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Smith & Nephew

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Industry Furnishings, Fixtures & Appliances
Employees 10,000+
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FY2022 Annual Report · Smith & Nephew
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Annual Report 2022

Life Unlimited

Contents

Our performance

Strategic report

Our performance

Who we are

Chair’s statement

Chief Executive Officer’s review

Our business model

Key Performance Indicators

Financial review

Serving healthcare customers

Manufacturing and quality

Strengthening our Culture 
through leadership

For a healthy and  
sustainable future

Risk report

Our stakeholders

Governance

Letter from the Chair

Board leadership and purpose

Nomination & Governance 
Committee report

Audit Committee report

Compliance & Culture 
Committee report

Engaging with stakeholders

Directors’ Remuneration report

Accounts

Statement of Directors’ 
responsibilities

Independent auditor’s 
UK report

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

IFC

4

6

8

14

16

18

24

46

48

56

69

80

84

86

98

101

108

112

116

147

148

164

164

165

166

167

168

221

Notes to the Company accounts 223

Other information

Group information

Other information

Shareholder information

229

230

240

 $5,215m
Group revenue

 37.5¢ Unchanged
Dividend per share

Reported
 +0.1%

Underlying1
 +4.7%

 $450m -24%
Operating profit

 8.6% -280bps
Operating profit margin

 $901m -4%
Trading profit1

 17.3% -70bps
Trading profit margin1

 25.5¢ -57%
Earnings per share (EPS)

 81.8¢ +1%
Adjusted earnings 
per share1 (EPSA)

 $581m -45%
Cash generated 
from operations

 $345m -3%
R&D investment

 $444m -46%
Trading cash flow1

 6.6% -150bps
Return on invested 
capital1 (ROIC)

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly  
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 236–240.

The images used throughout the report represent the ways that Smith+Nephew is 
taking the limits off living and helping patients live Life Unlimited. Images used are not 
photographs of our patients unless expressly indicated.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Physical health is never just about 
our body. It’s our mind, feelings and 
ambitions. When something holds  
us back, it’s our whole life on hold.

We’re here to change that, to 
use technology to take the limits 
off living, and help other medical 
professionals do the same.

So that farmworkers, athletes, 
grandads, parents and rugby players 
stare down fear, see that anything is 
possible, then go on stronger. Inspired 
by a simple promise. Two words that 
bring together all we do…  

Life Unlimited

To learn more about our purpose visit  
www.smith-nephew.com

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

1

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION2

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Our technology takes  
the limits off living

Getting a 
farmer back  
to work

Life Unlimited

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

3

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONWho we are 

We are a leading 
portfolio medical 
technology company. 
We exist to restore 
people’s bodies and 
their self-belief.

Serving healthcare customers

We serve our markets through three global 
franchises of Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine 
& ENT and Advanced Wound Management.

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

28

 19,000
Employees supporting 
healthcare professionals  
worldwide

 121,963
Medical training 
sessions provided by 
Smith+Nephew in 2022

Sports Medicine & ENT
Our Sports Medicine & Ear, Nose and 
Throat (ENT) 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.

34

Advanced Wound Management
Our Advanced Wound Management 
portfolio provides a comprehensive set  
of products and services to meet broad 
and complex clinical needs, delivering  
on our mission to shape what is  
possible in wound care.

40

4

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Building a winning culture

We strive to build a purpose-driven culture 
based on strong and authentic values of Care, 
Courage and Collaboration.

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

  Courage: A culture of continuous learning, 
innovation and accountability.

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

49

Working with integrity, 
transparency and accountability

  Innovation: Developing new technology 
through our Research & Development 
(R&D) programme, and acquiring 
exciting technologies where we can 
add value. 

75

   Medical education: Supporting the 
safe and effective use of our products 
and providing opportunities to learn 
innovative surgical techniques. 
26–27

  Sustainability: Addressing the 
requirements of our stakeholders, 
creating a lasting positive difference 
for our customers and minimising our 
impact on the environment. 

56–68

Improving outcomes across the globe 

Africa

Asia

Europe

Australasia

Americas

Middle East

Global Head Office

Major manufacturing sites 

Smith+Nephew Academies

Smith+Nephew Academy 
opening in 2023

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 100+

A presence in more 
than 100 countries

 5+

Smith+Nephew’s 
Academies provide 
medical education 
in the US, Europe 
and Asia Pacific

5

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONChair’s statement

Focused on 
improving 
performance 
and shareholder 
value

Dear Shareholder
Smith+Nephew delivered a mixed 
performance in 2022. Revenue growth 
was in the upper half of our guided range 
for the year, but our trading profit margin 
was below expectations, primarily due to 
the significant number of macro factors 
which impacted our industry in 2022. 
Under the leadership of our new Chief 
Executive Officer, Dr Deepak Nath, the 
management team is working to realise 
maximum value from the opportunities 
we have built, and address the challenges. 
We believe we are on the path to sustained 
higher revenue growth while also improving 
our trading profit margin over time.

