management 

Enterprise Risk 

update.

Management  

update.

 – Monitoring the effectiveness of internal controls and compliance with 

the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 
specifically sections 302 and 404.

 – Reviewing the operation of the Group’s risk mitigation processes and the 

Considered SoX and 
MAPs Update.

Reviewed effectiveness 
of Internal Controls over 
financial reporting and SoX.
Reviewed S302 and S906 
certifications.

Considered Sarbanes-Oxley 

(SoX) and MAPs Planning for 2019.

Considered 

Sarbanes-Oxley 

(SoX) and MAPs 

progress.

Considered  

Sarbanes-Oxley  

(SoX) and MAPs  

progress.

control environment over financial risk.

Fraud & whistle-blowing

 – Receiving reports on the processes in place to prevent fraud and to enable 

whistle-blowing.

 – If significant, receive and review reports of potential fraud or whistle-blowing 

incidents. Reviewed Internal Audit Report on Fraud.

External auditor

 – 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  

re-appointment of the external auditor.

 – Monitoring and approving the external auditor’s fees.

Other matters

76

Confirmed independence 
of KPMG.

Reviewed effectiveness and 
independence and concluded 
their effectiveness.

Noted External Audit Plan.

Approved external auditor fees 

for 2018.

Approved Terms of Reference.

Reviewed Project reports 
including APEX.
Reviewed Brexit updates.
Noted consulting fees for 2018.

Treasury and pensions update.

Cybersecurity update.

Project reports including NAPO 

and APEX updates.

Cybersecurity update.

APEX Update.

Approved Engagement 

Approved 

KPMG 2019  

Fee Schedule.

letter for 2019.

FRC Audit  

Quality Report.

KPMG update on 

US audit.

Cybersecurity update.

Approved Board 

expenses policy.

Update on 

tax matters.

Update on 

Cybersecurity.

Project reports 

including APEX.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019 – Reviewing significant financial reporting judgements and accounting policies 

Reviewed Q4 2018 reporting 

Approved the Annual Report 

Early February

Late February

2018 Preliminary Results

2018 Financial Statements and  

Notice of Annual General Meeting

matters and accounting.

Noted draft 2018 results and 

Preliminary announcement. 

Report from KPMG on 

2018 results, audit and 

Sarbanes-Oxley (SoX).

Reviewed draft 2018 Annual 

Report including report 

of the Audit Committee.

Assessed compliance with 

UK and US governance 

requirements.

and Accounts for 2018 including 

report of the Audit Committee 

– confirming fair, balanced 

and understandable.

Report from KPMG on 2018 

statements – Unqualified Opinion.

Approved letter of 

representation for 2018.

Confirmed Going Concern 

and Viability Statement.

Reviewed effectiveness  

of Internal Audit including 

the collation of senior  

stakeholder’s views.

Confirmed effective system 

of risk management in place.

Reviewed effectiveness 

of Internal Controls over 

financial reporting and SoX.

Reviewed S302 and S906 

certifications.

Timetable 2019

Financial accounting and reporting

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.

 – Monitoring announcements relating to the Group’s financial performance.

Internal audit

 – 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.

Risk management

which risks are managed, through regular functional reports and presentations 

and reporting any issues arising out of such reviews to the Board.

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

the Viability Statement and recommending its adoption to the Board.

 – Reviewing the impact of risk management and internal controls and working 

closely with the Compliance & Culture Committee.

 – Overseeing risk management processes (see pages 40–41 for further details).

 – Regularly reviewing the risk register.

Internal controls

 – Reviewing the operation of the Group’s risk mitigation processes and the 

specifically sections 302 and 404.

control environment over financial risk.

Fraud & whistle-blowing

 – Receiving reports on the processes in place to prevent fraud and to enable 

 – If significant, receive and review reports of potential fraud or whistle-blowing 

incidents. Reviewed Internal Audit Report on Fraud.

whistle-blowing.

External auditor

 – 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  

re-appointment of the external auditor.

 – Monitoring and approving the external auditor’s fees.

Other matters

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

April

Annual General Meeting

May

Q1 2019

July

H1 2019

September

October

November

Q3 2019

Strategic Planning

 – Agreeing Internal Audit plans and reviewing reports of Internal Audit work.

Reviewed Year end Report.

Reviewed progress.

Reviewed progress.

Reviewed progress.

Debrief of 2018 annual 
report process and reviewed 
plan and timetable for 2019.
Reviewed summary 
of company audits.
Approved Senior Finance 
Officers Code of Ethics.
Approved the Company’s 
policy and report on Conflict 
Minerals for submission  
to NYSE.

Reviewed and 
endorsed 2019 
Q1 Trading Report 
and announcement.
Noted KPMG’s update.

Reviewed and 
endorsed H1 results 
and announcement 
including review of 
areas of judgement.
Report from 
KPMG on H1 results.
Approved letter 
of representation 
for H1 2019.

Reviewed 
and endorsed 
Q3 Trading 
Report and 
announcement.
Report from KPMG.
Corporate 
governance 
update.

Reviewed accounting 
matters for 2019.
Considered and approved 
critical accounting 
policies and judgements 
in advance of 2019 
year end.
Reviewed 2019 
Annual Report design 
and delivery plans.
Reviewed KPMG’s Audit 
and Controls update.

Reviewed progress 
and approved 2020 
Charter and 2020 
flexed Audit Plan.

 – On behalf of the Board, reviewing and ensuring oversight of the processes by 

Risk Management Update

Review of principal risks 

through endorsement 

of Viability Statement.

Received Risk 
management  
update.

Risk management 
update.

Enterprise Risk 
Management  
update.

 – Monitoring the effectiveness of internal controls and compliance with 

the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, 

Considered SoX and 

MAPs Update.

Considered Sarbanes-Oxley 
(SoX) and MAPs Planning for 2019.

Considered 
Sarbanes-Oxley 
(SoX) and MAPs 
progress.

Considered  
Sarbanes-Oxley  
(SoX) and MAPs  
progress.

Confirmed independence 

of KPMG.

Reviewed effectiveness and 

independence and concluded 

their effectiveness.

Noted External Audit Plan.
Approved external auditor fees 
for 2018.

Approved Terms of Reference.

Reviewed Project reports 

including APEX.

Reviewed Brexit updates.

Noted consulting fees for 2018.

Treasury and pensions update.
Cybersecurity update.
Project reports including NAPO 
and APEX updates.

Approved Engagement 
letter for 2019.
FRC Audit  
Quality Report.
KPMG update on 
US audit.

Cybersecurity update.
Approved Board 
expenses policy.

Approved 
KPMG 2019  
Fee Schedule.

Update on 
tax matters.
Update on 
Cybersecurity.
Project reports 
including APEX.

Cybersecurity update.
APEX Update.

77

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Audit, Risk and Control continued

Responsibilities of the Audit Committee continued
 – The Group’s IT organisation is responsible 
Going concern
The Group’s business activities, together 
with the factors likely to affect its future 
development, performance and position 
are set out in the financial review and 
principal risks on pages 36–48.

for the establishment of effective 
IT controls within the core financial 
systems and underlying IT infrastructure. 

 – The Financial Controls & Compliance 

Group has responsibility for the 
review of the effectiveness of controls 
operating in the countries, functions 
and IT organisation, either by performing 
testing directly or reviewing testing 
performed in-country.

 – The Group Finance Manual sets out 

financial and accounting policies, and is 
updated regularly. The Group’s Minimum 
Acceptable Practices (‘MAPs’) continued 
to be developed in 2019 including 
adding controls for leasing following the 
implementation of IFRS 16 and further 
alignment with our key Sarbanes-Oxley 
controls. The business is required to  
self-assess their level of compliance 
with the MAPs on a regular basis and 
remediate any gaps. 

 – MAPs compliance is validated through 

spot-checks conducted by the Financial 
Controls & Compliance Group and 
during both Internal Audit and external 
audit visits. Development of a technology 
solution to facilitate the real time 
monitoring of the operation and testing 
of controls has been undertaken in 2019, 
with a view to implementation in 2020. 

 – There are clearly defined lines of 
accountability and delegations 
of authority.

 – The Internal Audit function executes 
a risk-based annual work plan, as 
approved by 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 
SVP Group Finance and the heads of 
the Financial Controls & Compliance, 
Taxation and Treasury functions.

 – The Audit Committee reviews regular 
reports from the Financial Controls 
& Compliance Group with regard to 
compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley 
Act including the scope and results of 
management’s testing and progress 
regarding any remediation, as well  
as the aggregated results of MAPs  
self-assessments performed by 
the business.

The financial position of the Group, its cash 
flows, liquidity position and borrowing 
facilities are described on page 38–39.

In addition, the Notes to the Group 
accounts include the Group’s objectives, 
policies and processes for managing its 
capital; its financial risk management 
objectives; details of its financial 
instruments and hedging activities; and its 
exposure to credit risk and liquidity risk.

The Group has considerable financial 
resources and its customers and 
suppliers are diversified across different 
geographic areas. As a consequence, 
the Directors believe that the Group is 
well placed to manage its business risk 
successfully despite the ongoing uncertain 
economic outlook.

The Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Group has adequate 
resources to continue in operational 
existence for the foreseeable future. 
Thus they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis for accounting in preparing 
the annual financial statements.

Management also believes that the 
Group has sufficient working capital for 
its present requirements.

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 
country business units. The main elements 
of the internal control framework are:
 – The management of each country 
and group function is responsible 
for the establishment, maintenance 
and review of effective financial controls 
within their business unit or function.

78

 – Following acquisition in April 2019, 

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (‘Osiris’) has 
been excluded from the scope of our 
assessment of internal controls as 
at 31 December 2019 as permitted 
by guidance provided by the staff 
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange 
Commission in the year of acquisition. 
Osiris represented 2% of the Group’s 
Revenue in 2019 and less than 1% of the 
Group’s Total Assets.

 – Business continuity planning, including 

preventative and contingency measures, 
back-up capabilities and the purchase 
of insurance.

 – Risk management policies and 

procedures including segregation 
of duties, transaction authorisation, 
monitoring, financial and managerial 
review and comprehensive reporting 
and analysis against approved 
standards and budgets.

 – A treasury operating framework and 

Group treasury team, accountable for 
all treasury activities, which establishes 
policies and manages liquidity and 
financial risks, including foreign exchange, 
interest rate and counterparty exposures. 
Treasury policies, risk limits and monitoring 
procedures are reviewed regularly by 
the Audit Committee, or the Finance 
& Banking Committee, on behalf 
of the Board.

 – Our published Group tax strategy 

which details our approach to tax risk 
management and governance, tax 
compliance, tax planning, the level 
of tax risk we are prepared to accept 
and how we deal with tax authorities, 
which is reviewed by the Audit 
Committee on behalf of the Board.
 – The Audit Committee reviews the 
Group whistle-blower procedures 
to ensure they are effective. 
 – The Audit Committee continued 

to receive and review reports on the 
progress of the Finance Transformation 
element of the APEX programme 
during 2019 and the mitigation of the 
associated risks.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

by the Group. The Board has delegated 
responsibility for this review to the 
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee, 
through its Internal Audit function, 
reviews the adequacy and effectiveness 
of internal control procedures and identifies 
any significant weaknesses and ensures 
these are remediated within agreed 
timelines. The latest review covered the 
financial year to 31 December 2019 and 
included the period up to the approval 
of this Annual Report. The main elements 
of this review are as follows:
 – The Chief Executive Officer and the 
Chief Financial Officer evaluated the 
effectiveness of the design and operation 
of the Group’s disclosure controls and 
procedures as at 31 December 2019.

 – 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 2019 in accordance 
with the requirements in the US under 
section 404 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 
(2013). Based on their assessment, 
management concluded and reported 
that, as at 31 December 2019, the 
Group’s internal control over financial 
reporting was effective based on those 
criteria. Having received the report from 
management, the Audit Committee 
reports to the Board on the effectiveness 
of controls. KPMG, an independent 
registered public accounting firm, issued 
an audit report on the Group’s internal 
control over financial reporting as at 
31 December 2019.

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 SVP 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 substantive amendments to the Code 
during 2019 or up until 20 February 2020. 
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 composition, 
performance and effectiveness 
of the audit committee
The composition, performance and 
effectiveness of the Audit Committee was 
evaluated this year in accordance with the 
EU Audit Reform. Its effectiveness is also 
reviewed in conjunction with the annual 
Board evaluation, conducted internally 
by the Senior Independent Director. 

The review by the Audit Committee found 
the following and the below action will be 
taken during 2020:

Composition

Performance & 
Effectiveness

An additional member 
of the Committee with 
recent and relevant 
financial experience 
will be appointed.
The Audit Committee 
is well chaired, with a 
clear role, an efficient 
use of time and high 
quality information.

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 processes of 
internal controls.

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 2019  
and up to the date of approval of this Annual 
Report. No concerns were raised with 
us in 2019 regarding possible improprieties 
in matters of financial reporting.

This process complies with the Financial 
Reporting Council’s ‘Guidance on Risk 
Management, Internal Control and 
Related Financial and Business Reporting’ 
on the UK Corporate Governance Code  
and additionally contributes to our 
compliance with the obligations under 
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other internal 
assurance activities. 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.

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 

79

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019from April 2019 our Human Resources 
function provided the Committee 
with further information on our culture, 
which we will use next year to take our 
programme forward. The Sustainability 
Strategy and framework, which now 
focuses on the key areas of People, 
Planet and Products. Sustainability is 
now the responsibility of Mark Gladwell, 
President of Operations and Global 
Business Services. 

Oversight of quality  
& regulatory matters 
Product safety is at the heart of our 
business. 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. During the 
year, we received summary reports and 
provided oversight regarding the general 
quality and regulatory activities of our 
business. At each meeting, we received 
a report on quality and regulatory matters 
from the Chief Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs Officer. 

We reviewed the results of external 
regulatory inspections and audits 
conducted by the FDA and other 
regulatory agencies. We also reviewed 
results of internal quality audits and 
metrics associated with critical quality 
processes. We monitored the work being 
undertaken to prepare our manufacturing 
and design sites for future inspections, 
including those associated with the EU 
Medical Device Regulation. During the 
year we also reviewed progress in areas 
of focus such as vigilance reporting, 
acquisition integrations and supplier 
quality management.

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Audit, Risk and Control continued

Compliance & Culture Committee report
Oversight of culture in 
addition to our focus on 
compliance and quality.

Membership

Marc Owen (Chair)
Michael Friedman1
Vinita Bali
Ian Barlow2
Virginia Bottomley3
Roland Diggelmann4

Member  
from
March 2018
August 2014
April 2015
October 2014
April 2019
April 2019

Meetings  
attended
4/4
2/2
4/4
2/2
3/3
2/2

1  Michael Friedman retired from the Board and the 
Committee at the Annual General Meeting on 
11 April 2019.
Ian Barlow retired from the Board and the Committee 
at the Annual General Meeting on 11 April 2019, 
having completed nine years’ service. 

2 

3  Virginia Bottomley joined the Compliance & Culture 

Committee on 11 April 2019. 

4  Roland Diggelmann joined the Committee on  

11 April 2019. He resigned as a Non-Executive Director 
and became Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2019.

80

In 2019, we held four physical meetings. 
Each meeting was attended by all 
members of the Committee. The Company 
Secretary, the Chief Legal & Compliance 
Officer and the Chief Quality & Regulatory 
Affairs Officer, Chief HR Officer and Deputy 
Company Secretary also attended all or 
part of the meetings by invitation. 

During 2019, the Terms of Reference and 
name of the Committee changed from 
the Ethics & Compliance to Compliance & 
Culture Committee. The Terms of Reference 
of the Compliance & Culture Committee 
describe the role and responsibilities more 
fully and can be found on our website at 
www.smith-nephew.com. 

This decision was taken by the Board 
in 2018 as we felt that a Committee 
dedicated to compliance, culture, 
sustainability and our stakeholders and 
comprising Non-Executive Directors for 
the US, Europe and Asia would be able 
to focus more effectively on listening 
to the views of our employees and our 
stakeholders globally than some of the 
other alternatives under the 2018 Code. 

At each meeting we continued to note 
and considered the activities of compliance 
and enforcement agencies (an important 
stakeholder of Smith+Nephew) and 
investigation of possible improprieties. 
At every meeting a report on the Quality 
and Regulatory Affairs (Q/RA) function 
was provided along with updates of 
product complaint trends. We also 
reviewed a report on the activities of the 
Group’s Ethics & Compliance Committee 
and reviewed the progress of the Global 
Compliance Programme, including the 
roll-out of the new Code of Conduct 
and Business Principles. In addition, 

“ Broadening our scope 
to oversee culture in 
addition to our focus on 
compliance and quality.”
Marc Owen
Chair of the Compliance  
& Culture Committee

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Oversight of ethics & compliance
The sustainability of our business 
depends on ‘Doing the right thing’. 
During the year, we oversaw the ethics 
and compliance activities of our business. 
At each meeting we received a report 
on ethics and compliance matters from 
the Chief Legal & Compliance Officer.

We regularly review our compliance 
programme as it relates to healthcare 
professionals and third party sellers 
(such as distributors and sales agents), 
particularly in higher risk markets. 
For healthcare professionals, this includes 
policies, training and certification for 
employees and sales agents, as well as 
approval of consulting services and grants 
and fellowships. For distributors and other 
high risk third parties, our programme 
includes screening, contracts with 
compliance terms, compliance training 
and certification for employees and sales 
agents, as well as approval of consulting 
services and grants and fellowships. 

We ensure that comprehensive due diligence 
is carried out prior to an acquisition and 
we ensure that following acquisitions new 
businesses are integrated rapidly into the 
Smith+Nephew compliance programme.

We oversee the employee compliance 
training programme, ensuring that all 
new employees are trained on our Code 
of Conduct and Business Principles, which 
sets out our basic legal and ethical principles 
for conducting business. During the year, 
we reviewed and approved updates to our 
Code of Conduct, including integration of 
our culture pillars of Care, Collaboration 
and Courage into the Code. 

We are updated on significant calls made 
to our whistle-blower line, which enables 
employees and members of the public 
to contact us anonymously through an 
independent provider (where allowed by 
local law) and are updated on allegations 
of potentially significant improprieties 
and the Company’s response. 

Oversight of culture 
During 2019, the Company established 
its core purpose of Life Unlimited, and 
with this, supporting culture pillars of Care, 
Collaboration and Courage. Together with 
our new strategic imperatives, these have 
created greater alignment across our 
business and stronger understanding by 
employees of their role in supporting our 
collective success.

During the Board visit to our sites in 
Memphis in June 2019, members of the 
Compliance & Culture Committee met 
a wide range of employees who worked 
in one of our largest manufacturing 
operations. Some of these employees had 
worked for the Company for over 30 years, 
whilst others had only joined us in the past 
few months. Meeting and talking directly 
to these employees gave the members 
of the Compliance & Culture Committee 
and the full Board a deeper insight into 
the employee experience working for 
Smith+Nephew in one of our key sites.

In particular, we reviewed improvements 
made to the working conditions at our 
Memphis manufacturing site in the past 
12 months. These included a fundamental 
facility improvement programme, which 
has led to a healthier, safer and more caring 
working environment for employees both 
within the factory and the immediate 
environment. Workflow processes and floor 
layouts had also been improved leading 
to increased efficiencies. We also saw how 
there was an increased sense of pride in 
work and a feeling of camaraderie amongst 
employees who had actively collaborated 
in the improvement programme. As a result 
of these improvements, the Board has seen 
staff turnover levels reducing and diversity 
levels improving. During our visit to the 
product development areas we observed 
how the teams were working together 
with key external stakeholders to better 
understand their needs and translate 
those needs into innovative new products.

Live global employee webcasts led by 
our Chief Executive Officer and members 
of the Executive Committee have been 
well-received. These forums provide 
employees with a greater understanding 
of our company performance and strategy 
and the role they play in it, as well as 
an opportunity to directly interact with 
senior leadership and voice questions 
or comments. Conducted in an informal 
and open style, these webcasts further 
reinforce our culture. Both employees 
and senior leadership have benefited from 
the insights shared during the webcasts. 
The Board as a whole are mindful that we 
too would like similar or further interaction 
with employees directly and this will be a 
focus for 2020. 

Feedback is gathered more formally on 
an annual basis through our employee 
engagement survey. This year for the first 
time, Smith+Nephew moved to the Gallup 
survey as its measurement tool for its 
direct correlation between engagement 
and business performance. This allows us 
to benchmark against similar companies 
in our industry, and more importantly, 
provides direct tools and resources to 
increase engagement at the point of 
highest impact: between manager and 
employee. We were delighted to receive 
feedback from 84% of our employees. 
Managers have access to a wide variety of 
resources and tools to help them build on 
strengths and address areas of opportunity 
within their teams, further supporting our 
culture pillars. Together with their teams, 
managers have reviewed the results from 
the annual survey and are implementing 
actions to address these results. This will 
continue into 2020 and we will again 
measure engagement and identify areas 
of progress and opportunity through 
the annual survey process.

81

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Audit, Risk and Control continued

Compliance & Culture Committee report continued
Our focus for 2020 will include:

Develop a programme of Board listening 
sessions to enable the Board to further 
monitor and assess the corporate culture.

  Review employee feedback gathered 
through the annual survey and other 
mechanisms to ensure the Board is aware 
of and able to ensure that opportunities 
are leveraged and any issues resolved.

  Ensure oversight of the Company’s 
Sustainability programme and 
relationships with key stakeholders.

Provide Committee Members with 
expanded opportunities to receive 
direct employee feedback at multiple 
sites globally.

For specific issues where employees 
may not feel comfortable articulating 
their views we have a whistle-blowing 
policy and confidential hotline.

This was my first report as Chair of 
the Compliance & Culture Committee. 
In 2019 we laid the foundations for 
further work to be completed in 2020 
that will allow the Board to focus 
on culture, the employee voice and 
our stakeholders.

Marc Owen
Chair of the Compliance 
& Culture Committee

82

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Responsibilities of the Compliance & Culture Committee

Timetable 2019

February

April

June

July

November

Compliance

 – Overseeing ethics and compliance 

programmes, strategies and plans.

 – Monitoring ethics and compliance 

process improvements 
and enhancements. 

 – Assessing compliance performance 
based on monitoring, auditing 
and internal and external 
investigations data.

 – Reviewing allegations of significant 

potential compliance issues.
 – Receiving reports from the 

Group’s Ethics & Compliance 
Committee meetings and from the 
Chief Legal and Compliance Officer.

Culture

 – Oversight of our relationship 

with stakeholders, including the 
employee voice and sustainability.

Reviewed a progress 
report on the changes 
being made to the 
Code of Conduct. 
Reviewed the 
due diligence and 
integration processes 
in respect of 
recently announced 
acquisitions. 
Approval of the 
Modern Slavery 
Statement for 
the year ended 
31 December 2018.

Prepared for 
the Board visit to 
Memphis to hear 
the employee voice.

Noted the Code of 
Conduct & Business 
Principles would be 
updated to reflect 
the new purpose 
and culture pillars.
Received an update 
on Compliance 
Validation 
Assignments.

Approved updated 
Terms of Reference. 
Noted the changes 
in the 2018 
UK Corporate 
Governance 
Code, 2018 Board 
Effectiveness 
Guidelines and 
employee voice. 
Update from 
management on 
activities, including 
brand purpose 
and Culture pillars, 
dashboards used and 
engagement/survey.

Quality and Regulatory Affairs (Q/RA)

 – Overseeing the processes 
by which regulatory and 
quality risks relating to the 
Company and its operations 
are identified and managed.

 – Receiving and assessing 

regular functional reports 
and presentations from the 
Chief Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs Officer or the SVP 
Quality Operations.

Reviewed Quality 
and Regulatory 
report noting status 
of various Quality 
and Regulatory 
metrics and initiatives 
including updates 
on Regulatory Agency 
and Notified Body 
interactions.

Reviewed Quality 
and Regulatory 
report noting status 
of various Quality 
and Regulatory 
metrics and initiatives.
Received an update 
on the plans to 
address the potential 
impact on the Group 
of both the EU Medical 
Device Regulations 
(EU MDR) and Brexit.

Approval of the 
Code of Conduct 
2019 (by written 
resolution).

Reviewed significant 
findings from 
monitoring auditing, 
and progress on 
Corrective and 
Preventative Actions.
Reviewed a report 
on the integration 
of Osiris.

Noted feedback 
received on the Code 
of Conduct launched 
in August.
Received an update 
on the audit of 
the Compliance 
Validation assignment 
Programme.

Received an update 
on the Company’s 
culture transition.
Reviewed the 
Engagement Survey 
results and noted 
the focus for the 
next steps.
Reviewed the 
Valuing Difference 
Programme and 
Sustainability 
Programme.
Noted the Board’s 
engagement at the 
Memphis site in June.

Received an 
update on the 
actions undertaken 
in respect of the 
culture transition 
process. 
Endorsed the 
new strategy and 
framework to be 
incorporated into the 
Sustainability Policy, 
to be put forward 
to the Board for 
approval in 2020.

Reviewed Quality and 
Regulatory report 
noting status of 
various quality and 
regulatory metrics 
and initiatives 
including updates 
on field actions, 
complaints.

Reviewed the 
Global Quality Report 
which included 
updates in respect 
of FDA inspection 
readiness, supplier 
quality management 
and EU MDR.

83

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Stakeholder Statement

Our approach to stakeholders
Directors’ duties
The Board is mindful of Smith+Nephew’s key stakeholders listed below and has taken them into consideration in accordance  
with the Code. The Board, advised by the Company Secretary is, mindful of its section 172 duties, when it determines the impact of 
decisions upon all stakeholders under the Companies Act. Out of that Section 172 duty, the principal stakeholders of Smith+Nephew 
and the impact we have upon them is discussed below. Please read the Sustainability Report at www.smith-nephew.com for more 
information on the Board and Smith+Nephew’s work on community and environment.

Employees

We’re proud of our employees and in turn 
we want them to be proud of working 
at Smith+Nephew. This can only be done 
if we really listen to their concerns and 
take appropriate action.

Their concerns
 – That the Board ensure that when 

making strategic decisions the impact 
upon our employees is fully considered.

 – Opportunities for development  

and progression.

 – Flexible working for all.
 – Diversity and inclusion, globally.  

We are a global company.

How we engage
The Board regularly takes the opportunity to 
meet with staff at all levels in the organisation 
when making site visits across our operations. 
Regular staff surveys are undertaken, which 
the Board reviews and follows up on outcomes. 
The Compliance & Culture Committee reviews 
certain workplace policies and whistle-blowing 
incidents, ensuring that appropriate follow up 
is implemented as necessary.

Customer & suppliers

Our Customers and Suppliers need to be 
nurtured in order for our business to grow 
and develop.

Their concerns
 – Prompt and fair payment.
 – Listening to their requirements.
 – Quality and Regulatory. 

Investors

The owners of our business.

Their concerns
 – Strategy.
 – Performance.
 – Leadership.
 – Succession Planning.
 – Remuneration.

Government & regulators

In many countries, our principal customers 
are governments, who purchase our products 
for their national health systems. It is important 
that we maintain good relationships with 
governments so that we continue to develop 
cost efficient solutions to their national 
healthcare issues.

Their concerns
 – Product safety.
 – Competition issues. 
 – Compliance with local legal 
regulatory requirements.

 – Social and economic concerns. 

How we engage
Board meeting updates from the management 
team and Compliance & Culture Committee on 
relationships with our key customers and suppliers 
and how these relationships are evolving as we 
respond to different market conditions  
and environments.

How we engage
The Board meets with retail investors at the 
Annual General Meeting and responds to letters 
and emails from shareholders throughout the year.
Members of the Board are always happy to engage 
with investors, if they have matters they wish to 
raise with the non-executive team. The Chair and 
other Board members report back to the Board 
following their meetings with investors. A short 
report on our major shareholders and any significant 
changes in their holdings since the previous meeting 
is reviewed at each Board meeting. Copies of the 
analyst reports on the Company and its peers 
are also circulated to Directors.

How we engage
We operate in a heavily regulated industry and 
our businesses across the world are regulated by 
many different authorities in different jurisdictions.

84

2019 Highlights

2020 Actions

 – The Board considered the impact on current and prospective employees when 

making strategic decisions, including the acquisition of Osiris, Leaf and Brainlab.

 – Programme of employee engagement 

will be developed and implemented 

 – The Board met with a wide cross section of employees at two of our major sites 

further during 2020.

in Memphis (US). We observed the positive changes being made to the Memphis 

 – Board Listening sessions to include 

factory to improve both the operational performance and the working environment  

discussion on executive pay. 

for our employees and listened to employees view as we walked the floor.

 – The Compliance & Culture Committee assumed responsibility for overseeing our 

corporate culture and workplace policies and reported back regularly to the Board. 

It was felt three NEDs from the US, Europe and Asia concentrating on this topic as 

part of the Committee worked better for us than one nominated NED or an employee 

appointed representative on the Board.

2019 Highlights

 – We met with the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Procurement and the 

Chief Medical Officer at Schulthess Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, the largest 

Orthopaedics hospital in Europe. This gave us a better understanding of the 

requirements of the surgeons who use our products and the considerations 

of the procurement function as one of our major customers.

 – The Compliance & Culture Committee assumed responsibility for overseeing 

relationships with our key stakeholders including customers and suppliers.

2020 Actions

 – Brexit plans to be implemented 

to prioritise the supply of products 

to our customers and provide all 

that they require. 

 – Focus of R&D programme is 

developing products to benefit 

the patients of the future.

2019 Highlights

2020 Actions

 – The Executive Directors held 108 meetings with investors representing 44.1% of the 

 – The Board will continue to receive 

Company’s share capital. They discussed a range of topics including M&A, Robotics, 

margin, organisational structure and guidance. 

 – The Chair, Roberto Quarta, held 13 meetings and telephone calls with investors holding 

approximately 23.5% of the Company’s share capital. They discussed a range of topics 

regular updates at Board meetings 

on management and Chair meetings 

with investors and will review 

regular analyst reports.

including the performance of the Company, the change in Chief Executive Officer and 

 – The management team and the 

the remuneration of Roland Diggelmann as our new Chief Executive Officer. 

 – The Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Angie Risley reached out to our top 28 

shareholders holding over 50% of the Company’s shares and received responses from 

26 shareholders collectively holding 46.8% of the Company’s share capital in connection 

with the 2020 Remuneration Policy and Roland Diggelmann’s compensation as the 

newly appointed Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 November 2019.

Chair and Non-Executive Directors will 

continue to engage with shareholders. 

If you have matters to raise with the 

non-executive team, please contact 

the Company Secretary.

 – Continue to engage on all matters of 

governance, including Remuneration.

 Compliance 

& Culture 

Committee 

page 80

 People  

page 24

 Suppliers 

page 31

 Compliance 

& Culture 

Report  

page 80

 Remuneration 

Report  

page 86

2019 Highlights

2020 Actions

 – The Compliance & Culture Committee received regular reports from the Quality and 

 – The Compliance & Culture Committee 

Regulatory function on regulatory activities and the results of regulatory inspections.

will continue to oversee relationships 

 – The Compliance & Culture Committee received regular reports from the Legal & Compliance 

function on the activities of key agencies relating to ethics and compliance matters.

between the Company and 

our regulators.

 – The Compliance & Culture Committee received regular reports regarding the EU MDR, 

which will become effective in May 2020.

 – The Board and the Audit Committee received regular updates relating to the progress 

towards Brexit and management plans to manage the transition as smoothly as possible.

 – The Board and the Audit Committee 

will continue to monitor management 

preparations and implementation 

of processes for Brexit.

 Compliance 

& Culture 

Report  

page 80

 Audit Report 

page 72

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Employees

We’re proud of our employees and in turn 

we want them to be proud of working 

at Smith+Nephew. This can only be done 

if we really listen to their concerns and 

take appropriate action.

Their concerns

How we engage

 – That the Board ensure that when 

making strategic decisions the impact 

upon our employees is fully considered.

 – Opportunities for development  

and progression.

 – Flexible working for all.

 – Diversity and inclusion, globally.  

We are a global company.

The Board regularly takes the opportunity to 

meet with staff at all levels in the organisation 

when making site visits across our operations. 

Regular staff surveys are undertaken, which 

the Board reviews and follows up on outcomes. 

The Compliance & Culture Committee reviews 

certain workplace policies and whistle-blowing 

incidents, ensuring that appropriate follow up 

is implemented as necessary.

Customer & suppliers

Our Customers and Suppliers need to be 

nurtured in order for our business to grow 

and develop.

Their concerns

 – Prompt and fair payment.

 – Listening to their requirements.

 – Quality and Regulatory. 

Investors

The owners of our business.

Their concerns

 – Strategy.

 – Performance.

 – Leadership.

 – Succession Planning.

 – Remuneration.

Government & regulators

In many countries, our principal customers 

are governments, who purchase our products 

for their national health systems. It is important 

that we maintain good relationships with 

governments so that we continue to develop 

cost efficient solutions to their national 

healthcare issues.

Their concerns

 – Product safety.

 – Competition issues. 

 – Compliance with local legal 

regulatory requirements.

 – Social and economic concerns. 

How we engage

Board meeting updates from the management 

team and Compliance & Culture Committee on 

relationships with our key customers and suppliers 

and how these relationships are evolving as we 

respond to different market conditions  

and environments.

How we engage

The Board meets with retail investors at the 

Annual General Meeting and responds to letters 

and emails from shareholders throughout the year.

Members of the Board are always happy to engage 

with investors, if they have matters they wish to 

raise with the non-executive team. The Chair and 

other Board members report back to the Board 

following their meetings with investors. A short 

report on our major shareholders and any significant 

changes in their holdings since the previous meeting 

is reviewed at each Board meeting. Copies of the 

analyst reports on the Company and its peers 

are also circulated to Directors.

How we engage

We operate in a heavily regulated industry and 

our businesses across the world are regulated by 

many different authorities in different jurisdictions.

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

2019 Highlights
 – The Board considered the impact on current and prospective employees when 
making strategic decisions, including the acquisition of Osiris, Leaf and Brainlab.
 – The Board met with a wide cross section of employees at two of our major sites 
in Memphis (US). We observed the positive changes being made to the Memphis 
factory to improve both the operational performance and the working environment  
for our employees and listened to employees view as we walked the floor.

 – The Compliance & Culture Committee assumed responsibility for overseeing our 

corporate culture and workplace policies and reported back regularly to the Board. 
It was felt three NEDs from the US, Europe and Asia concentrating on this topic as 
part of the Committee worked better for us than one nominated NED or an employee 
appointed representative on the Board.

2020 Actions
 – Programme of employee engagement 
will be developed and implemented 
further during 2020.

 – Board Listening sessions to include 

discussion on executive pay. 

 Compliance 
& Culture 
Committee 
page 80

 People  
page 24

2019 Highlights
 – We met with the Chief Executive Officer, the Head of Procurement and the 

Chief Medical Officer at Schulthess Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, the largest 
Orthopaedics hospital in Europe. This gave us a better understanding of the 
requirements of the surgeons who use our products and the considerations 
of the procurement function as one of our major customers.

 – The Compliance & Culture Committee assumed responsibility for overseeing 
relationships with our key stakeholders including customers and suppliers.

2020 Actions
 – Brexit plans to be implemented 

to prioritise the supply of products 
to our customers and provide all 
that they require. 

 – Focus of R&D programme is 

developing products to benefit 
the patients of the future.

2019 Highlights
 – The Executive Directors held 108 meetings with investors representing 44.1% of the 
Company’s share capital. They discussed a range of topics including M&A, Robotics, 
margin, organisational structure and guidance. 

 – The Chair, Roberto Quarta, held 13 meetings and telephone calls with investors holding 
approximately 23.5% of the Company’s share capital. They discussed a range of topics 
including the performance of the Company, the change in Chief Executive Officer and 
the remuneration of Roland Diggelmann as our new Chief Executive Officer. 

 – The Chair of the Remuneration Committee, Angie Risley reached out to our top 28 

shareholders holding over 50% of the Company’s shares and received responses from 
26 shareholders collectively holding 46.8% of the Company’s share capital in connection 
with the 2020 Remuneration Policy and Roland Diggelmann’s compensation as the 
newly appointed Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 November 2019.

2020 Actions
 – The Board will continue to receive 
regular updates at Board meetings 
on management and Chair meetings 
with investors and will review 
regular analyst reports.

 – The management team and the 

Chair and Non-Executive Directors will 
continue to engage with shareholders. 
If you have matters to raise with the 
non-executive team, please contact 
the Company Secretary.

 – Continue to engage on all matters of 
governance, including Remuneration.

 Suppliers 
page 31

 Compliance 
& Culture 
Report  
page 80

 Remuneration 
Report  
page 86

2019 Highlights
 – The Compliance & Culture Committee received regular reports from the Quality and 
Regulatory function on regulatory activities and the results of regulatory inspections.
 – The Compliance & Culture Committee received regular reports from the Legal & Compliance 

function on the activities of key agencies relating to ethics and compliance matters.
 – The Compliance & Culture Committee received regular reports regarding the EU MDR, 

which will become effective in May 2020.

 – The Board and the Audit Committee received regular updates relating to the progress 
towards Brexit and management plans to manage the transition as smoothly as possible.

2020 Actions
 – The Compliance & Culture Committee 
will continue to oversee relationships 
between the Company and 
our regulators.

 – The Board and the Audit Committee 
will continue to monitor management 
preparations and implementation 
of processes for Brexit.

 Compliance 
& Culture 
Report  
page 80

 Audit Report 
page 72

The Directors Report comprises pages 5, 24–25, 28–29, 32–33, 39, 40–49, 52, 63, 66, 68–70, 74–82,  
84–85, 161–162, 184, 189–192, 205–211 and was approved by the Board on 20 February 2020.

Susan Swabey
Company Secretary

85

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Remuneration

Directors’ Remuneration report
Our focus in 2020 will be 
on implementing the new 
Remuneration Policy and 
on continuing to align our 
remuneration arrangements 
with the new Strategic 
Imperatives of the Company.

Dear Shareholder,
2019 was a busy year for the Remuneration 
Committee. Our prime focus was 
on developing our new Remuneration 
Policy, which is being presented to you 
for approval at the Annual General 
Meeting on 9 April 2020. In addition, we 
considered remuneration arrangements 
for the outgoing and incoming Chief 
Executive Officer.

Membership

Member  
from

Meetings  
attended

Angie Risley  
(Chair)
Vinita Bali1
Virginia Bottomley
Robin Freestone

September 2017
April 2015
April 2014
September 2015

Roberto Quarta

April 2014

8/8
7/8
8/8
8/8

8/8

1  Vinita Bali attended all meetings except for one, which was 
convened at short notice, when she had an unavoidable 
prior appointment.

Review of 2019 Performance 
During the year, the Company delivered 
underlying revenue growth of 4.4% and a 
40bps improvement in trading profit margin, 
excluding the one-off legal gain in 2018  
in-line with guidance. Performance improved 
over the course of the year, with 3.9% 
underlying revenue growth in the first half 
and 4.9% in the second half. All three global 
franchises delivered an improved revenue 
growth performance over the prior year. 
Our orthopaedics franchise delivered 4.0% 
underlying revenue growth (2018: 3%), 
Sports Medicine & ENT achieved 7.0% 
(2018: 2%), and Advanced Wound 
Management delivered 2.2% (2018: 0%). 
Our Emerging Markets delivered 16.1%, and 
now account for 19% of Group revenue. 

Aligning pay for performance is an 
important principle in our remuneration 
strategy. Members of the Audit 
Committee joined us to consider our 
results and determine the extent to which 
performance against the targets in our 
incentive plans was met. Taking into 
account this financial performance along 
with consideration of how our Executive 
Directors performed against their business 
performance objectives, the Committee 
determined that the 2019 Cash Incentive 
Plan would pay out at 106.7% of salary 
for Namal Nawana and 102.7% of salary 
for Graham Baker, resulting in payments 
of $1,674,653 and £569,606 respectively 
and an Equity Incentive Award for Namal 
of 55% and for Graham of 50% of salary. 

This reflected revenue performance 
between target and maximum, trading 
profit margin on target and trading cash 
flow performance between threshold 
and target. Reviewing the performance 
of the Company as a whole, the Committee 
was confident that these outcomes 
appropriately reflected our underlying 
performance over the year as a whole.

The Committee also reviewed 
performance over the past three 
years and determined that 98% of the 
target Performance Share Programme 
awards would vest. This reflected a 
maximum performance against the Cash 
Flow target and strong performances 
against the TSR and ROIC targets and 
below threshold performance global 
revenue growth.

Remuneration Policy
Smith+Nephew has gained renewed drive 
and impetus over the last couple of years, 
with the results being reflected in both our 
financial performance and shareholders’ 
view of the Company. The business has 
a new purpose and culture, a renewed 
commitment to innovation, and is 
demonstrating an improved growth 
trajectory. In developing the new Policy, 
the Committee wanted to ensure that 
our remuneration framework harnesses 
this new energy and continues to align 
employees with Smith+Nephew’s  
strategic goals as we look forward.

As a result, we are proposing a number 
of changes to how we pay our Executive 
Directors. The changes are intended to 
ensure that remuneration remains fit for 
purpose in future years, and is best able 
to motivate employees to deliver the 
next phase of Smith+Nephew’s growth. 
In addition, we have taken the opportunity 
to make a number of changes to respond 
to recent governance developments, 
adopting a best practice approach against 
the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code (the ‘Code’). 

“Our new Policy provides a simplified framework 

that motivates Executives to deliver outstanding 
performance both in the short and long-term and 
adopts a best practice approach against the new Code.” 
Angie Risley
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

86

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

The changes are intended to:
 – Increase strategic alignment to drive  

profitable and sustained growth.

 – Simplify and address challenges with 
the previous framework, including 
a move from three incentive plans 
to two.

 – Provide a more aspirational 
incentive framework which 
motivates and drives outstanding 
Smith+Nephew performance. 
 – Ensure any increase in overall 

opportunity is through long-term 
performance-related pay and subject 
to outperformance. To this end we 
would highlight that:
•  There is no material increase in 
total remuneration for delivery 
of below-threshold, threshold or  
on-target performance;

•  There is no increase in short-term 
incentive opportunity, and indeed 
there is a significant reduction  
in short-term pay for delivery of 
threshold and on-target performance.

 – Continue to respond to 

governance developments.

Over the course of 2019, we undertook 
an extensive engagement programme 
with shareholders. We engaged with holders 
of nearly 50% of our share capital, along 
with their representative bodies and proxy 
voting agencies. I would like to take this 
opportunity to thank all those we met or 
spoke to for their constructive challenge 
and comments.

The overall tone of the feedback was 
very positive. Shareholders welcomed 
the increased emphasis on long-term 
sustainable performance, greater simplicity, 
and the steps we were taking to address 
the Code provisions. We listened to, and 
discussed all feedback received, and as a 
result made some changes to the initial 
proposals, including around the pace 
of pension reduction and the maximum 
opportunity under the Performance 
Share Programme.

Full details are given in the Policy Report 
on pages 90–100, but the key changes 
in the new Policy are summarised below 
(for completeness, changes to the 
performance measures are also shown, 
although it is recognised these are a 
change in implementation rather than 
the Policy itself).

A summary of the new framework and 
how it compares to the previous one  
is set out on page 89.

We would ask you to support our new 
Remuneration Policy, which we believe will 
continue to ensure that Executive Directors 
are aligned with our strategic objectives, 
rewarded for delivering long-term 
profitable growth, and in doing so to  
create shareholder value.

Departure of Namal Nawana, CEO
As announced on 21 October 2019, 
Namal and the Board came to a mutual 
agreement that he would step down as 
Chief Executive Officer with effect from 
1 November 2019, but continued to be 
employed until 31 December 2019.

The Committee gave careful consideration 
to the termination arrangements for Namal, 
further details of which are provided on 
page 115 in the Implementation Report. 
In summary, the following treatment 
was applied:
 – Salary, benefits and pension contributions 
continued up to 31 December 2019, 
when Namal ceased to be an employee.

 – A payment in respect of salary, 

benefits and pension contributions 
for the balance of his 12-month notice 
period (1 January to 20 October 2020) 
when he resigned from the Board.

 – Entitlement to participate in the 2019 

Annual Cash Incentive Plan and receive an 
Equity Incentive Award in 2020 in respect 
of performance in 2019 (effectively the 
deferred element).

 – As a result of his departure being 

mutually agreed, his outstanding 2019 
Equity Incentive Award will be preserved 
and vest on the original vesting dates, 
while his outstanding 2018 and 2019 
Performance Share Programme awards 
will be pro-rated for service and will 
vest on their original vesting dates, 
subject to their performance conditions. 
The two-year holding period on 
these awards will continue to apply. 

87

 – A 12-month non-compete period, 
commenced on 1 January 2020.

The Committee considers that this 
treatment observes Namal’s contractual 
entitlements and the requirements 
of US law.

Appointment of Roland Diggelmann
As announced on 21 October 2019, 
Roland Diggelmann, who had previously 
been one of our Non-Executive Directors, 
was appointed Chief Executive Officer 
on 1 November 2019. Roland is based in 
Switzerland at our European headquarters 
and is therefore employed under a Swiss 
employment contract. He was employed 
under the terms of the 2017 Remuneration 
Policy on a base salary of CHF 1,380,000, 
which was around 10% lower than Namal’s 
base salary based on an exchange rate of 
CHF to US$ 1.0063. His next salary review 
will be in April 2021. He receives pension 
contributions of 12% of base salary into 
the Swiss Profond Pension Plan. This is 
in-line with the wider UK workforce. He did 
not participate in any short or long-term 
incentive arrangements in respect of 2019. 
He will be paid in accordance with the 
2020 Remuneration Policy as detailed 
on pages 90 to 100, subject to its approval 
by shareholders.

Global Share Plan 2020
Our 2010 Global Share Plan is due 
to expire this year, so we are seeking 
approval for a new Global Share Plan 2020. 
This is an umbrella plan that we use to 
make awards throughout the business, 
including to our Executive Directors and 
Executive Officers. The terms of the 
new plan are broadly unchanged, but 
we have taken the opportunity to make 
some modest amendments to reflect 
updated wording on malus and clawback, 
allowing the Remuneration Committee 
the discretion to reduce an award if the 
outcome is unjustified and introducing 
a two-year post vesting holding period 
for Executive Directors.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Remuneration continued

Directors’ Remuneration report continued
Other Matters
During the year, we also reviewed a 
broad range of employee remuneration 
matters having oversight of company 
wide remuneration arrangements 
including gender pay ratio, CEO pay ratio 
and remuneration arrangements for 
sales representatives. 

Business Objectives (20%)

Trading Margin (40%)

Revenue (40%)

Measures in our variable pay plans

Performance measures in Annual Bonus Plan for 2020

Top-line growth is essential for continued progress and long-term 
value creation.

Trading margin focuses on profit and removes volatility.

Individual business objectives linked to specific strategic 
objectives to ensure alignment across the Company.

Revenue Growth (25%)

Performance measures in our Performance Share Programme for 2020
Top-line growth leading to value creation is a key goal 
for Smith+Nephew over the next three to five years.
Winning market share is important to create a competitive 
advantage for Smith+Nephew in driving growth.

Return on Invested 
Capital (25%)

Cumulative Free Cash 
Flow (25%)

TSR performance against 
an Index (25%)

Provides focus on long-term efficiency and profitability.
Bottom-line performance provides balance to revenue measure.
Important measure for our investors.

Essential to fund investment, pay down debt and take 
advantage of market opportunities.
Important measure for our investors and forms part 
of management conversations with the market.

Total Shareholder Return aligns Executive reward to the 
shareholder experience.
An indexed approach avoids an anomalous result which can 
arise if there is a small number of extreme outliers in the group.

I would like to thank my fellow Committee 
members for their support during what 
has been a busy year, and look forward 
to your support at our 2020 AGM.

Angie Risley
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Looking Forward – Remuneration 
Committee’s focus for 2020

During 2020, the Remuneration 
Committee intends to: 

Focus on ensuring that the 2020  
Remuneration Policy is implemented  
effectively.

Keep under review how the new structure 
and performance measures bed into the 
business, to ensure that they are driving the 
right performance and behaviours not only 
at Executive Director level, but throughout 
the Company.

Continue to oversee remuneration 
arrangements across the Company as a 
whole, monitoring wider employee pay 
initiatives and our gender pay performance.

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 Companies (Directors’ Remuneration Policy and Directors’ Remuneration Report) 
Regulations 2019 and The Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018. The Report also meets the relevant requirements of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Listing Rules.
The first part of the Report (pages 90 to 100) is the Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report (the Policy Report) which will be put to shareholders for approval at the Annual General Meeting 
on 9 April 2020. The Policy Report describes our proposed 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. This Policy, if approved by shareholders will remain unchanged until 2023 and it is intended that it will next be put to a shareholder vote at the 
Annual General Meeting to be held in 2023. In the event that the 2020 Remuneration Policy is not approved by shareholders, Executive Directors will be paid in accordance with the Remuneration 
Policy approved by shareholders in 2017 until such time as a new Remuneration Policy is approved.
The second part of the Report (pages 101 to 120) 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 9 April 2020. The Implementation Report explains how the Remuneration Policy was implemented during 2019. The following sections 
have been audited by KPMG: The Single Figure Tables on Remuneration including related notes (pages 104 to 115); details of awards made under the Performance Share Programme 
(pages 110 to 112); Summary of Scheme Interests during the year (page 114); Payments to Namal Nawana including loss of office (page 115); Payments made to past directors (page 115); 
Directors interests in ordinary shares (page 116); and Senior Management Remuneration (page 120). 

88

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Governance

Accounts

Other information

Summary of changes between the existing and proposed Remuneration Policy

New framework

Pension Contributions

Rationale for change from previous framework

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director future appointments – 
12% of salary, in-line with what is available to the wider UK workforce.
Chief Financial officer – contribution rate will taper down, to 20% 
of salary in 2020, and 12% of salary in 2021.

Previously, UK-based Executive Directors were entitled to a pension 
contribution of 30% of salary. Reduction to bring Executive Directors 
in-line with the wider employee population is aligned with the 
Code requirements.

Annual Bonus Plan

Structure
Cash Incentive Plan and Equity Incentive Plan combined into the 
single Annual Bonus Plan.

Opportunity
Overall maximum opportunity unchanged, while the target 
opportunity is reduced from 150% to 107.5% base salary.

Gearing
Proportion paid out for on-target performance reduced from 70% 
of the maximum opportunity to 50%.

Deferral
Increase in the proportion of the overall bonus deferred from 
around a third (dependent on performance) to 50%.
Deferral timeframe extended from annual release over 3 years  
to cliff release after 3 years.

Performance measures
Simplified to focus on key drivers of performance:
 – Revenue – 40%
 – Trading margin – 40%
 – Business objectives – 20%

Performance Share Programme

Opportunity
Increase in the maximum opportunity from 190% of salary to 275%.

Performance measures
Performance measures are considered to remain appropriate 
and aligned with our strategy, so no major changes are proposed.
Relative TSR will be measured on an index rather than ranked 
basis going forward, to provide a fairer reflection of performance.

Simplified structure is more focused, easier for participants and 
shareholders to understand, and more effective in incentivising 
the right behaviours.

Reduced short-term opportunity for target performance allows us 
to increase the emphasis on incentivising and rewarding sustainable  
long-term performance.

Brings greater alignment with typical UK practice and 
external expectations.

Greater deferral and longer timeframes increase long-term alignment 
with shareholders and reflect best practice in the market.

Simplifies the previous framework, placing a strong focus on delivering 
sustainable and profitable growth.

Increased opportunity reflects the shift in emphasis away from 
short-term to long-term performance with higher reward for 
significant outperformance.

Focus has been on ensuring that we are setting appropriately 
stretching targets under these measures to recognise the increase 
in overall opportunity and reflect shareholder feedback in this area.
TSR peer groups remain the same with a FTSE 100 peer group and 
an S&P global healthcare peer group, but the move from a ranked 
approach to an indexed approach avoids anomalies arising from 
a small number of outliers in the peer group. 

Post-cessation shareholding guidelines

Post-cessation shareholding guidelines introduced – Executive 
Directors required to hold their guideline in full (or actual holding 
if lower) for two years following departure.

Introduction of post-cessation guidelines extends alignment with 
shareholders, and adopts a best practice position with regards to 
the Code requirements in this area.

89

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Remuneration continued

The Policy report
The following section sets out our 
Directors’ Remuneration Policy (‘Policy’). 
This Policy will be submitted as a binding 
vote to shareholders at the 2020 AGM 
and will apply to payments made on or 
after 9 April 2020.

In designing the Policy, the Committee 
followed a robust process which 
included discussions on the content of 
the Policy at four Committee meetings. 
The Committee considered input from 
management and our independent 
advisors, and sought the views of the 
Company’s major shareholders and 
other stakeholders, including employees.

Changes to policy
The 2020 Remuneration Policy makes 
the following changes to the 2017 
Remuneration Policy:
 – For new appointments and the current 
Chief Executive Officer, the maximum 
cash allowance paid in lieu of pension has 
reduced from 30% to 12% of base salary, 
to bring it fully into line with the wider 
UK workforce. For the Chief Financial 
Officer, the maximum amount will taper 
over the life of the Policy such that it also 
reaches 12% of base salary by 1 January 
2022, compared to 30% under the 
previous policy.

 – The former Annual Cash Incentive 

Plan (CIP) and Annual Equity Incentive 
Plan (EIP) have been simplified and 
amalgamated into an integrated Annual 
Bonus Plan, which is structured as a 
50% cash bonus and 50% deferred 
share award:

•  The aggregate maximum opportunity 
of 215% of base salary is unchanged;

•  The aggregate target opportunity 

has reduced from 70% of maximum 
to 50% of maximum;

•  If considering the former Equity 

Incentive Plan as a form of deferred 
bonus, for the annual incentive 
arrangements as a whole the amount 
deferred into shares has been 
increased from around a third of the 
total amount to 50%, with the time 
period for release lengthened from 
evenly over three years to all after 
three years.

 – The maximum annual opportunity under 
the Performance Share Programme has 
been increased from 190% to 275% 
of base salary.

 – Incorporates post-employment 

shareholding guidelines, which have 
been introduced from 1 January 2020.

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.

Future policy table – Executive Directors

Base salary and benefits

Base salary

Core element of remuneration, paid for doing the expected day-to-day job.

How the component operates

Salaries are normally reviewed annually 
with any increase applying from 1 April. 
Salary levels and increases take account of:
 – Scope and responsibility of position;
 – Skill/experience and performance 
of the individual Executive Director;
 – General economic conditions in the 

relevant geographical market;

 – Average increases awarded across 

the Company, with particular regard 
to increases in the market in which 
the Executive Director is based; and
 – Market movements within a peer group 
of similarly sized listed companies.

Maximum levels of payment
The base salary of the Executive Directors 
with effect from 1 April 2020 will be as follows:
 – Roland Diggelmann CHF 1,380,000.
 – Graham Baker £568,277.

While there is no maximum salary level, 
any increases will normally be in-line with 
the wider employee population within 
the relevant geographic area.
Higher increases may be made under certain 
circumstances, at the Committee’s discretion. 
For example, this may include:
 – increase in the scope and/or responsibility 

of the individual’s role; and

 – development of the individual within  

the role.

A full explanation will be provided in 
the Implementation Report should higher 
increases be approved in exceptional cases.
In addition, where an Executive Director 
has been appointed to the Board at a lower 
than typical salary, larger increases may be 
awarded to move them closer to market 
practice as their experience develops.

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Pension and payment in lieu of pension

Provide Executive Directors with an allowance for retirement planning.

How the component operates

Executive Directors receive a cash allowance 
in lieu of membership of a Company-run 
pension scheme.
In jurisdictions where the local law requires 
employees to participate in a Company-run  
pension scheme, Executive Directors 
participate in the local pension scheme 
to the extent of the amount paid in respect  
of the majority of our UK-based workforce.
Base salary is the only component 
of remuneration which is pensionable.

Maximum levels of payment
The current Chief Executive Officer participates 
in the Swiss pension plan, and the Company 
contribution is 12% of his base pay in-line 
with the wider UK workforce. For any newly 
appointed Executive Directors, the maximum 
cash allowance payable in lieu of a pension 
is 12% of base salary.
For the current Chief Financial Officer, 
the maximum cash allowance payable 
in lieu of a pension over the life of this 
Policy will be as follows:
 – 2020: 20% of base salary.
 – 2021: 12% of base salary.

Benefits

Provide employees with a market competitive benefits package.

How the component operates

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 Director’s location.
Where applicable, relocation costs may 
be provided in-line with the Company’s 
relocation policy for senior executives, which 
may include, amongst other items: removal 
costs, assistance with accommodation, 
living expenses for self and family and 
financial consultancy advice. In some cases, 
such payments may be grossed up.

Maximum levels of payment
While no maximum level of benefits is 
prescribed, they are set at an appropriate 
market competitive level, taking into 
account a number of factors, which 
may include:
 – The jurisdiction in which the individual 

is based.

 – The level of benefits provided for 

other employees within the Company.
 – Market practice for comparable roles 
within appropriate pay comparators.

The actual amount payable will depend 
on the cost of providing such benefits 
to an employee in the location at which 
the Executive Director is based.
The Committee keeps the benefit policy 
and benefit levels under regular review.

Framework in which performance is assessed
None.

Framework in which performance is assessed
None.

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Remuneration continued

The Policy report continued
All-employee arrangements

All-employee share plans

To enable Executive Directors to participate in all-employee share plans on a similar basis as other employees.

How the component operates

ShareSave Plans are operated in the UK and 
32 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.

Maximum levels of payment
Executive Directors may currently invest up 
to £500 per month in the UK ShareSave Plan, 
in-line with UK participants. The Committee 
may exercise its discretion to increase this 
amount up to the maximum permitted by 
HM Revenue & Customs. Similar limits will 
apply in different locations.

Framework in which performance is assessed
None.

Annual incentives

Annual Bonus Plan

Incentivises delivery of the business plan on an annual basis. Rewards performance against key performance indicators which are critical to the 
delivery of our business strategy.

Maximum levels of payment
The maximum opportunity is 215% 
of base salary.
50% of maximum is payable for on-target 
performance (107.5% of base salary).
15% of maximum is payable for threshold 
performance (32% of base salary).

Framework in which performance is assessed
The Committee will determine the 
appropriate performance measures at 
the start of each financial year, in order 
to ensure that the Annual Bonus Plan 
focuses on key business priorities for 
the Company.
Typically, 80% of the annual bonus will be 
based on financial performance measures. 
For 2020, the Committee has determined 
that these should be Revenue growth 
(40%) and Trading Profit Margin (40%).
The remainder will usually be based on 
business objectives linked to key areas 
of strategic focus.
The Committee retains the discretion 
to adjust the relative weightings of the 
financial and strategic components 
and to adopt any performance measure 
that is relevant to the Company.
Under whatever measures are chosen, 
the Committee will set appropriately 
challenging targets at the start of each year. 
In doing so, they will take into account a 
number of internal and external reference 
points, including the Company’s key 
strategic objectives for the year.
The Committee may amend the 
performance conditions applicable to an 
award in accordance with the terms of the 
performance conditions or if events happen 
which cause the Committee to consider 
that it fails to fulfil its original purpose and 
would result in an unfair benefit for the 
participant in the reasonable opinion of 
the Committee.

How the component operates

The Annual Bonus Plan is designed to 
reward performance over the year against 
financial and business objectives determined 
at the start of the year.
At the end of the year, the Committee 
determines pay-out levels based on the 
extent to which performance against 
these objectives has been achieved.
The Committee has full discretion to adjust 
outcomes under the Annual Bonus Plan where 
the amount that a participant would/could 
receive under an Award would result in the 
participant receiving an amount which the 
Committee considers cannot be justified or 
which the Committee considers to be an unfair  
or undeserved benefit to the Participant.
In exercising this discretion, the Committee  
may consider all circumstances, including  
(but not limited to): the financial performance  
of the Company; any changes in the Company’s 
share price; and the performance, conduct  
and contribution of the participant.
Malus and clawback provisions apply, 
as detailed in the notes to this table.
Half of the award is paid in cash after 
the end of the performance year and half 
is deferred into shares under the Deferred 
Share Bonus Plan (DSBP), which vest 
after three years.

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Long-term incentives

Performance Share Programme

To motivate and reward 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.

Maximum levels of payment
The maximum annual opportunity  
is 275% of base salary.
For on-target levels of performance,  
50% of the award vests (137.5% of base salary).
For threshold levels of performance,  
25% of the award vests (68.75% of base salary).

Framework in which performance is assessed
The Committee aims to align the Performance 
Share Programme performance measures 
with the Company’s key long-term strategic 
objectives. In this manner, strong performance 
against the measures should lead to long-term 
sustainable value creation for our shareholders. 
Measures used will typically include:
 – Financial measures – to reflect the financial 
performance of our business and a direct 
and focused measure of Company success.
 – Shareholder return measures – a measure 
of the ultimate delivery of shareholder 
returns, providing direct alignment.
 – Strategic measures – aligned with the 

Company’s long-term strategy.

The make-up and weighting of each measure 
will be determined by the Committee each year 
to reflect the particular strategic objectives 
over the relevant performance period.
For the 2020 awards, it is proposed to use the 
following four measures, all equally weighted:
 – Revenue growth.
 – Return on Invested Capital.
 – Cumulative free cash flow.
 – Total Shareholder Return (TSR) 

performance against:
•  An index of Global Healthcare 

companies; and
•  The FTSE 100 index.

Maximum Payment will only be made for 
significant outperformance. 
The Committee may amend the performance 
conditions applicable to an award in 
accordance with the terms of the performance 
conditions or if events happen which cause the 
Committee to consider that it fails to fulfil its 
original purpose and would result in an unfair 
benefit for the participant in the reasonable 
opinion of the committee.

How the component operates

Awards are granted pursuant to the terms of 
the Performance Share Programme. Awards are 
normally made in the form of conditional share 
awards, but may be awarded in other forms 
if appropriate, including nil cost options or a 
combination thereof.
Awards vest after three years, subject to 
the achievement of stretching performance 
targets linked to the Company’s strategy.
The Committee has full discretion to adjust 
outcomes under the Performance Share 
Programme where the amount that a 
participant would/could receive under an 
Award would result in the participant receiving 
an amount which the Committee considers 
cannot be justified or which the Committee 
considers to be an unfair or undeserved 
benefit to the Participant. In exercising this 
discretion, the Committee may consider all 
circumstances, including (but not limited to): 
the financial performance of the Company; 
any changes in the Company’s share price; 
and the performance, conduct and contribution 
of the participant.
Participants may receive an additional 
number of shares equivalent to the amount 
of dividend payable on ordinary shares 
during the relevant performance period.
On vesting, a number of shares are sold to 
cover the tax liability. The remaining shares 
are required to be held by the Executive 
Director for a further two-year holding period.
The Committee may, in the event of any 
variation of the Company’s share capital, 
demerger, delisting, or other event which 
may affect the value of awards, adjust or 
amend the terms of awards in accordance 
with the plan rules.
Malus and clawback provisions apply, 
as detailed in the notes to this table.

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Remuneration continued

The Policy report continued
Shareholding guidelines

Within-employment shareholding guidelines

To align Executive Directors with shareholders and the long-term success of the Company.

Maximum levels of payment
Not Applicable.

Framework in which performance is assessed
None.

How the component operates

The Chief Executive Officer is expected  
to build a shareholding of 300% of base salary 
and the Chief Financial Officer is expected to 
build a shareholding of 200% of base salary.
The Committee expects Executive Directors 
to satisfy this requirement within 5 years. 
Until the relevant shareholding guidelines 
have been met, Executive Directors are 
required to hold 50% of any shares vesting 
from Company incentive plans after tax.

Post-employment shareholding guidelines

To provide extended alignment with shareholders post-departure from the Company.

Maximum levels of payment
Not Applicable.

Framework in which performance is assessed
None.

How the component operates

Executive Directors will normally be 
required to maintain their within employment 
shareholding guideline (or their actual holding 
if lower) for a period following cessation.
At the current time, the Committee 
requires Executive Directors to maintain 
100% of their guideline for two years 
following departure.

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Notes to future policy table – 
Executive Directors

Malus and clawback
At any time prior to the vesting of 
an award or payment of a cash bonus, 
the Committee may determine that 
an unvested award or part of an award 
may not vest, including to zero on the 
occurrence of a Trigger Event, as defined 
below (regardless of whether or not the 
performance conditions have been met). 
At any time up to three years after the 
vesting of an award or payment of a cash 
bonus, the Committee may determine 
that any cash bonus, vested shares, or 
their equivalent value in cash be returned 
to the Company on the occurrence of 
a Trigger Event. A Trigger Event shall 
occur if any of the following matter is 
discovered where:
 – there has been a misstatement of the 
Company’s financial results which has 
resulted in a material overpayment to 
participants, which is in the form of 
Awards under the Plan or otherwise, 
irrespective of whether the relevant 
participants are at fault;

 – there has been an error in determining 

the size of the Award or to the extent to 
which the performance conditions have 
been satisfied, or erroneous or misleading 
data, which has resulted in the vesting 
of an Award which would not otherwise 
have vested or which would otherwise 
have vested to a materially lesser extent;

 – there has been a significant adverse 

change in the financial performance or 
reputation of the Company, including 
corporate failure and/or any significant 
loss at a general level or in respect of a 
global business unit or function in which 
a participant worked; and/or

 – the Committee determines that the 

conduct, capability or performance of 
a participant or any team, business area 
or profit centre warrants a review.

These provisions will apply under the 
Global Share Plan 2020 and the Annual 
Bonus Plan 2020.

Legacy matters
The Committee can make remuneration 
payments and payments for loss of 
office outside of the Policy set out above 
where the terms of the payment were 
agreed (i) before the Policy set out in this 
report came into effect, provided the 

95

terms of the payment were consistent 
with any applicable policy in force at the 
time they were agreed; or (ii) at a time 
when the relevant individual was not an 
Executive Director of the Company (or 
other person to whom the Policy set out 
above applies) and that, in the opinion of 
the Committee, the payment was not in 
consideration for the individual becoming 
an Executive Director of the Company 
(or such other person). This includes the 
exercise of any discretion available to 
the Committee in connection with such 
payments. For these purposes, payments 
include the Committee satisfying awards 
of variable remuneration and, in relation 
to an award over shares, the terms of 
the payment are agreed at the time the 
award is granted.

The Policy set out above applies equally 
to any individual who would be required to 
be treated as an Executive Director under 
the applicable regulations. The Committee 
can make remuneration payments and 
payments for loss of office outside of the 
Policy set out above if such payments 
are required by law in a relevant country.

Consideration of employment 
conditions elsewhere in the 
Company and differences 
between arrangements for 
Executive Directors and 
workforce as a whole
The Committee discusses, and takes 
into account pay arrangements across 
the Company when determining the pay 
of Executive Directors in the following ways:

Base salary
Increases to Executive Director base 
salaries are generally in-line with base 
salary budgets in the geography in which 
the Executive Director is based, although 
the Committee will also have oversight of 
base salary budgets across the Company 
more generally when making the decision.

Pension contributions and 
payments in lieu of a pension
A range of different pension arrangements 
operate across the Group depending 
on location and/or length of service. 
Executive Directors either participate in 
pension arrangements relevant to their 
local market or receive a cash payment 
in lieu of a pension. 

Benefits
Benefit packages vary across the world 
depending on local market practice. 
Executive Directors receive a range 
of benefits in-line with the standard 
executive benefits package in the 
geography in which they are based.

Annual Bonus Plan
Nearly all employees have performance-
based pay, primarily in form of the 
Annual Bonus. Employees at different 
levels throughout the group participate 
in Annual Bonus Plans with different 
payment outcomes. The annual 
performance objectives are cascaded 
down to all employees from the objectives 
set at the beginning of the year for 
the Executive Directors and Executive 
Officers, to ensure that the performance 
of all employees is linked to the Strategic 
Imperatives. In 2019, 9 Executive Officers 
and 37 senior executives participated 
in the Annual Bonus Plan on the same 
basis as the Executive Directors subject 
to lower limits.

All Employee Share Plans
We operate two all-employee share 
plan arrangements depending on the 
most appropriate arrangement for 
different geographies. In 2019, in the 
US, 2,651 employees participated in the 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In 2019, 
in the UK and 32 other countries, 2,770 
employees participated in the ShareSave 
Plan. Executive Directors, Executive 
Officers and senior executives participated 
in these plans depending on where they 
are located.

Long term incentives
10 Executive Officers and 38 senior  
executives participate in the Performance 
Share Programme on the same basis 
as the Executive Directors subject 
to lower limits. 

Shareholding requirements
Executive Officers and senior executives 
who participate in the Annual Bonus Plan 
and the Performance Share Programme 
are also required to build a significant 
shareholding in the Company.

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Remuneration continued

The Policy report continued
Illustrations of the application of the Remuneration Policy 2020
The following charts show the potential split between the different elements of the 
Executive Directors’ remuneration under four different performance scenarios:

Chief Executive Officer
Current

Minimum %

100 CHF1,585k

Target %

Maximum %

Maximum+ %*

Proposed

32

22

19

28

14

26

CHF4,966k

29

12

24

11

37 CHF7,174k

46

CHF8,485k

Minimum %

100 CHF1,585k

Target %

Maximum %

Maximum+ %*

32

19

15

Chief Financial Officer
* + 50% share price growth
Current

Fixed pay

Minimum %

100 £762k

30

38 CHF4,966k

36

29

45

CHF8,347k

56

CHF10,244k

Cash incentive

Equity incentive

Annual bonus

PSP

Target %

36 26

13

25

£2,153k

Maximum %

Maximum+ %*

25

21

28

12

24 10

35 £3,062k

45

£3,602k

Proposed

Minimum %

100 £705k

Target %

Maximum %

Maximum+ %*

34

20

17

29

37 £2,097k

35

28

45

£3,488k

55

£4,269k

* + 50% share price growth

Fixed pay

Cash incentive

Equity incentive

Annual bonus

PSP

Assumed 
performance
All performance  
scenarios

Fixed  
pay

Assumptions used for proposed Policy

 – Consists of total fixed pay, including base salary and pension allowance  

(as at 1 April 2020) and benefits (as received during 2019).

Variable  
pay

Minimum  
Performance

 – No pay-out under the Annual Bonus Plan.
 – No vesting under the Performance Share Programme.

Target  
Performance

Maximum  
Performance

Maximum 
performance 
(including 50% 
share price 
growth scenario)

 – 50% of maximum payout under the Annual Bonus Plan (ie 107.5% of salary)
 – 50% vesting under the Performance Share Programme (ie 137.5% of salary)

 – 100% of the maximum pay-out under the Annual Bonus Plan  

(ie 215% of salary).

 – 100% vesting under the Performance Share Programme (ie 275% of salary).

 – 100% of the maximum pay-out under the Annual Bonus Plan  

(ie 215% of salary).

 – 100% vesting under the Performance Share Programme (ie 275% of salary).
 – 50% growth in share price.

Performance Share Programme awards have been shown at face value with 
no discount rate assumptions.

The charts provide illustrative values of the remuneration package in 2020. 
Actual outcomes may differ from those shown.
96

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 Committee will determine a base 
salary in-line with the Policy and having 
regard to the parameters set out in the 
Future Policy Table. Incoming Executive 
Directors will be entitled to pension 
(or cash payment in lieu of pension), 
benefits and incentive arrangements 
aligned with those set out in the Policy 
table above. On that basis, the aggregate 
annual opportunity under their incentive 
arrangements would not exceed 490% 
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 may also pay relocation 
and related costs, in-line with the 
relocation arrangements we operate 
across the Group.

For external appointments, the 
Committee may award compensation 
for the forfeiture of remuneration awards 
from a previous employer. In doing so, 
the Committee would aim to structure 
the replacement awards in a like-for-like 
manner to the extent possible, taking 
into account relevant factors, including:
 – The form of the forfeited awards  

(eg cash or shares);

 – Any performance conditions attached 
to them and the likelihood of these 
conditions being satisfied; and

 – The proportion of the vesting and/or 

performance period remaining.

The Committee will have regard to the  
best interests of both Smith+Nephew 
and its shareholders and is conscious  
of the need to pay no more than is  
necessary, particularly when determining 
buy-out arrangements.

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Policy for payment for loss of office
Our policy regarding termination payments 
to departing Executive Directors is to limit 
severance payments to pre-established 
contractual terms. 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 rule 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, pension contributions (or 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, the costs of meeting 
any settlement agreement, and legal 
and financial advice.

In the event that an Executive Director 
dies or leaves for reasons of ill-health, 
redundancy or retirement in agreement 
with the Company, or for any other reason 
for which the Committee determines that 
good leaver treatment is appropriate:
 – They may be eligible to receive an 

annual bonus on a time pro-rated basis 
for the period of the year that they have 
worked. The annual bonus will typically 
be subject to business and individual 
performance in the same manner as 
for the continuing Executive Directors, 
and paid at the usual time. In-line with 
Company policy for all our employees, 
Executive Directors leaving in the last 
three months of the year may be eligible 
to receive a full year bonus, while those 
joining in the last three months of the 
year may not be eligible to receive 
any bonus.

 – Outstanding Deferred Share Bonus Plan 
awards will subsist and be released  
in-line with their original timeframes, 
unless the Committee determines 
otherwise. They will not normally be  
pro-rated. 

 – Outstanding Performance Share 

Programme awards will typically be 
pro-rated for the time worked during 
the relevant performance period, 
and tested for performance at the 
end of the performance period, unless 
the Committee determines otherwise. 
The two-year holding period will 
usually continue to be enforced.
 – Any outstanding awards under 

the Deferred Share Bonus Plan or 
Performance Share Programme will 
remain subject to the same terms 
and conditions (including, malus and 
clawback) as applied at time of grant. 

For participants who leave for any other 
reason, outstanding Deferred Share Bonus 
Plan and Performance Share Programme 
awards will lapse in full.

One-off awards granted on appointment 
will normally lapse on leaving except in 
cases of death, retirement, redundancy 
or ill-health. The Committee has discretion 
to permit such awards to vest in other 
circumstances and will be subject 
to satisfactorily meeting applicable 
performance conditions.

We will supply details via an 
announcement to the London Stock 
Exchange of a departing Executive 
Director’s termination arrangements 
as soon as is practicable.

Policy on shareholding requirements
The Committee believes that one of 
the best ways our Executive Directors’ 
interests can be aligned with that 
of shareholders is for them to hold a 
significant number of shares in the 
Company. The Chief Executive Officer 
is therefore expected to build a holding 
of Smith+Nephew shares worth three 
times his or her base salary and the 
Chief Financial Officer is expected to build 
a holding of two times his or her base 
salary. Executive Directors are required 
to retain at least 50% of the shares after 
tax) vesting under Company incentive 
plans until this shareholding requirement 
has been met, recognising that differing 
international tax regimes affect the pace 
at which Executive Directors may fulfil 
the shareholding requirement.

In making buy-out awards to new 
appointments, the Committee may grant 
awards under the relevant provision in 
the Financial Conduct Authority Listing 
Rules, which allows for the granting of 
awards specifically to facilitate, in unusual 
circumstances, the recruitment of an 
Executive Director, without seeking prior 
shareholder approval. In doing so, it will 
comply with the provisions in force at 
the date of this report.

The overall approach outlined above 
would also apply to internal appointments, 
with the proviso that any commitments 
entered into before promotion which are 
inconsistent with the Policy will continue 
to be honoured.

We will aim to provide 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 twelve 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 
his or her notice period and pay them an 
amount equivalent to the base salary, 
pension contributions (or 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 Directors’ 
service contracts, 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 or 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:  
Building 5, Croxley Park, Hatters Lane, 
Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 8YE.

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Remuneration continued

Consultation with employees relating 
to Executive Director remuneration
While the Committee does not directly 
consult with our employees as part of 
the process of determining executive pay, 
the Committee does receive feedback 
from employee surveys and takes this 
into account when reviewing executive 
pay. In addition, a significant number 
of our employees are shareholders and 
so are able to express their views in 
the same way as other shareholders. 
During 2019, no comments from employees 
relating to Executive Remuneration were 
raised during Board site visits.

Statement of consideration 
of shareholder views
Angie Risley, the Committee Chair, 
engaged extensively with shareholders 
during development of the 2020 
Remuneration Policy. The feedback 
received was presented to and discussed 
at length by the Committee, and informed 
the final shape of the proposals which 
are being put to the 2020 AGM.

Angie met with shareholders holding 
in excess of 38% of the Company’s 
Share capital, and corresponded with a 
further 8.5%, meaning that almost half 
of our register were asked for their views. 
This included 17 of our top 20 shareholders 
plus a number of shareholders who, 
although holding a smaller number of 
shares, had indicated earlier in the year 
that they would be interested in engaging 
with the Company on remuneration 
matters. In addition, we met with the 
Investment Association, ISS and Glass 
Lewis to obtain their input.

The Chair appreciated the positive and 
constructive tone of the consultation. 
It was pleasing that shareholders were 
on the whole supportive of the proposals, 
particularly the:
 – Emphasis on long-term 

sustainable performance;

 – Simplification of the short-term 

incentive plans;

 – Increased deferral of the short-term 

incentive opportunity;

 – Reduction in target opportunity 
in the short-term arrangements;
 – Reduction in pension payments; and
 – Introduction of post-cessation 
shareholding requirements.

Some shareholders were cautious about 
the increase in maximum opportunity 
under the Performance Share Programme, 
and in particular looked for reassurance 
that maximum vesting under the 
plan would only be achieved for very 
stretching performance.

The Committee took all comments 
received on board during its subsequent 
discussions. With respect to the latter 
concern raised by some shareholders, 
in setting targets for the 2020 Performance 
Share Programme cycle, the Committee 
considers that the upper end of the 
performance ranges will require significant 
outperformance of internal and external 
forecasts for performance, as well as 
of the FTSE 100 and our direct peers. 
Further information is shown on  
page 112–113.

The Policy report continued
When calculating whether or not this 
requirement has been met, Ordinary 
Shares or ADRs held by the Executive 
Directors and their immediate family are 
included, as are unvested awards under 
the Deferred Share Bonus Plan (on a 
net-of-tax basis), but not Performance 
Share Programme awards. Ordinarily we 
would expect Executive Directors to 
achieve their shareholding requirement 
within a period of five years from the 
date of appointment.

Executive Directors are also required 
to hold any shares vesting under the 
Performance Share Programme for a 
period of two years after vesting.

The 10 Executive Officers and 38 
senior executives who participate in 
the Annual Bonus Plan and Performance 
Share Programme are also required 
to build a significant shareholding in 
the Company, extending the principle 
of alignment with our shareholders 
across the senior management team.

Policy on post cessation shareholding
Executive Directors are required 
to retain any shareholding up to the 
applicable shareholding requirement 
(or their actual holding on departure if 
lower) for a period of two years after 
cessation of employment.

In order to reinforce this expectation, 
and to the extent that the shareholding 
requirement has not been reached, all 
vested Deferred Share Bonus Plan and 
Performance Share Programme shares 
will be held in a Vested Share Account, 
which will not be accessible until two 
years post cessation of employment. 
In addition, former Executive Directors 
will be required to seek permission to 
deal during this period.

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Future policy table – Chair and Non-Executive Directors
The following table and accompanying notes explain the different elements of remuneration we pay to our Chair and Non-Executive 
Directors. This Policy is unchanged from 2017. No element of their remuneration is subject to performance. All payments made to 
the Chair are determined by the Remuneration Committee, whilst payments made to the Non-Executive Directors are determined by 
those Directors who are not themselves Non-Executive Directors, currently the Chair, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

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 further align Non-Executive Directors’ fees with the interests 
of shareholders.

How the component operates

Fees will be reviewed on an annual basis. In future, any increase 
will be paid in shares until 25% of the total fees is paid in shares.
Fees are set in-line with market practice for fees paid by similar 
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.

Maximum levels of payment
Annual fees are currently as follows:
 – £63,000 in cash plus £6,500 in shares; or
 – $120,000 in cash plus $9,780 in ADRs.

Chair fees:
 – £315,180 in cash plus £105,060 in shares.

Whilst it is not expected to increase the fees paid to the  
Non-Executive Directors and the Chair 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 £1.5m as set out in the Company’s Articles 
of Association.

 Fee for Senior Independent Director and Committee Chair

To compensate Non-Executive Directors for the additional time spent as Committee Chair or Senior Independent Director.

How the component operates

A fixed fee is paid, which is reviewed annually.

Maximum levels of payment
 – £20,000 in cash.
 – $35,000 in cash.

Whilst it is not expected that the fees paid to the Senior Independent 
Director or Committee Chairs will exceed the increases paid to 
employees generally, in exceptional circumstances, higher fees might 
become payable.

Intercontinental travel

To compensate Non-Executive Directors for the time spent travelling to attend meetings in another continent.

How the component operates

A fixed fee is paid, which is reviewed annually.

Maximum levels of payment
 – £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.

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Remuneration continued

The Policy report continued
Notes to future policy table –  
Non-Executive Directors

Letters of appointment
The Chair and Non-Executive Directors 
have letters of appointment which set 
out the terms under which they provide 
their services to the Company. These are 
available for inspection at the Company’s 
registered office: Building 5, Croxley Park, 
Hatters lane, Watford, Hertfordshire  
WD18 8YE, United Kingdom.

The appointment of the 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 Chair is 
subject to a notice period of six months.

The Chair and Non-Executive Directors 
are required to acquire a shareholding 
in the Company equivalent in value to 
one time their basic fee within two years 
of their appointment to the Board.

Additional duties undertaken  
by Non-Executive Directors
In the event that the Chair or a  
Non-Executive Director is required to 
undertake significant executive duties in 
order to support the Executive Directors 
during a period of absence due to illness 
or a gap prior to the appointment of 
a permanent Executive Director, the 
Committee is authorised to determine 
an appropriate level of fees which shall 
be payable. These fees will not exceed 
the amounts which would normally be 
paid to a permanent Executive Director 
undertaking such duties and shall not 
include participation in short or long-term 
incentive arrangements or benefit plans.

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 Chair, fee 
levels will take account of market rates, 
the individual’s profile and experience, 
the time required to undertake the role 
and general business conditions. In addition, 
the Committee retains the right to authorise 
the payment of relocation assistance 
or an accommodation allowance in the 
event of the appointment of a Chair 
not currently based in the UK.

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Remuneration implementation report

During the year, Deloitte provided advice 
on market trends and remuneration 
issues in general, attended Committee 
meetings, assisted in the review of 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report, 
undertook calculations relating to 
the TSR performance conditions, 
advised on Executive Director and 
Officer pay and investor views and 
engagement. Deloitte advised on the 
views of shareholders and investor 
bodies relating to different aspects of 
Executive pay, when reviewing the draft 
2020 Remuneration Policy prior to our 
engagement with shareholders.

The Remuneration Committee also 
took additional remuneration advice 
from Pearl Meyer who evaluated whether 
there was an alternative methodology 
or structure which could be used in 
the development of our remuneration 
model given the difference between 
US and UK compensation expectations. 
They also provided further information 
on the breakdown of our competitor 
data in the medical technology sector.

The fees paid to Deloitte for advice to 
the Committee during 2019, charged 
on a time and expense basis, were 
£192,075. Deloitte complies with 
the Code of Conduct in relation to 
Executive Remuneration Consulting in 
the United Kingdom and the Committee 
is satisfied that their advice is objective 
and independent. The fees paid to 
Pearl Meyer for remuneration advice 
during 2019 was $13,000.

Work of the Remuneration 
Committee in 2019
In 2019, we held eight meetings and 
determined two further matters by written 
resolution. Each meeting was attended 
by all members of the Committee except 
for one meeting convened at very short 
notice, which Vinita Bali was unable to 
attend. The Chief Executive Officer and 
the Chief Human Resources Officer, 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, Deloitte LLP (Deloitte), who 
completed their first year as remuneration 
advisors to the Committee. Three of the 
additional meetings held during the year 
were to consider and review the proposed 
new Remuneration Policy and to discuss 
shareholder feedback on our proposals. 
Our schedule of work in 2019 can be 
found in the table on the next page.

Since year end, we have also reviewed 
the financial results for 2019 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 
2020. 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 vesting 
of awards under the Performance 
Share Programme granted in 2017. 
Finally, we approved the wording of 
this Directors’ Remuneration Report.

Independent Remuneration 
Committee Advisors
During the year, the Committee received 
information and advice from Deloitte. 
Deloitte is a global firm, which provides 
many services to the Company, including 
tax and consultancy services. Deloitte was 
appointed by the Committee following 
a full tender process in 2018 to provide 
remuneration advice to the Committee, 
independent from management. 

The Remuneration Committee 
presents the Annual Report 
on Remuneration (the 
Implementation Report) which 
will be put to shareholders 
for an advisory vote at the 
Annual General Meeting 
to be held on 9 April 2020. 
The Terms of Reference of the 
Remuneration Committee 
describe our role and 
responsibilities more fully and 
can be found on our website: 
www.smith-nephew.com

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Remuneration continued

Responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee

April

June

July

August

September

October

December

New Remuneration Policy

New Remuneration Policy

New Remuneration Policy

New Remuneration Policy

Chief Executive Officer change New Remuneration Policy

Reviewed the schedule 
of plans and targets 
for awards made in 2017, 
2018 and 2019.
Review of Remuneration 
Policy.

Reviewed the 2020 
Remuneration Strategy 
in respect of process, 
structure and quantum.

Further review of the 

2020 Remuneration Policy 

in respect of process, 

structure and quantum.

Review of the 2020 

Remuneration Policy 

in respect of process, 

Agreed termination 

arrangements for 

Namal Nawana and 

Reviewed shareholder 

feedback on remuneration 

proposals for 2020 and 

structure and quantum.

recruitment arrangements 

adjusted proposals 

for Roland Diggelmann.

accordingly.

Noted sign on share 
awards and awards made 
to senior executives.

Considered external 
environment and 
feedback received from 
constructive engagement 
with shareholders.

Continued consideration 
of constructive engagement 
on remuneration matters 
with shareholders.

Reviewed and approved 

the proposed shareholder 

engagement programme.

Mid-year Review of 

Remuneration Arrangements

Reviewed the schedule 

of plans and targets for 

awards made in 2017, 

2018 and 2019.

Reviewed the 2020 

Remuneration Policy.

Noted sign on share 

awards and share awards 

made to senior executives.

Noted an update on 

performance against 

the TSR metric.

Reviewed adherence 

to shareholding guidelines 

for Executive Directors 

and senior executives.

Monitored dilution limits 

and the number of 

shares available for use 

in respect of discretionary 

and all-employee share plans.

Timetable 2019

February

Approval of salaries, awards and payouts in 2019
Approval of targets and Remuneration strategy 
for 2019

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 in particular 
relating to CEO Pay Ratio and Gender Pay.

 – 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.

Approved quantum of cash payments and 
awards to Executive Directors and Officers 
under the Annual Incentive Plan, the Equity 
Incentive Programme and Performance 
Share Programme.
Agreed the targets for the short-term 
and long-term incentive plans for 2019. 
Approved salary increases for 2019.
Reviewed the schedule of plans and targets 
made in 2017, 2018 and to be made in 2019.
Considered and approved changes to the 
performance rating system for Executive 
Directors and below.
Noted the Gender Pay Gap and CEO Pay 
Ratio Figures.
Reviewed and approved the proposed  
2019 business plan for the Committee.
Considered appropriate remuneration 
package treatment for former Executive 
Officers and Company Secretary.
Reviewed Chair of the Board’s pay.

Reviewed and approved the Rules of the 
Global Share Plan 2010, which had been 
updated to reflect the UK Corporate 
Governance Code 2018.
Reviewed adherence to shareholding 
guidelines for Directors and 
senior executives.
Noted share awards made to senior 
executives and mid tier employees.

Reporting and engagement with shareholders on Remuneration Matters
Considered approach to the Code and 
to guidelines issued by various influential 
investors and investor agents.
Approved Remuneration Report.

 – Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report ensuring compliance with related 
governance provisions.

 – Continuation of constructive engagement 

on remuneration matters with shareholders.

Other matters

Audit Committee in attendance to answer 
questions related to audited numbers 
and provide assurance.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Timetable 2019

February

Approval of salaries, awards and payouts in 2019

New Remuneration Policy

New Remuneration Policy

Approval of targets and Remuneration strategy 

for 2019

Determination of Remuneration Policy and Packages

 – Determination of Remuneration Policy for 

Approved quantum of cash payments and 

Reviewed the schedule 

Executive Directors and senior executives.

awards to Executive Directors and Officers 

of plans and targets 

under the Annual Incentive Plan, the Equity 

for awards made in 2017, 

Incentive Programme and Performance 

2018 and 2019.

Review of Remuneration 

Policy.

Reviewed the 2020 

Remuneration Strategy 

in respect of process, 

structure and quantum.

 – 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 in particular 

relating to CEO Pay Ratio and Gender Pay.

 – 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.

Share Programme.

Agreed the targets for the short-term 

and long-term incentive plans for 2019. 

Approved salary increases for 2019.

Reviewed the schedule of plans and targets 

made in 2017, 2018 and to be made in 2019.

Considered and approved changes to the 

performance rating system for Executive 

Directors and below.

Noted the Gender Pay Gap and CEO Pay 

Ratio Figures.

Reviewed and approved the proposed  

2019 business plan for the Committee.

Considered appropriate remuneration 

package treatment for former Executive 

Officers and Company Secretary.

Reviewed Chair of the Board’s pay.

Governance Code 2018.

Reviewed adherence to shareholding 

guidelines for Directors and 

senior executives.

Noted share awards made to senior 

executives and mid tier employees.

Reporting and engagement with shareholders on Remuneration Matters

 – Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration 

Considered approach to the Code and 

Report ensuring compliance with related 

to guidelines issued by various influential 

governance provisions.

investors and investor agents.

 – Continuation of constructive engagement 

Approved Remuneration Report.

on remuneration matters with shareholders.

Other matters

Audit Committee in attendance to answer 

questions related to audited numbers 

and provide assurance.

Oversight of all Company Share Plans

 – Determination of the use of long-term 

incentive plans and overseeing the use 

Reviewed and approved the Rules of the 

Global Share Plan 2010, which had been 

of shares in executive and all-employee plans.

updated to reflect the UK Corporate 

Noted sign on share 

awards and awards made 

to senior executives.

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

April

June

July

August

September

October

December

New Remuneration Policy

New Remuneration Policy

Chief Executive Officer change New Remuneration Policy

Further review of the 
2020 Remuneration Policy 
in respect of process, 
structure and quantum.

Review of the 2020 
Remuneration Policy 
in respect of process, 
structure and quantum.

Agreed termination 
arrangements for 
Namal Nawana and 
recruitment arrangements 
for Roland Diggelmann.

Reviewed shareholder 
feedback on remuneration 
proposals for 2020 and 
adjusted proposals 
accordingly.

Mid-year Review of 
Remuneration Arrangements

Reviewed the schedule 
of plans and targets for 
awards made in 2017, 
2018 and 2019.
Reviewed the 2020 
Remuneration Policy.
Noted sign on share 
awards and share awards 
made to senior executives.
Noted an update on 
performance against 
the TSR metric.

Reviewed adherence 
to shareholding guidelines 
for Executive Directors 
and senior executives.
Monitored dilution limits 
and the number of 
shares available for use 
in respect of discretionary 
and all-employee share plans.

Considered external 

environment and 

feedback received from 

constructive engagement 

with shareholders.

Continued consideration 

of constructive engagement 

on remuneration matters 

with shareholders.

Reviewed and approved 
the proposed shareholder 
engagement programme.

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Remuneration continued

Remuneration implementation report continued
Single total figure on remuneration
The amounts for 2019 have been converted into US$ for ease of comparability using the exchange rates of £ to US$1.2757 and CHF to 
US$1.0063 (2018: £ to US$1.334 and € to US$1.180).

Roland Diggelmann
Appointed 1 November 2019

Namal Nawana¹
Appointed 7 May 2018 
(resigned from the Board 
31 October 2019)

Olivier Bohuon 
Appointed 1 April 2011 
(resigned from Board 
7 May 2018)

Graham Baker
Appointed 1 March 2017

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

$231,449
$27,775
$6,590

– $1,569,615 $1,006,923
– $334,923 $222,010
$59,754
–

$47,302

– $490,615
$147,184
–
$44,322
–

$707,252
$707,628
$217,014 $212,302
$26,758
$29,869

–

–

– $1,674,653 $1,042,655

– $455,345 $726,646 $676,025

– $862,881 $552,290

–

– $353,627 $353,817

Fixed pay

Base salary
Pension payments
Taxable benefits
Annual variable pay

Annual Incentive Plan –  
cash element

Hybrid

Annual Incentive Plan – 
equity element

Long-term variable pay

Performance Share Programme

Total

–
$265,814

–
–
– $4,489,374 $2,883,632 $1,067,688 $2,383,582 $2,899,165 $1,976,530

– $1,067,688 $1,246,116 $864,757

–

Base salary
Pension payments

Taxable benefits

Annual Incentive Plan –  
cash element
Annual Incentive Plan – 
equity element

Performance Share Programme

Total

the actual salary receivable for the year.
the value of the salary supplement in lieu of pension or contribution to any pension scheme 
made by the Company.
the gross value of all taxable benefits (or benefits that would be taxable in the UK) received 
in the year.
the value of the cash incentive payable for performance in respect of the relevant financial year.

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 page 108 of this report.
the value of shares vesting that were subject to performance over the three-year period ending 
on 31 December in the relevant financial year. For awards vesting in early 2020 this is based 
on an estimated share price of 1,747.49p per share, which was the average price of a share over 
the last quarter of 2019. The amount of this award that was attributable to share price increase 
from the date of grant to 1,747.49p per share was £250,720 for Olivier Bohuon and £203,067 for 
Graham Baker. The value of the 2016 share awards that vested in 2019 have now been restated 
with the share price on the date of actual vesting being 1,441.12p per share on 1 March 2019, 
using the 2018 £:US$ exchange rate of US$1.334. 
the sum of the above elements.

All data is presented in our reporting currency of US$. Amounts for Roland Diggelmann have been converted from Swiss Francs and 
Graham Baker from GBP using average exchange rates. Given currency movements in 2019, this may give the impression of changes 
that are misleading. Data is presented in local currency in the subsequent sections in the interests of full transparency.

1  The amounts shown for Namal Nawana are the amounts paid in respect of the full year to 31 December 2019. This includes the period 1 November 2019 to 31 December 2019 when he had 
ceased to be Chief Executive Officer of the Company and remained as an employee, ensuring a smooth transition to Roland Diggelmann, who succeeded him as Chief Executive Officer. 
This totalled $724,331 for those two months.

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Fixed pay

Base salary

In February 2019, it was agreed that with effect from 1 April 2019, Executive Directors would be paid the following base salaries 
per annum.

Namal Nawana
Graham Baker

2019
$1,578,500
£557,134

2018
$1,540,000
£520,000 

Roland Diggelmann was appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2019 and as announced on 21 October 2019 was paid 
an annual base salary of CHF1,380,000. In February 2020, we reviewed the base salaries of the Executive Directors, having considered 
general economic conditions and average salary increases across the rest of the Company, which have averaged at 3% in the UK. 
As previously announced, Roland Diggelmann will receive no base pay review until 1 April 2021. Graham Baker’s salary will increase 
by 2% to £568,277 with effect from 1 April 2020.

Pension payments

In 2019, Graham Baker received a salary supplement of 30% of his basic salary to apply towards his retirement savings, in lieu of 
membership of one of the Company’s pension schemes. This payment has been reviewed as part of the 2020 Remuneration Policy. 
Subject to the approval of the 2020 Remuneration Policy by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 9 April 2020, the cash payment 
in lieu of a pension in respect of Graham will be reduced to 20% with effect from 1 January 2020, and to 12% from 1 January 2021  
in-line with the wider UK workforce. This is discussed further on page 87 and 91.

Namal Nawana participated in the retirement plans available to our US Executives: Executive Plus Plan, 401k and 401k plus. 
The Company contribution to these plans was: 20% of base salary to the Executive Plus Plan, standard company match for 401k 
and standard 401k plus contribution up to the IRS maximum.

Roland Diggelmann participates in the Swiss Profond pension plan. He is employed under a Swiss contract, which is where he is 
domiciled. During 2019, total Company pension contributions for Roland amounted to CHF 27,601, which is equivalent to 12% of his 
base salary.

Benefits

In 2019, our UK based Executive Director, Graham Baker 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. The same cover is provided 
to our new Chief Executive Officer, Roland Diggelmann. Namal Nawana participated in the US Life Assurance Program, which in total 
was capped at $2m. Each Executive Director received health cover for themselves and their families, a car allowance and financial 
consultancy advice. The same arrangements will apply in 2020 for Roland Diggelmann and Graham Baker. The following table 
summarises the value of benefits in respect of 2018 and 2019.

Roland Diggelmann 
Appointed 1 November 2019

Namal Nawana1

Olivier Bohuon

Graham Baker

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Health cover
Car and fuel allowance
Financial consultancy advice
Travel costs
Subscriptions

CHF 1,149
CHF 5,400
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

$9,790
$12,700
£19,450
–
–

$6,635
$8,467
£33,485
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

£2,915
£5,288
£15,733
£7,056
£2,245

£1,318
£21,052
£1,044
–
–

£1,369
£17,676
£1,020
–
–

1  Amounts shown are in respect of the full year ended 31 December 2019.

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Remuneration continued

Remuneration implementation report continued
Annual variable pay

Annual Incentive Plan 2019 – cash element

The performance measures and weightings which apply to the cash element of the Annual Incentive Plan are set out in the 
Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders in 2017 and detailed on page 108 of the 2018 Annual Report.

The weightings of the performance measures and the figures for threshold, target and maximum relating to the financial objectives 
of the cash element can be summarised as follows:

Revenue
Trading Profit Margin
Trading cash flow

1  At constant exchange rates. See page 200.

Weighting
35%
25%
15%

Threshold
$4,954m
22.2%
$918m

Target
$5,107m
22.7%
$1,020m

Maximum
$5,260m
23.1%
$1,122m

Actual
$5,161m1
22.7%1
$970m

The Committee determined that this performance fairly reflected the overall performance of the Company during 2019 and therefore 
resulted in a bonus achievement of 77.7% of salary in respect of the financial objectives.

Revenue
Trading profit margin
Trading cash flow

Weight
35%
25%
15%

Achieved % 
of target
118%
101%
76%

Award % of salary
41.1%
25.2%
11.4%

Accordingly, the following amounts have been earned by Namal Nawana and Graham Baker for 2019 under the cash element of the 
Annual Incentive Plan in respect of their financial objectives. Roland Diggelmann under the terms of his appointment will not receive 
a Cash Incentive Award for the time he was employed as Chief Executive Officer in 2019.

Namal Nawana
Graham Baker

$1,219,679
£431,006

Business Objectives
When setting business objectives for the upcoming year, the Board looks not only at the expected financial performance for the year, 
but also at the actions it expects the Executive Director to carry out in the year to build a solid foundation for financial performance over 
the longer term. In reviewing performance against these objectives at the end of the year, the Board is mindful that there is not always 
a necessary correlation between financial performance and the achievement of business objectives.

The table on page 107 opposite sets out how Namal Nawana and Graham Baker have performed against the business objectives of Growth, 
People and Business Processes.

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Namal Nawana

People

 – Against objective of embedding new purpose and winning culture 
to drive sustainable growth and success, achieved above target 
employee participation in new engagement survey, launched and  
embedded new Code of Conduct and Winning Behaviours 
and demonstrated values in practice through employee webcasts 
and at Leadership meetings. Launched new brand identity as 
visual demonstration of new purpose and culture pillars.

 – Against objective to evaluate and strengthen leadership capabilities 

across the organisation, filled vacant role on Executive Committee 
and increased gender diversity from 28% to 33%, and widened 
nationality-base to help emergence of different points of view.

Business process 

Graham Baker

 – Against objective to deliver Accelerating Performance and Execution 
(APEX) programme and Finance, IT and GBS transformations, APEX 
delivered benefits of around $80 million in 2019 and, when finished, 
is now expected to deliver annualised benefits of $190 million, 
$30 million more than originally expected. Functional transformation 
programmes proceeding to plan, maintaining quality of SoX 
and MAPs environment and delivering substantial progress in IT 
security improvement.

 – Against objective to deliver New Product Development from ideation 
to successful full commercial launch exceeded milestones for top 
ten programmes including launches in new sports medicine, knee implant 
and robotics.

 – Against objective to improve Business Intelligence and Insight  

to the business, new finance and IT pricing platforms implemented 
improving pricing & management reporting and new Chief Information 
Officer hired with relevant experience from leading devices competitor.

 – Against objective to develop strategy and plan to simplify 

organisation to increase efficiencies completed mapping and 
improvement planning and initiated implementation; expanded 
global business services to meet evolving business needs.

Customers

 – Against objective to drive stronger customer focus and growth 

through direct customer connections, deeper understanding of their 
needs and greater agility to market changes, attended multiple 
customer meetings and major trade shows and completed and 
integrated five acquisitions bringing new technologies into portfolio 
and enhancing R&D capability. Led focused investor engagement 
including at major industry and investment events.

 – Against objective to deliver value-enhancing M&A opportunities 
to the business, provided high quality finance support in the due 
diligence, structuring and business case development for the five 
acquisitions in 2019.

This resulted in a bonus achievement of 29% of salary in respect 
of the business objectives.

This resulted in a bonus achievement of 25% of salary (pro-rated) 
in respect of the business objectives. 

People
Business Process
Customers

Weight
8.33%
8.33%
8.33%

Achieved % 
of target
108%
124%
116%

Award %  
of salary
9%
10.3%
9.7%

People
Business Process
Customers

Weight
8.33%
8.33%
8.33%

Achieved % 
of target
100%
100%
100%

Award %  
of salary
8.33%
8.33%
8.33%

Accordingly, the following amount has been earned by 
Namal Nawana under the cash element of the Annual Incentive 
Plan during 2019 in respect of his business objectives.

Accordingly, the following amount has been earned by 
Graham Baker under the cash element of the Annual Incentive 
Plan during 2019 in respect of his business objectives. 

Namal Nawana

$454,974

Graham Baker

£138,600

Roland Diggelmann will not receive an Annual Incentive Plan award for the time he was employed as Chief Executive Officer in 2019.

Amounts shown in respect of Namal Nawana are in respect of the full year ended 31 December 2019. 

As well as considering the monetary outcome of the formulaic calculation of these awards, the Committee considered whether 
discretion should be applied to override these formulaic outcomes and concluded that the monetary outcomes were aligned with 
the financial performance of the Company, individual performance and Strategic Imperatives during 2019 and the intention of the 
Remuneration Policy.

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Remuneration continued

Remuneration implementation report continued

Annual Incentive Plan – equity element

The individual performance of all employees in the Group is assessed on two bases. The first looks at what has been achieved, 
namely the extent to which the employee has performed against the financial and business objectives set at the beginning of the year. 
The second looks at how this performance has been achieved, reflecting the right culture and values in accordance with our culture 
pillars of Care, Collaboration and Courage. That rating in turn would drive the level of Equity Incentive Award for Executive Directors. 
The below table outlines how awards will be made in-line with the 2019 assessment of Executive Directors only, in-line with the 
2017 Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders on 6 April 2017.

Assessment of what 
has been achieved

Below expectations
In-line with expectations
Above expectations

Below expectations
No Award
No Award
No Award

In-line with expectations
No Award
Award of 50% of Salary
Award of 55% of Salary

Assessment of how Executive Directors have achieved
Above expectations
No Award
Award of 55% of Salary
Award of 65% of Salary

In assessing their performance against the same financial and business objectives used to determine the level of their cash award, 
the Committee has determined that on the first criterion (assessing what they have achieved) Namal Nawana exceeded expectations 
and Graham Baker met expectations throughout the year. On the second criterion (assessing how they have achieved), the Remuneration 
Committee has determined that Namal and Graham have both met expectations. These ratings result in an Equity Incentive Award 
of 55% of salary for Namal Nawana and 50% of salary for Graham Baker. In summary, as a result of the financial performance described 
on page 106 and the individual performance described in the table on page 107, the Committee determined that the following awards 
be made under the Annual Incentive Plan in respect of performance in 2019:

Executive Director
Namal Nawana 
Graham Baker

% of salary
106.7%
102.7%

Cash Component
Amount
$1,674,653
£569,606

% of salary
55%
50%

Equity Component
Amount
$862,881
£277,202

These figures are converted into dollars and included under Annual Incentive Plan (cash) and (equity) in the single figure table on 
page 104.

The precise awards granted in 2020 to Namal and Graham in respect of service in 2019 will be announced when the awards are made 
and will be disclosed in the 2020 Annual Report. As a result of the 2019 performance assessment for Namal and Graham, the first 
tranche of the Equity Incentive Award made in 2019 will vest. Both the grant and vesting of these awards are subject to Namal 
and Graham’s performance as discussed on page 107.

Roland Diggelmann will not receive an Annual Incentive Plan award for the time he was employed as Chief Executive Officer in 2019.

Director
Namal Nawana
Graham Baker

Date of Grant
7 March 2019
7 March 2019

Number of shares under  
award vesting
9,570
6,047

Number of shares to vest from each 
grant subject to performance
19,142
12,095

Equity incentive award from prior years
The following Equity Incentive awards held by Graham Baker partially vested on 7 March 2019 in accordance with the plan rules:

Director
Graham Baker

Date of Grant
7 March 2018

Number of shares under award vested
7,241

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Annual variable pay 2020
Subject to approval of the 2020 Remuneration Policy by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 9 April 2020, the 
Annual Cash Incentive Plan and the Annual Equity Incentive Plan will be combined into a single Annual Bonus Plan in order to simplify 
our remuneration arrangements. The total maximum opportunity will remain at 215% of base salary but the target opportunity reduces 
from 150% to 108% of base salary in order to focus more on long-term performance under the Performance Share Programme. 
At the same time the amount deferred increases from around one third at the maximum opportunity to 50% for a period of 3 years 
rather than 1 to 3 years.

Annual Bonus Plan 2020

The maximum opportunity under the Annual Bonus Plan for Executive Directors will be 215% of base salary, subject to satisfactory 
performance against the performance measures detailed below. 50% of the award will be paid in cash and 50% will be deferred into 
shares which will vest after three years and which will be subject to a further two-year holding period.

The performance measures and weightings which will apply to the Annual Bonus Plan are as follows:

Revenue
Trading Margin
Business Objectives

Weighting
40%
40%
20%

Threshold as 
a percentage 
of salary
12.8%
12.8%
6.4%

Target as a 
percentage 
of salary
43%
43%
21.5%

Maximum as 
a percentage 
of salary
86%
86%
43%

For reasons of commercial sensitivity, we are unable to disclose the precise targets for revenue and trading margin for 2020 now, 
but they will be disclosed retrospectively in the 2020 Annual Report, when performance against these targets are determined.

The revenue target for 2020 is set by reference to our expectations for growth for the year. Threshold is set at 3 percentage points 
below target and maximum is set at 3 percentage points above target.

The trading margin target is set by reference to our expectations for growth for the year. Threshold is set at 50bps below target 
and maximum is set 80bps above target. 

In determining performance against the Business Objectives, the Executive Directors will be assessed on the same basis as applies to 
all employees across the Group using a four-point rating scale reflecting both what has been achieved and how it has been achieved. 
At the beginning of the year, specific business objectives are determined relating to achievement of the corporate strategy. For 2020, 
these objectives will be Growth, People and Business processes as in 2019. Performance against these business objectives will be 
considered alongside consideration of how the Executive Director performed in respect of our culture pillars of Care, Collaboration 
and Courage. This includes consideration of performance against sustainability, compliance and quality metrics. Their overall 
performance will be assessed according to the extent to which the Executive Director has met the expectations of the Board and 
the 20% of the Annual Bonus Plan which is attributable to Business Objectives will be paid out as follows:

Performance
Below expectations
Partially met expectations
In-line with expectations
Above expectations

% of base salary
Nil
6.4%
21.5%
43%

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Long-term variable pay

Performance Share Programme

Performance Share Programme 2017
Since the end of the year, the Committee has reviewed the vesting of conditional awards made to Executive Directors under the 
Global Share Plan 2010 in 2017. Vesting of the conditional awards made in 2017 was subject to performance conditions based on equal 
weighting of 25% TSR, global revenue growth, cumulative free cash flow and return on invested capital measured over a three-year 
period commencing 1 January 2017.

25% of the award was based on the Company’s TSR relative to two equally weighted peer groups against which the Company’s 
TSR performance was measured and defined at the start of each performance period (in this case 1 January 2017) based on 
constituents of the following:
 – A sector-based peer group based on those companies classified as the S&P 1200 Global Healthcare subset comprising Medical 

Devices, equipment and supplies companies (official industry classifications of ‘Health Care Equipment and Supplies, Life Sciences 
Tools & Services and Health Care Technology’). Against this peer group, the Company was 19th in a peer group of 30. Therefore there 
was 0% payout against this element.

 – FTSE 100 constituents excluding financial services and commodities companies. This is in response to shareholders who assess 
our performance not based on sector, but instead based on the index we operate in. Against this peer group, the Company was  
10th in a peer group of 60. There was therefore a 200% payout against this element.

The total payout against the TSR measure was therefore 25% out of the 25% target.

25% of the award was based on Global Revenue Growth. The threshold set in 2017 was $14,404 million with a target of $14,850 million. 
Over the three-year period, the adjusted revenues in Global Revenue Growth were $14,332 million. These adjustments include translational 
foreign exchange and Board approved M&A including Rotation Medical, Ceterix, Leaf Healthcare, Brainlab, Atracsys and Osiris. This part 
of the award therefore vested at 0% out of the 25% target.

25% of the award was based on cumulative free cash flow performance. The target set in 2017 was $1,703 million with maximum 
at $1,924 million. Over the three-year period, the adjusted cumulative free cash flow was $2,203 million which exceeded maximum. 
These adjustments include items such as Board approved M&A, including Rotation Medical, Ceterix, Leaf Healthcare, Atracsys, 
Brainlab and Osiris and Board-approved Business Plans such as the APEX programme and expenditure to comply with the EU Medical 
Devices Regulations. This part of the award therefore vested at 50% of the 25% target.

25% of the award was subject to return on invested capital (ROIC). ROIC was defined as:

Operating Profit1 less Adjusted Taxes2
(Opening Net Operating Assets + Closing Net Operating Assets)3 ÷ 2

1  Operating Profit is as disclosed in the Group income statement in the Annual Report.
2  Adjusted taxes represents our taxation charge per the Group income statement adjusted for the impact of tax on items not included in operating profit notably interest income and expense, 

other finance costs and share of results of associates.

3  Net Operating Assets comprises net assets from the Group balance sheet (Total assets less Total liabilities) excluding the following items: Investments, Investments in associates, 

Retirement benefit assets and liabilities, Long-term borrowings, Bank overdrafts, borrowings and loans, IFRS 16 lease liabilities and right-of-use assets, and Cash at bank.

The target set in 2017 was 13% with maximum at 14.9%. The adjusted average ROIC measurement for the three years was 12.8%. 
These adjustments include Board approved M&A including Ceterix, Leaf Healthcare, Brainlab, Atracsys and Osiris. This part of the award 
therefore vested at 23% of the 25% target. 

In summary therefore, the Performance Share Award made in 2017 will vest at 98% of target. 

TSR
Global Revenue Growth
Cumulative Free Cash Flow
Return on Invested Capital

Threshold
Median
$14,404m
$1,482m
11.1%

Target

Maximum
– Upper Quartile
$15,296m
$1,924m
14.9%

$14,850m
$1,703m
13%

Actual 
Median
$14,332m
$2,203m
12.8%

Percentage  
Vesting
25%
0%
50%
23%

Even though Olivier Bohuon received no further award after his decision to retire in 2018, the award from 2017 he received whilst in 
office (pro-rated for the length of time elapsed prior to his retirement) will vest on 7 March 2020 and under the Remuneration Policy 
he will retain those shares in the Company’s Vested Share Account for a further two years.

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Overall therefore, the conditional awards made in 2017 will vest at 98% of target (49% of maximum) on 7 March 2020 as follows:

Director
Graham Baker
Olivier Bohuon 

Number of shares under  
award at maximum
79,166
97,744
Pro-rated for length of time elapsed prior to retirement from the 
Company on 7 November 2018

Date of grant
7 March 2017
7 March 2017

Number vesting
38,791
47,894

For awards vesting in early 2020 this is based on an estimated share price of 1,747.49p per share, which was the average price 
of a share over the last quarter of 2019. The amount of this award that was attributable to share price increase from the date 
of grant to 1,747.49p per share was £250,720 for Olivier Bohuon and £203,067 for Graham Baker.

As well as considering the monetary outcome of the formulaic calculation of these awards, the Committee considered whether 
discretion should be applied to override these formulaic outcomes and concluded that the monetary outcomes were aligned with 
the financial performance of the Company during the performance period and the intention of the Remuneration Policy.

Neither Namal Nawana nor Roland Diggelmann were employed by the Company in 2017 and therefore have no Performance Share 
Awards to vest on 7 March 2020.

Performance Share Programme – 2019 grants
Performance share awards granted in 2019 were made to Graham Baker and to Namal Nawana under the Global Share Plan 2010 
to a maximum value of 190% of salary (95% for target performance). The four equally weighted performance measures are relative 
TSR, return on invested capital, sales growth and cumulative free cash flow. These measures were aligned with our financial priorities 
and strategies. Performance will be measured over the three financial years from 1 January 2019 and awards will vest subject to 
performance 2022. The award made to Namal has been pro-rated on his departure from the Company. On vesting, sufficient shares will 
be sold to cover taxation obligations and the Executive Directors will be required to hold the net shares for a further period of two years. 
Roland Diggelmann did not receive a Performance share award in 2019.

The two equally weighted peer groups against which the Company’s TSR performance will be measured are defined at the start 
of each performance period based on constituents of the following:
 – A sector-based peer group based on those companies classified as the S&P 1200 Global Healthcare subset comprising Medical 

Devices, equipment and supplies companies (official industry classifications of ‘Health Care Equipment and Supplies, Life Sciences 
Tools & Services and Health Care Technology’). This is the same sector-based peer group as 2018.

 – FTSE 100 constituents excluding financial services and commodities companies. This is in response to shareholders who assess 

our performance not based on sector, but instead based on the index we operate in.

The Company’s TSR performance and its performance relative to the comparator groups is independently monitored and reported 
to the Remuneration Committee by Deloitte LLP.

Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance is relative to the two separate indices as follows:

Relative TSR ranking
Below median
Median
Upper quartile or above 

Sector Based Peer Group
Nil 
5.9375%
23.75%

Award vesting as % of salary at date of grant
FTSE 100 Peer Group
Nil
5.9375% 
23.75%

Awards will vest on a straight-line basis between these points. If the Company’s TSR performance is below median against both indices, 
none of this part of the award will vest.

Return on invested capital (ROIC), adds focus on enhancing operating performance and reducing the under-performing asset base. 
25% of the award will vest subject to ROIC. ROIC will be measured in the same way as the 2017 grants as described on page 110. 

ROIC will be measured each year of the three-year performance period and a simple average of the three years will be compared 
to the targets below (precise numbers will be included in the Remuneration Report prospectively). The Remuneration Committee 
will have the discretion to adjust ROIC targets in the case of significant events such as material mergers, acquisitions and disposals 
and that such adjustment will be consistent with the deal model and approved by the Board at the time of the transaction.

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Remuneration implementation report continued
The awards subject to ROIC will vest as follows:

Return on Invested Capital 
Below Threshold 11.8%
Threshold 11.8% (-1.3% of target)
Target 13.1% (as derived from the Strategic Plan)
Maximum or above 14.3% (+1.3% of target)

Awards will vest on a straight-line basis between these points.

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
11.875%
23.75%
47.5%

Revenue growth focuses on growth in both Established Markets and Emerging Markets. 25% of the award will be subject to sales 
growth and will vest as follows:

Revenue growth over three-year period commencing 1 January 2019
Below Threshold
Threshold (-2.7% of target)
Target
Maximum or above (+2.7% of target)

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
11.875%
23.75%
47.5%

It is not possible to disclose precise targets for sales growth as this will give commercially sensitive information to our competitors 
concerning our growth plans and is potentially price sensitive information. This target however will be disclosed in the 2021 Annual 
Report, when the Committee will discuss performance against the target.

Cumulative free cash flow is defined as net cash inflow from operating activities, less capital expenditure, less the cash flow input of 
certain adjusted items. 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.

It is important as it is derived from increased revenues and healthy trading profits. Having a healthy cash flow will enable us to 
continue to grow and invest. 25% of the award will be subject to cumulative free cash flow performance and will vest as follows:

Cumulative free cash flow
Below $1,923m
$1,923m (-13% of target)
$2,210m
$2,497m or more (+13% of target)

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
11.875%
23.75%
47.5%

Long term incentive plan – 2020 remuneration policy
Subject to the approval of the 2020 Remuneration Policy by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 9 April 2020, the maximum 
opportunity under the Performance Share Programme will increase to 275% of base salary. Shareholders will also be asked to approve 
the rules of the new Global Share Plan 2020 which replace the former Global Share Plan 2010, which is expiring. Full details of the Global 
Share Plan 2020 are set out in the Appendix to the Notice of Meeting.

Performance Share Programme 2020
As discussed in the 2020 Remuneration Policy on page 93 the maximum value of 275% of salary (137.5% for target performance) will be 
measured over the three financial years commencing 1 January 2020 against four equally weighted performance measures. Similar to 
2019 this will include: Index TSR, return on invested capital, sales growth and cumulative free cash flow. However the maximum payout 
under each element will only be for significant outperformance. The targets at maximum have therefore been set at higher levels than 
in previous years. On vesting, sufficient shares will be sold to cover taxation obligations and the Executive Directors will be required to 
hold the net shares for a further period of two years.

TSR performance will be measured using an Index approach rather than a ranked approach to TSR. This is designed to reduce 
the distorting impact a few companies could have on the overall result and is fairer for both participants and shareholders as 
the need for discretion is reduced.

The Company’s TSR performance will be measured against two equally weighted peer groups which are defined at the start of each 
performance period based on constituents of the following:
 – A sector-based peer group based on those companies classified as the S&P 1200 Global Healthcare subset comprising Medical 

Devices, equipment and supplies companies (official industry classifications of ‘Health Care Equipment and Supplies, Life Sciences 
Tools & Services and Health Care Technology’). This is the same sector-based peer group as 2018 and 2019.

 – FTSE 100 constituents excluding financial services and commodities companies. This is in response to shareholders who assess 

our performance not based on sector, but instead based on the index in which we operate.

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The Group’s TSR performance and its performance relative to the comparator groups is independently monitored and reported 
to the Remuneration Committee by Deloitte LLP.

Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance is relative to two separate indices as follows:

Below the index
Below the index
Equalling the index
8% above the index

Sector Based Peer Group
Nil 
8.6%
34.4%

Award vesting as % of salary 
at date of grant
FTSE 100 Peer Group
Nil
8.6% 
34.4%

Awards will vest on a straight-line basis between these points. The maximum has been set significantly above target reflecting the 
maximum opportunity for outperformance.

Return on invested capital (ROIC) will be measured as follows for the 2020 grants:

ROIC will be defined as:

Adjusted Operating Profit1 less Adjusted Taxes2
(Opening Adjusted Net Operating Assets + Closing Adjusted Net Operating Assets)3 ÷ 2

1  Adjusted Operating Profit is as disclosed in the Group income statement in the Annual Report less amortisation of acquired intangible assets.
2  Adjusted Taxes represents our taxation charge per the Group income statement adjusted for the impact of tax on items not included in Adjusted Operating Profit notably amortisation 

of acquired intangible assets, interest income and expense, other finance costs and share of results of associates.

3  Net Operating Assets comprises net assets from the Group balance sheet (Total assets less Total liabilities) excluding the following items: accumulated amortisation of acquired  

intangible assets, Investments, Investments in associates, Retirement benefit assets and liabilities, Long-term borrowings, Bank overdrafts, borrowings and loans, IFRS 16 lease liabilities  
and right-of-use assets, and Cash at bank.

The targets will be as follows:

Return on Invested Capital
Below Threshold 10.5%
Threshold 10.5% (-1.5% of target)
Target 12.0% 
Maximum or above 13.5% (+1.5% of target)

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
17.2%
34.4%
68.8%

Awards will vest on a straight-line basis between these points.

Revenue growth will be measured in the same way as in 2019, as described on page 112. The targets will be as follows:

Revenue growth over three-year period commencing 1 January 2019
Below Threshold
Threshold (-2% of target) 
Target – set by reference to our expectations
Maximum or above (+4% of target)

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
17.2%
34.4%
68.8%

It is not possible to disclose precise targets for sales growth as this will give commercially sensitive information to our competitors 
concerning our growth plans and is potentially price-sensitive information. This target however will be disclosed in the 2022 Annual Report, 
when the Committee will discuss performance against the target. The maximum has been set significantly above target reflecting 
the increased maximum opportunity for outperformance.

Cumulative free cash flow will be measured in the same way as in 2019, as described on page 112. The targets will be as follows:

Cumulative free cash flow
Below $2,057m
$2,057m (-10% of target)
$2,285m
$2,742m or more (+20% of target)

Award vesting as % of salary
Nil
17.2%
34.4%
68.8%

The maximum has been set significantly above target reflecting the maximum opportunity for outperformance. 

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Remuneration continued

Remuneration implementation report continued
Details of outstanding awards made under the Performance Share Programme
Details of conditional awards over shares granted to Executive Directors subject to performance conditions are shown below. 
These awards were granted under the Global Share Plan 2010. The performance conditions and performance periods applying to these 
awards are detailed on page 110–112.

Olivier Bohuon
Graham Baker

Namal Nawana

Date granted
7 March 2017
7 March 2017
7 March 2018
7 March 2019
9 May 2018
7 March 2019

Number of ordinary shares
under award at maximum1
95,7882
77,5822
75,058
70,960
72,534
50,710

Date of vesting
7 March 2020
7 March 2020
9 March 2021
7 March 2022
9 May 2021
7 March 2020

1  Pro-rated to reflect Olivier Bohuon’s retirement from the Company on 7 November 2018 and Namal Nawana’s ceasing to be employed on 31 December 2019.
2  On 6 February 2020, 51% of the award granted at maximum to Olivier Bohuon and Graham Baker on 7 March 2017 lapsed following completion of the performance period.

Roland Diggelmann does not hold any Performance Share Awards.

Summary of scheme interests awarded during the financial year

Annual Equity Incentive Award (see page 108)
Performance Share Award at maximum (see pages 111–112)

1  Annual Equity Incentive Awards for 2020 were based on performance for 2019.

Number of shares
28,712
152,130

Namal Nawana1
Face value
£419,913
£2,224,901

Number of shares
18,142
70,960

Graham Baker1
Face value
£265,328
£1,037,790

Roland Diggelmann was not awarded any share awards under incentive plans during 2019.

Please see Policy Table on pages 92 and 93 for details of how the above plans operate. Following the approval of the 2020 Remuneration 
Policy, no further Annual Equity Incentive Awards will be granted. The number of shares is calculated using the closing share price on the 
day before the grant, which for the awards granted on 7 March 2019 was 1462.5p.

Single total figure on remuneration
Chair and Non-Executive Directors

Director
Roberto Quarta
Vinita Bali
Ian Barlow2
Virginia Bottomley
Roland Diggelmann3
Erik Engstrom
Robin Freestone2
Michael Friedman4
Marc Owen
Angie Risley

2019

2019

2019
–

2019
–
–

Intercontinental  
travel fee
2018

Basic annual fee1
2018
£420,240 £418,695
$129,780 $129,780
£2,873 £20,000
£20,750 £69,500
–
£69,500 £69,500
–
£59,000 £59,000
£69,500 £69,500
–
£69,500 £69,500 £20,000 £20,000
$38,750 $129,780
$129,780 $129,780 $25,039
£69,500 £69,500 £20,000

Committee Chair/ 
Senior Independent 
Director fee
Total
2018
2018
– £420,240 £418,695
–
– $49,000 $42,000 $178,780 $171,780
– £23,623 £89,500
– £73,000 £69,500
– £62,500 £59,000
– £73,000 £69,500
– £93,000 £89,500
$65,115 $206,780
– $42,000 $42,000 $196,819 $171,780
– £89,500 £83,672

–
£3,500
£3,500
£3,500
£3,500

$5,365 $35,000 $21,000 $42,000

£14,172

–
–
–

–

1  The basic annual fee includes shares purchased for the Chair and Non-Executive Directors in lieu of part of the annual fee, details of which can be found on the table on page 115.
2 
3  Roland Diggelmann retired as a Non-Executive Director and became Chief Executive Officer – Elect on 21 October 2019. His 2019 fee is from 1 January 2019 to 31 October 2019 and the 2018 

Ian Barlow retired as Senior Independent Director with effect from 11 April 2019. Robin Freestone replaced him as Senior Independent Director.

comparator from 1 March 2018 to 31 December 2018. 

4  Michael Friedman retired as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Ethics & Compliance Committee with effect from 11 April 2019. Marc Owen replaced him as Chair of the newly 

formed Compliance & Culture Committee with effect from that date. 

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Chair and Non-Executive Director Fees
In February 2020 the Committee reviewed the fees paid to the Chair and determined that with effect from 1 April 2020 the fees paid would 
increase by 2%. The Board reviewed the fees paid to the Non-Executive Directors and determined that with effect from 1 April 2020, 
the fees would remain the same as follows:

Annual fee paid to the Chair
Annual fee paid to Non-Executive Directors

Intercontinental travel fee (per meeting)
Fee for Senior Independent Director and Committee Chair

£428,645 of which £107,161 paid in shares 
£69,500 of which £6,500 paid in shares  
or $129,780 of which $9,780 paid in shares
£3,500 or $7,000 
£20,000 or $35,000

Payments to Namal Nawana including loss of office
Namal Nawana ceased to be Chief Executive Officer of the Board on 31 October 2019 and an employee of the Company on 
31 December 2019. He continued to receive his base salary, pension payments and benefits during the period between 1 November 
2019 and 31 December 2019. The base salary of $1,569,615, pension payments of $334,923 and the benefits of $47,302 paid to Namal 
and disclosed in the Single Figure Table on page 104 and the pension narrative and the benefits table on page 105 were in respect of 
his service to the Company for the full year ended 31 December 2019. $248,917 of the base salary, $49,783 of pension payments and 
$2,708 of the benefits were in respect of the period 1 November 2019 to 31 December 2019, when he had ceased to be Chief Executive 
Officer and remained an employee of the Company ensuring a smooth transition to his successor, Roland Diggelmann.

The cash payment of $1,674,653 and Equity Incentive Award of $862,881 awarded to Namal under the Annual Incentive Plan and 
disclosed on page 108 were in respect of his service to the Company for the full year ended 31 December 2019. $279,109 of the cash 
payment and $143,814 of the Equity Incentive Award were in respect of the period 1 November 2019 to 31 December 2019, when he 
had ceased to be Chief Executive Officer and remained an employee of the Company ensuring a smooth transition to his successor, 
Roland Diggelmann.

Roland Diggelmann did not receive an Annual Incentive Award for his two months’ service as Chief Executive Officer in 2019. 
The Committee was therefore comfortable that there was no ‘double counting’ in respect of the annual incentives paid in respect of the 
Chief Executive Officer role in 2019.

Pursuant to the Global Share Plan 2010 rules, Namal’s outstanding award under the Equity Incentive Plan, which was granted in 2019 
will vest on the original vesting dates. His outstanding Performance Share Programme granted to him under the Global Share Plan 2010 
on 9 May 2018 and 7 March 2019 were pro-rated for his time employed by the Company. The Remuneration Committee will decide 
what proportion of that remaining award will vest subject to performance conditions in February 2021 and 2022 respectively.

On 21 February 2020, Namal will receive a payment of $1,626,920 in lieu of salary, health and dental benefits, car allowance and pension 
contributions in respect of the balance of his notice period from 31 December 2019, in-line with the provisions of his contract.

No other payments were made to former Directors in the year.

Payments made to other past Directors
No payments were made to other past Directors in 2019.

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 97 of the Policy Report.

Outside directorships
Namal Nawana is a Non-Executive Director of Hologic, Inc. and received $66,666 in respect of this appointment for the period to 31 October 
2019 when he ceased to be an Executive Director. In March 2019, he also received a share award to the value of $99,986 and share 
options to the value of $99,998.

Roland Diggelmann was appointed a Non-Executive Director of Accelerate Diagnostics Inc. on 1 November 2019. His remuneration for 
this role is paid entirely in stock options. In December 2019, he received a stock option in respect of 39,552 shares which will vest and 
become exercisable in five instalments annually from 2 December 2020 at an option price of $14.94. He also received a stock option in 
respect of 5,493 shares which will vest and become exercisable in five monthly instalments from 2 December 2019 at an option price 
of $14.94. 1,098 of these options vested during 2019.

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Remuneration implementation report continued
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 awards5
Equity Incentive awards

1 November
20191
6,668
–
–
–

31 December  
2019
6,668
–
–
–

Roland Diggelmann
14 February
20202
6,6684
–
–
–

1 January  
2019
10,076
2,734
154,224
21,727

31 December  
2019
14,205
2,734
225,184
32,628

Graham Baker
14 February
20202
14,205
2,734
223,600
32,628

1 January  
2019
224,214
–
108,8006
–

Namal Nawana
31 October
20193
224,904
–
260,9306
28,712

 Namal Nawana retired from the Board on 31 October 2019.

1  Roland Diggelmann was appointed to the Board as Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2019.
2  The latest practicable date for this Annual Report.
3 
4  The ordinary shares held by Roland Diggelmann on 14 February 2020 represent 11.22% of his base annual salary and for Graham Baker 46.38% of his base salary.
5  These share awards are subject to further performance conditions before they may vest, as detailed on pages 110 to 112.
6  Namal Nawana’s performance share awards granted on 9 May 2018 and 7 March 2019 partially lapsed upon the termination of his employment on 31 December 2019 by 36,266 and 

101,420 respectively. They will be subject to further review by the Remuneration Committee in February 2021 and 2022 respectively, following the analysis of performance for 2020  
and 2021 before vesting.

The beneficial interest of each Executive Director is less than 1% of the ordinary share capital of the Company.

Beneficial interests of the Chair and Non-Executive Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company are as follows:

Director
Roberto Quarta4
Vinita Bali4
Ian Barlow5
Virginia Bottomley
Roland Diggelmann6
Erik Engstrom
Robin Freestone
Michael Friedman4,7
Marc Owen4
Angie Risley

1 January 2019  
(or date  
of appointment  
if later)
32,449
7,154
19,291
19,024
4,867
15,796
15,774
10,212
7,290
1,960

31 December 2019  
(or date  
of retirement  
if earlier)
59,429
7,394
19,291
19,252
6,668
15,973
15,951
10,212
7,508
4,541

14 February
20201
59,429
7,394
N/A
19,252
N/A
15,973
15,951
N/A
7,508
4,541

Shareholding as % 
of annual fee2,3
258.34
136.31
N/A
503.88
N/A
418.06
417.48
N/A
138.41
118.85

1  The latest practicable date for this Annual Report.
2  Calculated using the closing share price of 1,819p per ordinary share and $47.85 per ADS on 14 February 2020, and an exchange rate of £1:$1.3015.
3  All Non-Executive Directors in office since 1 January 2019 held the required shareholding during the year.
4  Vinita Bali, Michael Friedman, Marc Owen and Roberto Quarta hold some of their shares in the form of ADS.
5 
6  Roland Diggelmann retired as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 31 October 2019 and became Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2019. He remained a Non-Executive Director, 

Ian Barlow retired as a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director with effect form 11 April 2019.

though not independent when he became Chief Executive Officer – Elect (between 21 and 31 October 2019).

7  Michael Friedman retired as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 11 April 2019.

The beneficial interest of each Non-Executive Director is less than 1% of the ordinary share capital of the Company.

Chief Executive Officer remuneration compared to employees generally
The percentage change in the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer between 2018 and 2019 compared to that of employees 
generally was as follows:

Chief Executive Officer1
Average for all employees2

Base salary % 
change  
2019
4.8%
3.3%

Benefits  
% change  
2019
-54.6%
N/A

Annual cash  
bonus %  
change  
2019
11.8%
N/A

1  2019 based on the full year’s pay for Namel Nawana when he was Chief Executive Officer (1 January 2019 to 31 October 2019) and when he was an employee (1 November 2019  

to 31 December 2019).

2  The average cost of wages and salaries for employees generally decreased by 0.2% in 2019 (see Note 3.1 to the Group accounts). Figures for annual cash bonuses are included in the numbers.

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When considering remuneration arrangements for our Executive Directors, the Committee takes into account pay across 
the Group in the following ways:

Salary levels and increases for all employees including Executive Directors take account of the scope and responsibility of position, 
the skills, experience and performance of the individual and general economic conditions within the relevant geographical market. 
When considering increases to Executive Director base salaries, the Committee considers the average pay increases in the market 
where the Executive Director is based.

All employees including the Executive Directors have performance objectives determined at the beginning of the year which cascade 
down from the Strategic Imperatives for the Group. The level of variable pay determined for all employees, whether in the form of 
shares or cash is dependent on performance against these imperatives, both financially and personally.

Executive Directors participate in benefits plans and arrangements comparable to benefits paid to other senior executives in the 
relevant geography.

Executive Directors participate in the same senior executive incentive plans, (currently the Annual Incentive Programme and the 
Performance Share Programme) as other Executive Officers and senior executives. The level of award reflects the differing seniority 
of participants but the same performance conditions apply for all.

Chief Executive Officer pay ratio
The regulations provide three options which may be used to calculate the pay for the employees at the 25th percentile, median and 75th 
percentile. We have used option A (as set out in the Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018), following guidance issued by 
some proxy advisers and institutional shareholders. The ratio has been calculated by comparing against the full-time equivalent pay of all U.K. 
employees within the group including both our entities Smith & Nephew UK Limited and T.J.Smith and Nephew,Limited.

Option A calculates pay for all employees on the same basis as the single figure for remuneration calculated for Executive Directors. 
The period for which the employee pay has been calculated under Option A is the calendar year 2019. The single figure for remuneration 
for each employee includes earned salary, annual incentive, allowance, pension and benefits for 2019. Part time employees have been 
excluded for the purpose of calculations. 

Our calculations use the full year’s pay for Namal Nawana, when he was Chief Executive Officer (1 January 2019 to 31 October 2019) 
and when he was an employee (1 November 2019 to 31 December 2019). This ensures the full year pay, including Annual Incentive Plan 
award is included.

Comparisons have been made with employees at median (P50), lower (P25) and upper (P75) quartiles. We have used the actual salaries 
paid to our employees in UK. The values were listed lowest to highest and three percentiles were identified. We are confident this 
methodology gives us the most reflective pay at the median. The Committee is satisfied that the individuals identified in the employee 
comparison group appropriately reflect the employee pay profile at those quartiles, and that the overall picture presented by the ratios 
is consistent with our pay, reward and progression policies for UK employees.

The table below sets out the ratio at the median, lower and upper quartiles:

Year
2019

P25 (lower  
quartile)
116:1

P50  
(median)
81:1

The table below provides the total pay figure used for each quartile employee, and the salary component within this.

Component
Salary
Total pay

CEO 
$1,569,615
$4,489,374

P25 (lower  
quartile)
$36,604
$38,790

P50  
(median)
$55,347
$55,347

P75 (upper  
quartile)
51:1

P75 (upper  
quartile)
$57,188
$87,551

Relative importance of spend on pay
When considering remuneration arrangements for our Executive Directors and employees as a whole, the Committee also takes into 
account the overall profitability of the Company and the amounts spent elsewhere, particularly in returning profits to shareholders 
in the form of dividends and share buy-backs.

The following table sets out the total amounts spent in 2019 and 2018 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 buy-back1
Total Group spend on remuneration

1  Shares are bought in the market in respect of shares issued as part of the executive and employee share plans. 

117

For the year to 
31 December 
2019
$600m
$318m
$63m
$1,435m

For the year to 
31 December 
2018
$663m
$321m
$48m
$1,330m

% change
-10%
-1%
+31%
+8%

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Remuneration continued

Remuneration implementation report continued
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.

Ten-year Total Shareholder Return 
(measured in UK Sterling, based on monthly spot values)

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

1 Jan 2010
Source: DataStream

1 Jan 2011

1 Jan 2012

1 Jan 2013

1 Jan 2014

1 Jan 2015

1 Jan 2016

1 Jan 2017

1 Jan 2018

1 Jan 2019

1 Jan 2020

Smith & Nephew plc

FTSE 100

However, as we also compare the Company’s performance to a tailored sector peer group of medical devices companies (see page 110), 
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.

Ten-year Total Shareholder Return 
(measured in US Dollars, based on monthly spot values)

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

1 Jan 2011

1 Jan 2010
Source: DataStream
Medical Devices comparators that are still trading for awards made since 2012

1 Jan 2013

1 Jan 2012

1 Jan 2014

1 Jan 2015

1 Jan 2016

1 Jan 2017

1 Jan 2018

1 Jan 2019

1 Jan 2020

Smith & Nephew plc

Medical Devices – Median

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Table of historic data
The following table details information about the pay of the Chief Executive Officer in the previous 10 years:

Long-term incentive vesting rates against maximum opportunity

Year
2019
2019
2018
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2011
2010
2009

Chief Executive Officer
Roland Diggelmann1
Namal Nawana2
Namal Nawana
Olivier Bohuon3
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon6
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon4,5
David Illingworth6
David Illingworth 
David Illingworth

Single figure of total 
remuneration $
$265,814
$4,489,374
$2,883,632
$2,383,5827
$5,116,689
$3,332,850
$5,342,377
$6,785,121
$4,692,858
$4,956,771
$7,442,191
$3,595,787
$4,060,707
$4,406,485

Annual Cash  
Incentive payout  
against maximum %
N/A
718
69
63
61
30
75
43
84
84
68
37
57
59

Performance  
shares %
N/A
N/A
N/A
46.5
54
8
33.5
57
0
N/A
N/A
27
70
46

1  Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2019.
2  Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 7 May 2018 and resigned on 31 October 2019.
3  Retired as Chief Executive Officer on 7 May 2018.
4  Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2011.
5 
6  Resigned as Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2011.
7  Prior years are restated to reflect amounts not known at the date of signing the previous Annual Report.
8  Calculated as 106.7% for Namal Nawana (disclosed on page 108), divided by the maximum potential payout of 150%.

Includes recruitment award of €1,400,000 cash and a share award of over 200,000 ordinary shares with a value of €1,410,000 on grant.

Options %
–
–
–
–
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
27
61
59

Gender Pay ratio
In 2019, the Committee reviewed our UK Gender Pay ratio. It was noted that today our Gender Pay gap is greater than we would like it to be, 
but we have seen an improvement in our mean and median pay gap in the UK. The mean pay gap has reduced from 31% (in 2018) to 28% 
(in 2019) and the median pay gap from 21% to 18% for the same period. We shall continue to review these figures.

Shareholding requirements
The Chief Executive Officer is required to hold three times his salary in the form of shares and the Chief Financial Officer is required 
to hold two times his salary. Our current remuneration arrangements also require Executive Directors to retain any shares received 
in respect of Performance Share Awards made in or after 2017 for a period of two years after vesting. Following the review of the 
Remuneration Policy in 2019 is was decided that not only will Executive Directors hold shares for two years within the Vested Share 
Account provided by the Company, but also, only in exceptional cases will Executive Directors be permitted to sell any vested shares 
post tax until their shareholding requirements have been met.

Post cessation shareholding requirements
In addition, subject to the approval of the 2020 Remuneration Policy by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 9 April 2020, 
Executive Directors also state that post cessation, Directors will be expected to hold shares in the Vested Share Account from the 
Performance Share Programme and Deferred Bonus Shares for two years post vesting on page 94.

Statement of voting at Annual General Meeting 
At the Annual General Meeting held on 11 April 2019, votes cast by proxy and at the meeting and votes withheld in respect of the votes 
on the Directors’ Remuneration Report are noted below. In addition, votes cast by proxy and at the meeting and votes withheld in respect 
of the votes on the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, which was last approved by shareholders on 6 April 2017 are noted below:

Resolution
Approval of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report 
(excluding policy)
Approval of the Directors’
Remuneration Policy at the 
2017 Annual General Meeting

119

Votes for

% for

Votes  
against

% against

Total votes 
validly cast

Votes  
withheld

553,379,288

87.56

78,602,919

12.44

631,982,207

21,970,442

578,383,031

98.30

10,003,885

1.70

588,386,916

1,422,700

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Remuneration continued

Remuneration implementation report continued
Senior management remuneration
The Group’s administrative, supervisory and management body (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 54–61.

Compensation paid to senior management in respect of 2017, 2018 and 2019 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

2019

2018

2017

$17,020,000
$5,559,000
–
$1,564,000

$15,935,000
$433,000
–
$1,570,000

$13,573,000
$2,711,000 
–
$872,000

As at 14 February 2020, senior management owned 238,330 shares and 9,658 ADSs, constituting less than 0.1% of the share capital 
of the Company. For this purpose, the Group is defined as the Executive Directors, members of the Executive Committee, including the 
Company Secretary and their Persons Closely Associated. Details of share awards granted during the year and held as at 14 February 
2020 by members of senior management are as follows:

Equity Incentive awards
Performance Share awards at maximum
Conditional share awards under the Global Share Plan 2010
Options under Employee ShareSave plans

Share awards  
granted during  
the year 
154,550
513,598
33,501
2,179

Total share  
awards held as at 
14 February  
2020
191,073
762,694
163,488
8,006

The Smith+Nephew Employee Share Trust
Note 19.2 of these accounts states the movement in Treasury Shares and the Trust during 2019. No more shares are held within the 
Trust than are required for the next six months’ of anticipated vestings. Any unvested shares held in the Trust are not voted upon at 
shareholder meetings. No more than 5% of the issued share capital at 31 December 2019 is held within the Trust. At 31 December 2019 
1,251,178 shares were held in the Trust representing 0.14% of the issued share capital.

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 10-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 (2010 to 2019), the number of new shares issued under our share plans has been as follows:

7,335,423 (0.84% of issued share capital as at 14 February 2020)
29,978,030 (3.43% of issued share capital as at 14 February 2020)

All-employee share plans 2019
Discretionary share plans 

By order of the Board, on 20 February 2020

Angie Risley
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

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Accounts

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities 
Independent auditor’s UK report
Group financial statements
Notes to the Group accounts
Company financial statements
Notes to the Company accounts

122
123
130
135
185
187

121

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Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect  
of the Annual Report and Financial Statements
The Directors are responsible for preparing 
 – assess the Group and Parent Company’s 
the Annual Report and Form 20-F and 
ability to continue as a going concern, 
the Group and Parent Company financial 
disclosing, as applicable, matters 
statements in accordance with applicable 
related to going concern; and
law and regulations.
 – use the going concern basis of 

Company law requires the Directors 
to prepare Group and Parent Company 
financial statements for each financial 
year. Under that law they are required to 
prepare the Group financial statements 
in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as issued by 
the International Accounting Standards 
Board (IASB) and as adopted by the 
European Union (IFRSs as adopted by the 
EU) and applicable law and have elected 
to prepare the Parent Company financial 
statements in accordance with UK 
accounting standards, including FRS 101 
Reduced Disclosure Framework. 

Under company law the Directors must 
not approve the financial statements 
unless they are satisfied that they give a 
true and fair view of the state of affairs 
of the 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, relevant, reliable 
and prudent;

 – for the Group financial statements, 

state whether they have been prepared 
in accordance with IFRSs, as issued 
by the IASB and 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;

accounting unless they either intend 
to liquidate the Group or the Parent 
Company or to cease operations, 
or have no realistic alternative but 
to do so.

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 2006. They are responsible for such 
internal control as they determine is 
necessary to enable the preparation of 
financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error, and 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 Strategic Report, Directors’ 
Report, Directors’ Remuneration  
Report and Corporate Governance 
Statement that comply with that  
law and those regulations.

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. 

122

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 Company and the undertakings 
included in the consolidation taken  
as a whole; and

 – the Strategic Report and Directors’ 
Report include a fair review of the 
development and performance of the 
business and the position of the issuer 
and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole, together 
with a description of the principal risks 
and uncertainties that they face.

The Strategic Report, which has 
been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006, 
comprises pages 2–51.

The Directors’ Report has also been 
prepared in accordance with the Companies 
Act 2006 and The Small Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Directors’ Report) 
Regulations 2008 comprising of pages 
5, 24–25, 28–29, 32–33, 39, 40–49, 52, 
63, 66, 68–70, 74–82, 84–85, 161–162, 
184, 189–192 and pages 205–211 of the 
Annual Report, and has been approved 
and signed on behalf of the Board.

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, on 20 February 2020

Susan Swabey
Company Secretary

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Independent auditor’s UK report

Independent auditor’s report to 
the members of Smith & Nephew Plc

1. Our opinion is unmodified
We have audited the financial statements 
of Smith & Nephew plc (“the Company”) 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
which comprise the Group Income 
Statement, Group Statement of 
Comprehensive Income, Group Balance 
Sheet, Group Cash Flow Statement, 
Group Statement of Changes in Equity, 
Company Balance Sheet, Company 
Statement of Changes in Equity, and the 
related notes including the accounting 
policies and Critical judgements and 
estimates on page 130.

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 2019 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 (IFRSs as adopted by the EU);

 – 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.

Additional opinion in relation 
to IFRSs as issued by the 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 International 
Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

In our opinion, the Group financial 
statements have been properly prepared 
in accordance with IFRS as issued by 
the IASB.

Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance 
with International Standards on Auditing 
(UK) (“ISAs (UK)”) and applicable law. 
Our responsibilities are described below. 
We believe that the audit evidence we have 
obtained is a sufficient and appropriate 
basis for our opinion. Our audit opinion 
is consistent with our report to the 
audit committee.

We were appointed as auditor by the 
shareholders on 9 April 2015. The period 
of total uninterrupted engagement 
is for the 5 financial years ended 
31 December 2019. We have fulfilled 
our ethical responsibilities under, and 
we remain independent of the Group in 
accordance with, UK ethical requirements 
including the FRC Ethical Standard as 
applied to listed public interest entities. 
No non-audit services prohibited by 
that standard were provided.

2. Key audit matters: our assessment 
of risks of material misstatement
Key audit matters are those matters 
that, in our professional judgment, 
were of most significance in the audit 
of the financial statements and include 
the most significant assessed risks 
of material misstatement (whether 
or not due to fraud) identified by us, 
including those which had the greatest 
effect on: the overall audit strategy; the 
allocation of resources in the audit; and 
directing the efforts of the engagement 
team. We summarise below the key 
audit matters, in decreasing order of 
audit significance, in arriving at our 
audit opinion above, together with our 
key audit procedures to address those 
matters and, as required for public interest 
entities our results from those procedures. 
These matters were addressed, and 
our results are based on procedures 
undertaken, in the context of, and solely 
for the purpose of, our audit of the financial 
statements as a whole, and in forming 
our opinion thereon, and consequently 
are incidental to that opinion, and we do 
not provide a separate opinion on these 
matters. Our identification of key audit 
matters remain unchanged from 2018 with 
the following exceptions: we have removed 
the key audit matter relating to revenue 
related rebates following a reassessment 
of the risk which considered our cumulative 
knowledge of the estimates involved in 
the calculation of the rebate accruals, 
and have included a new key audit matter 
relating to the Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. 
(‘Osiris’) business combination completed 
in the current year.

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Independent auditor’s UK report continued

Evaluation of uncertain tax positions in respect of transfer pricing

Risk vs 2018:

The risk

Our response

Subjective estimate 
As discussed in note 5 to the financial statements, provisions for 
uncertain tax positions require the Group to make judgements and 
estimates relating to interpretations of tax law, settlement negotiations 
or changes in legislation.
A provision of $201 million (2018: $178 million) has been recognised 
for uncertain tax positions, the majority relating to transfer pricing 
including financing arrangements. A contingent tax liability of 
approximately $150 million has been disclosed in respect of a 
potential exposure relating to the UK CFC legislation.
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 tax authorities, 
the effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk assessment, 
we determined that the provision has a high degree of estimation 
uncertainty, with a potential range of reasonable outcomes greater 
than our materiality for the financial statements as a whole. 
The financial statements (note 5.1) disclose the range estimated 
by the Group.

 Refer to page 73 (Audit Committee Report), page 143 
(accounting policy) and pages 144–146 (financial disclosures)

Our procedures included:
 – Control operation: We tested the effectiveness of certain internal 
controls over the Group’s uncertain tax positions process, including 
controls related to the interpretation of the relevant tax regulations 
in assessing transfer pricing positions.

 – Our taxation expertise: We involved international and local tax 

professionals with specialised skills and knowledge, who assisted in 
evaluating and challenging the evaluation of uncertain tax positions based 
on our knowledge and experience of the application of international and 
local legislation by the relevant authorities and assessing (i) the Group’s 
results of historical tax audits and correspondence with tax authorities, 
(ii) transfer pricing documentation and methodology for compliance with 
tax law (iii) third party tax advice received by the Group, and (iv) changes 
in tax legislation. In addition, our tax professionals assisted the audit 
team in developing an independent range of estimates and comparing 
this to the Group’s provision.

 – Tests of detail: Examining the calculations prepared by the Directors 

and agreeing key inputs used to underlying data.

 – Assessing transparency: We assessed the Group’s related disclosures, 
including disclosures on the range of possible outcomes within the next 
financial year for provided uncertain tax positions relating to transfer 
pricing. We also assessed the disclosures around the maximum 
contingent liability to the Group with respect to the UK CFC legislation.

Our results
We found the level of provisioning and disclosure in respect of uncertain 
direct tax positions and the disclosure around related contingent liabilities 
to be acceptable (2018: acceptable).

Evaluation of the provision for metal-on-metal hip products

Risk vs 2018:

The risk

Our response

Subjective estimate
As discussed in note 17 to the financial statements, the Group holds 
a provision of $315 million (2018: $192 million) in respect of potential 
liabilities arising from the ongoing exposure for metal-on-metal 
hip products.
The estimate for this provision requires the Group to use an actuarial 
model and make a number of key assumptions relating to the number 
of claimants and settlement outcome.
Given the limited historical track record of metal-on-metal claims 
settled, the effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that the provision has a high degree of 
estimation uncertainty, with a potential range of reasonable outcomes 
greater than our materiality for the financial statements as a whole. 
The financial statements (note 17.1) disclose the range estimated by 
the Group.

 Refer to page 73 (Audit Committee Report), page 168 
(accounting policy) and pages 168–169 (financial disclosures)

Our procedures included:
 – Control operation: We tested the effectiveness of certain internal 

controls over the Group’s legal provision process. This included controls 
over the Group’s review, challenge and assessment of the metal-on-
metal provision and related key assumptions including estimating the 
number of claimants and the settlement outcomes.

 – Enquiry of lawyers: We obtained correspondence directly from external 
counsel on the status of open metal-on-metal court proceedings and 
settlement negotiations. We compared the evaluation of the related 
exposure to the metal-on-metal claims from external counsel to the 
Group’s assessments.

 – Our actuarial expertise: We involved actuarial professionals with 

specialised skills and knowledge, who assisted in challenging the number 
of claimants and settlement outcomes used in statistical projections 
in determining the provision by reference to historical data including 
settlement amounts and experience of other cases. In addition, 
the actuarial professionals assisted in evaluating whether the statistical 
model applied by the Group is in line with actuarial professional standards 
and industry practice for similar product liability claims. We evaluated 
the scope, competency, and objectivity of the Group’s experts involved 
in developing the actuarial model used in the determination of the 
provision by considering the work they were engaged to perform, 
their professional qualifications, and reporting lines.

 – Assessing disclosures: We assessed the Group’s disclosures in respect 
of the metal-on metal hip provision, including disclosures on how 
sensitive the provision is to changes in key assumptions and the range 
of possible outcomes.

Our results
We found the level of provisioning and disclosures in respect of metal-on-
metal hip products to be acceptable (2018: acceptable).

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Initial measurement of product-related intangible assets acquired in the Osiris business combination 

Risk vs 2018: NEW

The risk

Our response

Forecast based valuation 
As discussed in Note 21 to the financial statements, on 17 April 2019, 
the Group acquired Osiris in a business combination.
As a result of the transaction, the Group acquired product-related 
intangible assets relating to specific patented regenerative medicine 
products with a recognised fair value of $284 million. 
There was a high degree of subjectivity in assessing a number of 
the assumptions applied by the Group in the discounted cash flow 
model used to calculate the acquisition-date fair value of these 
assets. The calculated fair value was sensitive to changes in the 
following assumptions:
 – Forecasted revenue growth rates attributable to Osiris’s 

Our procedures included:
 – Control operation: We tested the effectiveness of certain internal 
controls over the Group’s acquisition-date valuation process to 
develop the relevant assumptions, as listed to the left, including the 
review and assessment of these assumptions by the Group.
 – Benchmarking assumptions: We evaluated and challenged the 

Group’s forecasted growth rates by comparing to industry reports on 
market growth and historic revenue growth trends achieved by Osiris.

 – Historical comparisons: We compared the Group’s estimates 

of forecasted revenue for Osiris and other recent acquisitions to 
actual results since acquisition date to assess the Group’s ability 
to accurately forecast.

medical products.

 – Royalty rate.

 Refer to page 73 (Audit Committee Report), page 181 
(accounting policy) and pages 181–182 (financial disclosures)

 – Our valuation expertise: We assessed the royalty rates applied in the 
valuation model by using valuation professionals with specialised skills 
and knowledge, who assisted the audit team by challenging the royalty 
assumptions using their industry knowledge and comparing these 
rates to royalty rates applied by comparable companies and rates 
historically applied by the Group in similar acquisitions.

 – Sensitivity analysis: We assessed the sensitivity of revenue growth rates 
and royalty rates to consider their impact on the Group’s determination 
of the fair value of the product related intangible assets acquired.

 – Assessing disclosures: Assessing the adequacy of the Group’s 

disclosures in respect of the initial measurement of the product 
related intangible assets.

Our results
We found the initial measurement of the product related intangibles 
acquired in the Osiris business combination to be acceptable.

Excess and Obsolescence (E&O) provision for Orthopaedics Inventory

Risk vs 2018:

The risk

Our response

Subjective estimate
The Group has high levels of Orthopaedics inventory that is available 
for customers’ immediate use. Complete sets of products including 
large and small sizes (which are used less frequently) have to be made 
available to customers at their premises. An assessment is made by 
the Group to identify excess or obsolete inventory.
As a result, the Group has recognised a provision for excess and 
obsolete inventory (E&O provision) for Orthopaedics which is included 
within the total E&O provision of $308 million (2018: $305 million) as 
discussed in note 12.
The key input into this provision is the estimate of the future utilisation of 
inventory on hand. There was a high degree of subjectivity in assessing 
a number of the assumptions applied by the Group in calculating the 
future utilisation of inventory. Future utilisation is based on assumptions 
of historical sales of inventory adjusted for internal or external factors 
such as effectiveness of inventory deployment, length of product lives 
and planned phase out of products which may impact the demand 
for the product.

 Refer to page 73 (Audit Committee Report), page 155 
(accounting policy) and page 156 (financial disclosures)

Our procedures included:
 – Control testing: We tested the effectiveness of certain internal 

controls over the Group’s process for assessing the E&O provision, 
including controls over the assumptions listed to the left to determine 
expected future utilisation of Orthopaedics inventory.

 – Test of detail: We assessed and challenged the assumptions in the 
E&O provision through a combination of interviews of finance and 
operations personnel and review of internal budgets and internal 
reporting, including a sample of product plans, to assess the impact 
of plans for launching new or discontinuing product lines on future 
utilisation of Orthopaedics inventory.

 – Historical comparisons: We evaluated the Group’s ability to accurately 

estimate the E&O provision by comparing historically recorded 
provisions to actual subsequent write-off and historically estimated 
future utilisation to actual utilisation.

 – Sensitivity analysis: We assessed the sensitivity of the key assumptions, 
listed to the left, to consider their impact on the Group’s determination 
of the calculation of the provision recognised.

 – Assessing disclosures: Assessing the adequacy of the Group’s 

disclosures in respect of E&O provision.

Our results
The results of our testing were satisfactory and we considered the 
E&O provisions made to be acceptable (2018: acceptable).

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Independent auditor’s UK report continued

Parent Company financial statements only: Recoverability of Parent Company’s investment in subsidiaries

Risk vs 2018:

The risk

Our response

Low risk, high value
The carrying amount of the Parent Company’s investments in 
subsidiaries held at cost less impairment represents 75% (2018: 78%) 
of the Parent Company’s total assets.
We do not consider the valuation of these investments to be at a high 
risk of significant misstatement, or to be subject to a significant level 
of judgement. However, due to their materiality in the context of the 
Parent Company financial statements as a whole, this is considered 
to be the area which had the greatest effect on our overall audit 
strategy and allocation of resources in planning and completing 
our Parent Company audit.

Our procedures included:
 – Test of details: Comparing a sample of the highest value investments 
representing 98% (2018: 98%) of the total investment balance with 
the relevant subsidiaries’ draft balance sheets to identify whether their 
net assets, being an approximation of their minimum recoverable amount, 
were in excess of their carrying amount and assessing whether those 
subsidiaries have historically been profit-making.

 – Assessing subsidiary audits: Assessing the work performed by the 

subsidiary audit team on that sample of subsidiaries and considering 
the results of their work, on those subsidiaries’ profits and net assets.

 – Comparing valuations: For the investments where the carrying 

amount exceeded the net asset value, comparing the carrying amount 
of the investment with the expected value of the business based 
on a suitable multiple of subsidiaries’ profits.

Our results
We found the Directors’s assessment of the recoverability of the 
investment in subsidiaries to be acceptable (2018: acceptable).

Group normalised 
profit before tax
$961m
2018  
$932m

Group materiality

$49m
2018  
$46m

$49m

$37m

$2.5m

Group normalised profit before tax

Group normalised profit before tax

Group materiality

Of the Group’s 111 (2018: 109) reporting 
components, we subjected 7 (2018: 9) 
to full scope audits for Group purposes and 
29 (2018: 27) to audits of specific account 
balances and specific risk-focused audit 
procedures including revenue, receivables, 
cash 7 (2018: 6)) and inventory 3 (2018: 3)).

The latter were not individually financially 
significant enough to require a full scope 
audit for Group purposes, but did present 
specific individual risks that needed 
to be addressed or were included in the 
scope of our Group reporting work in 
order to provide further coverage over 
the Group’s results.

The components within the scope of 
our work accounted for the percentages 
illustrated on the following page.

Group materiality

$49m  
Whole financial statements materiality $49m (2018: $46m)
(2018: $46m)

Whole financial  
statements materiality

Range of materiality at 18 components ($5m–$37m); (2018: $5m–$38m)

Range of materiality  
at 18 components

Misstatements reported to the Audit Committee $2.5m  

$5m–£37m  
(2018: $5m–£38m)

Misstatements reported  
to the Audit Committee

$2.5m  
(2018: $2.3m)

3. Our application of materiality 
and an overview of the scope 
of our audit
Materiality for the Group financial 
statements as a whole was set at 
$49 million (2018: $46 million), determined 
with reference to a benchmark of Group 
profit before tax, normalised to exclude 
restructuring costs of $134 million 
(2018: $120 million), legal and other 
charges of $50 million (2018: $38 million) 
and a charge of $34 million (2018: net 
credit of $7 million) related to acquisition 
and disposal related items as disclosed 
in note 6 of which it represents 5.1% 
(2018: 4.9%).

Materiality for the Parent Company 
financial statements as a whole was set at 
$36 million (2018: $36 million), determined 
with reference to a benchmark of company 
total assets, of which it represents 0.4% 
(2018: 0.4%).

We agreed to report to the Audit 
Committee any corrected or uncorrected 
identified misstatements exceeding 
$2.5 million (2018: $2.3 million), in addition 
to other identified misstatements that 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds.

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15

18

The remaining 15% (2018: 15%) of total 
Group total assets
Group revenue, 13% (2018: 14%) of Group 
profit before tax and 18% (2018: 15%) 
of total Group assets is represented by 
75 (2018: 73) reporting components, 
none of which individually represented 
more than 2% (2018: 2%) of any of total 
Group revenue, Group profit before tax 
or total Group assets. For these residual 
components, we performed analysis at 
an aggregated Group level to re-examine 
Group total assets
our assessment that there were no 
significant risks of material misstatement 
within these.

46 

51 

36

34

18

15

34

51 

46 

The Group team instructed component 
Full scope for group audit 
purposes 2019 
auditors as to the significant areas to 
Audit of specific account
be covered, including the relevant risks 
balances 2019 
Full scope for group audit 
detailed above and the information to be 
36
purposes 2018  
reported back. The Group team approved 
Audit of specific account 
component materiality, which ranged 
balances 2018 
Residual components
from $5 million to $37 million (2018: 
$5 million to $38 million), having regard 
to the mix of size and risk profile of the 
Group across the components. The work 
Full scope for group audit 
on 18 of the 36 components (2018: 19 
purposes 2019 
of the 36 components) was performed by 
component auditors and the rest, including 
Full scope for group audit 
the audit of the Parent Company, was 
purposes 2018  
performed by the Group team. The Group 
team performed procedures on the items 
excluded from normalised Group profit 
before tax.

Audit of specific account 
balances 2018 

Audit of specific account
balances 2019 

Residual components

The Group team visited 5 (2018: 6) 
component locations in USA, UK, France, 
Switzerland and Germany (2018: USA, 
Australia, Japan, Turkey, Switzerland, 
Germany) to assess the audit risk and 
strategy. Video and telephone conference 
meetings were also held with these 
component auditors and others that were 
not physically visited. At these visits 
and meetings, the findings reported to 
the Group team were discussed in more 
detail, and any further work required by 
the Group team was then performed 
by the component auditor.

Group revenue

Group revenue

85%
2018  
85%

15

15

17 15

70

68

Group total assets

Group revenue

15

15

82%
2018  
85%

17 15

70

68

Group revenue
Group total assets
Group profit before tax

15

15

18

17 15

15
13

14

16

14
34

36

46 

51 

70

68

72

71

Group profit before tax

Group profit before tax

Group profit before tax
87%
2018  
86%

14

13

16

13

Full scope for group audit 
purposes 2019 

14

16

Audit of specific account
balances 2019 

14

14

72

71

Full scope for group audit 
purposes 2018  

Audit of specific account 
71
balances 2018 

72

Residual components

Full scope for group audit purposes 2019

Audit of specific account balances and specific  
risk-focused audit procedures 2019

Full scope for group audit purposes 2018

Audit of specific account balances and specific  
risk-focused audit procedures 2018

Residual components

127

4. We have nothing to report  
on going concern 
The Directors have prepared the financial 
statements on the going concern basis 
as they do not intend to liquidate the 
Company or the Group or to cease their 
operations, and as they have concluded 
that the Company’s and the Group’s 
financial position means that this is 
realistic. They have also concluded that 
there are no material uncertainties that 
could have cast significant doubt over 
their ability to continue as a going concern 
for at least a year from the date of approval 
of the financial statements (“the going 
concern period”).

Our responsibility is to conclude on 
the appropriateness of the Directors’ 
conclusions and, had there been a material 
uncertainty related to going concern, to 
make reference to that in this audit report. 
However, as we cannot predict all future 
events or conditions and as subsequent 
events may result in outcomes that are 
inconsistent with judgements that were 
reasonable at the time they were made, 
the absence of reference to a material 
uncertainty in this auditor’s report is not 
a guarantee that the Group and the 
Company will continue in operation.

In our evaluation of the Directors’ 
conclusions, we considered the inherent 
risks to the Group’s and Company’s 
business model, including the impact of 
Brexit, and analysed how those risks might 
affect the Group’s and Company’s financial 
resources or ability to continue operations 
over the going concern period.

The risks that we considered most likely 
to adversely affect the Company’s available 
financial resources over this period were:
 – Pricing and reimbursement pressures 

or currency exchange volatility leading 
to a major loss of revenues and profit;

 – Inability to launch new products 
losing significant market share to 
the competition;

 – Product liability claims – giving rise 

to significant claims and legal fees; and

 – Temporary loss of key production 

capability – resulting in an inability 
to manufacture a key product for a 
period of time.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategy

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Other information

Strategic report and directors’ report
Based solely on our work on the 
other information:
 – we have not identified material 

misstatements in the strategic report 
and the directors’ report;

Independent auditor’s UK report continued
As these were risks that could potentially 
cast significant doubt on the Group’s and 
Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern, we considered sensitivities over 
the level of available financial resources 
indicated by the Group’s financial forecasts 
taking account of reasonably possible 
(but not unrealistic) adverse effects that 
could arise from these risks individually and 
collectively and evaluated the achievability 
of the actions the Directors consider 
they would take to improve the position 
should the risks materialise. We also 
considered less predictable but realistic 
second order impacts, such as the impact 
of Brexit, which could result in disruptions 
to the Group’s supply chain or additional 
import tariffs.

 – in our opinion the information given 
in those reports for the financial 
year is consistent with the financial 
statements; and

been prepared in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006.

Directors’ remuneration report
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report to be audited has 
been properly prepared in accordance 
with the Companies Act 2006.

 – in our opinion those reports have 

Based on this work, we are required to 
report to you if:
 – we have anything material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to the directors’ 
statement in Note 1 to the financial 
statements on the use of the going 
concern basis of accounting with no 
material uncertainties that may cast 
significant doubt over the Group and 
Company’s use of that basis for a period of 
at least twelve months from the date of 
approval of the financial statements; or 

 – the related statement under the 
Listing Rules set out on page 78 
is materially inconsistent with our 
audit knowledge.

We have nothing to report in these 
respects, and we did not identify going 
concern as a key audit matter.

5. We have nothing to report 
on the other information in 
the Annual Report
The directors are responsible for 
the other information presented in the 
Annual Report together with the financial 
statements. Our opinion on the financial 
statements does not cover the other 
information and, accordingly, we do 
not express an audit opinion or, except 
as explicitly stated below, any form of 
assurance conclusion thereon.

Our responsibility is to read the other 
information and, in doing so, consider 
whether, based on our financial statements 
audit work, the information therein 
is materially misstated or inconsistent 
with the financial statements or our 
audit knowledge. Based solely on that 
work we have not identified material 
misstatements in the other information.

128

Disclosures of emerging and principal 
risks and longer-term viability
Based on the knowledge we acquired 
during our financial statements audit, 
we have nothing material to add or 
draw attention to in relation to:
 – the directors’ confirmation within the 
viability statement on pages 50–51 
that they have carried out a robust 
assessment of the emerging and 
principal risks facing the Group, including 
those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency 
and liquidity;

 – the Principal Risks disclosures describing 
these risks and explaining how they 
are being managed and mitigated; and 
 – the directors’ explanation in the viability 
statement of how they have assessed 
the prospects of the Group, over what 
period they have done so and why they 
considered that period to be appropriate, 
and their statement as to whether 
they have a reasonable expectation 
that the Group will be able to continue 
in operation and meet its liabilities as 
they fall due over the period of their 
assessment, including any related 
disclosures drawing attention to any 
necessary qualifications or assumptions.

Under the Listing Rules we are required 
to review the viability statement. We have 
nothing to report in this respect.

Our work is limited to assessing these 
matters in the context of only the 
knowledge acquired during our financial 
statements audit. As we cannot predict 
all future events or conditions and as 
subsequent events may result in outcomes 

that are inconsistent with judgments that 
were reasonable at the time they were 
made, the absence of anything to report 
on these statements is not a guarantee 
as to the Group’s and Company’s  
longer-term viability.

Corporate governance disclosures
We are required to report to you if:
 – we have identified material inconsistencies 
between the knowledge we acquired 
during our financial statements 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 section of the Annual Report 
describing the work of the Audit 
Committee does not appropriately 
address matters communicated 
by us to the Audit Committee.

We are required to report to you if 
the Corporate Governance Statement 
does not properly disclose a departure 
from the provisions of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code specified by the 
Listing Rules for our review.

We have nothing to report in 
these respects.

6. We have nothing to report on 
the other matters on which we 
are required to report by exception
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.

We have nothing to report in 
these respects.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Other information

7. Respective responsibilities
Directors’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in their statement 
set out on page 122, the directors are 
responsible for: the preparation of the 
financial statements including being 
satisfied that they give a true and fair view; 
such internal control as they determine 
is necessary to enable the preparation of 
financial statements that are free from 
material misstatement, whether due to 
fraud or error; assessing the Group and 
Parent Company’s ability to continue as 
a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, 
matters related to going concern; and 
using the going concern basis of accounting 
unless they either intend to liquidate 
the Group or the Parent Company or to 
cease operations, or have no realistic 
alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable 
assurance about whether the financial 
statements as a whole are free from 
material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or other irregularities (see below), 
or error, and to issue our opinion in an 
auditor’s report. Reasonable assurance 
is a high level of assurance, but does not 
guarantee that an audit conducted in 
accordance with ISAs (UK) will always 
detect a material misstatement when 
it exists. Misstatements can arise from 
fraud, other irregularities or error and 
are considered material if, individually 
or in aggregate, they could reasonably 
be expected to influence the economic 
decisions of users taken on the basis 
of the financial statements.

A fuller description of our responsibilities 
is provided on the FRC’s website at 
www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities.

Irregularities – ability to detect
We identified areas of laws and 
regulations that could reasonably be 
expected to have a material effect on 
the financial statements from our general 
commercial and sector experience and 
through discussion with the directors 
and other management (as required by 
auditing standards), and from inspection 
of the Group’s regulatory and legal 
correspondence and discussed with 
the directors and other management 
the policies and procedures regarding 
compliance with laws and regulations. 

129

We communicated identified laws 
and regulations throughout our team 
and remained alert to any indications 
of non-compliance throughout the 
audit. This included communication 
from the Group to component audit 
teams of relevant laws and regulations 
identified at group level.

The potential effect of these laws and 
regulations on the financial statements 
varies considerably.

Firstly, the Group is subject to laws and 
regulations that directly affect the financial 
statements including financial reporting 
legislation (including related companies 
legislation), distributable profits legislation 
and taxation legislation and we assessed 
the extent of compliance with these laws 
and regulations as part of our procedures 
on the related financial statement items.

Secondly, the Group is subject to many 
other laws and regulations where the 
consequences of non-compliance could 
have a material effect on amounts or 
disclosures in the financial statements, 
for instance through the imposition 
of fines or litigation or the loss of the 
Group’s licence to operate. We identified 
the following areas as those most likely 
to have such an effect: Food and Drug 
Administration regulations in the US and 
the compliance of business practices with 
the UK Bribery Act and the US Foreign 
Corrupt Practices Act recognising the 
regulated nature of the Group’s activities. 
Auditing standards limit the required audit 
procedures to identify non-compliance 
with these laws and regulations to enquiry 
of the directors and other management 
and inspection of regulatory and legal 
correspondence, if any. Through these 
procedures, we became aware of 
actual or suspected non-compliance 
and considered the effect as part of 
our procedures on the related financial 
statement items. The identified actual 
or suspected non-compliance was not 
sufficiently significant to our audit to result 
in our response being identified as a key 
audit matter.

Owing to the inherent limitations 
of an audit, there is an unavoidable 
risk that we may not have detected 
some material misstatements in the 
financial statements, even though we 
have properly planned and performed 
our audit in accordance with auditing 

standards. For example, the further 
removed non-compliance with laws 
and regulations (irregularities) is from 
the events and transactions reflected 
in the financial statements, the less 
likely the inherently limited procedures 
required by auditing standards would 
identify it. In addition, as with any 
audit, there remained a higher risk 
of non-detection of irregularities, as 
these may involve collusion, forgery, 
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, 
or the override of internal controls. 
We are not responsible for preventing 
non-compliance and cannot be expected 
to detect non-compliance with all laws 
and regulations.

8. The purpose of our audit 
work and to whom we owe 
our responsibilities
This report is made solely to the Company’s 
members, as a body, in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 
2006 and the terms of our engagement 
by the Company. Our audit work has been 
undertaken so that we might state to the 
Company’s members those matters we 
are required to state to them in an auditor’s 
report, and the further matters we are 
required to state to them in accordance 
with the terms agreed with the Company, 
and for no other purpose. To the fullest 
extent permitted by law, we do not accept 
or assume responsibility to anyone other 
than the Company and the Company’s 
members, as a body, for our audit work, 
for this report, or for the opinions we 
have formed.

Zulfikar Walji (Senior Statutory Auditor) 
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, 
Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants  
15 Canada Square  
London E14 5GL

20 February 2020

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Group financial statements

Critical judgements and estimates
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 and estimates 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.

Impairment
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 arise, impairment charges 
may be required which would adversely 
impact operating results. See Note 9 for 
further details. 

Taxation
The Group operates in numerous tax 
jurisdictions around the world and it is 
Group policy to submit its tax returns 
to the relevant tax authorities within 
the statutory time limits. At any given 
time, the Group is involved in disputes 
and tax audits and will have a number of 
tax returns potentially subject to audit. 
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 tax provision whenever 
necessary. The ultimate tax liability may 
differ materially in 2020 or thereafter from 
the amount provided depending on factors 
including transfer pricing, tax rate changes, 
tax legislation changes, tax authority 
interpretation, expiry of the statute of 
limitations, tax litigation, and resolution 
of tax audits and disputes. See Note 5 
for further details. 

Business combinations
The Group initially recognises the fair 
value of identifiable assets acquired, the 
liabilities assumed and the consideration 
transferred in a business combination. 
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. 
Management is required to estimate the 
fair value of acquired intangible assets, 
which involves forecasting revenue growth 
rates and determining the appropriate 
royalty rate. See Note 21 for further details. 

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 value of provisions may require future 
adjustment if experience such as number, 
nature or value of claims or settlements 
changes. Such a change may be material 
in 2020 or thereafter. The ultimate liability 
may differ from the amount provided 
depending on the outcome of court 
proceedings and settlement negotiations 
or if investigations bring to light new facts. 
See Note 17 for further details. 

The Group’s accounting policies do 
not include any critical judgements. 
The Group’s accounting policies are 
set out in Notes 1–24 of the Notes 
to the Group Accounts. Of those, the 
policies which require the most use of 
management’s estimation are as follows:

Valuation of inventories
A feature of the Orthopaedic franchise 
(whose inventory make up approximately 
60% of the Group’s total 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 require management estimate in 
respect of customer demand, effectiveness 
of inventory deployment, length of product 
lives and phase-out of old products. 
See Note 12 for further details. 

Page 130 is an integral part of these accounts.

130

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Governance

Accounts

Other information

Group financial statements

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

Notes     
 2 

 3 
 3 
 2 & 3 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 11 

 5 

 6 

Year ended    

Year ended    

31 December
2019
$ million     
 5,138 
 (1,338)
 3,800 
 (2,693)
 (292)
 815 
 10 
 (65)
 (18)
 1 
 743 
 (143)
 600 

31 December
2018
$ million     
 4,904 
 (1,298)
 3,606 
 (2,497)
 (246)
 863 
 8 
 (59)
 (20)
 (11)
 781 
 (118)
 663 

Year ended 
31 December
2017
$ million  
 4,765 
 (1,248)
 3,517 
 (2,360)
 (223)
 934 
 6 
 (57)
 (10)
 6 
 879 
 (112)
 767 

 68.6¢ 
 68.4¢ 

 76.0¢ 
 75.7¢ 

 87.8¢ 
 87.7¢ 

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach comparative information is not restated. 

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 – forward foreign exchange contracts

Gains/(losses) arising in the year
(Gains)/losses transferred to inventories for the year

Fair value remeasurement of available for sale asset
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Taxation on other comprehensive income
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to income statement
Other comprehensive income/(loss) for the year, net of taxation
Total comprehensive income for the year1

Year ended    

Year ended    

31 December
2019
$ million     
 600 

31 December
2018
$ million     
 663 

Year ended 
31 December
2017
$ million  
 767 

Notes     

 18 
 5 

 5 

 (14)
 2 
 (12)

 14 
 (19)
 – 
 21 
 – 
 16 
 4 
 604 

 11 
 (1)
 10 

 21 
 2 
 – 
 (132)
 (3)
 (112)
 (102)
 561 

 64 
 (9)
 55 

 (45)
 21 
 (10)
 181 
 – 
 147 
 202 
 969 

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach comparative information is not restated. 

1  Attributable to equity holders of the Company and wholly derived from continuing operations.

The Notes on pages 135–184 are an integral part of these accounts.

131

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Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Group balance sheet

Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Goodwill
Intangible assets
Investments
Investments in associates
Other non-current assets
Retirement benefit assets
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 and lease liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations
Other payables
Provisions 
Deferred tax liabilities

Current liabilities
Bank overdrafts, borrowings, loans and lease liabilities
Trade and other payables 
Provisions
Current tax payable

Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

At
31 December
2019
$ million     

At
31 December
2018
$ million  

Notes     

 1 & 7 
 8 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 13 
 18 
 5 

 12 
 13 
 15 

 19 

 19 

 1 & 15 
 18 
 14 
 17 
 5 

 1 & 15 
 14 
 17 
 5 

 1,323 
 2,789 
 1,567 
 7 
 103 
 35 
 106 
 150 
 6,080 

 1,614 
 1,328 
 277 
 3,219 
 9,299 

 177 
 610 
 18 
 (189)
 (324)
 4,849 
 5,141 

 1,975 
 136 
 102 
 214 
 167 
 2,594 

 72 
 1,046 
 203 
 243 
 1,564 
 4,158 
 9,299 

 1,062 
 2,337 
 1,210 
 34 
 105 
 16 
 92 
 126 
 4,982 

 1,395 
 1,317 
 365 
 3,077 
 8,059 

 177 
 608 
 18 
 (214)
 (340)
 4,625 
 4,874 

 1,301 
 114 
 53 
 153 
 99 
 1,720 

 164 
 957 
 121 
 223 
 1,465 
 3,185 
 8,059 

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach comparative information is not restated. 

The accounts were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 20 February 2020 and are signed on its behalf by:

Roberto Quarta 
Chairman 

Roland Digglemann 
Chief Executive Officer 

Graham Baker
Chief Financial Officer

The Notes on pages 135–184 are an integral part of these accounts. 

132

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Strategy

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Accounts

Other information

Group financial statements

Group cash flow statement

Cash flows from operating activities 
Profit before taxation
Net interest expense
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment and software
Share-based payments expense (equity settled)
Share of results of associates
Net movement in post-retirement benefit obligations
Increase in inventories
Decrease/(increase) in trade and other receivables
Increase/(decrease) 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
Net proceeds from sale/(purchase) of investments
Distribution from associate
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities 
Proceeds from issue of ordinary share capital
Purchase of own shares
Payment of capital element of lease liabilities
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 from/(used in) financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Exchange adjustments
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year2

Year ended 
31 December
2019
$ million     

Year ended 
31 December
2018
$ million     

Year ended 
31 December
2017
$ million  

Notes     

 4 

 23 
 11 

 11 

 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 

 20 
 19 

 20 
 20 

 743 
 55 
 502 
 16 
 32 
 (1)
 (4)
 (204)
 30 
 201 
 1,370 
 4 
 (56)
 (150)
 1,168 

 (869)
 (408)
 23 
 3 
 (1,251)

 2 
 (63)
 (46)
 – 
 (125)
 1,290 
 (740)
 9 
 (2)
 (318)
 7 
 (76)
 333 
 – 
 257 

 781 
 51 
 435 
 19 
 35 
 11 
 (35)
 (152)
 (108)
 71 
 1,108 
 2 
 (54)
 (125)
 931 

 (29)
 (347)
 (4)
 2 
 (378)

 3 
 (48)
 – 
 24 
 (30)
 370 
 (371)
 10 
 (8)
 (321)
 (371)
 182 
 155 
 (4)
 333 

 879 
 51 
 447 
 13 
 31 
 (6)
 (40)
 (17)
 (40)
 (45)
 1,273 
 2 
 (50)
 (135)
 1,090 

 (159)
 (376)
 (8)
 – 
 (543)

 5 
 (52)
 – 
 53 
 (64)
 570 
 (706)
 5 
 24 
 (269)
 (434)
 113 
 38 
 4 
 155 

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach comparative information is not restated. 

1 

Includes $123m (2018: $83m, 2017: $15m) of outgoings on restructuring and rationalisation expenses, $36m (2018: $3m, 2017: $3m) of acquisition and disposal related items and $105m inflow 
(2018: $104m outflow, 2017: $25m outflow) of legal and other items. 

2  Cash and cash equivalents is net of bank overdrafts of $20m (2018: $32m, 2017: $14m). 

The Notes on pages 135–184 are an integral part of these accounts.

.

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Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Group statement of changes in equity

At 31 December 2016
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 2017
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9 (net of tax)
Adjusted balance as at 1 January 2018
Attributable profit for the year1
Other comprehensive 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 2018
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 2019

Share
capital
$ million     
 180 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (2)
 – 
 178 
 – 
 178 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (1)
 – 
 177 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 177 

Share
premium
$ million     
 600 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 5 
 605 
 – 
 605 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 3 
 608 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 610 

Capital
redemption
reserve
$ million     
 15 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 – 
 17 
 – 
 17 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 – 
 18 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 18 

Treasury
shares2
$ million     
 (432)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (52)
 26 
 201 
 – 
 (257)
 – 
 (257)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (48)
 40 
 51 
 – 
 (214)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (63)
 38 
 50 
 – 
 (189)

Other
reserves3
$ million     
 (375)
 – 
 147 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (228)
 – 
 (228)
 – 
 (112)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (340)
 – 
 16 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (324)

Retained
earnings
$ million     
 3,970 
 767 
 55 
 (269)
 31 
 (3)
 – 
 (21)
 (201)
 – 
 4,329 
 (11)
 4,318 
 663 
 10 
 (321)
 35 
 1 
 – 
 (30)
 (51)
 – 
 4,625 
 600 
 (12)
 (318)
 32 
 1 
 – 
 (29)
 (50)
 – 
 4,849 

Total
equity
$ million  
 3,958 
 767 
 202 
 (269)
 31 
 (3)
 (52)
 5 
 – 
 5 
 4,644 
 (11)
 4,633 
 663 
 (102)
 (321)
 35 
 1 
 (48)
 10 
 – 
 3 
 4,874 
 600 
 4 
 (318)
 32 
 1 
 (63)
 9 
 – 
 2 
 5,141 

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach comparative information is not restated. 

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 net changes on fair value of trade investments. 

The cumulative translation loss within other reserves at 31 December 2019 was $318m (2018: $339m loss, 2017: $207m loss).
Issue of ordinary share capital in connection with the Group’s share incentive plans. 

4 

The Notes on pages 135–184 are an integral part of these accounts.

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Strategy

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Accounts

Other information

Notes to the Group accounts
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 2019. 
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 2019. IFRSs 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 year. The accounting policies requiring management to use significant estimates and assumptions 
are: inventories, impairment, taxation, liability provisions and business combinations. These are discussed on page 130. 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. Further information regarding the Group’s business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, 
performance and position, are set out on pages 14–23.

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 2019 the Group had available committed borrowing facilities of $2.9bn and total liquidity of 
$1.3bn, including net cash and cash equivalents of $257m and undrawn available committed borrowing facilities of $1bn. The earliest 
expiry date of the Group’s committed borrowing facilities is in respect of $75m of Senior Notes due to expire in January 2021. In addition, 
Note 16 includes the Group’s objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; our financial risk management objectives; 
details of our financial instruments and hedging activities; and our exposures to foreign exchange, interest rate and credit risk.

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 
on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting’ issued by the FRC) in preparing the consolidated 
financial statements.

New accounting standards effective 2019
The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019. A number of other new standards, including IFRIC 23 Uncertainty Over 
Income Tax Treatments, are effective from 1 January 2019 but they do not have a material effect on the Group’s financial statements. 

On 1 January 2019, the Group adopted IFRS 16 Leases using the modified retrospective approach and the right-of-use asset on transition 
equalled the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any rent-free period accruals. The cumulative effect of initially adopting IFRS 16 
is recognised as an adjustment at 1 January 2019 with no restatement of comparative information. The Group applied the practical 
expedient to grandfather the definition of a lease on transition. The Group applied IFRS 16 only to contracts that were previously 
identified as containing a lease. Contracts that were not identified as containing a lease under IAS 17 or IFRIC 4 were not reassessed. 
The new definition of a lease has only been applied to contracts entered into from 1 January 2019.

Previous accounting policy
Previously the Group determined if an arrangement was or contained a lease under IFRIC 4 Determining Whether an Arrangement 
Contains a Lease. As a lessee the Group previously classified leases as operating or finance leases based on whether the lease 
arrangement substantially transferred all risks and rewards of ownership. 

New accounting policy – IFRS 16 Leases
The assessment of whether a contract is or contains a lease takes place at the inception of the contract. The assessment involves 
whether the Group obtains substantially all the economic benefits from the use of that asset and whether the Group has the right to 
direct the use of the asset. The Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease and non-lease component. The non-lease 
component, where it is separately identifiable, is not included in the right-of-use asset. 

The Group leases many assets including properties, motor vehicles and office equipment. The Group availed itself of the exemptions 
for short-term leases and leases of low-value items for leases other than those for properties and motor vehicles. The use of these 
exemptions does not have a material impact.

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Other information

1 Basis of preparation continued
The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the commencement of the lease. The right-of-use asset is initially 
measured based on the present value of lease payments that are not paid at the commencement date plus initial direct costs less any 
incentives received. The lease payments are discounted using an incremental borrowing rate which is country-specific and reflective 
of the lease term. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life of the underlying asset. 
The right-of-use asset is subject to impairment testing if there is an impairment indicator. The right-of-use assets are included in the 
balance sheet heading ‘Property, plant and equipment’. 

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of lease payments, as outlined above, and is subsequently increased by the 
interest cost on the lease liability and decreased by lease payments made. The lease liability is remeasured when there is a change in 
future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, or as appropriate, changes in the assessment of whether an extension 
option is reasonably certain to be exercised or a termination option is reasonably certain not to be exercised. The lease liabilities 
are included in the balance sheet headings ‘Long-term borrowings and lease liabilities’ and ‘Bank overdrafts, borrowings, loans and 
lease liabilities’. 

Cash flows arising on lease interest payments are included in operating cash flows whereas cash flows arising on the capital repayments 
of the lease liability are included in financing cash flows.

Impact of applying IFRS 16
On transition to IFRS 16 on 1 January 2019, the Group recognised additional right-of-use assets and additional lease liabilities. 
The impact on transition is outlined below:

Right-of-use assets presented in property, plant and equipment
Rent-free period accrual presented in trade and other payables
Lease liabilities

1 January
2019
$m 
159
 5 
 (164)

In relation to these leases, the Group has recognised depreciation and interest expenses instead of operating lease expenses. During the 
year ended 31 December 2019 the Group has recognised $50m of depreciation on right-of-use assets and $6m of interest cost from 
these lease liabilities. The total interest expense for the year ended 31 December 2019 comprises: 

Bank borrowings and other
Private placement notes
Lease liabilities 

$m 
 18 
 41 
 6 
 65 

A reconciliation from the operating lease commitment at 31 December 2018 as disclosed in the Group’s statutory financial statements 
for the year ended 31 December 2018 to the lease liabilities recognised at 1 January 2019 is outlined below. The non-lease components 
primarily relate to service and maintenance costs which were included in the operating lease commitment but do not form part of 
the lease liability. The short-term exemption primarily relates to the vehicles in a car fleet programme which was known to be closing 
in 2019.

Operating lease commitment at 31 December 2018
Non-lease components
Short-term exemption availed of on transition
Impact of discounting lease payments
Lease liabilities recognised at 1 January 2019

$m 
 (218)
 28 
 2 
 24 
 (164)

When measuring lease liabilities for leases that were classified as operating leases, the Group discounted lease payments using its 
incremental borrowing rate at 1 January 2019. The weighted average rate applied is 3.6%. 

Accounting standards issued but not yet effective
A number of new standards and amendments to standards are effective for annual periods beginning after 1 January 2020 and earlier 
application is permitted; however, the Group has not early adopted them in preparing these consolidated financial statements. These are 
not expected to have a significant impact on adoption.

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Strategy

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Other information

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-terminous with the Group’s, 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. The Company’s functional currency is US Dollars.

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
Year end rates
Sterling
Euro
Swiss Franc

2019     

2018     

2017  

 1.28 
 1.12 
 1.01 

 1.32 
 1.12 
 1.04 

 1.33 
 1.18 
 1.02 

 1.28 
 1.14 
 1.02 

 1.29 
 1.13 
 1.02 

 1.35 
 1.20 
 1.02 

2 Business segment information
Previously the Group was engaged in a single business activity, being the development, manufacture and sale of medical technology 
products and services. 

From 1 January 2019 onwards, with the Group’s operating structure organised around three global franchises, the chief operating 
decision maker began to monitor performance, make operating decisions and allocate resources on a global franchise basis in contrast 
with 2018 and prior, where these were done on a Group-wide basis. The new operating structure led to the appointment of three 
franchise presidents. The franchise presidents have responsibility for upstream marketing, driving product portfolio and technology 
acquisition decisions, and full commercial responsibility for their franchise in the US. Regional presidents in EMEA and APAC are 
responsible for the implementation of the global franchise strategy in their respective regions. 

Based on the aforementioned changes, the Group has concluded that there are three reportable segments from January 2019. 
The Group will not restate comparative information in 2019, other than revenue, as historical financial information is not available  
on a franchise basis. 

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2 Business segment information continued 
The Executive Committee (‘ExCo’) comprises the Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’), three franchise presidents, the two regional presidents 
and certain heads of function, and is chaired by the Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’). ExCo 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 
ExCo, and whilst the members have individual responsibility for the implementation of decisions within their respective areas, it is at the 
ExCo level that these decisions are made. Accordingly, ExCo is considered to be the Group’s chief operating decision maker as defined 
by IFRS 8 Operating Segments.

In making decisions about the prioritisation and allocation of the Group’s resources, ExCo reviews financial information for the three 
franchises (Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, and Advanced Wound Management) and determines the best allocation of resources 
to the franchises. 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. Financial information for corporate costs is presented on a Group-wide basis. The ExCo is not 
provided with total assets and liabilities by segment, and therefore these measures are not included in the disclosures below. The results 
of the segments are shown below.

2.1 Revenue by business segment and geography

Accounting policy
Since 1 January 2018, revenue is recognised as the performance obligations to deliver products or services are satisfied and is 
recorded based on the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for satisfying the performance obligations. 
Revenue is recognised primarily when control is transferred to the customer, which is generally when the goods are shipped 
or delivered in accordance with the contract terms, with some transfer of services taking place over time. Substantially all 
performance obligations are performed within one year. There is no significant revenue associated with the provision of discrete 
services. Payment terms to our customers are based on commercially reasonable terms for the respective markets while also 
considering a customer’s credit rating. Appropriate provisions for returns, trade discounts and rebates are deducted from revenue. 
Rebates primarily comprise chargebacks and other discounts granted to certain customers. Chargebacks are discounts that occur 
when a third party purchases product from a wholesaler at its agreed price plus a mark-up. The wholesaler in turn charges the Group 
for the difference between the price initially paid by the wholesaler and the agreed price. The provision for chargebacks is based on 
expected sell-through levels by the Group’s wholesalers to such customers, as well as estimated wholesaler inventory levels. 

The revenue accounting policy for the year ending 31 December 2017 was consistent with the requirements of IAS 18. Revenue was 
recognised once the significant risks and rewards of ownership had been transferred to the customer, rather than the satisfaction of 
the performance obligations to deliver products or services.

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine & ENT 
Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine & ENT consists of the following businesses: Knee Implants, Hip Implants, Other Reconstruction, 
Trauma, Sports Medicine Joint Repair, Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies and ENT. 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. 
Substantially all other revenue is recognised when control is transferred to the customer, which is generally when the goods are shipped 
or delivered in accordance with the contract terms. Revenue is recognised for the amount of consideration expected to be received 
in exchange for transferring the products or services. 

In general our business in Established Markets is direct to hospitals and ambulatory surgery centres whereas in the Emerging Markets 
we generally sell through distributors.

Advanced Wound Management
Advanced Wound Management consists of the following businesses: Advanced Wound Care, Advanced Wound Bioactives and 
Advanced Wound Devices. Substantially all revenue is recognised when control is transferred to the customer, which is generally 
when the goods are shipped or delivered in accordance with the contract terms. Revenue is recognised for the amount of 
consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring the products or services. Appropriate provisions for returns, 
trade discounts and rebates are deducted from revenue, as explained above.

The majority of our Advanced Wound Management business, and in particular products used in community and homecare facilities, 
is through wholesalers and distributors. The proportion of sales direct to hospitals is higher in our Advanced Wound Devices business 
in Established Markets.

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Other information

Segment revenue reconciles to statutory revenues from continuing operations as follows:

Reportable segment revenue
Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine & ENT
Advanced Wound Management
Revenue from external customers

Disaggregation of revenue:
The following table shows the disaggregation of Group revenue by product franchise:

Revenue by product from continuing operations
Knee Implants
Hip Implants
Other Reconstruction
Trauma
Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine Joint Repair
Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies
ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
Sports Medicine & ENT
Advanced Wound Care
Advanced Wound Bioactives
Advanced Wound Devices
Advanced Wound Management
Consolidated revenue from continuing operations

2019
$ million     

2018
$ million     

2017
$ million

 2,222 
 1,536 
 1,380 
 5,138 

 2,168 
 1,461 
 1,275 
 4,904 

 2,107 
 1,402 
 1,256 
 4,765 

2019
$ million     

20181
$ million     

20171
$ million  

 1,042 
 613 
 79 
 488 
 2,222 
 794 
 591 
 151 
 1,536 
 714 
 424 
 242 
 1,380 
 5,138 

 1,017 
 613 
 62 
 476 
 2,168 
 717 
 600 
 144 
 1,461 
 740 
 320 
 215 
 1,275 
 4,904 

 984 
 599 
 45 
 479 
 2,107 
 650 
 615 
 137 
 1,402 
 720 
 342 
 194 
 1,256 
 4,765 

1  Revenue by franchise for the years ended 2018 and 2017 has been re-presented to align with the new global franchise structure effective from 1 January 2019. There has been no change in 

total revenue for the years ended 2018 and 2017. Other Reconstruction includes 2018: $62m (2017: $45m) previously in Other Surgical Businesses; Trauma includes 2018: $476m (2017: $479m) 
previously in Trauma & Extremities; Sports Medicine Joint Repair includes 2018: $17m (2017: $16m) and 2018: $3m (2017: $7m) previously in Trauma & Extremities and Other Surgical Businesses 
respectively; and ENT includes 2018: $144m (2017: $137m) previously in Other Surgical Businesses. 

The following table shows the disaggregation of Group revenue by geographic market and product category. The disaggregation of 
revenue into the two product categories below reflects that in general the products in the Advanced Wound Management franchises 
are sold to wholesalers and intermediaries, while products in the other franchises are sold directly to hospitals, ambulatory surgery 
centers and distributors. The further disaggregation of revenue by Established Markets and Emerging Markets reflects that in general our 
products are sold through distributors and intermediaries in the Emerging Markets while in the Established Markets, with the exception 
of the Advanced Wound Care and Bioactives franchises, products are in general sold direct to hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. 
The disaggregation by Established Markets and Emerging Markets also reflects their differing economic factors including volatility in 
growth and outlook.

2019

2018

2017

Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT
Advanced Wound Management
Total

Total

Emerging 
Markets

Established 
Markets1 
$ million      $ million      $ million     
 772 
 2,986 
 185 
 1,195 
 957 
 4,181 

 3,758 
 1,380 
 5,138 

Total

Emerging 
Markets

Established 
Markets1 
$ million      $ million      $ million     
 685 
 2,944 
 172 
 1,103 
 857 
 4,047 

 3,629 
 1,275 
 4,904 

Established 
Emerging 
Markets1 
Total
Markets
$ million      $ million      $ million
 3,509 
 2,867 
 1,256 
 1,097 
 4,765 
 3,964 

 642 
 159 
 801 

1  Established Markets comprises the US, Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan and New Zealand. 

US revenue for 2019 was $2,551m (2018: $2,354m, 2017: $2,306m), China revenue for 2019 was $336m (2018: $270m, 2017: $228m) 
and UK revenue for 2019 was $211m (2018: $211m, 2017: $222m).

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2 Business segment information continued 
Contract assets and liabilities
The nature of our products and services do not generally give rise to contract assets as we do not typically incur costs to fulfil a contract 
before a product or service is provided to the customer. The Group generally satisfies performance obligations within one year from 
the contract inception date. There was no material revenue recognised in the current reporting period that related to carried-forward 
contract liabilities (deferred income) or performance obligations satisfied in the previous year. There is no material revenue that is likely to 
arise in future periods from unsatisfied performance obligations at the balance sheet date. Therefore, there are no associated significant 
accrued income and deferred income balances at 31 December 2019. As of 31 December 2019, contract assets principally comprised 
trade receivables and contract liabilities principally comprise rebates (as described in the accounting policy above). The accrual for 
rebates at 31 December 2019 was $82m (2018: $65m) with $397m being recognised in revenue in 2019. 

Major customers
No single customer generates revenue greater than 10% of the consolidated revenue.

2.2 Trading and operating profit by business segment
Trading profit is a trend measure which presents the profitability of the Group excluding the impact of specific transactions that 
management considers affect the Group’s short-term profitability and the comparability of results. 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; amortisation and impairment of acquisition 
intangibles; significant restructuring programmes; gains and losses arising from legal disputes; and other significant items. Further detail 
is provided in Notes 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6. 

Segment trading profit is reconciled to the statutory measure below:

Segment profit
Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine & ENT
Advanced Wound Management
Segment trading profit
Corporate costs
Group trading profit
Acquisition and disposal related items
Restructuring and rationalisation expenses
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles 
Legal and other
Group operating profit

1  Historical financial information is not available on a franchise basis.

2.3 Non-current assets by geography
The following table presents the non-current assets of the Group based on their location: 

United Kingdom
United States of America
Other
Total non-current assets of the consolidated Group1

1  Non-current assets excludes retirement benefit assets and deferred tax assets.

2019
$ million     

20181
$ million     

20171
$ million

 666 
 489 
 370 
 1,525 
 (356)
 1,169 
 (32)
 (134)
 (143)
 (45)
 815 

 1,123 
 7 
 (120)
 (113)
 (34)
 863 

 1,048 
 10 
 – 
 (140)
 16 
 934 

2019
$ million     
 385 
 4,034 
 1,405 
 5,824 

2018
$ million     
 354 
 3,186 
 1,224 
 4,764 

2017
$ million  
 364 
 3,295 
 1,287 
 4,946 

2.4 Acquisitions and disposal related items 
For the year to 31 December 2019 costs primarily relate to the acquisitions of Ceterix, Osiris, Leaf, Brainlab OJR and Atracsys. 

For the year to 31 December 2018 the credit relates to a remeasurement of contingent consideration for a prior year acquisition and 
adjustments to provisions on disposal of a business, partially offset by costs associated with the acquisition of Rotation Medical, Inc. 

For the year to 31 December 2017 the credit relates to a remeasurement of contingent consideration for a prior year acquisition  
partially offset by costs associated with the acquisition of Rotation Medical, Inc.

140

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019    
    
Strategy

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Other information

2.5 Restructuring and rationalisation costs
Restructuring and rationalisation costs of $134m were incurred in 2019 (2018: $120m, 2017: $nil) relating to the Accelerating 
Performance and Execution (APEX) programme that was announced in February 2018. 

2.6 Legal and other 
For the year ended 31 December 2019 charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims and an  
increase of $121m in the provision that reflects the present value of the estimated costs to resolve all other known and anticipated 
metal-on-metal hip claims. The year to 31 December 2019 also includes costs for implementing the requirements of the EU Medical 
Device Regulations that will apply from May 2020. These charges in the year to 31 December 2019 were partially offset by a credit of 
$147m relating to insurance recoveries for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims.

For the year ended 31 December 2018 charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims and an increase 
of $72m in the provision that reflects the present value of the estimated costs to resolve all other known and anticipated metal-on metal 
hip claims globally. The year to 31 December 2018 also includes costs for implementing the requirements of the EU Medical Device 
Regulations that will apply from May 2020. These charges in the year to 31 December 2018 were partially offset by a credit of $84m 
relating to settlement agreements with insurers related to product liability claims involving macrotextured components withdrawn from 
the market in 2003. For the year ended 31 December 2017, charges primarily relate to legal expenses for patent litigation with Arthrex 
and ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims and an increase of $10m in the provision that reflects the present value of the estimated costs 
to resolve all other known and anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims globally. These charges were offset by a $54m credit following 
a settlement payment received from Arthrex relating to patent litigation.

3 Operating profit

Accounting policy
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
Gross profit
Research and development expenses2
Selling, general and administrative expenses:

Marketing, selling and distribution expenses
Administrative expenses3,4,5,6

Operating profit

2019
$ million     
 5,138 
 (1,338)
 3,800 
 (292)

 (1,911)
 (782)
 (2,693)
 815 

2018
$ million     
 4,904 
 (1,298)
 3,606 
 (246)

 (1,820)
 (677)
 (2,497)
 863 

2017
$ million  
 4,765 
 (1,248)
 3,517 
 (223)

 (1,781)
 (579)
 (2,360)
 934 

1  2019 includes $5m charge relating to legal and other items and $7m charge relating to restructuring and rationalisation expenses (2018: $4m of legal and other items, 2017: $nil).
2  2019 includes $24m charge relating to legal and other items (2018: $9m, 2017: $nil).
3  2019 includes $61m of amortisation of software and other intangible assets (2018: $63m, 2017: $62m).
4  2019 includes $143m of amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles and $127m of restructuring and rationalisation expenses (2018: $113m of amortisation and impairment 

of acquisition intangibles and $120m of restructuring and rationalisation expenses, 2017: $140m of amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles).

5  2019 includes $16m charge relating to legal and other items (2018: $21m charge, 2017: $16m credit).
6  2019 includes $32m charge of acquisition and disposal related items (2018: $7m credit, 2017: $10m credit).

Note that items detailed in 1,2,4,5 and 6 are excluded from the calculation of trading profit, the segments’ profit measure.

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3 Operating profit continued
Operating profit is stated after charging/(crediting) the following items:

Other operating income
Amortisation of intangible assets
Impairment of intangible assets
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
Fair value remeasurement of trade investments
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment1
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

1  The 2019 depreciation charge includes $50m related to right-of-use assets.

2019
$ million     
 (147)
 204 
 2 
 4 
 12 
 292 
 16 
 – 
 – 
 85 

2018
$ million     
 (107)
 176 
 3 
 5 
 9 
 251 
 19 
 32 
 25 
 88 

2017
$ million  
 (66)
 192 
 10 
 – 
 – 
 243 
 13 
 36 
 21 
 102 

In 2019 other operating income comprises insurance recoveries for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims (2018: insurance recovery relating 
to product liability claims involving macrotextured components voluntarily withdrawn from the market in 2003 and a gain relating 
to patent litigation, 2017: gain relating to patent litigation). In 2019, $147m (2018: $84m, 2017: $54m) of other operating income was 
included with legal and other items, as explained in Note 2.6, and does not form part of Group trading profit.

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 

2019
$ million     
 1,435 
 193 
 76 
 32 
 1,736 

2018
$ million     
 1,330 
 176 
 65 
 35 
 1,606 

2017
$ million  
 1,231 
 178 
 64 
 31 
 1,504 

During the year ended 31 December 2019, the average number of employees was 18,030 (2018: 16,681, 2017: 16,333).

3.2 Audit Fees – information about the nature and cost of services provided by the auditor

Audit services: 

Group accounts
Local statutory audit pursuant to legislation

Other services: 

Audit related services

Taxation services
Total auditor’s remuneration
Arising:

In the UK
Outside the UK

142

2019
$ million     

2018
$ million     

2017
$ million  

 3.8 
 2.7 

 0.3 
 – 
 6.8 

 3.0 
 3.8 
 6.8 

 2.6 
 3.4 

 – 
 – 
 6.0 

 2.4 
 3.6 
 6.0 

 2.4 
 2.0 

 0.1 
 – 
 4.5 

 2.5 
 2.0 
 4.5 

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
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Other information

4 Interest and other finance costs
4.1 Interest income/(expense)

Interest income
Interest expense:

Bank borrowings
Private placement notes
Lease liabilities
Other

Net interest expense

4.2 Other finance costs

Retirement benefit net interest expense
Unwinding of discount
Other
Other finance costs

2019
$ million     
 10 

 (7)
 (41)
 (6)
 (11)
 (65)
 (55)

2018
$ million     

 8 

 (11)
 (38)
 – 
 (10)
 (59)
 (51)

2019
$ million     

2018
$ million     

 (2)
 (8)
 (8)
 (18)

 (3)
 (9)
 (8)
 (20)

2017
$ million  
 6 

 (11)
 (38)
 – 
 (8)
 (57)
 (51)

2017
$ million  
 (5)
 (5)
 – 
 (10)

Notes     
 18 

Foreign exchange gains or losses arose primarily on the translation of intercompany and third party borrowings and amounted to 
a net $1m gain in 2019 (2018: net $11m gain, 2017: net $25m loss). These amounts were 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 non-deductible.  
It is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted as at the balance sheet date.

The Group operates in numerous tax jurisdictions around the world. It is Group policy to submit its tax returns to the relevant tax 
authorities within statutory time limits. At any given time, the Group typically is involved in tax audits and other disputes and will 
have other tax returns potentially subject to audit. 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 tax provision whenever necessary. The ultimate tax liability may differ from the amount provided depending on factors including 
interpretations of tax law and settlement negotiations.

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 taking into account the recoverability of the deferred tax assets, 
future profitability and any restrictions on use. The Group considers available evidence to assess the future profitability over a 5 year 
period and any material unrecognised deferred tax assets are disclosed in Note 5.

Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted basis, and at the tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted as at the 
balance sheet 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, the Group 
intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis, offset is permissible according to the relevant jurisdiction’s tax 
laws and that authority permits the Group to make a single net payment.

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5 Taxation continued 
5.1 Taxation charge attributable to the Group

Current taxation:

UK corporation tax
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

2019
$ million     

2018
$ million     

2017
$ million  

 27 
 140 
 167 
 (11)
 156 

 (9)
 3 
 (7)
 (13)
 143 
 (2)
 (1)
 140 

 27 
 131 
 158 
 (33)
 125 

 (3)
 1 
 (5)
 (7)
 118 
 (4)
 (1)
 113 

 23 
 177 
 200 
 (60)
 140 

 32 
 (49)
 (11)
 (28)
 112 
 9 
 3 
 124 

The 2019 and 2018 net prior period adjustments of $18m and $38m respectively mainly relate to the expiry of statute of limitations and 
tax accrual to tax return adjustments, partially offset by an increase in certain other tax provisions. The 2017 net prior period adjustment 
benefit of $71m mainly relates to provision releases following agreement reached with the IRS on US tax matters after the conclusion of 
US tax audits in 2017, provision releases on the expiry of statute of limitations and tax accrual to tax return adjustments, partially offset 
by an increase in certain other tax provisions. 

Included in the total 2017 tax charge is a $32m net benefit as a result of the US tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017, which 
comprises a benefit from a revaluation of deferred tax balances included within changes in tax rates, partially offset by a current tax 
charge relating to the deemed repatriation of foreign profits not previously taxed in the US. 

Total taxation as per the income statement of $143m includes a $68m net credit (2018: $51m net credit, 2017: $58m net credit) as a 
consequence of restructuring and rationalisation related costs, acquisition and disposal related items, amortisation and impairment of 
acquisition intangibles and legal and other items. 

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 
transfer pricing, tax rate changes, tax legislation changes, tax authority interpretation, expiry of the statute of limitations, tax litigation, 
and resolution of tax audits and disputes.

At any given time the Group has unagreed years outstanding in various countries and is involved in tax audits and disputes, some of 
which may take several years to resolve. Provisions are based on best estimates and management’s judgements concerning the likely 
ultimate outcome of any audit or dispute. Management considers the specific circumstances of each tax position and takes external 
advice, where appropriate, to assess the range of potential outcomes and estimate additional tax that may be due. Current tax 
payable of $243m (2018: $223m) includes $201m (2018: $178m) in relation to uncertain tax positions which relate to multiple issues 
across the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. Other creditors includes $17m (2018: $8m) of other interest on these provisions. 
The application of IFRIC 23 has not given rise to a material impact on the tax risk provisions. Other receivables includes $21m (2018: $nil) 
of tax receivables relating to payments on account and repayments due in a number of jurisdictions.

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The Group believes that it has made adequate provision in respect of additional tax liabilities that may arise from unagreed years, tax 
audits and disputes, the majority of which relate to transfer pricing matters, as would be expected for a Group operating internationally. 
However, the actual liability for any particular issue may be higher or lower than the amount provided, resulting in a negative or positive 
effect on the tax charge in any given year. A reduction in the tax charge may also arise for other reasons such as an expiry of the relevant 
statute of limitations. Whilst the impact can vary from year-to-year, we believe the possibility of a material adverse impact on the tax 
charge for 2020 is remote. Depending on the final outcome of certain tax audits which are currently in progress or possible statute 
of limitations expiry or other factors, a credit to the tax charge could arise. In respect of the risk provided for at 31 December 2019, 
we envisage circumstances that would result in a credit equal to more than approximately half of the provisions held to be unlikely.

A factor that may have a future effect on our tax charge is the decision by the European Commission (EC), published in April 2019, 
that the UK CFC financing exemption rules between 2013 and 2018 partially constituted illegal State Aid. The UK government and 
many potentially affected taxpayers, including us, have applied to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for annulment of the EC’s decision. 
At the EC’s request, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) requested, from potentially affected companies, certain information and facts 
in order to review whether there may be a potential liability, were the EC’s position to be upheld, to which we fully responded within 
HMRC’s specified timeframe. The amount of tax ultimately due, if any, will depend both on generic technical legislative interpretation 
and company-specific facts and circumstances. HMRC is under a legal obligation to collect potentially underpaid tax ahead of the 
determination of the appeals by the ECJ; however, how it will seek to quantify such amounts is unclear, and as of the 14 February 
2020 we had received no assessment or other demand. If the EC decision were ultimately to be upheld on generic technical legislative 
grounds, subject to any relief based on company-specific facts and circumstances, we calculate our maximum potential liability as at 
31 December 2019, to be approximately $150m. Based on current information, we do not consider it can reasonably be concluded that 
it is more likely than not that any liability would arise, or that any such liability could be quantified with sufficient accuracy, in order to 
recognise any provision in respect of this matter at the present time. 

The UK Government amended the UK CFC legislation with effect from 1 January 2019 which removed many of the technical grounds on 
which the current ECJ appeals rely and the position has therefore become more dependent on tests around company-specific facts and 
circumstances. As an international group with significant management based overseas, we would expect wholly or partly to meet such 
tests; however, given current uncertainties around legislative interpretation, our provisions include an allowance for such uncertainties, 
which is not material to the overall Group tax charge.

In December 2016, the Group appealed to the First Tier Tribunal against a decision by HMRC relating to the UK tax deductibility 
of historic foreign exchange losses. The decision of the Tribunal was released on 8 February 2017, which upheld the Group’s appeal. 
HMRC appealed against this decision, and their appeal was heard by the Upper Tribunal in June 2018. The decision was released on 
29 November 2018, which upheld the decision of the First Tier Tribunal. HMRC was granted leave to appeal in the Court of Appeal, for 
which the hearing concluded on 15 January 2020. The Court tentatively indicated that a decision will be released in or around April 2020. 
Following that decision, the unsuccessful party would have the right to make an application for leave to appeal to the UK Supreme Court. 
If HMRC was ultimately unsuccessful in the litigation process, the Group’s tax charge would be reduced in the year of success. No tax 
benefit for these losses has been taken to date. Should the case become final and be decided in the Group’s favour in 2020, we estimate 
that we would receive a tax refund of approximately $100m. In addition, there would be losses remaining which would be potentially 
available to offset future profits, the benefit of which would depend on future facts and circumstances. 

In 2016, the UK Government enacted legislation to reduce the main rate of UK statutory corporation tax to 19.0% from 1 April 2017 
and 17.0% from 1 April 2020. However, the UK Government recently announced an intention for the planned corporation tax reduction 
to 17.0% to be postponed indefinitely. While it is expected that legislation to this effect will be enacted in the coming months, as this 
had not been enacted or substantively enacted as at 31 December 2019, UK deferred tax has been calculated based on a 17.0% rate, 
the impact of which on the current year tax charge is not material.

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5 Taxation continued 
The UK standard rate of corporation tax for 2019 is 19.0% (2018: 19.0%, 2017: 19.3%). Overseas taxation is calculated at the rates 
prevailing in the respective jurisdictions. The table below reconciles the expected tax charge at the UK statutory rate with the actual 
tax charge:

Profit before taxation
Expected taxation at UK statutory rate of 19.0% (2018: 19.0%, 2017: 19.3%)
Differences in overseas taxation rates1
Benefit of US manufacturing deduction
R&D credits
Tax losses not recognised
Utilisation of previously unrecognised tax losses
Impact of US tax reform
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
Change in tax rates
Adjustments in respect of prior years2
Total taxation as per the income statement

2019
$ million     
 743 
 141 
 9 
 – 
 (8)
 – 
 (2)
 – 
 18 
 3 
 (18)
 143 

2018
$ million     
 781 
 148 
 (5)
 – 
 (6)
 4 
 (1)
 – 
 15 
 1 
 (38)
 118 

2017
$ million  
 879 
 169 
 48 
 (9)
 (3)
 10 
 (6)
 (32)
 11 
 (5)
 (71)
 112 

1  Mainly relates to profits taxed in the US at a rate higher than the UK statutory rate and includes the impact of intra group loans provided to finance US acquisitions and business operations.
2  The adjustments in respect of prior years are explained on page 144. 

5.2 Deferred taxation
Movements in the main components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows: 

At 31 December 2017
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9 
Adjusted balance at 1 January 2018
Exchange adjustment
Movement in income statement – current year
Movement in income statement – prior years
Movement in other comprehensive income
Movement in equity
Changes in tax rate
At 31 December 2018
Exchange adjustment
Movement in income statement – current year
Movement in income statement – prior years
Movement in other comprehensive income
Movement in equity
Changes in tax rate
Acquisitions
At 31 December 2019

Accelerated
tax
depreciation

Intangibles

$ million     
 (50)
 – 
 (50)
 – 
 11 
 (12)
 – 
 – 
 (1)
 (52)
 – 
 19 
 (3)
 – 
 – 
 (1)
 – 
 (37)

$ million     
 (143)
 – 
 (143)
 2 
 14 
 1 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (126)
 (1)
 11 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 (106)
 (221)

146

Retirement

obligations

$ million     

benefit Macrotexture
claims
$ million     
 33 
 – 
 33 
 – 
 (33)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 7 
 – 
 7 
 – 
 – 
 4 
 (6)
 – 
 – 
 5 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 – 
 1 
 – 
 7 

Inventory,
provisions,
losses and other
differences

Total

$ million      $ million  
 30 
 3 
 33 
 (5)
 3 
 5 
 (9)
 1 
 (1)
 27 
 (1)
 9 
 7 
 1 
 1 
 (3)
 (58)
 (17)

 183 
 3 
 186 
 (7)
 11 
 12 
 (3)
 1 
 – 
 200 
 – 
 (21)
 10 
 – 
 1 
 (4)
 48 
 234 

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019    
    
Strategy

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Represented by:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Net position at 31 December

2019
$ million     
 150 
 (167)
 (17)

2018
$ million  
 126 
 (99)
 27 

The Group has gross unused trading and non-trading tax losses of $219m (2018: $149m) and gross unused capital losses of $104m 
(2018: $102m) available for offset against future profits, of which $9m of trading losses will expire within five years from the balance 
sheet date if not utilised. A deferred tax asset of $46m (2018: $28m) has been recognised in respect of $116m (2018: $74m) of the 
trading and non-trading tax 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. There are no temporary differences in respect of investments in subsidiaries and 
associates for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised (2018: $nil).

6 Earnings per ordinary share

Accounting policy
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 profitability of the Group excluding the impact of specific 
transactions that management considers affects the Group’s short-term profitability and comparability of results. 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: 
acquisition and disposal related items including amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangible assets; significant restructuring 
programmes; significant gains and losses arising from legal disputes and other significant items (including US tax reform) 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 and disposal related items1
Restructuring and rationalisation costs
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles2
Legal and other3
US tax reform
Taxation on excluded items
Adjusted attributable profit

2019
$ million     

2018
$ million     

2017
$ million  

 600 
 893 

 663 
 881 

 767 
 826 

Notes     

 3 
 9 

 5 
 5 

2019
$ million     
 600 
 34 
 134 
 143 
 50 
 – 
 (68)
 893 

2018
$ million     
 663 
 (7)
 120 
 118 
 38 
 – 
 (51)
 881 

2017
$ million  
 767 
 (10)
 – 
 140 
 (13)
 (32)
 (26)
 826 

1  Acquisition and disposal related items includes a $32m charge within operating profit (2018: $7m credit, 2017: $10m credit) and a $2m charge within share of result of associates (2018: $nil, 2017: $nil).
In 2019 amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles includes a $143m charge within operating profit (2018: $113m charge within operating profit and a $5m charge within share 
2 
of result of associates; 2017: $140m charge within operating profit).

3  Legal and other charge in 2019 includes $45m (2018: $34m charge, 2017: $16m credit) within operating profit (refer to Note 2.6) and a $5m charge (2018: $4m charge, 2017: $3m charge) 

within other finance costs for unwinding of the discount on the provision for known, anticipated and settled metal-on-metal hip claims globally. 

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6 Earnings per ordinary share continued
The numerators used for basic and diluted earnings per ordinary share are the same. The denominators used for all categories of earnings 
per ordinary share are as follows:

Number of shares (millions)
Basic weighted number of shares
Dilutive impact of share incentive schemes outstanding
Diluted weighted average number of shares
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic
Diluted
Adjusted4

4 

 Adjusted earnings per share is calculated using the basic weighted number of shares.

7 Property, plant and equipment

2019     

2018     

2017  

 874 
 3 
 877 

 873 
 3 
 876 

 68.6¢ 
 68.4¢ 
 102.2¢ 

 76.0¢ 
 75.7¢ 
 100.9¢ 

 874 
 1 
 875 

 87.8¢ 
 87.7¢ 
 94.5¢ 

Accounting policy
Property, plant and equipment
Owned assets
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 ultimately 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.

Leased assets
The assessment of whether a contract is or contains a lease takes place at the inception of the contract. The assessment involves 
whether the Group obtains substantially all the economic benefits from the use of that asset and whether the Group has the right  
to direct the use of the asset. The Group allocates the consideration in the contract to each lease and non-lease component. The  
non-lease component, where it is separately identifiable, is not included in the right-of-use asset. 

The Group leases many assets including properties, motor vehicles and office equipment. The Group availed itself of the exemptions 
for short-term leases and leases of low-value items for leases other than those for properties and motor vehicles. The use of these 
exemptions does not have a material impact. The Group recognises a right-of-use asset and a lease liability at the commencement 
of the lease. The right-of-use asset is initially measured based on the present value of lease payments that are not paid at the 
commencement date plus initial direct costs less any incentives received. The lease payments are discounted using an incremental 
borrowing rate which is country-specific and reflective of the lease term. The right-of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter 
of the lease term or the useful life of the underlying asset. 

Cash flows arising on lease interest payments are included in operating cash flows whereas cash flows arising on the capital 
repayments of the lease liability are included in financing cash flows.

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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Plant and equipment

Land and 
buildings
$ million     

    Notes     

Instruments

$ million     

Other
$ million     

Assets in
course of
construction

$ million     

Total
$ million  

 21 

Cost
At 1 January 2018
Exchange adjustment
Additions
Disposals
Impairment
Transfers
At 31 December 2018
Recognition of right-of-use asset on initial application of IFRS 16
Adjusted balance at 1 January 2019
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
Impairment
Transfers
At 31 December 2019
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2018
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Transfers
At 31 December 2018
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Disposals
Transfers
At 31 December 2019
Net book amounts
At 31 December 2019
At 31 December 2018

 301 
 (6)
 6 
 – 
 – 
 34 
 335 
 134 
 469 
 2 
 7 
 42 
 (11)
 – 
 24 
 533 

 91 
 (2)
 14 
 1 
 – 
 5 
 109 
 1 
 51 
 (6)
 – 
 155 

 378 
 226 

 1,284 
 (45)
 179 
 (73)
 – 
 43 
 1,388 
 – 
 1,388 
 (2)
 – 
 198 
 (72)
 – 
 – 
 1,512 

 904 
 (30)
 163 
 – 
 (59)
 23 
 1,001 
 (2)
 157 
 (60)
 (1)
 1,095 

 417 
 387 

 1,062 
 (20)
 21 
 (24)
 – 
 (7)
 1,032 
 25 
 1,057 
 8 
 2 
 37 
 (19)
 – 
 57 
 1,142 

 697 
 (14)
 74 
 3 
 (21)
 (28)
 711 
 5 
 84 
 (17)
 1 
 784 

 358 
 321 

 94 
 (1)
 126 
 (1)
 (1)
 (89)
 128 
 – 
 128 
 1 
 – 
 128 
 (2)
 (4)
 (81)
 170 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 170 
 128 

 2,741 
 (72)
 332 
 (98)
 (1)
 (19)
 2,883 
159 
 3,042 
 9 
 9 
 405 
 (104)
 (4)
 – 
 3,357 

 1,692 
 (46)
 251 
 4 
 (80)
 – 
 1,821 
 4 
 292 
 (83)
 – 
 2,034 

 1,323 
 1,062 

Land and buildings includes land with a cost of $24m (2018: $21m) that is not subject to depreciation. There were no assets held under 
finance leases at 31 December 2018 and 2017. 

Transfers from assets in course of construction includes $nil (2018: $19m) of software. 

Group capital expenditure relating to property, plant and equipment contracted but not provided for amounted to $33m (2018: $16m).

The amount of borrowing costs capitalised in 2019 and 2018 was minimal.

Information about the Group’s right-of-use assets is outlined below:

2019
Additions
Depreciation charge in the year
Net book value at 31 December

149

Land and 
buildings
$ million     
 35 
 37 
 132 

Plant and 
equipment
$ million
 11 
 13 
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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 goodwill is tested annually for impairment by comparing the recoverable amount to 
the carrying value of the CGUs. The CGUs identified by management are at the aggregated product franchise levels of Orthopaedics, 
Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management, in the way the core assets are used to generate cash flows.

If the recoverable amount of the CGU 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 and net book value
At 1 January
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
At 31 December

Notes     

2019
$ million     

2018
$ million  

 21 

 2,337 
 11 
 441 
 2,789 

 2,371 
 (34)
 – 
 2,337 

Management has identified four CGUs in applying the provisions of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets: Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, 
Advanced Wound Care & Devices and Bioactives. The names of the CGUs have been updated to align with the new global franchise 
structure with the Other Surgical Business CGU being renamed to the Sports Medicine & ENT CGU. 

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:

Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine & ENT
Advanced Wound Management

2019
$ million     
 787 
 1,364 
 638 
 2,789 

2018
$ million  
 727 
 1,313 
 297 
 2,337 

Impairment reviews were performed as of September 2019 and September 2018 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 three 
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 three-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. 

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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 Orthopaedics CGU
The cash flows used in the value-in-use calculation for the Orthopaedics CGU, which includes the Reconstruction and Trauma 
businesses, reflects management’s distinctive orthopaedic reconstruction strategy, which combines cutting edge innovation, 
disruptive business models and a strong Emerging Markets platform to drive our performance.

Revenue growth rates for the three-year period ranged up to 7.0% (2018: up to 4.5%) for the various components of the Orthopaedics 
CGU. The average growth rate used to extrapolate the cash flows beyond the three-year period in calculating the terminal value is 
2.0% (2018: 2.0%). The pre-tax discount rate used in the Orthopaedics CGU value-in-use calculation reflects the geographical mix 
and is 9.5% (2018: 9.6%).

8.2 Sports Medicine & ENT CGU
The value-in-use calculation for the Sports Medicine & ENT CGU reflects growth rates and cash flows consistent with management’s 
strategy to rebalance Smith+Nephew towards higher growth areas such as Sports Medicine.

Revenue growth rates for the three-year period ranged up to 6.2% (2018: up to 4.7%) for the various components of the Sports Medicine 
& ENTs CGU. The weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate the cash flows beyond the three-year period in calculating the 
terminal value is 2.0% (2018: 2.0%). The pre-tax discount rate used in the Sports Medicine & ENT CGU value-in-use calculation reflects 
the geographical mix of the revenues and is 9.5% (2018: 9.6%).

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 three-year period ranged up to 5.1% (2018: up to 4.2%) for the various components of the Advanced 
Wound Management CGU. The weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate the cash flows beyond the three-year period 
in calculating the terminal value is 2.0% (2018: 2.0%). The pre-tax discount rate used in the Advanced Wound Management CGU  
value-in-use calculation reflects the geographical mix and industry sector and is 9.5% (2018: 9.6%).

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 19.0% for the Orthopaedics CGU, 16.4% for the Sports Medicine & ENT CGU and 15.9% for the Advanced 
Wound Management CGU. Such increases in discount rates are not considered to be reasonably possible.

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9 Intangible assets

Accounting policy
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 3–20 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 CGU to which it belongs. An asset’s recoverable amount is the higher of an asset’s or CGU’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.

152

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Other information

Cost

At 1 January 2018

Exchange adjustment

Additions

Disposals
Transfers

At 31 December 2018

Exchange adjustment

Acquisitions

Additions

Disposals
Transfers
At 31 December 2019
Amortisation and impairment

At 1 January 2018

Exchange adjustment

Charge for the year

Impairment
Disposals
At 31 December 2018
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
At 31 December 2019
Net book amounts
At 31 December 2019
At 31 December 2018

Technology

Notes     

$ million     

Product-
related
$ million     

Customer and
distribution
related
$ million     

Assets 
in course of
construction

$ million     

Software
$ million     

Total
$ million  

21

 358 

 (4)

 – 

 – 
 – 

 1,854 

 (18)

 1 

 (1)
 – 

 354 

 1,836 

 (1)

 75 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 428 

 51 

 (1)

 24 

 – 
 – 
 74 
 – 
 28 
 – 
 – 
 102 

 326 
 280 

 3 

 350 

 1 

 (1)
 – 
 2,189 

 993 

 (14)

 103 

 – 
 (1)
 1,081 
 4 
 118 
 – 
 – 
 1,203 

 986 
 755 

 120 

 403 

 (8)

 – 

 – 
 – 

 112 

 – 

 90 

 6 

 – 
 – 
 208 

 93 

 (4)

 6 

 – 
 – 
 95 
 (1)
 15 
 – 
 – 
 109 

 99 
 17 

 (6)

 8 

 (4)
 12 

 413 

 – 

 – 

 12 

 (3)
 6 
 428 

 227 

 (3)

 43 

 3 
 (2)
 268 
 – 
 43 
 2 
 (3)
 310 

 118 
 145 

 – 

 – 

 6 

 – 
 7 

 13 

 1 

 – 

 30 

 – 
 (6)
 38 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 38 
 13 

 2,735 

 (36)

 15 

 (5)
 19 

 2,728 

 3 

 515 

 49 

 (4)
 – 
 3,291 

 1,364 

 (22)

 176 

 3 
 (3)
 1,518 
 3 
 204 
 2 
 (3)
 1,724 

 1,567 
 1,210 

Transfers into software and assets in course of construction includes $nil (2018: $19m) of software transferred from property,  
plant and equipment. Group capital expenditure relating to software contracted but not provided for amounted to $5m (2018: $nil).

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles is set out below:

Technology
Product-related
Customer and distribution related
Total

There was no impairment charge in 2019 and 2018 for acquisition intangibles. 

2019
$ million     
 28 
 104 
 11 
 143 

2018
$ million  
 24 
 86 
 3 
 113 

153

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Other information

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 investments in unquoted entities and 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 fair value through profit or loss. The fair 
value of these investments is 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 
based on externally observable valuation events are recognised in profit or loss. 

At 1 January
Acquisitions
Additions

Fair value remeasurement
Distributions received
Disposals
Transfers to cash and cash equivalents
At 31 December

11 Investments in associates

Notes     

21

2019
$ million     
 34 
 17 
 1 

 12 
 (2)
 (46)
 (9)
 7 

2018
$ million
 21 
 – 
 4 

 9 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 34 

Accounting policy
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 2019 and 31 December 2018, 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 active healing therapies and the surgical performance of orthobiologics. The active healing 
therapies product line supports accelerated and more complete healing of bone fractures, and treats the chronic pain associated with 
osteoarthritis. The Group’s ability to recover the value of its investment is dependent upon the ongoing clinical and commercial success 
of these products. The profit after taxation recognised in the income statement relating to Bioventus was $1m (2018: $11m loss).

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 costs to sell, estimated using discounted cash flows.

The amounts recognised in the balance sheet and income statement for associates are as follows:

Balance sheet
Income statement profit/(loss)

2019
$ million     
 103 
 1 

2018
$ million
 105 
 (11)

154

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Other information

Summarised financial information for significant associates
Set out below is the summarised financial information for Bioventus, adjusted for differences with Group accounting policies:

Summarised statement of comprehensive income
Revenue
Attributable profit/(loss) for the year
Group adjustments1
Total comprehensive profit/(loss)
Group share of profit/(loss) for the year at 49%

Summarised balance sheet
Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities
Net assets
Non-controlling interest
Net equity attributable to owners
Group’s share of net assets at 49%
Group adjustments1
Group’s carrying amount of investment at 49%

2019   
$ million     

2018  
$ million  

 342 
 8 
 (6)
 2 
 1 

 320 
 (19)
 (3)
 (22)
 (11)

2019   
$ million     

2018  
$ million  

 297 
 183 
 (241)
 (87)
 152 
 (10)
 142 
 70 
 30 
 100 

 296 
 149 
 (234)
 (56)
 155 
 – 
 155 
 76 
 26 
 102 

1  Group adjustments include an adjustment to align the useful life of intangible assets with Group policy.

During the year the Group received a $3m (2018: $2m) cash distribution from Bioventus. 

At December 2019, the Group held an equity investment in one other associate (2018: one) with a carrying value of $3m (2018: $3m).

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 to sell 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 seven 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.

155

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12 Inventories continued 

Raw materials and consumables
Work-in-progress
Finished goods and goods for resale

2019   
$ million     
 287 
 100 
 1,227 
 1,614 

2018   
$ million     
 219 
 88 
 1,088 
 1,395 

2017  
$ million  
 207 
 69 
 1,028 
 1,304 

Reserves for excess and obsolete inventories were $308m (2018: $305m, 2017: $296m). The increase in reserves of $3m in the year 
comprised a $4m increase in the reserve relating to the write-off of inventory which was partially offset by foreign exchange movements 
of $1m. 

The determination of the estimate of excess and obsolete inventory is a critical accounting estimate and includes assumptions on 
the future usage of all different items of finished goods. This estimate is not considered to have a range of potential outcomes that is 
significantly different to the $308m held at 31 December 2019. 

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of goods sold amounted to $1,147m (2018: $1,126m, 
2017: $1,013m). In addition, $70m was recognised as an expense within cost of goods sold resulting from inventory write-offs 
(2018: $94m, 2017: $68m). 

Notwithstanding inventory acquired within acquisitions, no inventory is carried at fair value less costs to sell in any year.

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 trade and other receivables accounting policy for the year ending 31 December 2017 was consistent with the requirements 
of IAS 39. Provisions against trade receivables were based on incurred losses, rather than the expected credit loss allowance.

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. Allowance losses are calculated by reviewing lifetime expected credit losses using historic and forward-looking data on 
credit risk. The Group performed the calculation of expected credit loss rates separately for customer groups which were segmented 
based on common risk characteristics such as credit risk grade and type of customer (such as government and non-government).

Trade and other receivables due within one year
Trade receivables
Less: loss allowance
Trade receivables – net
Derivatives – forward foreign exchange, currency swaps and interest rate contracts
Other receivables
Current tax receivable
Prepayments

Due after more than one year
Other non-current assets

2019
$ million     

2018
$ million     

2017
$ million  

 1,141 
 (59)
 1,082 
 26 
 124 
 21 
 75 
 1,328 

 35 
 1,363 

 1,166 
 (62)
 1,104 
 37 
 107 
 – 
 69 
 1,317 

 16 
 1,333 

 1,125 
 (69)
 1,056 
 28 
 92 
 – 
 82 
 1,258 

 16 
 1,274 

156

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Other non-current assets primarily relate to long-term prepayments and contingent consideration. Trade receivables are classified as 
loans and receivables. Management considers that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates to the fair value. 
Allowance losses are calculated by reviewing lifetime expected credit losses using historic and forward-looking data on credit risk.  
The loss allowance expense for the year was $15m (2018: $14m, 2017: $17m).

The following table provides information about the ageing of and expected credit losses for trade receivables:

Not past due
Past due not more than 3 months
Past due not more than 3–6 months
Past due more than 6 months

Loss allowance
Trade receivables – net

2019 Weighted 
average loss rate
%
-0.3%
-1.1%
-3.5%
-28.1%

2019 Loss 
allowance
$ million
 (2)
 (2)
 (3)
 (52)
 (59)

2019 Gross 
carrying amount

2018 Gross 
carrying amount

$ million     
 681 
 190 
 85 
 185 
 1,141 
 (59)
 1,082 

$ million     
 647 
 271 
 78 
 170 
 1,166 
 (62)
 1,104 

2017 Gross 
carrying amount  
$ million  
 664 
 225 
 65 
 171 
 1,125 
 (69)
 1,056 

The Group’s expected credit loss accounting policy includes guidance on how the expected credit loss percentages should be 
determined; it does not include preset limits as the customer groups and risk profiles are not consistent across all of our markets. 
Each market determines their own percentages based on their historic experience and future expectations, and in-line with the 
general guidance in the Group’s policy. 

Movements in the loss allowance were as follows:

2019   
$ million     
 62    

 (1)   
 – 
 9 
 15    
 (26)   
 59    

2019   
$ million     
 493  
 41  
 211  
 337  
 1,082  

2018   
$ million     
 69    
 14 
 83 
 (3)   
 (8)
 – 
 14    
 (24)   
 62    

2018   
$ million     
 527  
 45  
 201  
 331  
 1,104  

2017  
$ million  
 54 

 3 
 – 
 1 
 17 
 (6)
 69 

2017  
$ million  
 418 
 54 
 212 
 372 
 1,056 

At 31 December
Adjustment on initial application of IFRS 9
Adjusted balance at 1 January
Exchange adjustment
Reclassification1
Acquisitions
Net receivables provided during the year
Utilisation of provision
At 31 December

1  On transition to IFRS 9, the Group reclassified a credit note provision from the loss allowance to gross trade receivables.

Trade receivables include amounts denominated in the following major currencies:

US Dollar
Sterling
Euro
Other
Trade receivables – net

157

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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, currency swaps and interest rate contracts
Acquisition consideration

Other payables due after one year
Acquisition consideration
Other payables

2019
$ million     

2018  

$ million

 941 
 23 
 82 
 1,046 

 99 
 3 
 102 

 854 
 25 
 78 
 957 

 49 
 4 
 53 

The acquisition consideration includes $141m (2018: $99m) contingent upon future events which are considered probable.

The acquisition consideration due after more than one year is expected to be payable as follows: $61m in 2021, $20m in 2022, $7m in 
2023, $3m in 2024, and $8m due in over five years (2018: $21m in 2020, $23m in 2021, $1m in 2022, $1m in 2023, and $3m due in over 
five years).

15 Cash and borrowings
15.1 Net debt
Net debt comprises borrowings and credit balances on currency swaps less cash at bank.

Bank overdrafts, borrowings and loans due within one year
Long-term bank borrowings
Private placement notes
Borrowings
Cash at bank
Credit balance on derivatives – currency swaps
Credit balance on derivatives – interest rate swaps
Net debt
Non-current lease liabilities
Current lease liabilities
Net debt including lease liabilities

2018  
$ million  
 164 
 304 
 997 
 1,465 
 (365)
 1 
 3 
 1,104 

2019
$ million     
 26 
 851 
 1,000 
 1,877 
 (277)
 – 
 – 
 1,600 
 124 
 46 
 1,770 

158

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Borrowings are repayable as follows:

At 31 December 2019:
Bank loans
Bank overdrafts
Private placement notes
Lease liabilities1

At 31 December 2018:
Bank loans
Bank overdrafts
Private placement notes

Within
one year or
on demand

Between
one and
two years

Between
two and
three years

Between
three and
four years

$ million     

$ million     

$ million     

$ million     

Between
four and
five years
$ million     

After
five years
$ million     

Total  
$ million  

 6 
 20 
 – 
 46 
 72 

 7 
 32 
 125 
 164 

 553 
 – 
 265 
 39 
 857 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 125 
 30 
 155 

 – 
 – 
 262 
 262 

 298 
 – 
 105 
 20 
 423 

 304 
 – 
 125 
 429 

 – 
 – 
 430 
 14 
 444 

 – 
 – 
 105 
 105 

 – 
 – 
 75 
 37 
 112 

 – 
 – 
 505 
 505 

 857 
 20 
 1,000 
 186 
 2,063 

 311 
 32 
 1,122 
 1,465 

1 The lease liabilities presented above are on an undiscounted basis and include the effect of discounting of $16m.

15.2 Liquidity risk exposures
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 $2.9bn (2018: $2.4bn). 
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. The 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 2019, 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 committed facilities are:

Facility
$75 million 3.23% Senior Notes
€223 million bilateral, term loan facility
€269 million bilateral, term loan facility
$190 million 2.97% Senior Notes
$75 million 3.46% Senior Notes
$50 million 3.15% Senior Notes
€265 million bilateral, term loan facility
$105 million 3.26% Senior Notes
$100 million 3.89% Senior Notes
$1.0 billion syndicated revolving credit facility
$305 million 3.36% Senior Notes
$25 million Floating Rate Senior Notes
$75 million 3.99% Senior Notes
$140 million 2.83% Senior Notes
$60 million 2.90% Senior Notes
$100 million 2.97% Senior Notes
$95 million 2.99% Senior Notes
$155 million 3.09% Senior Notes

159

Date due
January 2021
May 2021
May 2021
November 2021
January 2022
November 2022
April 2023
November 2023
January 2024
June 2024
November 2024
November 2024
January 2026
June 2027
June 2028
June 2029
June 2030
June 2032

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
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15 Cash and borrowings continued
15.3 Year end financial liabilities by contractual maturity
The table below analyses the Group’s year end financial liabilities by contractual maturity date, including contractual interest payments 
and excluding the impact of netting arrangements:

   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  

At 31 December 2019
Non-derivative financial liabilities:

Bank overdrafts and loans
Trade and other payables
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 2018
Non-derivative financial liabilities:

Bank overdrafts and loans
Trade and other payables
Private placement notes
Acquisition consideration
Derivative financial liabilities:

Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – outflow  
Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – inflow  

 26 
 941 
 33 
 83 

 2,331 
 (2,331)
 1,083 

 39 
 854 
 164 
 78 

 2,394 
 (2,393)
 1,136 

 553 
 1 
 297 
 63 

 – 
 – 
 914 

 – 
 1 
 35 
 21 

 – 
 – 
 57 

 298 
 1 
 721 
 32 

 – 
 – 
 1,052 

 304 
 1 
 571 
 25 

 – 
 – 
 901 

 – 
 1 
 79 
 10 

 – 
 – 
 90 

 – 
 2 
 522 
 3 

 – 
 – 
 527 

 877 
 944 
 1,130 
 188 

 2,331 
 (2,331)
 3,139 

 343 
 858 
 1,292 
 127 

 2,394 
 (2,393)
 2,621 

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.

15.4 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 2019, the Group held $257m (2018: $333m, 2017: $155m) in cash net of bank overdrafts. The Group had committed 
facilities available of $2,851m at 31 December 2019 of which $1,851m was drawn. In December 2019, Smith+Nephew signed a new 
Senior Notes agreement totalling $550m, which will be drawn down in June 2020. These notes are included in the table in Note 15.2. 
Smith+Nephew intends to repay the amounts due within one year using available cash and drawing down on longer term facilities. 

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 2020, 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 increased from $1,104m at the beginning of 2019 to $1,770m at the end of 2019, 
representing an overall increase of $666m of which $170m relates to IFRS 16 lease liabilities (see Note 15.1). 

The Group’s planned future contributions are considered adequate to cover the current underfunded position in the Group’s defined 
benefit plans.

160

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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 remeasured 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 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.

On adoption of IFRS 9 on 1 January 2018, the Group elected to continue to apply the hedge accounting guidance in IAS 39 Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. Changes in the fair values of hedging instruments 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 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. 

16.1 Foreign exchange risk management
The Group operates in many 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 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, Sterling and Singapore Dollars. At 31 December 2019, 
the Group had contracted to exchange within one year the equivalent of $2.1bn (2018: $2.1bn). Based on the Group’s net borrowings 
as at 31 December 2019, if the US Dollar were to weaken against all currencies by 10%, the Group’s net borrowings would increase 
by $78m (2018: $25m) principally due to the Euro-denominated term loans.

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 2019 would have been $52m lower (2018: $38m lower). Similarly, if the Euro were to weaken by 10% against all 
other currencies, then the fair value of the forward foreign exchange contracts as at 31 December 2019 would have been $26m higher 
(2018: $15m higher). 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 2019 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. Hedge ineffectiveness is caused by actual cash flows in foreign 
currencies varying from forecast cash flows.

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16 Financial instruments and risk management continued 
16.2 Interest rate risk management
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 and cash as at 31 December 2019, if interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points in all 
currencies then the annual net interest charge would increase by $9m (2018: $3m). 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 management
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 2019 was $26m (2018: $37m), 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 2019 
was $277m (2018: $365m). 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.

The amounts relating to items designated as hedging instruments were as follows:

Nominal
amount
     $ million     

Carrying
amount
assets
$ million     

Carrying
amount
liabilities
$million     

Changes in
fair value
in OCI
$ million     

Hedge
ineffectiveness
in profit or loss

Amounts reclassified
from hedging reserve
to profit or loss

$ million     

$ million     

Line item in
profit or loss

At 31 December 2019
Foreign currency risk
Forward exchange contracts1
Interest rate risk
Interest rate swaps2
At 31 December 2018
Foreign currency risk
Forward exchange contracts1
Interest rate risk
Interest rate swaps2

 2,331 

 (120)

 26 

 – 

 23 

 – 

 2,394 

 37 

 (22)

 (200)

 – 

 (3)

 (5)

 – 

 23 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (19)

 Cash flow hedges 

 – 

 N/A 

 2 

 Cash flow hedges 

 – 

 N/A 

1   Presented in Trade and other receivables and Trade and other payables on the Balance Sheet.
2  Presented in Trade and other payables on the Balance Sheet.

16.4 Net investment hedge
Part of the Group’s net investment in its Euro subsidiaries is hedged by €757m ($851m equivalent) of term loans which mitigate the 
foreign currency risk arising from the subsidiaries’ net assets. The loans are designated as hedging instruments for the changes in the 
value of the net investment that is attributable to changes in the EUR/USD spot rate, and is 100% hedged. 

To assess hedge effectiveness, the Group determines the economic relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item 
by comparing changes in the carrying amount of the debt that is attributable to a change in the spot rate with changes in the investment 
in the foreign operation due to movements in the spot rate (the offset method). The Group’s policy is to hedge the net investment only 
to the extent of the debt principal. Hedge ineffectiveness occurs if the value of the Euro-denominated bank loan exceeds the value 
of the Euro subsidiaries.

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16.5 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:

Gross
borrowings

$ million     

Currency
swaps
$ million     

Interest
rate
swaps
$million     

Total
liabilities
$ million     

Floating
rate liabilities

$ million     

Fixed rate
liabilities
$ million     

At 31 December 2019
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing liabilities
At 31 December 2018
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing liabilities

 (1,005)
 (872)
 (1,877)

 (1,142)
 (323)
 (1,465)

 (118)
 (97)
 (215)

 (193)
 (61)
 (254)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 (3)
 – 
 (3)

 (1,123)
 (969)
 (2,092)

 (1,338)
 (384)
 (1,722)

 (268)
 (969)
 (1,237)

 (483)
 (384)
 (867)

 (855)
 – 
 (855)

 (855)
 – 
 (855)

Fixed rate liabilities  
Weighted  
average

Weighted
average
interest rate

%     

time  
for which  
rate is fixed  
Years  

 3.4 
 – 

 3.4 
 – 

 3.8 
 – 

 4.8 
 – 

In 2019, the Group also had liabilities due for deferred and contingent acquisition consideration (denominated in US Dollars, Swiss Francs 
and Euros) totalling $181m (2018: $127m, 2017: $160m) on which no interest was payable (see Note 14). There were no other significant 
interest bearing or non-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 2019 was less than 1% (2018: 4%).

Currency and interest rate profile of interest bearing assets:

At 31 December 2019
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing assets
At 31 December 2018
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing assets

Cash
at bank
$ million     

Currency 
swaps 
$ million     

Total assets

Floating
rate assets

$ million     

$ million     

Fixed  
rate assets  
$ million  

 181 
 96 
 277 

 289 
 76 
 365 

 96 
 119 
 215 

 60 
 193 
 253 

 277 
 215 
 492 

 349 
 269 
 618 

 277 
 215 
 492 

 349 
 269 
 618 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

Floating rates on assets are typically based on the short-term deposit rates relevant to the currency concerned. 

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16 Financial instruments and risk management continued
16.6 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 (ie as prices) or indirectly (ie 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.

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 2018. 

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 investments is based upon third party pricing models for share issues. As a result, investments 
are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. There were no transfers between Levels 1, 2 and 3 during 2019 and 2018. With the 
exception of private placement debt as presented below, the carrying amount of financial assets and liabilities not measured at fair 
value is considered to be a reasonable approximation of fair value. 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. 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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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.

Carrying 
amount

Fair value

At 31 December 2019
Financial assets measured 
at fair value
Forward foreign exchange contracts
Investments
Contingent consideration receivable
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
Acquisition consideration
Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Private placement debt in a hedge 
relationship
Private placement debt not in a hedge 
relationship
Trade and other payables

Fair value – 
hedging 
instruments

$ million     

Amortised 
cost
$ million     

 25 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 25 

 – 
 (22)
 – 
 (22)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 1,184 
 – 
 1,184 

 – 
 277 
 277 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

Fair value 
through OCI

Fair value 
through 
profit 
or loss

Other 
financial 
liabilities

Total
$ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million

Level 2

Level 3

Total

 25 
 – 
 – 
 1 

 – 
 7 
 39 
 – 

 25 
 7 
 39 
 1 

 – 
 (22)
 (1)

 (141)
 – 
 – 

 (141)
 (22)
 (1)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 1 

 – 
 – 
 (1)
 (1)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 7 
 39 
 – 
 46 

 (141)
 – 
 – 
 (141)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 25 
 7 
 39 
 1 
 72 

 (141)
 (22)
 (1)
 (164)

 1,184 
 277 
 1,461 

 (40)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 (20)
 (857)

 (40)
 (20)
 (857)

 – 

 (120)

 (120)

 – 
 – 
 (40)

 (880)
 (944)
 (2,821)

 (880)
 (944)
 (2,861)

During the year ended 31 December 2019, acquisition consideration increased by $54m due to $124m from 2019 acquisitions, $3m 
of remeasurement and offset by $73m of payments for acquisitions made in prior years. 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. 

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16 Financial instruments and risk management continued

At 31 December 2018
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
Interest rate swaps

Financial assets not measured 
at fair value
Trade and other receivables
Cash at bank

Financial liabilities not measured 
at fair value
Acquisition consideration
Bank overdrafts
Bank loans
Private placement debt in a hedge 
relationship
Private placement debt not in a hedge 
relationship
Trade and other payables

Fair value – 
hedging 
instruments

$ million     

Amortised 
cost
$ million     

Fair value 
through OCI

Fair value 
through 
profit 
or loss

Other 
financial 
liabilities

Total

Level 2

Level 3

Total

$ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million  

Carrying 
amount

Fair value

 36 
 – 
 1 

 – 
 (20)
 (2)
 (3)

 – 
 34 
 – 

 (99)
 – 
 – 
 – 

 36 
 34 
 1 

 (99)
 (20)
 (2)
 (3)

 36 
 – 
 – 
 36 

 – 
 (20)
 – 
 (3)
 (23)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 1,211 
 365 
 1,576 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 1 
 1 

 – 
 – 
 (2)
 – 
 (2)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 34 
 – 
 34 

 (99)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (99)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 36 
 34 
 1 
 71 

 (99)
 (20)
 (2)
 (3)
 (124)

 1,211 
 365 
 1,576 

 (28)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 (32)
 (311)

 (28)
 (32)
 (311)

 – 

 (197)

 (197)

 – 
 – 
 (28)

 (925)
 (858)
 (2,323)

 (925)
 (858)
 (2,351)

The fair value of contingent acquisition consideration is estimated using a discounted cash flow model. The valuation model considers 
the present value of risk adjusted expected payments, discounted using a risk-free 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 acquisition consideration is classified as Level 3 within 
the fair value hierarchy. 

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The fair value of investments is based upon third party pricing models for share issues. As a result, investments are considered Level 3 
in the fair value hierarchy.

The movements in 2019 and 2018 for financial instruments measured using Level 3 valuation methods are presented below:

2019
$m 

 34 
 17 
 1 
 12 
 (2)
 (46)
 (9)
 7 

 – 
 22 
 17 
 39 

 (99)
 (103)
 51 
 13 
 (3)
 – 
 (141)

2018
$m 

 21 
 – 
 4 
 9 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 34 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 (104)
 – 
 9 
 – 
 (3)
 (1)
 (99)

Investments
At 1 January
Acquisitions
Additions
Fair value remeasurement
Distributions received
Disposals
Transfers
At 31 December

Contingent consideration receivable
At 1 January
Arising on acquisitions
Arising on disposals
At 31 December

Acquisition consideration liability
At 1 January
Arising on acquisitions
Payments
Transfers
Discount unwind
Exchange movements
At 31 December

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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 2018
Net charge to income statement
Unwinding of discount
Utilised
Transfers
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2018
Net charge to income statement
Unwinding of discount
Utilised
Acquisitions
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2019
Provisions – due within one year
Provisions – due after one year
At 31 December 2019
Provisions – due within one year
Provisions – due after one year
At 31 December 2018

 Rationalisation 
 provisions 

 Metal-on-metal 

 Legal and other 
 provisions 

Notes     

 $ million      

 6 
 120 
 – 
 (90)
 – 
 (1)
 35 
 134 
 – 
 (130)
 – 
 1 
 40 
 40 
 – 
 40 
 35 
 – 
 35 

21

 $ million      
 157 
 72 
 4 
 (41)
 – 
 – 
 192 
 121 
 5 
 (3)
 – 
 – 
 315 
 112 
 203 
 315 
 50 
 142 
 192 

 $ million      
 63 
 (2)
 – 
 (14)
 – 
 – 
 47 
 5 
 – 
 (7)
 17 
 – 
 62 
 51 
 11 
 62 
 36 
 11 
 47 

 Total 
 $ million 
 226 
 190 
 4 
 (145)
 – 
 (1)
 274 
 260 
 5 
 (140)
 17 
 1 
 417 
 203 
 214 
 417 
 121 
 153 
 274 

The principal elements within rationalisation provisions relate to the implementation of the Accelerating Performance and Execution 
(APEX) programme that was announced in February 2018. 

The Group has estimated a provision of $315m (2018: $192m) relating to the present value at 31 December 2019 of the estimated costs 
to resolve all other known and anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims globally. The net charge of $121m in 2019 was recorded as a result 
of the nature and number of claims in 2019 differing to prior experience upon which previous provisions had been based. The estimated 
value of the provision has been determined using an actuarial model. Given the inherent uncertainty in assumptions including sensitivity 
to factors such as the number, outcome and value of claims the actual costs may differ significantly from this estimate. A range 
of expected outcomes between the 10th and 90th percentile generated by the actuarial model would not give rise to a material 
adjustment. The potential for more adverse outcomes exists and for example at the 95th percentile a charge similar to that incurred in 
2019 would be required, in 2020 or thereafter. The provision does not include any possible further 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.

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The legal and other provisions mainly relate to various other product liability and intellectual property litigation matters.

All provisions are expected to be substantially utilised within five years of 31 December 2019 and none are treated as financial  
instruments.

17.2 Contingencies 
The Company and its subsidiaries are party to various legal proceedings, some of which include claims for substantial damages. 
The outcome of these proceedings cannot readily be foreseen, but except as described herein 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.

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 December 2019, 
approximately 1,260 such claims were pending with the Group around the world. 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 used only in those patient groups 
where it continues to demonstrate strong performance.

In 2015 and 2016, the Group’s US subsidiary settled a large part of the majority of its US metal-on-metal hip lawsuits in two group 
settlements, without admitting liability. Insurance receipts covered most of the amounts paid, with the net cash cost being $25m. 
In November 2017, the Group’s US subsidiary entered into a memorandum of understanding to settle a third group of claims, without 
admitting liability. The third settlement was finalised in 2018. These cases principally related to the Group’s modular metal-on-metal 
hip components, which are no longer on the market. On 5 April 2017, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) ordered Smith 
& Nephew BHR cases pending or later filed in US federal court to be consolidated for pre-trial proceedings and transferred to the federal 
court in Baltimore, Maryland. As of December 2019, there were approximately 733 cases pending in the MDL in the United States. 
In England and Wales, the Group’s UK subsidiary entered into a group settlement in 2017 to settle 150 claims principally related to 
the Group’s modular metal-on-metal hip component, which are no longer on the market. Metal-on-metal hip implant claims against 
various companies in England and Wales were consolidated for trials under group litigation orders in the High Court in London. 
As of December 2019, all of the BHR lawsuits pending against the Group in England and Wales have been discontinued.

The Group requested indemnity from its product liability insurers for most of these metal-on-metal hip implant settlements. 
Each insurer makes its own decision as to coverage issues, and the liability of some insurers depends on exhaustion of lower levels of 
coverage. Insurers of the lower layers of the Group’s insurances indemnified the Group in respect of these claims up to the limits of those 
insurances. The Group commenced arbitration proceedings against another insurer in respect of that insurer’s share of the claims and 
associated defence costs in the amount of $50m. That dispute was resolved in September 2019 for the full amount of the policy limits. 
Subsequently, other insurers indemnified the Group to the limits of their respective applicable policies, resulting in collection of $147m 
in insurance recoveries in 2019. 

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.

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17 Provisions and contingencies continued 
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 prosecuted and defended a series of patent infringement suits against Arthrex in US federal courts in Oregon and Texas 
starting in 2004, principally relating to suture anchors for use in shoulder surgery. Arthrex paid $99m in June 2015 in connection with 
the Oregon litigation, and most of that award (net of various expenses) was recognised in the Group’s operating profit at that time. 
The Group asserted the same patent against additional Arthrex products in a follow-up suit that was scheduled for trial in February 
2017 in the Oregon court. Arthrex asserted its own suture anchor patents against Smith & Nephew in 2014 and 2015 in the US 
District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. In December 2016, the jury in that case decided that two of the Group’s US subsidiaries 
infringed two asserted Arthrex patents and awarded Arthrex $17m. In February 2017, the parties reached a settlement resulting in the 
dismissal of all patent litigation in Oregon and Texas. Smith & Nephew agreed to pay Arthrex $8m, and each party agreed to additional 
payments contingent on the outcome of patent validity proceedings currently pending at the US Patent & Trademark Office relating 
to the asserted patents. In November 2017, the US Patent & Trademark Office issued a Reexamination Certificate confirming validity 
of certain claims of US Patent No. 5,601,557 asserted by Smith & Nephew against Arthrex in the Oregon litigation. The issuing of the 
Reexamination Certificate triggered a payment of $80m which was received by Smith & Nephew in December 2017, and $54m (net 
of various expenses) was recognised in the Group’s 2017 operating profit. In August 2019, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 
affirmed an earlier US Patent & Trademark Office ruling invalidating one of the asserted Arthrex patents. In October 2019, the Court of 
Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated an earlier US Patent & Trademark Office ruling invalidating the other asserted Arthrex patent, 
and remanded the proceeding (on constitutional grounds) back to the US Patent & Trademark Office. The Group has adequately 
provided for any possible additional payment relating to its historical sales.

17.4 Tax Matters
At any given time the Group has unagreed years outstanding in various countries and is involved in tax audits and disputes, some of 
which may take several years to resolve. Provisions are based on best estimates and management’s judgements concerning the likely 
ultimate outcome of any audit or dispute. Management considers the specific circumstances of each tax position and takes external 
advice, where appropriate, to assess the range of potential outcomes and estimate additional tax that may be due. The Group believes 
that it has made adequate provision in respect of additional tax liabilities that may arise. See Note 5 for further details.

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 or a minimum guaranteed return on contributions, 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. 
Remeasurements arising from defined benefit plans comprise actuarial gains and losses and the return on the plan assets in excess 
of the discount rate 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, finance income/costs and other comprehensive 
income. 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.

170

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

18.1 Retirement benefit net assets/(obligations)
The Group’s retirement benefit assets/(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

2019   
$ million     

2018  

$ million

 75 
 27 
 (37)
 65 

 (79)
 (16)
 (30)
 (136)
 106 

 77 
 13 
 (34)
 56 

 (60)
 (18)
 (22)
 (114)
 92 

The Group sponsors defined benefit pension plans for its employees or former employees in 14 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. The provision of retirement and related benefits across the Group is kept under regular review. 
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 and UK Plans were closed to future accrual in March 2014 and December 
2016 respectively.

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 2018 court case in relation to Guaranteed Minimum Pensions does not impact the UK Plan as members were not contracted out 
of the State Earnings Related Pension (Serps) between 1990 and 1997. 

There is no legislative minimum funding requirement in the UK, however the Group agreed with the Board of Trustees to pay 
a supplementary payment in 2019 (see Note 18.8). The Trust Deed of the UK Plan and the Plan Document of the US Plan provide 
the Group with a right to a refund of surplus assets assuming the full settlement of plan liabilities in the event of a plan wind-up. 
Furthermore, in the ordinary course of business the UK trustee and US committee have no rights to unilaterally wind up, or otherwise 
augment the benefits due to members of the plans. Based on these rights, any net surplus in the UK and US Plans is recognised in full.

The US Plan is governed by a US Pension Committee which is comprised of 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.

171

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
    
    
    
    
   Obligation   
$ million     

Asset   
$ million     

Total    Obligation

$ million     

$ million     

Asset
$ million     

2019

2018  
Total  
$ million  

 (1,410) 

 1,388  

 (22) 

 (1,625) 

 1,556  

 (69)

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

18 Retirement benefit obligations continued 
18.2 Reconciliation of retirement benefit obligations and pension assets
The movement in the Group’s pension benefit obligation and pension assets is as follows:

Amounts recognised on the balance sheet at beginning 
of the period
Income statement expense:

Current service cost
Past service credit
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 gain due to demographic assumptions
Return on plan assets greater than/(less than) discount 
rate

Re-measurements recognised in OCI
Cash:

Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Benefits paid directly by the Group
Benefits paid, taxes and administration costs paid from 
scheme assets

Net cash

 (11)
 3 
 (41)
 (2)
 (51)   

 5 
 (192)
 35 

 –    
 –    
 41    
 –    
 41    

 –    
 –    
 –    

 – 
 (152)   

 138    
 138    

 – 
 (3)
 2 

 69 
 68    

 13    
 3    
 (2)   

 (69)   
 (55)   

 (11)   
 3    
 –    
 (2)   
 (10)   

 5    
 (192)   
 35    

 138    
 (14)   

 13    
 –    
 –    

 –    
 13    

 (12)   
 7    
 (40)   
 (3)   
 (48)   

 6    
 97    
 11 

 –    
 –    
 40    
 –    
 40    

 –    
 –    
 –    

 (12)
 7 
 – 
 (3)
 (8)

 6 
 97 
 11 

 –    
 114    

 (103)   
 (103)   

 (103)
 11 

 –    
 (4)   
 3    

 44    
 4    
 (3)   

 100    
 99    

 (100)   
 (55)   

 44 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 44 

 – 
 (22)
 (114)
 92 

Exchange movements
Amount recognised on the balance sheet
Amount recognised on the balance sheet – liability
Amount recognised on the balance sheet – asset

 (27)
 (1,572)   
 (282)
 (1,290)

 30    
 1,542    
 146    
 1,396    

 3    
 (30)   
 (136)   
 106    

 50    
 (1,410)   
 (245)   
 (1,165)   

 (50)   
 1,388    
 131    
 1,257    

Represented by:

UK Plan
US Plan
Other Plans
Total

Obligation   
$ million     
 (794)
 (471)
 (307)
 (1,572)

Asset   
$ million     
 869 
 498 
 175 
 1,542 

2019

Total   
$ million     
 75 
 27 
 (132)
 (30)

Obligation   
$ million     
 (718)
 (424)
 (268)
 (1,410)

Asset   
$ million     
 795 
 437 
 156 
 1,388 

2018  
Total   
$ million  
 77 
 13 
 (112)
 (22)

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 11 years for the UK and US Plans respectively.

172

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019     
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
    
   
    
   
    
   
    
   
    
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
    
   
    
   
    
   
    
   
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
Strategy

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Other information

18.3 Plan assets
The market value of the US, UK and Other Plans assets are as follows:

UK Plan:
Assets with a quoted market price:

Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities
Other bonds

Short dated credit fund

Liability driven investments
Diversified growth funds

Other assets:

Insurance contract
Market value of assets
US Plan:
Assets with a quoted market price:

Equity securities
Government bonds – fixed interest
Corporate bonds
Market value of assets
Other Plans:
Assets with a quoted market price:

Cash and cash equivalents
Equity securities
Government bonds – fixed interest
Government bonds – index linked
Corporate and other bonds
Insurance contracts
Property
Other quoted securities

Other assets:

Insurance contracts
Market value of assets
Total market value of assets

173

2019   
$ million     

2018   
$ million     

2017  
$ million  

 3 
 103 
 44 
 119 
 264 
 97 
 630 

 239 
 869 

 50 
 152 
 296 
 498 

 4 
 47 
 6 
 4 
 10 
 41 
 25 
 5 
 142 

 2 
 127 
 41 
 – 
 246 
 138 
 554 

 241 
 795 

 79 
 91 
 267 
 437 

 2 
 42 
 3 
 3 
 13 
 34 
 20 
 4 
 121 

 8 
 235 
 43 
 – 
 192 
 152 
 630 

 277 
 907 

 88 
 201 
 201 
 490 

 4 
 43 
 4 
 3 
 11 
 36 
 19 
 2 
 122 

 33 
 175 
 1,542 

 35 
 156 
 1,388 

 37 
 159 
 1,556 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

18 Retirement benefit obligations continued 
No plans invest directly in property occupied by the Group or in financial securities issued by the Group. 

Both the UK and US Plans hold a mixture of growth assets and matching assets. The growth assets of the UK and US Plans are invested 
in a diversified range of industries across a broad range of geographies. The UK Plan matching assets include liability matching assets 
and annuity policies purchased by the trustees, 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. The terms of the policy define that the 
contract value exactly matches the amount and timing of the pensioner obligations covered by the contract. In accordance with IAS 
19R 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.

18.4 Expenses recognised in the income statement
The total expense relating to retirement benefits recognised for the year is $76m (2018: $65m, 2017: $64m). Of this cost recognised 
for the year, $66m (2018: $57m, 2017: $51m) relates to defined contribution plans and $10m (2018: $8m, 2017: $13m net credit) 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 costs of goods sold, selling, general and administrative 
expenses, and research and development expenses. There were $nil outstanding payments as at 31 December 2019 due to be paid 
over to the plans (2018: $nil, 2017: $nil).

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 defined benefit pension costs charged for the UK and US Plans are:

Service cost
Past service cost
Settlement loss
Net interest income, administration and taxes

UK Plan
$ million     

2019

US Plan
$ million     

UK Plan
$ million     

2018

US Plan
$ million     

UK Plan
$ million     

 – 
 – 
 – 
 (1)
 (1)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 1 

2017  
US Plan  
$ million  
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 2 

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.

2017  
     % per annum      % per annum      % per annum  

2018

2019

UK Plan:

Discount rate
Future salary increases
Future pension increases
Inflation (RPI)
Inflation (CPI)

US Plan:

Discount rate
Future salary increases
Inflation

174

 1.9 
 n/a 
 3.0 
 3.0 
 2.2 

 3.2 
 n/a 
 n/a 

 2.7 
 n/a 
 3.2 
 3.2 
 2.2 

 4.2 
 n/a 
 n/a 

 2.4 
 n/a 
 3.2 
 3.2 
 2.2 

 3.5 
 n/a 
 n/a 

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
    
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
    
    
    
    
Strategy

Governance

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Other information

Actuarial assumptions regarding future mortality are based on mortality tables. The UK uses the S3NA with projections in-line with the 
CMI 2018 table and the US uses the RP2014 table with MP2018 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

2019
years     

2018
years     

2017  
years  

 27.5 
 30.0 

 25.0 
 27.2 

 29.0 
 31.4 

 25.2 
 27.8 

 28.9 
 30.4 

 24.9 
 27.1 

 31.1 
 31.9 

 25.1 
 27.7 

 28.8 
 30.3 

 25.2 
 27.4 

 31.0 
 31.8 

 25.5 
 28.0 

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 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 effect on the US Pension Plan as it was closed to future accrual in 2014 and it has 
no other inflation-linked assumptions.

Increase in pension obligation

+50bps/+1yr     

-50bps/-1yr      +50bps/+1 yr     

Increase in pension cost  
-50bps/-1yr  

 -69.0 
 74.0 
 35.0 

 -24.0 
 12.0 

 79.0 
 -66.0 
 -34.0 

 27.0 
 -13.0 

 -2.0 
 1.0 
 – 

 -1.0 
 – 

 1.0 
 -1.0 
 -1.0 

 1.0 
 – 

$ million
UK Plan:

Discount rate
Inflation
Mortality

US Plan:

Discount rate
Mortality

175

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategy

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Other information

18 Retirement benefit obligations continued 
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. 

The UK Plan is closed to future accrual which reduces the exposure to this risk. The US Plan is also closed 
to future accrual and has no other inflation-linkage thus eliminating 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 from return-seeking (growth) assets to 
liability matching assets over time. The US Pension Plan has an established glide path that is designed 
to stabilise funding status by reducing the Plan’s exposure to return-seeking assets.

Longevity risk

The present value of the plan’s 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.

18.8 Funding
A full valuation is performed by actuaries for the Trustees of each plan to determine the level of funding required. Employer contribution 
rates, based on these full valuations, are agreed between the Trustees of each plan and the Group. The assumptions used in the actuarial 
valuations used for funding purposes may differ from the accounting assumptions set out above.

UK Plan
The most recent full actuarial valuation of the UK Plan was undertaken as at 30 September 2018. Contributions to the UK Plan in 2019 
were $6m (2018: $25m, 2017: $24m). This included supplementary payments of $6m (2018: $25m, 2017: $24m).

Following the completion of the 30 September 2018 valuation, it was determined that the Group is not required to make any future 
supplemental payments to the UK Plan unless, following a future valuation, the Group and Trustees determine that supplemental 
payments are required.

US Plan
The most recent full actuarial valuation of the US Plan was undertaken as at 1 January 2019. The next full actuarial valuation will take 
place as at 1 January 2020. Future accruals to the US Plan ceased as at 31 March 2014. Contributions to the US Plan were $nil  
(2018: $10m, 2017: $20m) which represented supplementary payments of $nil (2018: $10m, 2017: $20m). 

There are no planned supplementary contributions to the US Plan for 2020. 

176

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

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 2017
At 31 December 2018
At 31 December 2019
Allotted, issued and fully paid
At 1 January 2017
Share options
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2017
Share options
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2018
Share options
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2019

Ordinary shares (20¢)

Deferred shares (£1.00)

Thousand     

$ million     

Thousand     

$ million     

Total  
$ million  

 1,223,591 
 1,223,591 
 1,223,591 

 903,723 
 655 
 (13,523)
 890,855 
 418 
 (3,321)
 887,952 
 350 
 (3,095)
 885,207 

 245 
 245 
 245 

 180 
 – 
 (2)
 178 
 – 
 (1)
 177 
 – 
 – 
 177 

 50 
 50 
 50 

 50 
 – 
 – 
 50 
 – 
 – 
 50 
 – 
 – 
 50 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 245 
 245 
 245 

 180 
 – 
 (2)
 178 
 – 
 (1)
 177 
 – 
 – 
 177 

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) 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.

177

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Strategy

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Accounts

Other information

19 Equity continued 
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

2019
$ million     
 177 
 610 
 18 
 (189)
 4,525 
 5,141 

2018
$ million     
 177 
 608 
 18 
 (214)
 4,285 
 4,874 

2017  
$ million  
 178 
 605 
 17 
 (257)
 4,101 
 4,644 

19.2 Treasury shares
Treasury shares represent the holding of the Company’s own shares in respect of the Smith & Nephew Employees’ Share Trust and 
shares bought back as part of the share buy-back programme. In 2019 the Group purchased a total of 3.1m shares for a cost of $63m 
as part of the ongoing programme to buy back an equivalent number of shares to those vesting as part of the employee share plans. 
In 2018 the Group purchased a total of 2.7m shares for a cost of $48m as part of the same programme. 

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 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 2018
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2018
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2019

At 1 January 2018
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2018
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2019

178

Treasury
$ million     
 234 
 48 
 (29)
 (13)
 (51)
 189 
 63 
 (21)
 (12)
 (50)
 169 

Employees’
Share Trust

$ million     
 23 
 – 
 29 
 (27)
 – 
 25 
 – 
 21 
 (26)
 – 
 20 

Number
of shares

Number
of shares

million     
 15.6 
 2.7 
 (1.9)
 (0.9)
 (3.3)
 12.2 
 3.1 
 (1.3)
 (0.7)
 (3.1)
 10.2 

million     
 1.6 
 – 
 1.9 
 (1.8)
 – 
 1.7 
 – 
 1.3 
 (1.7)
 – 
 1.3 

Total  
$ million  
 257 
 48 
 – 
 (40)
 (51)
 214 
 63 
 – 
 (38)
 (50)
 189 

Number  
of shares  
million  
 17.2 
 2.7 
 – 
 (2.7)
 (3.3)
 13.9 
 3.1 
 – 
 (2.4)
 (3.1)
 11.5 

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
  
  
 
 
    
  
 
    
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

19.3 Dividends

The following dividends were declared and paid in the year:

Ordinary final of 22.0¢ for 2018 (2017: 22.7¢, 2016: 18.5¢) paid 8 May 2019
Ordinary interim of 14.4¢ for 2019 (2018: 14.0¢, 2017: 12.3¢) paid 30 October 2019

2019
$ million     

2018
$ million     

2017  
$ million  

 192 
 126 
 318 

 198 
 123 
 321 

 162 
 107 
 269 

A final dividend for 2019 of 23.1 US cents per ordinary share was proposed by the Board on 20 February 2020 and will be paid, subject 
to shareholder approval, on 6 May 2020 to shareholders on the Register of Members on 3 April 2020. The estimated amount of this 
dividend is $202m. The Group pursues 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. 
Future dividends will be dependent upon future earnings, the future financial condition of the Group and the Board’s dividend policy. 
The Board reviews the appropriate level of total annual dividend each year at the time of the full year results. 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. Smith & Nephew plc, 
the Parent Company of the Group, is a non-trading investment holding company which derives its distributable reserves from dividends 
paid by subsidiary companies. The distributable reserves of the Parent Company approximate to the balance on the profit and loss 
account reserve, less treasury shares and exchange reserves, which at 31 December 2019 amounted to $2,050m.

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, 
borrowings, loans and lease liabilities under current liabilities.

Analysis of net debt including lease liabilities

Cash

Overdrafts

     $ million     
 100  
 64  
 –  
 5 
 169  
 200  
 (4)
 365  
 (88)
 – 
 277 
 – 

$ million     
 (62) 
 49  
 –  
 (1)
 (14) 
 (18) 
 – 
 (32) 
 12 
 – 
 (20)
 – 

Due within 
one year
$ million     
 (24) 
 9  
 2  
 – 
 (13) 
 (118) 
 (1)
 (132) 
 125 
 1 
 (6)
 (46)

Due after 
one year
$ million     
 (1,564) 
 139  
 3  
 (1)
 (1,423) 
 126  
 (4)
 (1,301) 
 (550)
 – 
 (1,851)
 (124)

Borrowings

Net 
currency 
swaps
$ million     
 1  
 (24) 
 –  
 25 
 2  
 8  
 (11)
 (1) 
 2 
 (1)
 – 
 – 

Net 
interest 
swaps
$ million     
 (1) 
 (1) 
 – 
 –  
 (2) 
 (1) 
 –  
 (3) 
 –  
 3  
 – 
 – 

Total  
$ million  
 (1,550)
 236 
 5 
 28 
 (1,281)
 197 
 (20)
 (1,104)
 (499)
 3 
 (1,600)
 (170)

 277  

 (20) 

 (52) 

 (1,975) 

 –  

 –  

 (1,770)

At 1 January 2017
Net cash flow impact
Termination of finance lease
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2017
Net cash flow/debt movement
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2018
Net cash flow/debt movement
Exchange adjustment
Net debt at 31 December 2019
IFRS 16 lease liabilities
Net debt including lease 
liabilities at 31 December 2019

179

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategy

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Other information

20 Cash flow statement continued

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt including lease liabilities

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
IFRS 16 lease liabilities
Termination of finance lease
Exchange adjustment
Change in net debt in the year
Opening net debt
Closing net debt including lease liabilities

2019
$ million     
 (76)
 2 
 (425)
 (499)
 (170)
 – 
 3 
 (666)
 (1,104)
 (1,770)

2018
$ million     
 182 
 8 
 7 
 197 
 – 
 – 
 (20)
 177 
 (1,281)
 (1,104)

2017  
$ million  
 113 
 (24)
 147 
 236 
 – 
 5 
 28 
 269 
 (1,550)
 (1,281)

Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the Group cash flow statement cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2019 comprise cash at bank net of 
bank overdrafts.

Cash at bank
Bank overdrafts
Cash and cash equivalents

2019
$ million     
 277 
 (20)
 257 

2018
$ million     
 365 
 (32)
 333 

2017  
$ million  
 169 
 (14)
 155 

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 on the Group’s cash.

Cash outflows/(inflows) arising from financing activities

Repayment

of bank     
loans
$ million
 865 
 – 
 865  

Borrowing
of bank

loans     

$ million
 (1,290)
 – 
 (1,290) 

Repayment
of lease
liabilities     
$ million
 46 
 – 
 46  

Cash
outflow
from other     
$ million
 2 
 – 
 2  

Dividends     
$ million
 – 
 318 
 318  

Purchase of
own shares     
$ million
 – 
 63 
 63  

 401    
 –    

 401 

 (394)   
 –    

 (394)

 770    
 –    

 770 

 (623)   
 –    

 (623)

 –    
 –    
 – 

 –    
 –    
 – 

 8    
 –    
 8 

 –    

 321 
 321 

 (24)   
 –    

 (24)

 –    
 269    
 269 

 –    
 48    
 48 

 –    
 52    
 52 

Proceeds from own
shares/issue of
ordinary shares     

$ million

 –  
 (11) 
 (11) 

 – 
 (13)   
 (13)   

 – 
 (10)
 (10)

Total  
$ million  
 (377)
 370 
 (7)

 15 
 356 
 371 

 123 
 311 
 434 

2019
Debt
Equity
Total

2018
Debt
Equity
Total

2017
Debt
Equity
Total

180

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
  
 
     
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

21 Acquisitions 

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 remeasured and settlement is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes in the fair value of the 
contingent consideration are recognised in profit or loss.

Year ended 31 December 2019
The Group acquired five medical technology businesses deemed to be business combinations within the scope of IFRS 3 Business 
Combinations during the year ended 31 December 2019. 

On 22 January 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Ceterix Orthopaedics, Inc. (‘Ceterix’), 
a developer of a meniscus repair system. The acquisition supports the Group’s strategy to invest in innovative technologies that meet 
unmet clinical needs. The maximum consideration payable of $105m has a fair value of $96m, which includes deferred consideration of 
$5m and contingent consideration of $47m. The fair value of the contingent consideration is determined from the acquisition agreement, 
the risk adjusted cash flows from the Board-approved acquisition model and a risk-free discount rate of 3.3%. The maximum contingent 
consideration is $55m. The goodwill is attributable to the control premium, the acquired workforce and the synergies expected from 
integrating Ceterix into the Group’s existing business.

On 17 April 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (‘Osiris’), a fast growing 
company delivering regenerative medicine products including skin, bone graft and articular cartilage substitutes that will further 
expand and differentiate the Group’s Advanced Wound Management portfolio. This acquisition provides the Group with a fast growing 
portfolio with strong clinical evidence addressing critical needs in the skin substitute marketplace. It is one of the highest growth and 
high potential markets in wound management, filling an important need not previously addressed in our portfolio. Cash consideration 
was $660m with no deferred or contingent consideration payable. The goodwill is attributable to the control premium, the acquired 
workforce and the synergies that can be expected from integrating Osiris into the Group’s existing business. 

Also on 17 April 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of 85.5% of the share capital of Leaf Healthcare, Inc. (‘Leaf’), a developer of 
the unique Leaf Patient Monitoring System for pressure injury prevention and patient mobility monitoring, which is highly complementary 
to the Group’s existing wound portfolio. This acquisition brings the Group’s total shareholding in Leaf to 100%. The Group’s existing 
holding of 14.5% of the share capital, with a carrying value of $6m, was remeasured to fair value resulting in a $1m gain which is included 
in selling, general and administrative expenses in the income statement. The maximum consideration payable of $75m for 100% of 
the share capital has a fair value of $52m, which includes deferred consideration of $4m and contingent consideration of $12m. The fair 
value of the contingent consideration is determined from the acquisition agreement, the risk adjusted cash flows from the Board-approved 
acquisition model and a risk-free discount rate of 3.0%. The maximum contingent consideration is $35m. The goodwill is attributable 
to the control premium, the acquired workforce, future iterations of the technology and the synergies that can be expected from 
integrating Leaf into the Group’s existing business.

On 31 May 2019, the Group completed the acquisition of the Brainlab Orthopaedic Joint Reconstruction business (‘Brainlab OJR’). 
The acquisition supports the Group’s strategy to invest in best-in-class technologies that further its multi-asset digital surgery and 
robotic ecosystem. The maximum consideration payable of $108m has a fair value of $107m, which includes contingent consideration 
of $57m. The fair value of the contingent consideration is determined from the acquisition agreement, the risk adjusted cash flows 
from the Board-approved acquisition model and a risk-free discount rate of 2.3%. The maximum contingent consideration is $58m. 
The goodwill is attributable to the control premium, the acquired workforce, future iterations of the technology and the synergies 
that can be expected from integrating the orthopaedic joint reconstruction business into the Group’s existing business.

181

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

21 Acquisitions continued
On 1 July 2019 the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Atracsys Sàrl (‘Atracsys’), a Switzerland-based 
provider of optical tracking technology used in computer-assisted surgery. The acquisition supports the Group’s long-term commitment 
to develop its multi-asset digital surgery and robotics ecosystem to empower surgeons and improve clinical outcomes. The fair value of 
consideration is $42m which includes $14m of deferred consideration and $5m of contingent consideration. The fair value of contingent 
consideration is determined from the acquisition agreement, the risk-adjusted cash flows from the Board approved acquisition model 
and a risk-free discount rate of 2.3%. The maximum contingent consideration is $6m. The goodwill represents the control premium, 
the acquired workforce and the synergies expected from integrating Atracsys Sàrl into the Group’s existing business.

The carrying value of goodwill increased from $2,337m to $2,789m as a result of acquisitions ($441m) and foreign exchange 
movements ($11m) during the year ended 31 December 2019. Amounts allocated to goodwill arising on acquisitions during the year 
ended 31 December 2019 in the table below are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes, except in the case of the Brainlab 
OJR acquisition. 

For the year ended 31 December 2019, the contribution to revenue from the Ceterix, Leaf, Brainlab OJR and Atracsys business 
combinations was immaterial and the contribution from the Osiris business combination was $114m. For the year ended 31 December 
2019, the contribution to profit from the Ceterix, Leaf, Brainlab OJR, Osiris and Atracsys business combinations was immaterial. 

If the business combinations had occurred at the beginning of the year, the contribution to revenue from the Ceterix, Leaf, Brainlab OJR 
and Atracsys business combinations would have been immaterial and the contribution from the Osiris business combination would 
have been $160m. If the business combinations had occurred at the beginning of the year, the contribution to profit from the Ceterix, 
Leaf, Brainlab OJR, Osiris and Atracsys business combinations would have been immaterial.

The provisional fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set out below:

Intangible assets – Product-related
Intangible assets – Technology
Intangible assets – Customer-related
Property, plant & equipment
Investments
Other non-current assets
Inventory
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Provisions
Non-current liabilities
Net deferred tax asset/(liability)
Net assets
Goodwill
Consideration (net of cash acquired1)

Ceterix
$ million
 43 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 1 
 (4)
 – 
 – 
 1 
 45 
 49 
 94 

Osiris
$ million
 284 
 – 
 80 
 6 
 17 
 4 
 9 
 49 
 (31)
 (17)
 (7)
 (59)
 335 
 301 
 636 

Leaf
$ million
 14 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 1 
 (1)
 – 
 – 
 1 
 16 
 37 
 53 

Brainlab OJR
$ million
 – 
 75 
 9 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 84 
 23 
 107 

Atracsys  
$ million
 9 
 – 
 1 
 1 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 1 
 (1)
 – 
 – 
 (1)
 11 
 31 
 42 

1  Cash acquired is as follows: Ceterix: $2m; Osiris: $24m; Leaf: $1m; Brainlab OJR: $nil; and Atracsys: $nil.

Year ended 31 December 2018
The Group made no acquisitions deemed to be business combinations within the scope of IFRS 3 in the year ended 31 December 2018. 
The cash outflow of $29m relates to acquisitions completed in prior years. 

Year ended 31 December 2017
During the year ended 31 December 2017, the Group acquired one medical technology business deemed to be a business combination 
within the scope of IFRS 3 Business Combinations as follows. The acquisition accounting was completed in 2018 with no adjustments 
to the provisional fair value disclosed in the Group’s 2017 Annual Report.

182

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019 
    
 
    
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

On 5 December 2017, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Rotation Medical, Inc., a developer of a novel 
tissue regeneration technology for shoulder rotator cuff repair. The acquisition furthers our strategy to invest in disruptive technologies 
that accelerate the transformation of Smith+Nephew to higher growth. The maximum consideration payable of $210m has a fair value 
of $196m and includes $17m of deferred and $72m of contingent consideration. The fair value of the contingent consideration is 
determined from the acquisition agreement, the Board-approved acquisition model and a risk-free discount rate of 2.5%. The maximum 
contingent consideration is $85m. The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set out below:

Aggregate identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
Intangible assets
Property, plant & equipment and inventory
Trade and other receivables
Trade and other payables
Net deferred tax assets
Net assets
Goodwill
Consideration (net of $nil cash acquired)

$ million  

 61 
 3 
 2 
 (3)
 1 
 64 
 132 
 196 

The goodwill is attributable to the control premium, the acquired workforce and the synergies that can be expected from integrating 
Rotation Medical, Inc. into the Group’s existing business. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

During the year ended 31 December 2017, the contribution to revenue and attributable profit from this acquisition was immaterial. If the 
acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the year, its contribution to revenue and attributable profit would have also been immaterial.

22 Operating leases

Accounting policy under IAS 17 Leases 
IAS 17 was effective for periods prior to 1 January 2019. The application of IFRS 16 from 1 January 2019 is detailed in Note 1. 

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

183

2018  
$ million  

 37 
 30 
 27 
 22 
 16 
 52 
 184 

 17 
 11 
 4 
 2 
 34 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019 
    
    
    
    
    
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

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.

The Group operates the following equity-settled executive and employee share plans: Smith & Nephew Global Share Plan 2010, 
Smith & Nephew ShareSave Plan (2012) and Smith & Nephew International ShareSave Plan (2012). At 31 December 2019, 4,519,000 
options (2018: 4,911,000, 2017: 5,277,000) were outstanding with a range of exercise prices from 538 to 1,541 pence.

At 31 December 2019, the maximum number of shares that could be awarded under the Group’s long-term incentive plans was 
4,947,000 (2018: 5,678,000, 2017: 5,854,000). These include conditional share awards granted to senior employees and equity 
and performance share awards granted to senior executives under the Global Share Plan 2010.

The expense charged to the income statement for share-based payments for the year is $32m (2018: $35m, 2017: $31m). 

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 $nil (2018: $nil, 2017: $nil).

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
Compensation for loss of office

2019   
$ million     
 18 
 5 
 2 
 6 
 31 

2018   
$ million     
 18 
 10 
 2 
 – 
 30 

2017   
$ million  
 15 
 7 
 1 
 3 
 26 

Directors’ remuneration disclosures are included on pages 101–120.

24 Post balance sheet events
On 23 January 2020 the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Tusker Medical, Inc., a developer of an 
innovative in-office solution for tympanostomy (ear tubes) called Tula. The acquisition supports the Group’s strategy to invest in 
innovative technologies that address unmet clinical needs.

This acquisition will be treated as a business combination under IFRS 3. The maximum consideration, all payable in cash, is $140m and 
the provisional fair value consideration is $139m and includes $6m of deferred and $35m of contingent consideration. The provisional 
value of acquired net assets is immaterial and is not expected to have material fair value adjustments. The remaining consideration 
will be allocated between identifiable intangible assets including technology and goodwill, with the majority expected to be goodwill 
representing the control premium, the acquired workforce and the synergies expected from integrating Tusker Medical, Inc. into the 
Group’s existing business, and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

184

Notes to the Group accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
    
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Company financial statements

Company balance sheet

Fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Borrowings
Other creditors

Net current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
Borrowings
Total assets less total liabilities

Equity shareholders’ funds
Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Capital reserve
Treasury shares
Exchange reserve
Profit and loss account
Shareholders’ funds

   At 31 December    At 31 December   
2018  
$ million  

2019
$ million     

Notes     

 2  

 3  
 5  

 5  
 4  

 5  

 7,092  

 7,092 

 2,265  
 163  
 2,428  

 (5) 
 (2,543) 
 (2,548) 
 (120) 
 6,972  

 (1,851) 
 5,121  

 177  
 610  
 18  
 2,266  
 (189) 
 (52) 
 2,291  
 5,121  

 1,697 
 277 
 1,974 

 (145)
 (2,277)
 (2,422)
 (448)
 6,644 

 (1,301)
 5,343 

 177 
 608 
 18 
 2,266 
 (214)
 (52)
 2,540 
 5,343 

The accounts were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 20 February 2020 and signed on its behalf by:

Roberto Quarta 
Chairman  

Roland Digglemann 
Chief Executive Officer 

Graham Baker
Chief Financial Officer

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 185–192 do not form part of  
the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

185

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Statement of changes in equity

Share
capital

Share
premium

At 1 January 2018
Attributable profit for the year
Net gain on cash flow hedges
Equity dividends paid in the year
Share-based payments recognised1
Cost of shares transferred to beneficiaries
New shares issued on exercise of share options  
Cancellation of treasury shares
Treasury shares purchased
At 31 December 2018
Attributable profit for the year
Net gain on cash flow hedges
Equity dividends paid in the year
Share-based payments recognised1
Cost of shares transferred to beneficiaries
New shares issued on exercise of share options  
Cancellation of treasury shares
Treasury shares purchased
At 31 December 2019

     $ million      $ million     
 605    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 3    
 –    
 –    
 608    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 2    
 –    
 –    
 610    

 178    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 (1)   
 –    
 177    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 177    

Capital
reserve

Treasury
shares

Exchange
reserve

Capital
redemption
reserve
$ million      $ million      $ million      $ million     
 (52)   
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 (52)   
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 (52)   

 2,266    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 2,266    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 2,266    

 (257)   
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 40    
 –    
 51    
 (48)   
 (214)   
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 38    
 –    
 50    
 (63)   
 (189)   

 17    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 1    
 –    
 18    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 18    

Profit and
loss account

$ million     
 2,878 

Total

shareholders’  
funds  
$ million  
 5,635 
 28 
 1 
 (321)
 35 
 10 
 3 
 – 
 (48)
 5,343  
 115 
 1 
 (318)
 32 
 9 
 2 
 – 
 (63)
 5,121 

 28    
 1    
 (321)   
 35    
 (30)   
 –    
 (51)   
 –    
 2,540    
 115    
 1    
 (318)   
 32    
 (29)   
 –    
 (50)   
 –    
 2,291    

1  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.

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 $2,050m (2018: $2,274m). 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 $115m (2018: $28m).

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.

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 185–192 do not form part of  
the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

186

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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. These financial statements and 
accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework 
(‘Reduced Disclosure Framework’) for all periods presented. 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. The Directors have determined that the preparation of the Company financial statements on a going concern basis 
is appropriate as the Company receives dividend cash receipts from its subsidiary undertakings which enable it to meet its liabilities 
as they fall due. 

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:

 – IFRS 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 Investments

Accounting policy
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for impairment.

At 1 January and 31 December

2019   
$ million     
 7,092  

2018   
$ million  
 7,092 

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 8. 

3 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 asset derivatives – currency swaps
Current taxation

2019   
$ million     

2018   
$ million  

 2,217  
 –  
 25  
 22  
 1  
 –  
 2,265  

 1,635 
 3 
 36 
 20 
 1 
 2 
 1,697 

Allowance losses on amounts owed by subsidiary undertakings are calculated by reviewing 12-month expected credit losses using 
historic and forward-looking data on credit risk. The loss allowance expense for the year was $nil (2018: $nil).

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 185–192 do not form part of  
the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

187

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4 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
Current liability derivatives – interest rate swaps

2019   
$ million     

2018   
$ million  

 2,487  
 8  
 22  
 25  
 1  
 –  
 2,543  

 2,204 
 12 
 20 
 36 
 2 
 3 
 2,277 

5 Cash and borrowings

Accounting policy
Financial instruments
Currency swaps are used to match foreign currency 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, borrowing and overdrafts due within one year or on demand
Borrowings due after one year
Borrowings 
Cash at bank
Credit balance on derivatives – currency swaps
Credit balance on derivatives – interest rate swaps
Net debt

2019   
$ million     

 5 
 1,851 
 1,856 
 (163)
 – 
 – 
 1,693 

2018   
$ million  
 145 
 1,301 
 1,446 
 (277)
 1 
 3 
 1,173 

All currency swaps are stated at fair value. Gross US Dollar equivalents of $215m (2018: $253m) receivable and $215m (2018: $254m) payable 
have been netted. Currency swaps comprise foreign exchange swaps and were used in 2019 and 2018 to hedge intra-group loans. 

6 Contingencies

Guarantees in respect of subsidiary undertakings

2019   
$ million     
 –  

2018   
$ million  
 – 

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).

7 Deferred taxation
The Company has gross unused capital losses of $81m (2018: $80m) available for offset against future chargeable gains. No deferred 
tax asset has been recognised on these unused losses as they are not expected to be realised in the foreseeable future. 

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 185–192 do not form part of  
the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

188

Notes to the Company accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
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8 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. 
The share capital disclosed comprises ordinary shares which are indirectly held by Smith & Nephew plc, unless otherwise stated.

Company name

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Registered 
Office

Company name

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Registered 
Office

England & Wales

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales

UK
Blue Belt Technologies UK Limited2
England & Wales
Michelson Diagnostic Limited3 (7.5%)
England & Wales
Neotherix Limited3 (24.9%)
England & Wales
Plus Orthopedics (UK) Limited2
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Limited1, 5
England & Wales
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew ARTC Limited
Smith & Nephew Beta Limited2
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew China Holdings UK Limited1 England & Wales
Smith & Nephew Consumer Products 
England & Wales
Limited2
Smith & Nephew Employees Trustees 
Limited2
Smith & Nephew ESN Limited2
Smith & Nephew Extruded Films Limited
Smith & Nephew Finance2
Smith & Nephew Finance Oratec2
Smith & Nephew Healthcare Limited2
Smith & Nephew Investment 
Holdings Limited1
Smith & Nephew Lilia Limited2
Smith & Nephew Medical Fabrics Limited2
Smith & Nephew Medical Limited
Smith & Nephew Nominee 
Company Limited2
Smith & Nephew Nominee Services Limited2 England & Wales
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics Limited
Smith & Nephew Pensions 
England & Wales
Nominees Limited2
Smith & Nephew Pharmaceuticals Limited2 England & Wales
Smith & Nephew Raisegrade Limited1,2
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew Rareletter Limited2
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew Trading Group Limited1
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew UK Executive Pension 
England & Wales
Scheme Trustee Limited2
Smith & Nephew UK Limited1, 5
Smith & Nephew UK Pension Fund 
Trustee Limited2
Smith & Nephew USD Limited1
Smith & Nephew USD One Limited1
T.J.Smith and Nephew, Limited
The Albion Soap Company Limited2
TP Limited1

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
Scotland

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales

England & Wales
England & Wales

Rest of Europe
Smith & Nephew GmbH
ArthroCare Belgium SPRL2
Smith & Nephew S.A.-N.V
Smith & Nephew A/S
Smith & Nephew Oy
A2 Surgical2

Smith & Nephew France SAS1

Smith & Nephew S.A.S.

Smith & Nephew Business Services  
GmbH & Co. KG1
Smith & Nephew Business Services 
Verwaltungs GmbH
Smith & Nephew Deutschland  
(Holding) GmbH1
Smith & Nephew GmbH
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics GmbH
Smith & Nephew (Ireland) Trading Limited
Smith & Nephew Finance Ireland Limited
Smith & Nephew S.r.l.
ArthroCare Luxembourg S.a.r.l.2
Smith & Nephew Finance S.a.r.l.1
Smith & Nephew International S.A.1
Smith & Nephew USD Limited 
Luxembourg Branch 6
Smith & Nephew (Europe) B.V.1
Smith & Nephew B.V.
Smith & Nephew Management B.V.4
Smith & Nephew Nederland CV
Smith & Nephew Operations B.V.
Smith & Nephew A/S
Smith & Nephew sp. z.o.o.
Smith & Nephew Lda
DC LLC

Watford
Kent
York
Watford
Watford
Watford
Watford
Watford
Watford

Watford

Watford
Hull
Watford
Watford
Hull
Watford

Watford
Watford
Hull
Watford

Watford
Watford
Watford

Hull
Watford
Watford
Watford
Watford

Watford
Watford

Watford
Watford
Hull
Watford
Edinburgh

Smith & Nephew LLC

Smith & Nephew S.A.U
Smith & Nephew Aktiebolag
Lumina Adhesives AB3 (11%)

Austria
Belgium
Belgium
Denmark
Finland
France

France

France

Germany

Vienna
Zaventem
Zaventem
Hoersholm
Helsinki
Neuilly- 
sur-Seine
Neuilly- 
sur-Seine 
Neuilly- 
sur-Seine
Hamburg

Germany

Hamburg

Germany

Hamburg

Germany
Germany
Ireland
Ireland
Italy

Hamburg
Tuttlingen
Dublin 2
Dublin 1
Milan
Luxembourg Luxembourg
Luxembourg Luxembourg
Luxembourg Luxembourg
Luxembourg Luxembourg

Netherlands Amsterdam
Netherlands Amsterdam
Netherlands Amsterdam
Netherlands Amsterdam
Netherlands Amsterdam
Oslo
Warsaw
Lisbon
Puschino

Norway
Poland
Portugal
Russian 
Federation
Russian 
Federation
Barcelona
Spain
Sweden
Molndal
Sweden Gothenburg

Moscow 

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 185–192 do not form part of  
the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

189

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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8 Group Companies continued

Company name

Atracsys Sàrl
Plus Orthopedics Holding AG1
Smith & Nephew Manufacturing AG
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG1
Smith & Nephew Schweiz AG
Smith & Nephew AG
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG 
Aarau Branch6
US
Arthrocare Corporation1
Bioventus LLC3 (49%)
Blue Belt Holdings, Inc.1
Blue Belt Technologies, Inc.1
Ceterix Orthopaedics, Inc.
CRES Holdings, Inc.³(0.99%)

Healicoil, Inc.

Hipco, Inc.
Leaf Healthcare Inc.
Memphis Biomed Ventures I, LP3 (4.61%)
Miach Orthopaedics, Inc³ (8%)
Oratec Interventions, Inc.
Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd., Inc.
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.
OsteoBiologics, Inc.
Plus Orthopedics LLC
Rotation Medical, Inc.
Sinopsys Surgical, Inc.3 (12.4%)
Smith & Nephew AG US Branch 2, 6
Smith & Nephew Consolidated, Inc.1
Smith & Nephew OUS, Inc.
Smith & Nephew, Inc.1
Surgical Frontiers Series I, LLC3 (33.46%)
Trice Medical Inc.3 (4.5%)

Trumpet Merger Corp.

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland

Registered 
Office

Company name

Puidoux
Baar
Aarau
Baar
Baar
Baar
Aarau

Smith & Nephew Inc.1
Tenet Medical Engineering, Inc.2
Smith & Nephew  
Finance Holdings Limited 5
TEAMfund, LP3 (6.67%)

ArthoCare Medical Devices  
(Beijing) Co. Limited4

United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States Philadelphia 
United States Wilmington
Dover NBR
United States

United States Wilmington

United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
Dover GD
United States
United States
Sherborn
United States Wilmington
Phoenix 
United States
United States
Columbia
United States Wilmington 
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States
Boston
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States
Dover GD
United States Wilmington 
19808
United States Wilmington 
19808

Plus Orthopedics (Beijing) Co. Limited2

Smith & Nephew Medical (Shanghai) Limited

Smith & Nephew Medical (Shanghai) Limited 
Beijing Branch6
Smith & Nephew Medical (Shanghai) Limited 
Chengdu Branch6
Smith & Nephew Medical (Shanghai) Limited 
Guangzhou Branch6
Smith & Nephew Medical (Shanghai) Limited 
Shanghai Branch6
Smith & Nephew Medical (Shanghai) Limited 
Shanghai Second Branch6

Smith & Nephew Medical (Suzhou) Limited
Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics  
(Beijing) Co., Ltd

S&N Holdings SAS1
Smith & Nephew Colombia S.A.S
ArthroCare Costa Rica Srl
Smith & Nephew Curaçao N.V.
Smith & Nephew Beijing Holdings Limited1
Smith & Nephew Limited
Smith & Nephew Suzhou Holdings Limited1
Adler Mediequip Private Limited
ArthoCare India Medical Device  
Private Limited4
Smith & Nephew Healthcare Private Limited
Smith & Nephew KK
Smith & Nephew Chusik Hoesia

Smith & Nephew Healthcare Sdn. Bhd
Smith & Nephew Operations Sdn. Bhd
Smith & Nephew Services Sdn. Bhd

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Registered 
Office

China

Canada
Canada

Toronto
Calgary
Cayman Islands George Town 
1104
Cayman Islands George Town 
9008
Chao Yang 
District, 
Beijing
Shunyi 
District, 
Beijing
Shanghai 
Free Trade 
Test Zone

China

China

China Dong Cheng

China

Wu Hou

China

Yue Xiu

China

Jing’an

China

China
China

Shanghai  
Pilot Free 
Trade Zone
Suzhou City
Beijing 
Economic 
and Technical 
Development 
Area
Bogota
Bogota
Alajuela
Curaçao Willemstad
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Pune
Mumbai

Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
India
India

Colombia
Colombia
Costa Rica

India
Japan
Korea,  
Republic of

Mumbai
Tokyo
Seoul

Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur

Africa, Asia, Australasia and Other America
Smith & Nephew Argentina S.R.L.2
Smith & Nephew Pty Limited
Smith & Nephew Surgical Holdings 
Pty Limited1,2
Smith & Nephew Surgical Pty Limited2
Smith & Nephew Comercio de Produtos  
Medicos LTDA
Smith & Nephew (Alberta) Inc.2 

Argentina Buenos Aires
Australia North Ryde 
Australia North Ryde

Australia North Ryde
São Paulo

Brazil

Canada

Calgary 

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 185–192 do not form part of  
the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

190

Notes to the Company accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Other information

Smith & Nephew Operations Pte. Limited

Singapore

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Registered 
Office

Mexico Mexico City
Auckland
Auckland

New Zealand
New Zealand

Philippines

Manila

Puerto Rico
Singapore

South Africa
South Africa

San Juan
Singapore 
048623
Singapore 
138565
Westville
Westville

Taiwan

Taipei

Turkey

Thailand

Thailand Huai Khwang 
District, 
Bangkok
Lumpini 
Phatumwan, 
Bangkok
Sariyer,  
Istanbul
Bağcılar, 
Istanbul
Jebel Ali,  
Dubai
HealthCare 
City, Dubai 1
HealthCare 
City, Dubai 2

United Arab 
Emirates
United Arab 
Emirates
United Arab 
Emirates

Turkey

Company name

Smith & Nephew S.A. de C.V.
Smith & Nephew Limited1
Smith & Nephew Superannuation  
Scheme Limited
Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Limited 
Philippines Branch 2, 6
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
Smith & Nephew Pte Limited1

Smith & Nephew (Pty) Limited1
Smith & Nephew Pharmaceuticals 
(Proprietary) Limited2
Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Limited Taiwan 
Branch6
Smith & Nephew Limited

Sri Siam Medical Limited3 (48.989%)

Smith ve Nephew Medikal Cihazlar Ticaret 
Limited Sirketi
Smith ve Nephew Medikal Cihazlar Ticaret 
Limited Sirketi Istoc Subesi Branch6
Smith & Nephew FZE

Smith & Nephew FZE (DHCC Branch)6

Smith & Nephew USD Limited DHCC Branch6

1  Holding company.
2  Dormant company.
3  Not 100% owned by Smith & Nephew Group.
4 
5  Directly owned by Smith & Nephew plc.
6  Branch of a company in Smith & Nephew Group

In liquidation.

Registered Office addresses

UK
Watford

Kent

York
Hull
Edinburgh

Building 5, Croxley Park, Hatters Lane, Watford, 
Hertfordshire, WD18 8YE
Ground Floor, Eclipse House, Eclipse Park, 
Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3EN
25, Carr Lane, York, YO26 5HT
101 Hessle Road, Hull, HU3 2BN
4th Floor, 115 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JN

Registered Office addresses

Rest of Europe
Vienna

Zaventem
Hoersholm
Helsinki
Neuilly-sur-Seine
Hamburg
Tuttlingen
Dublin 1

Dublin 2
Milan
Luxembourg
Amsterdam
Oslo
Warsaw
Lisbon

Moscow

Puschino

Barcelona

Molndal
Gothenburg
Puidoux
Baar
Aarau
US
Wilmington

Philadelphia

Dover NBR

Dover GD
Sherborn

Phoenix

Columbia

Boston

Concorde Business Park, 1/C/3 2320, 
Schwechat, Austria
Hector Heenneaulaan 366, 1930 Zaventem, Belgium
Slotsmarken 14, Hoersholm, DK-2970, Denmark
Ayritie 12 C, 01510, Vantaa, Finland
40, Boulevard du Parc, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Friesenweg 4, Haus 21, 22763, Hamburg, Germany
Alemannenstrasse 14, 78532, Tuttlingen, Germany
3rd Floor, Kilmore House, Park Lane, Spencer Dock, 
Dublin 1, Ireland
13-18 City Quay, Dublin 2, D02 ED70, Ireland
Via de Capitani 2A, 20864, Agrate Brianza, MI, Italy
163, Rue de Kiem, L-8030 Strassen, Luxembourg
Bloemlaan 2, 2132NP, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Nye Vakas vei 64, 1395, Hvalsted, Norway
Ul Osmanska 12, 02-823, Warsaw, Poland
Estrada Nacional no 10 ao Km. 131,  
Parque Tejo – Bloco C, 2625-445 Forte de Casa,  
Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal
2nd Syromyatnichesky Lane, Moscow, 105120, 
Russian Federation
8/1 Stroiteley Street, 142290, City of Puschino, 
Moscow Region, Russian Federation

Edificio Conata I, c/Fructuos Gelabert 2 y 4,  
San Joan Despi – 08970, Barcelona, Spain
PO Box 143, S-431 22 Molndal, Sweden
Varbergsgatan 2A/412 65 Göteborg, Sweden
Route du Verney 20, 1070, Puidoux, Switzerland
Oberneuhofstr 10d, Baar, 6340
Schachenallee 29, 5000, Aarau, Switzerland

CT Corporation, 1209 Orange Street,  
Wilmington DE 19801, USA
CT Corporation 1515 Market Street, Philadelphia, 
PA 19102, USA
850 New Burton Road, Suite 201, City of Dover, 
County of Kent DE 19904, USA
160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101, Dover, DE, 19904, USA
c/o Martha Murray 19 Saddlebrook Road Sherborn, 
MA 01770, USA
CT Corporation System, 3800 North Central Avenue, 
Phoenix AZ 85012, USA
7015 Albert Einstein Dr., Columbia, Howard County  
MD 21046 USA
CT Corporation, 155 Federal Street Suite 700,  
Boston MA 02210, United States

Wilmington 19808 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington DE 19808, USA

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 185–192 do not form part of  
the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

191

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Other information

8 Group Companies continued
Registered Office addresses

Registered Office addresses

Africa, Asia, Australasia and Other America
Buenos Aires
North Ryde
São Paulo

Maipu 1300, 13th Floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina
85 Waterloo Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia
Avenida do Cafe, 277, Centro Empresarial do Aco, 
Centro Empresarial do Aco, Torre B, 4 andar, conjuto, 
CEP 04311-000, São Paulo 403, Jabaquara, Brazil
3500-855-2 Street SW, Calgary AB T2P 4J8, Canada
199, Bay Street, 4000, Toronto, Ontario M5L 1A9, 
Canada
c/o Maples Corporate Services Limited, P.O. Box 
309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, 
Cayman Islands

Calgary
Toronto

Georgetown 1104

Georgetown 9008 Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 

Chao Yang District,  
Beijing

27 Hospital Road, George Town, Grand Cayman,  
KY1-9008, Cayman Islands
Room 17-021, Internal B17 floor, B3-24th floor,  
No 3 Xin Yuan South Rd, Chao Yang District,  
Beijing, China
22 Linhe Avenue, Linhe Economic Development Zone, 
Shunyi District, Beijing, 101300, China
Part B, 4th Floor, Tong Yong Building, No 188 Ao Na Rd, 
Shanghai Free Trade Test Zone, Shanghai, China

Shunyi District,  
Beijing
Shanghai Free  
Trade Test Zone
Dong Cheng District Unit B1, 2/F, Tower A, East Gate Plaza No.9, Dongshong 

Wu Hou District

Yue Xiu District

Jing’an District

Shanghai Pilot Free 
Trade Zone

Suzhou City

Beijing Economic 
and Technical 
Development Area
Bogota
Alajuela 

Willemstad

Street Dong Cheng District, Beijing, China
No 5. 15th Floor, Unit 1, Building, 1 Li Bao Building, No 62 
North Ke Hua Rd, Wu Hou District, Chengdu, China
Room 2503, No 33, 6th Jian She Rd, Yue Xiu District, 
Guang Zhou, China
Unit 09, Nominal Level 12 (Actual Level 11), Central 
Section of Bohua Square Office Tower, No. 669 Xinzha 
Road, Jing’an District, Shanghai, China
Room 102, Floor 1, Building 3 (B1), No. 1599, Xin Jin Qiao 
Road China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Shanghai, 
China
12, Wuxiang Road, West Area of Comprehensive
Bonded Zone, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou City,
SIP, Jiangsu Province, China
No. 98 Kechuang Dongliujie, Beijing Economic
and Technical Development Area, Beijing, China

Calle 100 No. 7 – 33 to 1 P3, Bogota D.C., Colombia
Building B32, 50 meters South of Revisión Téchnica 
Vehicular, Province de Alajuela, Canton Alajuela, 
Coyol Free Zone, District San José, Costa Rica
Pietermaai 15, PO Box 4905, Curaçao

Pune

Mumbai

Hong Kong

Kuala Lumpur

Tokyo
Seoul

Unit 813 – 816, 8/F, Delta House, 3 On Yiu Street, 
Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Podium Floor Tower 4, World Trade Center S 
No1 Kharadi, Pune, Maharashtra-MH, 411014, India
501-B – 509-B Dynasty Business Park, Andheri Kurla 
Road, Andheri East, Mumbai-59, Maharashtra, India
2-4-1, Shiba-Koen, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan
13th Floor, ASEM Tower, Gangnam-gu 13th Floor, 
ASEM Tower, 159-1 Samsung-dong, Seoul, Korea
Level 25, Menara Hong Leong, NO. 6 Jalan Damanlela 
Bukit Damansara Kuala Lumpur W.P. 50490 Kuala 
Lumpur, Malaysia
Av. Insurgentes Sur, numero 1602, Piso No.7,  
Oficina 702, Colonia Credito, Constructor,  
Delegacion Benito Juarez, C.P. 03940, Mexico
36a Hillside Road, Wairau Valley, Auckland, 0627 NZ, 
New Zealand
6/F Alfaro St, Salcedo Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, 
Philippines
Edificio Cesar Castillo, Calle Angel Buonomo #361, 
Hato Rey, 00917, Puerto Rico
Singapore 048623 50 Raffles Place, #32-01 Singapore Land Tower, 

Mexico City

Auckland

San Juan

Manila

Singapore 138565 29 Media Circle, #06-05, Alice@Mediapolis,  

048623, Singapore

Westville

Taipei

Huai Khwang 
District, Bangkok

Lumpini Phatumwan, 
Bangkok
Sariyer, Istanbul

Bağcılar, Istanbul

Jebel Ali, Dubai

HealthCare City, 
Dubai 1
HealthCare City, 
Dubai 2

Singapore, 138565, Singapore
30 The Boulevard, Westway Office Park,  
Westville, 3629, South Africa
9F-2, No. 50, Sec. 1, Xinsheng South Road, Zhongzheng 
District Taipei City 10059, Taiwan 
16th Floor Building A, 9th Tower Grand Rama 9, 
33/4 Rama 9 Road, Huai Khwang District,  
Bangkok, 10310, Thailand
16th Floor, GPF Witthayu Tower A, 93/1 Wireless Road, 
Lumpini, Phatumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
Bahcekoy Merkez Mah. Ergene Nehri SK  
No:8/4 Bahcekoy Sariyer Istanbul, Turkey
Mahmutbey Mahallesi Taşocağıyolu, Caddesi Özlem 
Sokak No:6 Kısık, Plaza Zemin Bağımsız 1-2 Bağcılar, 
İstanbul, Turkey
PO Box 16993 LB02016, Jebel Ali,  
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
401-404 & 406-407, Floor 4, Building 47, Dubai 
Healthcare City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
101-104, 1st Floor, Building 47, Dubai HealthCare City, 
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

9 Subsidiary undertakings exempt from audit 
The following UK subsidiaries will take advantage of the audit exemption set out within Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006  
for the year ended 31 December 2019:

 – Smith & Nephew China Holdings UK Limited (Registration number: 9152387)
 – Smith & Nephew Investment Holdings Limited (Registration number: 384546)
 – Smith & Nephew Trading Group Limited (Registration number: 681256)
 – Smith & Nephew USD One Limited (Registration number: 10428326)
 – TP Limited (Registration number: SC005366) 

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 185–192 do not form part of  
the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

192

Notes to the Company accounts continuedSmith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Other information

Group information
Business overview and Group history
In 2019, Smith+Nephew’s operations were 
organised into three global franchises 
(Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, 
and Advanced Wound Management) 
within the medical technology industry.

The Group has a history dating back 
160 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 company 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. In 2015, the Advanced Wound 
Management and Advanced Surgical 
Devices divisions were brought together 
to form a global business across nine 
product franchises, managed as three 
geographical selling regions with 
global functions for operations, R&D 
and corporate support functions.

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.

Properties
The table below summarises the main properties which the Group uses and their approximate areas.

Group head office and surgical training facility in Watford, UK
Manufacturing and office facilities in Memphis, Tennessee, US 
Wound management manufacturing, research and office facility in Hull, UK 
Manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China
Manufacturing facility in Alajuela, Costa Rica
Distribution facility in Memphis, Tennessee, US
Manufacturing facility in Beijing, China
Manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
Office facilities in Andover, Massachusetts, US 
Office facilities and laboratory space in Fort Worth, Texas, US
Research & development and office facility in Austin, Texas, US 
Manufacturing facility in Aarau, Switzerland
Manufacturing facility in Mansfield, Massachusetts, US
Business services centre in Pune, India

Business services centre in Wroclaw, Poland

Distribution facility in Baar, Switzerland

Research & development facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US

Manufacturing facility in Columbia, Maryland, US

Manufacturing facility in Tuttlingen, Germany

Approximate area   
(square feet 000’s)  
 60 
 968 
 473 
 288 
 270 
 248 
 192 
 155 
 144 
 139 
 136 
 121 
 98 
 74 

 74 

 72 

 65 

 61 

 50 

The Group Global Operations strategy includes ongoing assessment of the optimal facility footprint. The Orthopaedics 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.

193

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Group information continued

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 
194–197 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.

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 

194

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.

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. In addition, intellectual 
property rights may not be protectable 
to the same extent in all countries in 
which the Group operates.

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 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

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 
were permanently repealed effective 
1 January 2020. 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.

Economic conditions worldwide continue 
to create several challenges for the Group, 
including the US Administration’s approach 
to trade policy, heightened pricing pressure, 
significant declines in capital equipment 
expenditures at hospitals and increased 
uncertainty over the collectability of 
government debt, particularly those in the 
Emerging Markets. These factors could have 
an increased impact on growth in the future.

Widespread outbreaks of infectious 
diseases, such as the coronavirus (COVID-19) 
outbreak create uncertainty and challenges 
for the Group. The challenges created by the 
COVID-19 virus outbreak include, but are not 
limited to, declines in elective procedures 
at hospitals, disruptions at manufacturing 
facilities in China, and disruptions in supply 
and other commercial activities due to travel 
restrictions. The length and severity of the 
outbreak and pace of recovery are not clear 
and there could be an increased impact on 
the Group depending on these factors.

195

Political uncertainties, including Brexit
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. 

There remain heightened levels 
of political and regulatory uncertainty 
in the UK following the result of the 
referendum in June 2016 to leave the 
European Union. As of the date of this 
report, there remains uncertainty as to the 
UK’s future trade and regulatory relationship 
with the EU. This may adversely impact 
trading performance across the sector. 
Regulatory uncertainty forms the most 
significant risk presently; the ability for us 
to continue to manufacture and register 
our products in a compliant manner for 
global distribution is key. Smith+Nephew 
has taken steps to prepare for the various 
Brexit scenarios, including moving certain 
of its product certifications from UK-based 
notified bodies to notified bodies based in 
the EU. The UK accounts for approximately 
5% of global Group revenue and the majority 
of our manufacturing takes place outside 
the UK and EU. There is also uncertainty 
around US-China trade relations, which has 
resulted in tariffs on some medical devices 
being exported between the two countries. 

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, Costa Rica 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, Chinese Yuan, 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. 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 39.

Manufacturing and supply
The Group’s manufacturing production is 
concentrated at main facilities in Memphis, 
Mansfield, Columbia and Oklahoma City in 
the US, Hull and Warwick in the UK, Aarau in 
Switzerland, Tuttlingen in Germany, Suzhou 
and Beijing in China, Alajuela in Costa Rica 
and Curaçao, in Dutch Caribbean. 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 in compliance 
with legal requirements and perform 
the activities to the Group’s standard of 
quality requirements. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Other information

Group information continued

Risk factors continued 
A supplier’s failure to comply with legal 
requirements or otherwise 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, including as 
part of the APEX programme, outsource or 
insource the manufacture of components and 
finished products to or from third parties and 
will periodically relocate the manufacture of 
product and/or processes between existing 
and/or new facilities. While these are planned 
activities, with these transfers there is a risk 
of disruption to supply.

Natural disasters can also lead to 
manufacturing and supply delays, product 
shortages, excess inventory, unanticipated 
costs, lost revenues and damage to 
reputation. In addition, new environmental 
regulation or more aggressive enforcement 
of existing regulations can impact the Group’s 
ability to manufacture, sterilise and supply 
product. In addition, our physical assets and 
supply chains are vulnerable to weather and 
climate change (eg sea level rise, increased 
frequency and severity of extreme weather 
events, and stress on water resources). 

Requirements of global regulatory agencies 
have become more stringent in recent 
years and we expect them to continue to 
do so. The Group’s Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs team is leading a major Group-wide 
programme to prepare for implementation 
of the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR), 
which came into force in May 2017, with a 
three-year transition period until May 2020. 
The regulation includes new requirements 
for the manufacture, supply and sale of all 
CE marked products sold in Europe and 
requires the reregistration of all medical 
devices, regardless of where they 
are manufactured.

The Group operates with a global remit 
and the speed of technological change 
in an already complex manufacturing 

196

process leads to greater potential for 
disruption. Additional risks to supply include 
inadequate sales and operational planning 
and inadequate supply chain capacity to 
support customer demand and growth.

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.

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. As at 31 December 
2019, a provision of $315m is recognised 
relating to the present value of the estimated 
costs to resolve all unsettled known and 
unknown anticipated metal-on-metal hip 
implant claims globally. See Note 17 to the 
Group accounts for further details. 

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.

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 
the Group operates. Our international 
operations are governed by the UK Bribery 
Act and the US Foreign Corrupt Practices 
Act which prohibit us or our representatives 
from making or offering improper payments 
to government officials and other persons 
or accepting payments for the purpose 
of obtaining or maintaining business. 
Our international operations in the Emerging 
Markets which operate through distributors 
increase our Group exposure to these risks. 

The Group is also required to comply with 
the requirements of the EU General Data 
Protection Regulation (GDPR), which 
imposes additional obligations on companies 
regarding the handling of personal data 
and provides certain individual privacy 
rights to persons whose data is stored 
and became effective on 25 May 2018. 
As privacy and data protection have 
become more sensitive issues for regulators 
and consumers, new privacy and data 
protection laws, such as the GDPR, continue 
to develop in ways we cannot predict. 
Ensuring compliance with evolving privacy 
and data protection laws and regulations 
on a global basis may require us to change 
or develop our current business models 
and practices and may increase our cost of 
doing business. Despite those efforts, there 
is a risk that we may be subject to fines and 
penalties, litigation, and reputational harm 
in connection with our European activities 
as enforcement of such legislation has 
increased in recent years on companies and 
individuals where breaches are found to 
have occurred. Failure to comply with the 
requirements of privacy and data protection 
laws, including GDPR, could adversely affect 
our business, financial condition or results 
of operations. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

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Other information

Operating in multiple jurisdictions 
also subjects the Group to local laws 
and regulations related to tax, pricing, 
reimbursement, regulatory requirements, 
trade policy and varying levels of protection 
of intellectual property. This exposes the 
Group to additional risks and potential costs.

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 State Food and Drug Administration in 
China 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. In 2017, the EU 
reached agreement on a new set of Medical 
Device Regulations which entered into force 
on 25 May 2017. These have a three-year 
transition period and therefore, will apply in 
EU Member States from 26 May 2020.

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. Privacy laws (including 
HIPAA in the US and GDPR in the UK) and 
environmental regulations have also become 
more stringent. Regulatory requirements 
may also entail inspections for compliance 
with appropriate standards, including 
those relating to Quality Management 
Systems or Good Manufacturing Practices 

197

regulations. All manufacturing and other 
significant facilities within the Group are 
subject to regular internal and external 
audit for compliance with national 
medical device regulation and Group 
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 
from 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 and cybersecurity
The Group uses a wide variety of information 
systems, programmes and technology 
to manage our business. The Group also 
develops and sells certain products that 
are or will be digitally enabled including 
connection to networks and/or the internet. 
Our systems and the systems of the entities 
we acquire are vulnerable to a cyber attack, 
theft of intellectual property, malicious 
intrusion, loss of data privacy or other 
significant disruption. Our systems have 
been and will continue to be the target of 
such threats. Cybersecurity is a multifaceted 
discipline covering people, process and 
technology. It is also an area where more 
can always be done; it is a continually 
evolving practice. We have a layered security 
approach in place to prevent, detect and 
respond, in order 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.

Financial reporting, compliance 
and control
Our financial results depend on our 
ability to comply with financial reporting 
and disclosure requirements, comply 
with tax laws, appropriately manage 
treasury activities and avoid significant 
transactional errors and customer defaults. 
Failure to comply with our financial reporting 
requirements or relevant tax laws can lead 
to litigation and regulatory activity and 
ultimately to material loss to the Group. 
Potential risks include failure to report 
accurate financial information in compliance 
with accounting standards and applicable 
legislation, failure to comply with current 
tax laws, failure to manage treasury risk 
effectively and failure to operate adequate 
financial controls over business operations.

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. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

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Other information

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 growing markets’ on pages 14–15, the financial review on pages 36–39 and ‘Taxation information for shareholders’ on  
pages 208–209.

Selected financial data

Income statement
Revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Research and development expenses
Operating profit1
Net interest payable
Other finance costs
Share of results of associates
Profit on disposal of business
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Attributable profit for the year
Earnings per ordinary share
Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share
Average number of shares used in basic earnings per share (millions)
Average number of shares used in diluted earnings per share (millions)  
Adjusted attributable profit2
Attributable profit for the year
Acquisition and disposal related items
Restructuring and rationalisation costs
Legal and other
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles
Profit on disposal of business
US tax reform
Taxation on excluded items
Adjusted attributable profit
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (EPSA)3

2019   
$ million     

2018   
$ million     

2017   
$ million     

2016   
$ million     

2015   
$ million  

 5,138  
 (1,338) 
 3,800  
 (2,693) 
 (292) 
 815  
 (55) 
 (18) 
 1  
 –  
 743  
 (143) 
 600  

68.6¢  
68.4¢  
 874  
 877  

 600  
 34  
 134  
 50  
 143  
 –  
 – 
 (68) 
 893  
102.2¢  

 4,904  
 (1,298) 
 3,606  
 (2,497) 
 (246) 
 863  
 (51) 
 (20) 
 (11) 
 –  
 781  
 (118) 
 663  

 76.0¢  
 75.7¢  
 873  
 876  

 663  
 (7) 
 120  
 38  
 118  
 –  
 – 
 (51) 
 881  

 4,765  
 (1,248) 
 3,517  
 (2,360) 
 (223) 
 934  
 (51) 
 (10) 
 6  
 –  
 879  
 (112) 
 767  

 87.8¢  
 87.7¢  
 874  
 875  

 767  
 (10) 
 –  
 (13) 
 140  
 –  
 (32)
 (26) 
 826  

100.9¢

94.5¢

 4,669  
 (1,272) 
 3,397  
 (2,366) 
 (230) 
 801  
 (46) 
 (16) 
 (3) 
 326  
 1,062  
 (278) 
 784  

 88.1¢  
 87.8¢  
 890  
 893  

 784  
 9  
 62  
 (20) 
 178  
 (326) 
 – 
 48  
 735  
 82.6¢ 

 4,634 
 (1,143)
 3,491 
 (2,641)
 (222)
 628 
 (38)
 (15)
 (16)
 – 
 559 
 (149)
 410 

 45.9¢ 
 45.6¢ 
 894 
 899 

 410 
 25 
 65 
 187 
 204 
 – 
 – 
 (130)
 761 
 85.1¢ 

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach comparative information is not restated.

1  Reconciliation of operating to trading profit is presented below.
2  Non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 200–204.
3  Adjusted earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing adjusted attributable profit by the basic weighted number of ordinary shares.

Reconciliation of operating profit to trading profit

Operating profit
Acquisition and disposal related items
Restructuring and rationalisation costs
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles
Legal and other
Trading profit

198

2019   
$ million     
 815 

 32    
 134    
 143    
 45    
 1,169    

2018   
$ million     
 863  
 (7) 
 120  
 113  
 34  
 1,123  

2017   
$ million     
 934  
 (10) 
 –  
 140  
 (16) 
 1,048  

2016   
$ million     
 801  
 9  
 62  
 178  
 (30) 
 1,020  

2015   
$ million  
 628 
 12 
 65 
 204 
 190 
 1,099 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Group balance sheet data
Non-current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Share capital
Share premium
Capital redemption reserve
Treasury shares
Retained earnings and other reserves
Total equity
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Total liabilities
Total equity and liabilities

Group cash flow data and net debt
Cash generated from operations
Net interest paid
Income taxes paid
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Capital expenditure (including net trade investments and net of 
disposals of property, plant and equipment)
Acquisitions and disposals
Proceeds on disposal of business (net of tax)
Distribution from/(investment in) associate
Payment of capital element of lease liabilities
Proceeds from own shares
Equity dividends paid
Issue of ordinary capital and treasury shares purchased
Net cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities
Termination of finance lease
Exchange adjustments
Lease liabilities
Opening net debt
Closing net debt (including lease liabilities from 1 January 2019)

2019   
$ million     

2018   
$ million     

2017   
$ million     

2016   
$ million     

2015   
$ million  

 6,080    
 3,219    
 9,299    
 177    
 610    
 18    
 (189)   
 4,525    
 5,141    
 2,594    
 1,564    
 4,158    
 9,299    

 1,370    
 (52)   
 (150)   
 1,168    

 (385)   
 (869)   
 –    
 3    
 (46)   
 9    
 (318)   
 (61)   
 (499)   
 – 
 3    

 (170)
 (1,104)   
 (1,770)   

 4,982  
 3,077  
 8,059  
 177  
 608  
 18  
 (214) 
 4,285  
 4,874  
 1,720  
 1,465  
 3,185  
 8,059  

 1,108  
 (52) 
 (125) 
 931  

 (351) 
 (29) 
 –  
 2  
 –  
 10  
 (321) 
 (45) 
 197  
 – 
 (20) 
 – 
 (1,281) 
 (1,104) 

 5,135  
 2,731  
 7,866  
 178  
 605  
 17  
 (257) 
 4,101  
 4,644  
 1,876  
 1,346  
 3,222  
 7,866  

 1,273  
 (48) 
 (135) 
 1,090  

 (384) 
 (159) 
 –  
 –  
 –  
 5  
 (269) 
 (47) 
 236  
 5 
 28  
 – 
 (1,550) 
 (1,281) 

 4,815  
 2,529  
 7,344  
 180  
 600  
 15  
 (432) 
 3,595  
 3,958  
 2,038  
 1,348  
 3,386  
 7,344  

 1,035  
 (45) 
 (141) 
 849  

 (394) 
 (214) 
 225  
 –  
 –  
 6  
 (279) 
 (358) 
 (165) 
 – 
 (24) 
 – 
 (1,361) 
 (1,550) 

 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 

 (360)
 (44)
 – 
 (25)
 – 
 5 
 (272)
 (61)
 273 
 – 
 (21)
 – 
 (1,613)
 (1,361)

Selected financial ratios
Gearing (closing net debt as a percentage of total equity)
Dividends per ordinary share
Research and development costs to revenue
Capital expenditure (including intangibles but excluding trade  
investments and assets acquired in a business combination) to revenue 

34.4%
 37.5¢1  
5.7%

22.7%
 36.0¢  
5.0%

27.6%
 35.0¢  
4.7%

39.2%
 30.8¢  
4.9%

34.3%
 30.8¢ 
4.8%

7.9%

7.1%

7.9%

8.4%

7.7%

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases from 1 January 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. Under this approach comparative information is not restated.

1  The Board has proposed a final dividend of 23.1 US cents per share which together with the interim dividend of 14.4 US cents makes a total for 2019 of 37.5 US cents.

199

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
 
    
   
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
   
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
   
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
The Group’s management considers 
that the non-IFRS measure of underlying 
revenue growth and the IFRS measure of 
growth in revenue are complementary 
measures, neither of which management 
uses exclusively.

Underlying revenue growth reconciles to 
reported revenue growth, 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 includes 
acquisitions and excludes 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.

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Underlying revenue growth
‘Underlying revenue growth’ 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 or disposed of and 
for movements in exchange rates. 

Non-IFRS financial information – Adjusted measures
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, tax rate on 
trading results, EPSA, ROIC, trading cash 
flow, free cash flow, trading profit to trading 
cash conversion ratio, leverage ratio, 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.

Underlying revenue growth 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-IFRS measure 
in its internal financial reporting, budgeting 
and planning to assess performance 
on both a business 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.

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 
segments 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, non-
cash and other 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.

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 Leases 
from 1 January 2019 using the modified 
retrospective approach. Under this 
approach comparative information is 
not restated therefore impacting the 
comparability of the non-financial 
information presented below between the 
current year and prior year. In 2019, the 
Group excluded IFRS 16 lease payments 
from cash generated from operations when 
arriving at trading cash flow, and included 
IFRS 16 right-of-use assets and IFRS 16 
lease liabilities in net operating assets in 
arriving at ROIC. 

200

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 
revenue growth 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. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Reported revenue growth, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS, reconciles to underlying 
revenue growth as follows:

2019
Consolidated revenue by franchise
Knee Implants
Hip Implants
Other Reconstruction
Trauma
Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine Joint Repair
Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies
ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
Sports Medicine & ENT
Advanced Wound Care
Advanced Wound Bioactives
Advanced Wound Devices
Advanced Wound Management
Total

2018
Consolidated revenue by franchise
Knee Implants
Hip Implants
Other Reconstruction
Trauma
Orthopaedics
Sports Medicine Joint Repair
Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies
ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
Sports Medicine & ENT
Advanced Wound Care
Advanced Wound Bioactives
Advanced Wound Devices
Advanced Wound Management
Total

Reported growth   

Underlying growth   

Acquisitions/disposals   

%     

%     

 2.5 
 – 
 27.9 
 2.4 
 2.5 
 10.8 
 (1.5)
 4.9 
 5.2 
 (3.5)
 32.3 
 12.8 
 8.3 
 4.8 

 4.4 
 2.1 
 12.6 
 4.3 
 4.0 
 12.3 
 0.8 
 6.7 
 7.0 
 (0.2)
 (0.4)
 15.7 
 2.2 
 4.4 

%     
 – 
 – 
 17.5 
 – 
 0.5 
 0.9 
 – 
 – 
 0.5 
 – 
 33.0 
 0.6 
 8.7 
 2.6 

Reported growth   

Underlying growth   

Acquisitions/disposals   

%     
 3 
 2 
 36 
 – 
 3 
 10 
 (2)
 5 
 4 
 3 
 (6)
 10 
 2 
 3 

%     
 3 
 2 
 36 
 (1)
 3 
 7 
 (3)
 5 
 2 
 1 
 (6)
 9 
 – 
 2 

%     
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

Reconciling items  
Currency impact   
%  
 (1.9)
 (2.1)
 (2.2)
 (1.9)
 (2.0)
 (2.4)
 (2.3)
 (1.8)
 (2.3)
 (3.3)
 (0.3)
 (3.5)
 (2.6)
 (2.2)

Reconciling items  
Currency impact   
%  
 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 – 
 1 
 1 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 – 
 1 
 2 
 1 

Trading profit, trading profit margin, trading cash flow and trading profit to cash conversion ratio
Trading profit, trading profit margin (trading profit expressed as a percentage of revenue), trading cash flow and trading profit to cash 
conversion ratio (trading cash flow expressed as a percentage of trading profit) are trend measures, which present the profitability of 
the Group. The adjustments made exclude the impact of specific transactions that management considers affect the Group’s short-term 
profitability and cash flows, and the comparability of results. 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; and gains and losses resulting from legal disputes and uninsured losses. 
In addition to these items, gains and 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. The cash 
contribution to fund defined benefit pension schemes that are closed to future accrual and IFRS 16 lease payments are also excluded 
from cash generated from operations when arriving at trading cash flow.

201

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Non-IFRS financial information – Adjusted measures continued

Adjusted earnings per ordinary share (EPSA)
EPSA is a trend measure, which presents the profitability of the Group excluding the post-tax impact of specific transactions that 
management considers affect the Group’s short-term profitability and comparability of results. 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 basic earnings per ordinary share (‘EPS’).

2019 Reported 
Acquisition and disposal related items
Restructuring and rationalisation costs 
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition 
intangibles 
Legal and other7
Lease liability payments
Capital expenditure 
2019 Adjusted

Revenue
     $ million     
 5,138  
 –  
 –  

Operating
profit1
$ million     
 815  
 32 
 134 

Profit before
 tax2

Taxation3

$ million      $ million     
 (143) 
 (6)
 (25)

 743  
 34 
 134 

Attributable
profit4
$ million     
 600  
 28 
 109 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 5,138  

 143 
 45 
 – 
 – 
 1,169  

 143 
 50 
 – 
 – 
 1,104  

 (32)
 (5)
 – 
 – 
 (211) 

 111 
 45 
 – 
 – 
 893  

Cash generated
from operations5

$ million     
 1,370  
 36 
 123 

 – 
 (105)
 (46)
 (408)
 970  

Earnings  
per share6 
¢  
 68.6 
 3.4 
 12.5 

 12.6 
 5.1 
 – 
 – 
 102.2 

Acquisitions and disposal related items: For the year to 31 December 2019 costs primarily relate to the acquisitions of Ceterix, Osiris, 
Leaf, Brainlab OJR and Atracsys.

Restructuring and rationalisation costs: For the year to 31 December 2019 these costs relate to the implementation of the Accelerating 
Performance and Execution (APEX) programme that was announced in February 2018. 

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles: For the year to 31 December 2019 charges relate to the amortisation of 
intangible assets acquired in material business combinations. 

Legal and other: For the year ended 31 December 2019 charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip 
claims and an increase of $121m in the provision that reflects the present value of the estimated costs to resolve all other known and 
anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims. The year to 31 December 2019 also includes costs for implementing the requirements of the 
EU Medical Device Regulations that will apply from May 2020. These charges in the year to 31 December 2019 were partially offset by 
a credit of $147m relating to insurance recoveries for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims. Trading cash flow additionally excludes $6m 
of cash funding to closed defined benefit pension schemes and a $35m receipt (held as a receivable as at 31 December 2018) relating 
to settlements with insurers related to product liability claims involving macrotextured components withdrawn from the market in 2003.

2018 Reported 
Acquisition and disposal related items
Restructuring and rationalisation costs 
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition 
intangibles 
Legal and other7
Capital expenditure 
2018 Adjusted

Revenue
     $ million     
 4,904  
 –  
 –  

Operating
profit1
$ million     
 863 
 (7) 
 120  

Profit before
tax2

Taxation3

$ million      $ million     
 (118) 
 1  
 (24) 

 781  
 (7) 
 120  

Attributable
profit4
$ million     
 663  
 (6) 
 96  

 –  
 –  
 –  
 4,904  

 113  
 34  
 –  
 1,123  

 118  
 38  
 –  
 1,050  

 (27) 
 (1) 
 –  
 (169) 

 91  
 37  
 –  
 881  

Cash generated
from operations5

$ million     
 1,108  
 3  
 83  

 –  
 104  
 (347) 
 951  

Earnings  
per share6 
¢  
 76.0 
 (0.7)
 11.0 

 10.3 
 4.3 
 – 
 100.9 

202

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Acquisition and disposal related items: For the year to 31 December 2018 the credit relates to a remeasurement of contingent 
consideration for a prior year acquisition and adjustments to provisions on disposal of a business, partially offset by costs associated 
with the acquisition of Rotation Medical, Inc. 

Restructuring and rationalisation costs: For the year to 31 December 2018, these costs relate to the implementation of the 
Accelerating Performance and Execution (APEX) programme that was announced in February 2018.

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles: For the year to 31 December 2018 the charge relates to the amortisation 
of intangible assets acquired in material business combinations.

Legal and other: For the year ended 31 December 2018 charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip 
claims and an increase of $72m in the provision that reflected the present value of the estimated costs to resolve all other known and 
anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims globally. The year to 31 December 2018 also includes costs for implementing the requirements 
of the EU Medical Device Regulations that will apply from May 2020. These charges in the year to 31 December 2018 were partially 
offset by a credit of $84m relating to settlements with insurers related to product liability claims involving macrotextured components 
withdrawn from the market in 2003. Trading cash flow additionally excludes $35 million of cash funding to closed defined benefit 
pension schemes.

1  Represents a reconciliation of operating profit to trading profit.
2  Represents a reconciliation of reported profit before tax to trading profit before tax.
3  Represents a reconciliation of reported tax to trading tax.
4  Represents a reconciliation of reported attributable profit to adjusted attributable profit.
5   Represents a reconciliation of cash generated from operations to trading cash flow.
6   Represents a reconciliation of basic earnings per ordinary share to adjusted earnings per ordinary share (EPSA).
7  From 1 January 2017, the ongoing funding of defined benefit pension schemes is not included in management’s definition of trading cash flow as there is no defined benefit service cost 

for these schemes.

Free cash flow
Free cash flow is a measure of the cash generated for the Group to use after capital expenditure according to its Capital Allocation 
Framework, it is defined as the cash generated from operations less: capital expenditure and cash flows from interest and income taxes. 
A reconciliation from cash generated from operations, the most comparable IFRS measure, to free cash flow is set out below:

Cash generated from operations
Capital expenditure
Interest received
Interest paid
Payment of lease liabilities
Income taxes paid
Free cash flow

2019   
$ million     
 1,370  
 (408) 
 4  
 (56) 
 (46)
 (150)
 714 

2018   
$ million     
 1,108  
 (347) 
 2  
 (54) 
 – 
 (125) 
 584 

2017
$ million
 1,273 
 (376)
 2 
 (50)
 – 
 (135)
 714 

Leverage ratio
The leverage ratio is net debt including lease liabilities to adjusted EBITDA. Net debt is reconciled in Note 15 to the Group accounts. 
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as trading profit before depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortisation of other 
intangible assets. 

The calculation of the leverage ratio is set out below:

Net debt including lease liabilities

Trading profit
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
Amortisation of other intangible assets
Adjusted EBITDA
Leverage ratio (x)

203

2019
$ million
 1,770 

 1,169 
 292 
 61 
 1,522 
 1.2 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
 
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Non-IFRS financial information – Adjusted measures continued

Return on invested capital (ROIC)
Return on invested capital (ROIC) is a measure of the return generated on capital invested by the Group. It provides a metric for  
long-term value creation and encourages compounding reinvestment within the business and discipline around acquisitions with 
low returns and long payback. 

ROIC is defined as: Operating Profit less Adjusted Taxes/((Opening Net Operating Assets + Closing Net Operating Assets)/2). 

Operating profit
Taxation
Taxation adjustment1
Operating profit less adjusted taxes

Total equity
Retirement benefit assets
Investments
Investments in associates

Right-of-use assets

Cash at bank
Long-term borrowings and lease liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations
Bank overdrafts, borrowings, loans and lease liabilities
Net operating assets
Average net operating assets
Return on invested capital

1  Being the taxation on interest income, interest expense, other finance costs and share of results of associates.

Contractual obligations
Contractual obligations at 31 December 2019 were as follows:

Debt obligations
Private placement notes
Purchase obligations
Lease liabilities
Capital expenditure
Other

2019   
$ million     
 815  
 (143) 
 (14) 
 658  

2018   
$ million     
 863  
 (118) 
 (14) 
 731  

 5,141 
 (106)
 (7)
 (103)

 (156)
 (277)
 1,975 
 136 
 72 
 6,675 
 6,266 
10.5%

 4,874 
 (92)
 (34)
 (105)

 – 

 (365)
 1,301 
 114 
 164 
 5,857 
 5,856 
12.5%

2017
$ million
 934 
 (112)
 (10)
 812 

 4,644 
 (62)
 (21)
 (118)

 – 

 (169)
 1,423 
 131 
 27 
 5,855 
 5,695 
14.3%

Payments due by period  
More than    
five years    
$ million   

Less than
one year
$ million     
 26 
 42 
 358 
 46 
 38 
 105 
 615  

One to
three years

$ million     
 553 
 479 
 8 
 69 
 – 
 81 
 1,190  

Three to
five years
$ million     
 298 
 605 
 4 
 34 
 – 
 10 
 951  

 – 
 710 
 2 
 37 
 – 
 8 
 757 

Other contractual obligations represent $23m of derivative contracts and $181m of acquisition consideration. Provisions that do not 
relate to contractual obligations are not included in the above table.

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 under the circumstances 
outlined on page 97.

The Company does not have contracts or other arrangements which individually are essential to the business.

204

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019  
 
    
 
 
 
 
    
Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

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 put their 
questions to 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 plc 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.

American Depositary Shares 
(‘ADSs’) and American Depositary 
Receipts (‘ADRs’)
In the US, 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. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank N.A. 
is the authorised depositary bank for 
the Company’s ADR programme having 
taken over from Deutsche Bank from 
1 October 2019.

ADS enquiries
All enquiries regarding ADS holder 
accounts and payment of dividends 
should be addressed to:
EQ Shareowner Services  
P.O. Box 64504  
St Paul, MN 55164-0504

US toll free phone: +1-800-990-1135
Online: Visit www.shareowneronline.com 
and select ‘Contact Us’.
www.adr.com

Smith & Nephew plc ADS price
The Company’s ADS price can be 
obtained from the official New York Stock  
Exchange website at www.nyse.com  
and the Smith+Nephew website 
www.smith-nephew.com where the 
live financial data is updated with a 
15-minute delay, and is quoted daily 
in the Wall Street Journal.

ADS payment information
The Company hereby discloses ADS 
payment information for the year ended 
31 December 2019 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.

Shareholder information
Ordinary shareholders
Registrar
All general enquiries concerning 
shareholdings, dividends, changes to 
shareholders’ personal details and 
the Annual General Meeting (the ‘AGM’) 
should be addressed to:
Computershare Investor Services plc,  
The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, 
Bristol, BS99 6ZZ.

Tel: 0370 703 0047  
Tel: +44 (0) 117 378 5450  
from outside the UK
www.investorcentre.co.uk

*  Lines are open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday, 

excluding public holidays in England and Wales.

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 email 
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.

205

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Shareholder information continued

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

During 2019, a fee of 1 US cent per 
ADS was collected by Deutsche Bank 
Trust Company Americas on the 2018 
final dividend paid in May 2019 and a 
fee of 1 US cent per ADS was collected 
by J.P. Morgan Chase on the 2019 interim 
dividend paid in October 2019. In the 
period 1 January 2019 to 14 February 2020, 
the total programme payments paid by 
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas 
and J.P. Morgan Chase were $772,562.16.

Dividend history
Smith & Nephew plc 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 reaffirmed its policy 
of increasing the dividend by 10% a year 
in US Dollar terms. On 2 August 2012, 

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

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 July or 
August and paid in October or 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 plc 
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.

From 6 April 2018 dividends below £2,000 
per tax year became tax free for UK income 
tax purposes and dividends above £2,000 
per tax year became subject to UK 
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. If you need to pay UK tax, 
how you pay depends on the amount 
of dividend income you receive in a year. 
If your dividend income is up to £10,000 
you can request HMRC to change your 
tax code so that the tax will be taken from 
your wages or pension or you can complete 
a self-assessment tax return. If your 
dividend income is over £10,000 in the 
tax year, you will need to complete a  
self-assessment tax return. This will apply 
to both cash and dividend reinvestment 
plan (‘DRiP’) dividends, although dividends 
paid on shares held within pensions and 
ISAs will be unaffected, remaining tax free.

Between 6 April 2016 and 6 April 2018 
dividends below £5,000 per tax year were 
tax free and dividends above £5,000 per 
tax year were subject to personal income 
tax at the rates referred to above.

Dividends per share

Pence per share:

Interim
Final

Total
US cents per share:

Interim
Final

Total

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

Years ended 31 December

11.190
17.7501
28.940

10.670
16.990
27.660

14.400
23.100
37.500

14.000
22.000
36.000

9.340
16.240
25.580

12.300
22.700
35.000

10.080
14.420
24.500

12.300
18.500
30.800

7.680
13.000
20.680

11.800
19.000
30.800

206

1  Translated at the Bank of England rate on 14 February 2020.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Dividends shown in the table on page 206, 
prior to 6 April 2016, include the associated 
UK tax credit of 10%, but exclude the 
deduction of withholding taxes.

Since the second interim dividend for 2005, 
all dividends have been declared in US 
cents per ordinary share.

In respect of the proposed final dividend 
for the year ended 31 December 2019 
of 23.1 US cents per ordinary share, 
the record date will be 3 April 2020 and 
the payment date will be 6 May 2020. 
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 
15 April 2020. The ordinary shares will 
trade ex-dividend on both the London 
and New York Stock Exchanges from 
2 April 2020.

The proposed final dividend of 23.1 US 
cents per ordinary share, which together 
with the interim dividend of 14.4 US cents, 
makes a total for 2019 of 37.5 US cents.

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 
J.P. Morgan Chase 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 are held by the 

207

Major shareholders

BlackRock, Inc.

BlackRock, Inc.

14 February 2020
%*
5.2

14 February 2020
’000
46,427

2019
%*
5.2

2019
’000
46,427

*  Percentage of ordinary shares in issue, excluding Treasury shares.

2018
%*
5.2

2018
’000
46,427

As at 31 December

2017
%*
5.2

As at 31 December

2017
’000
46,427

Company Secretary, although the Board 
reserves the right to transfer them to a 
member of the Board should it so wish.

Shareholdings
As at 14 February 2020, to the knowledge 
of the Group, there were 14,233 registered 
holders of ordinary shares, of whom 93 
had registered addresses in the US and held 
a total of 160,388 ordinary shares (0.018% 
of the total issued). Because certain 
ordinary shares are registered in the names 
of nominees, the number of shareholders 
with registered addresses in the US is not 
representative of the number of beneficial 
owners of ordinary shares resident in 
the US.

As at 14 February 2020, 42,027,896 ADSs 
equivalent to 84,055,792 ordinary shares 
or approximately 9.6% of the total ordinary 
shares in issue, were outstanding and 
were held by 86 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 14 February 2020, the Company 
is not aware of any person who has a 
significant direct or indirect holding of 

securities in the Company, as defined in 
the Disclosure and Transparency Rules 
(DTRs) of the Financial Conduct Authority 
(FCA), other than as shown above, 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.

The table above shows the last 
notification(s) received by the Company, 
in accordance with the FCA’s DTRs relating 
to notifiable interests in the voting rights 
in the Company’s issued share capital.

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 2019 to 14 February 2020, 
in the months listed below, the Company 
has purchased 3,095,156 ordinary shares 
at a cost of $63,278,944.

The shares were purchased in the open 
market by J.P. Morgan Securities plc on 
behalf of the Company.

Purchase of ordinary shares on behalf of the Company

11–15 February 2019 

7–14 May 2019 
5 August 2019 
5-8 November 2019 

Total shares  
purchased  
000’s
976

Average price  
paid per share  
pence
1,465.1940

Approximate US$ value  
of shares purchased  
under the plan
$18,387,536

1,156
258
705

1,600.5423
1,855.0651
1,659.3105

$24,006,466
$5,833,465
$15,051,475

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Shareholder information continued

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 plc’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 plc, 
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 US 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 US, 
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 the District of Columbia), 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 

208

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, indirectly 
or constructively 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 US Holders 
whose functional currency for US federal 
income tax purposes is other than the US 
Dollar. 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, any alternative 
minimum tax consequences, any US 
federal tax other than income 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 for tax purposes. 
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 2019.

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 distributions  
in the UK and the US
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 
generally be taxed as foreign source 
dividends 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.

Taxation of capital gains
US Holders, who are not 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 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

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
HM Revenue & Customs imposes 
inheritance tax on capital transfers which 
occur on death and in the seven years 
preceding death. 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 
US will be subject to UK inheritance tax 
but will be entitled to a credit for any US 
federal estate tax charged in respect of 
ADSs and ordinary shares in computing the 
liability to UK inheritance 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 US 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.

209

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.

US Holders who are individuals or certain 
specified 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 ADSs or 
ordinary shares.

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.

UK legislation provides for a charge to 
stamp duty (in the case of transfers) or 
SDRT to be payable at the rate of 1.5% 
of the consideration (or, in some cases, 
the value of the shares concerned) where 
ordinary shares are issued or transferred 
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. 
Following litigation on the subject, HMRC 
has accepted that it will no longer seek to 
apply the 1.5% SDRT charge when new 
shares are issued to a clearance service 
or depositary receipt system on the basis 
that the charge is not compatible with EU 
law. The Government has confirmed that 
it will not reintroduce the 1.5% charge on 
the issue of shares (and transfers integral 
to the raising of capital) into clearance 
service or depositary receipt systems 
following the UK’s exit from the EU. 
In HMRC’s view, the 1.5% SDRT or stamp 
duty charge will continue to apply to 
transfers of shares into a clearance service 
or depositary receipt system unless they 
are an integral part of an issue of share 
capital. Specific professional advice should 
be sought before paying the 1.5% SDRT or 
stamp duty charge in any circumstances.

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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Shareholder information continued

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, being 
those which were adopted at the 2019 
Annual General Meeting 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 
she, or any person connected with him or 
her, has any interest which is to his or her 
knowledge a 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.

210

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 Company’s Board of Directors may 
declare such interim dividends as appear 
to them to be justified by the Company’s 
financial position.

The Board is 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 $8,500,000,000.

Any Director who has been appointed 
by the Board 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 (notice of which was given after 
his or her appointment) and then shall be 
eligible for re-election by the shareholders. 
The Company’s Articles of Association 
provide that all Directors are subject to 
annual re-election in accordance with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
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 a general 
meeting, rateable according to the amounts 
paid up on such shares, provided that 
the dividend cannot exceed the amount 
recommended by the Directors.

If authorised by an ordinary resolution of 
the shareholders, the Board may also make 
a 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. 
Provided that during this 12-year period, 
at least three dividends whether interim 
or final on or in respect of the share 
in question have become payable, and 
provided further the Company has 
taken steps which the Board considers 
reasonable during this 12-year period 
to trace the shareholder (including, 
if appropriate, engaging a professional 
tracing agent) and has sent notice of 
the Board’s intention to sell the shares, 
the Board can sell the shares and use 
such proceeds for any purpose that 
the Board thinks fit. 

Other than those adopted by 
shareholders at the Annual General 
Meeting in April 2019, there were no 
material modifications to the rights 
of shareholders under the Company’s 
Articles of Association during 2019.

Voting rights of ordinary shares
The Company’s Articles of Association 
provide that 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 chair 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

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

 – 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.

It is the Company’s usual practice to 
vote by poll at Annual General Meetings.

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.

Matters are transacted at general meetings 
of the Company by the processing and 
passing of resolutions of which there are 
two kinds; ordinary and 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. Members with 
5% of the ordinary share capital of the 
Company may requisition the Board to 
convene a meeting. Any two Members may 
call a general meeting in order to appoint 
one or more additional Directors in the 

211

event that there are insufficient Directors 
to be able to call a general meeting, 
or where they are unwilling to do so. 

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;

 – Subject to any special rights attaching 

to any other class of shares; and

 – 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 shares of £1 each were issued 
and allotted in 2006 as fully paid to the 
Chief Executive Officer. These shares were 
subsequently transferred and are now held 
by the Company Secretary, although the 
Board reserves the right to transfer them 
to a member of the Board should it so 
wish. These deferred shares have no voting 
or dividend rights and on winding up are 
only are entitled to repayment at nominal 
value only if all ordinary shareholders 
have received the nominal value of their 
shares plus an additional US$1,000 each.

Amendments
The Company does not have any special 
rules about amendments to its Articles 
of Association beyond those imposed 
by law.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Shareholder information continued

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 Identity of Directors, Senior Management 

and Advisers

Item 2 Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Item 3 Key Information

Page

Part I

n/a

n/a

D  –  Trend Information

E  –  Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

F  –  Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

A  –  Selected Financial Data

B  –  Capitalization and Indebtedness

C  –  Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

198–204

G  –  Safe Harbor

n/a

n/a

Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees

A  –  Directors and Senior Management

D  –  Risk Factors

Item 4 Information on the Company

194–197

B  –  Compensation

C  –  Board Practices

A  –  History and Development of the Company

187, 193, 214, 215

D  –  Employees

B  –  Business Overview

C  –  Organizational Structure

2–49, 138–139,

E  –  Share Ownership

154–155, 189–192

Item 7 Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

D  –  Property, Plant and Equipment

148–149, 193

A  –  Major shareholders

Item 4A Unresolved Staff Comments

None

B  –  Related Party Transactions

Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

C  –  Interests of Experts and Counsel

A  –  Operating results

B  –  Liquidity and Capital Resources

C  –   Research and Development, Patents  

and Licences, etc.

1, 2, 36–39,  
194–197

39, 158–160,  
179–180

1, 28–29, 141

Item 8 Financial information

A  –   Consolidated Statements and 
Other Financial Information

Legal Proceedings

Dividends

B  –  Significant Changes

Glossary of terms
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have the meanings shown below:

Page

14–15, 38–39,  
193–197

194

204

215

53–61

86–120

53–85

24–25, 142

114–116, 184

207

184, 194

n/a

130–184

169–170

206–207

None

Term
ACL

ADR

ADS

Arthroscopic  
Enabling  
Technologies

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 American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary 
Receipts (ADRs).

In the US, the Company’s ordinary shares are traded in the form 
of American Depositary Shares (ADSs).

A product group which includes 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, 
electromechanical and mechanical tissue resection devices, 
and hand instruments for removing damaged tissue.

Advanced  
Wound  
Bioactives

A product group which includes biologics and other bioactive 
technologies that provide unique approaches to debridement and 
dermal repair/regeneration, and regenerative medicine products 
including skin, bone graft and articular cartilage substitutes.

Advanced  
Wound Care

A product group which includes products for the treatment and 
prevention of acute and chronic wounds, including leg, diabetic 
and pressure ulcers, burns and post-operative wounds.

Advanced  
Wound  
Devices

A product group which includes traditional and single-use 
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy, a patient monitoring system 
for pressure injury prevention and patient mobility monitoring, 
and hydrosurgery systems.

AGM

Annual General Meeting of the Company.

Arthroscopy

Endoscopy of the joints is termed ‘arthroscopy’, with the 
principal applications being the knee and shoulder.

Basis Point

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.

IFRS

Chronic  
wounds

Company

Companies  
Act

212

Term
Emerging  
Markets

EPSA

Meaning
Emerging Markets include Latin America, Asia (excluding Japan), 
Africa and Russia.

EPSA (Adjusted earnings per ordinary share) is a trend measure, 
which presents the profitability of the Group excluding the post-
tax impact of specific transactions that management considers 
affects the Group’s short-term profitability and comparability of 
results. 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. 

Endoscopy

Through a small incision, surgeons are able to see inside the 
body using a monitor and identify and repair defects.

Established  
Markets

Established Markets are United States of America, Europe, 
Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan.

Euro or €

References to the common currency used in the majority of the 
countries of the European Union.

FDA

US Food and Drug Administration.

Financial  
statements

FTSE 100

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.

Group or  
Smith+Nephew

Used for convenience to refer to the Company and its 
consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Health  
economics

Hip  
Implants

IFRIC

A branch of economics concerned with issues related to efficiency, 
effectiveness, value and behaviour in the production and 
consumption of health and healthcare.

A product group which includes specialist products for 
reconstruction of the hip joint.

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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Part I

D  –  Trend Information

E  –  Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

F  –  Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

G  –  Safe Harbor

Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees

A  –  Directors and Senior Management

B  –  Compensation

C  –  Board Practices

D  –  Employees

E  –  Share Ownership

Item 7 Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

A  –  Major shareholders

B  –  Related Party Transactions

C  –  Interests of Experts and Counsel

Item 8 Financial information

A  –   Consolidated Statements and 

Other Financial Information

Legal Proceedings

Dividends

B  –  Significant Changes

Page

14–15, 38–39,  

193–197

194

204

215

53–61

86–120

53–85

24–25, 142

114–116, 184

184, 194

207

n/a

130–184

169–170

206–207

None

Term

Emerging  

Markets

EPSA

Meaning

Africa and Russia.

Emerging Markets include Latin America, Asia (excluding Japan), 

EPSA (Adjusted earnings per ordinary share) is a trend measure, 

which presents the profitability of the Group excluding the post-

tax impact of specific transactions that management considers 

affects the Group’s short-term profitability and comparability of 

results. 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. 

Endoscopy

Through a small incision, surgeons are able to see inside the 

body using a monitor and identify and repair defects.

Established  

Markets

Established Markets are United States of America, Europe, 

Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan.

Euro or €

References to the common currency used in the majority of the 

countries of the European Union.

FDA

US Food and Drug Administration.

Financial  

statements

Refers to the consolidated Group Accounts of Smith & Nephew plc.

FTSE 100

Index of the largest 100 listed companies on the London Stock 

Exchange by market capitalisation.

Group or  

Used for convenience to refer to the Company and its 

Smith+Nephew

consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Health  

economics

A branch of economics concerned with issues related to efficiency, 

effectiveness, value and behaviour in the production and 

consumption of health and healthcare.

Hip  

Implants

IFRIC

IFRS

A product group which includes specialist products for 

reconstruction of the hip joint.

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.

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Part I
Item 9 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

Item 10 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

Item 11 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure 

about Market Risk

Item 12 Description of Securities other than Equity Securities

Page

Part I

205–207

n/a

205–206

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

210–211

None

208

208–209

n/a

n/a

215

189–192

161–167,  
194–197

C  –  Other Securities

D  –  American Depositary Shares

Part II
Item 13 Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

Item 14 Material Modifications to the Rights of Security 

Holders and Use of Proceeds

Item 15 Controls and Procedures

Item 16 (Reserved)

A  –  Audit Committee Financial Expert

B  –  Code of Ethics

C  –  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

D  –   Exemptions from the Listing Standards 

for Audit Committees

E  –   Purchases of Equity Securities by the 
Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

F  –  Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

G  –  Corporate Governance

H  –  Mine Safety Disclosure

Part III
Item 17 Financial Statements

Item 18 Financial Statements

A  –  Debt Securities

B  –  Warrants and Rights

n/a

n/a

Item 19 Exhibits

Page

n/a

205–206

Page

None

None

78–79

n/a

72

79

74–75, 142

n/a

178, 207

n/a

52

n/a

Page

n/a

122, 130–184, 
200–204

Term
Knee  
implants

LSE

MHRA

Negative  
Pressure  
Wound  
Therapy

NHS

NYSE

Orthopaedic  
products

Meaning
A product group which includes an innovative range of 
products for specialised knee replacement procedures.

London Stock Exchange.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 
in the UK.

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.

The UK National Health Service.

New York Stock Exchange.

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.

Other  
Reconstruction

A product group which includes robotics-assisted surgery, 
bone cement and accessory products.

OXINIUM

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.

Parent Company Smith & Nephew plc.

References to UK currency. 1p is equivalent to one hundredth 
of £1.

US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pound Sterling, 
Sterling,  
£, pence or p

SEC

213

Term
Sports  
Medicine  
Joint Repair

Trading  
results

Meaning
The Sports Medicine Joint Repair franchise includes instruments, 
technologies and implants necessary to perform minimally 
invasive surgery of joints.

Trading profit, trading profit margin (trading profit expressed 
as a percentage of revenue), trading cash flow and trading 
profit to cash conversion ratio (trading cash flow expressed as a 
percentage of trading profit) are trend measures, which present 
the profitability of the Group. The adjustments made exclude 
the impact of specific transactions that management considers 
affect the Group’s short-term profitability and cash flows, and 
comparability of results. 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; 
and gains and losses resulting from legal disputes and uninsured 
losses. In addition to these items, gains and 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. The cash contribution to fund defined benefit 
pension schemes that are closed to future accrual and IFRS 16 
lease payments are also excluded from cash generated from 
operations when arriving at trading cash flow.

Trauma &  
Extremities

A product group which includes internal and external devices 
used in the stabilisation of severe fractures and deformity 
correction procedures.

UK

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Underlying  
growth

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

US

United States of America.

US Dollars,  
$ or cents or ¢

References to US currency. 1 cent is equivalent to one hundredth 
of US$1.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Shareholder information continued

Iran notice
Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act requires 
issuers to make specific disclosure in 
their annual reports of certain types of 
dealings with Iran, including transactions 
or dealings with Iranian government-
owned entities, as well as dealings with 
entities sanctioned for activities related 
to terrorism or proliferation of weapons 
of mass destruction, even when those 
activities are not prohibited by US law  
and do not involve US persons.

The Group does not have a legal entity 
based in Iran, but in 2019 it exported 
certain medical devices to Iran, via 
sales by non-US entities, to a privately 
owned Iranian distributor for sale in Iran. 
Sales by the distributor were made to 
hospitals that we understand are owned 
or controlled by the Government of Iran.

The Group’s direct and indirect 
sales of US origin medical devices into 
Iran are permitted pursuant to section 
560.530(a)(3)(i) of the Iranian Transactions 
and Sanctions Regulations, and its indirect 
sales of non-US origin medical devices 
into Iran are made in accordance with 
applicable law. The Group also provides 
training to its distributor(s) and surgeons 
in Iran as necessary and ordinarily 
incident to the safe and effective use  
of the medical devices, which is also 
permitted by applicable law.

In 2019, Smith+Nephew’s gross revenues 
from sales to Iran were approximately 
US$6.2m and net losses were 
approximately US$1.0m.

The Group is reporting the entire gross 
revenues and net losses for the activities 
described above, which figures include 
sales of US origin medical devices. 
Although the Group is not required to 
disclose the sales of US origin medical 
devices because such sales to Iran are 
licensed under US law, the Group is 
including sales of these devices in its 
total gross revenue and net profit  
figures as it does not separately break  
out revenues and profits by country  
of origin.

214

About Smith+Nephew
The Smith+Nephew Group (the Group) 
is a portfolio medical technology business 
with leadership positions in Orthopaedics, 
Advanced Wound Management and Sports 
Medicine, and revenue of approximately 
$5.1bn in 2019. 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 2019. 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. The Group is engaged 
in a single business activity, being the 
development, manufacture and sale of 
medical technology products and services. 
In 2019, Smith+Nephew’s operations were 
organised into three global franchises 
(Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, 
and Advanced Wound Management) 
within the medical technology industry.

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.

The terms ‘Group’ and ‘Smith+Nephew’ 
are used to refer to Smith & Nephew plc 
and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless 
the context requires otherwise.

For the convenience of the reader, a 
Glossary of terms used in this document is 
included on pages 212–213. 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 
plc 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 14 February 
2020, the latest practicable date for this 
Annual Report, the Bank of England rate 
was US$1.3015 per £1.00.

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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Corporate headquarters  
and registered office
The corporate headquarters is in the UK 
and the registered office address is:

Smith & Nephew plc,  
Building 5, Croxley Park,  
Hatters Lane, Watford,  
Hertfordshire WD18 8YE UK. 

Registered in England and Wales  
No. 324357.

Tel. +44 (0)1923 477 100 
www.smith-nephew.com

Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

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’ and ‘Strategic Priorities’, 
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 healthcare providers, payers 
and customers; price levels for established 
and innovative medical devices; 
developments in medical technology; 
regulatory approvals, reimbursement 
decisions or other government actions; 
manufacturing and supply related risk; 
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 and cybersecurity. 
Specific risks faced by the Group 
are described under ‘Risk factors’ on 
pages 194–197 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.

Product data
Product data and product 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.

215

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Shareholder information continued

Index

Accounting Policies

Accounts Presentation

Acquisitions

Acquisition and disposal 
related items

130, 135–137

214

7, 36, 181–183

140, 202–203

Group statement of 
comprehensive income

Independent auditor’s report

Intangible assets

Intellectual property

American Depositary Shares

205–206

Interest and other finance costs

Articles of Association

Audit fees

Board

210–211

Inventories

74–75, 142

Investments

54–57

Investment in associates

Business overview

2–3, 189–192

Key Performance Indicators

Business segment information

14–23, 137–141

Leases

Cash and borrowings

Chair’s statement

Chief Executive Officer’s review

158–160

Legal and other

4–5

6–7

Legal proceedings

Liquidity and capital resources

Chief Financial Officer’s review

36–37

Manufacturing & quality

Company balance sheet

185

Medical education

Company notes to the accounts

187–192

New accounting standards

Compliance & Culture

26, 80–85

Off-balance sheet arrangements

131

123–129

152–153

170

143

155–156

154

154–155

1

135–136, 142, 183

141, 202–203

169–170

39, 159

31

30

135–136

194

141–142

143

14–15

Cross Reference to Form 20-F

212–213

168–170, 188

Operating profit

204

Other finance costs

52

Our growing markets

Outlook and trend information

130

14–15, 36–39, 
193–197

195

137

146–147

86–120

122

179, 206–207

1, 37, 38, 147–148

24–25

184

58–61

198

161–167

38–39

212–213

150–152

132

133

Parent Company accounts

People/Employees

Provisions

Property, plant and equipment

Regulation

Related party transactions

Research & development

Restructuring and 
rationalisation expenses

Retirement benefit obligations

Risk factors

Risk report

Sales & marketing

Selected financial data

Share-based payments

185–192

24–25

168–170

148–150

14, 44

184, 194

28–29

141, 202–203 

170–176

194–197

40–51

27

198–199

184

Share capital

177–178, 207–208

Shareholder information

Strategic imperatives

Sustainability

Taxation

189–192

Taxation information 
for shareholders

193

131

135–184

2–3, 193

134

Total shareholder return

Trade and other payables

Trade and other receivables

Treasury shares

205–216

8

32–35

143–147

208–209

118

158

156–157

178

Contingencies

Contractual obligations

Corporate Governance  
Statement

Critical judgements 
and estimates

Currency fluctuations

Currency translation

Deferred taxation

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Directors’ responsibility  
statement

Dividends

Earnings per share

Employees/People

Employee share plans

Executive Officers

Factors affecting results 
of operations

Financial instruments

Financial review

Glossary of terms

Goodwill

Group balance sheet

Group cash flow statement

Group companies

Group history

Group income statement

Group notes to the accounts

Group overview

Group statement of changes 
in equity

216

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Strategy

Governance

Accounts

Other information

Financial calendar
Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) will be 
held on Thursday, 9 April 2020 at 2:00 pm 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.

Annual General Meeting

First quarter Trading Report

Payment of 2019 final dividend

Half year results announced

2020

9 April

6 May 

6 May 

29 July1

Third quarter Trading Report

29 October 

Payment of 2019  
interim dividend

Full year results announced

October/
November 

2021

February1

Annual Report available

February/March

Annual General Meeting

April

1  Dividend declaration dates.

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 and Produced by Radley Yeldar.

217

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2019Smith & Nephew plc  
Building 5, Croxley Park  
Hatters Lane, Watford  
Hertfordshire WD18 8YE  
United Kingdom 

T +44 (0)1923 477100 

enquiries@smith-nephew.com

www.smith-nephew.com