Focused on improvement
The Board feels that the Company, under 
new leadership, has a renewed energy and 
all Board members strongly support the 
actions being taken to move the Company 
forward, including to address performance 
in our Orthopaedics franchise and improve 
productivity to support margin expansion. 

 37.5¢

Dividend per share

110–111

Read about our 
Memphis visit

49

Read about  
our culture

6

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

The Board seeks to foster an environment 
where there is a shared urgency to see 
measurable improvements in performance 
whilst recognising that leadership needs 
time to effect lasting positive change.

We reviewed and endorsed the 12-point 
plan brought forward by Deepak and his 
leadership team, welcoming the deep 
root-cause analysis, focused programme 
of actions, pace of execution and 
commitment to demonstrable outcomes. 
The Board regularly monitors progress and 
is encouraged by the early successes which 
Deepak describes in the next few pages.

Shareholder value
Stock markets were challenging in 2022, 
and Smith+Nephew’s share price reflected 
this as well as our recent performance. 
While our shares performed in line with or 
better than many of our European medtech 
peers during the year, we continued to lag 
behind our US counterparts. Delivering our 
commitments with urgency to deliver 
value to our shareholders is a priority for 
the Board and management team.

For 2022 the Board is recommending a Final 
Dividend of 23.1¢ per share. Together with 
the Interim Dividend of 14.4¢ per share this 
will give a total distribution of 37.5¢ per share, 
unchanged from 2021.

The Board welcomes discussion with 
shareholders and during the year we 
engaged with many of our larger investors. 
We also received regular communication 
from private shareholders and welcomed 
the opportunity to meet face-to-face 
at our Annual General Meeting (AGM), 
which was also live-streamed to enable 
maximum participation during the meeting.

Culture and sustainability
The Board puts great value on how 
Smith+Nephew operates, and invests 
considerable time in meeting employees 
and understanding their experience and 
commitment to the Company.

84

Read about 
Governance

IBC

Link to  
AGM

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

“ The Board feels that the Company, under 
new leadership, has a renewed energy and all 
Board members strongly support the actions 
being taken to move the Company forward.”

During the year members of the Board 
met with employees, both virtually 
and in person, and were impressed 
by their enthusiasm for the work they 
do. In September, the Board had the 
opportunity to meet with employees at 
the Company’s Memphis site and learn 
about both our exciting product portfolio 
and scrutinise our plans to improve 
manufacturing productivity.

The Board was pleased to see that 
external benchmarking highlighted a strong 
employee connection to the purpose of 
Life Unlimited and an overall upward trend 
in engagement compared with last year. 
Management continues to work to build 
the culture and during the year the Board 
approved new Commitments which define 
the specific ways in which the Company 
expects employees to demonstrate our 
culture every day. On behalf of the whole 
Board I would like to take this opportunity 
to thank all the employees for their 
contributions during 2022.

Sustainability has continued to receive 
focus and scrutiny from the Board 
and its Committees to ensure our 
sustainability programme is aligned with 
our stakeholders’ expectations and to 
monitor actions and progress against 
our targets, including towards net zero 
carbon emissions by 2045. We welcomed 
the decision to strengthen executive 
oversight of sustainability with the 
creation of the ESG Operating Committee, 
formed in January 2023, comprising 
experienced executives from across 
many Smith+Nephew functions.

Reflections and thanks
As this will be my final year on the Board 
and as your Chair, I wanted to take the 
opportunity to reflect on events during 
my time at Smith+Nephew. In 2014 
when I was formally appointed as Chair, 
no one had any indication of the scale 
of the global challenges and uncertainty 
we would all come to experience, in terms 

of political and geographical upheaval, 
the pandemic and the impact it would 
have on our economies, supply chains 
and ways of working.

During the early years of my tenure, I was 
privileged to have been part of driving 
the growth and success achieved by 
the Company. The Board supported the 
Company’s strategic expansion into higher 
growth markets and segments through 
organic growth and acquisition, all guided 
by the renewed purpose, enthusiasm 
and winning culture of Life Unlimited.

However, my time as Chair has not been 
without its disappointments. As a Board, 
we have always made every effort to 
support the Company through the changes 
required to deliver value and growth for all 
stakeholders and to enable the Company 
to achieve its full potential. The loss of 
momentum emerging from the pandemic 
was something that the Board was very 
keen to address with the appointment 
of Deepak in April 2022 to accelerate 
business recovery. The Board have been 
impressed with the way that Deepak has 
quickly made every effort to evaluate, 
analyse and improve the business at pace 
in alignment with the purpose, strategy 
and values of the Company.

I will retire as Chair of Smith+Nephew 
in 2023 with a proposed transition over 
the next few months to our new Chair, 
Rupert Soames OBE, subject to shareholder 
approval. I firmly believe the management 
alignment and focus on execution at pace, 
the strong culture embedded within the 
organisation, and our leading portfolio of 
innovation together give Smith+Nephew 
the platform to deliver its full potential.

Roberto Quarta
Chair

7

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
Chief Executive Officer’s review

 Transforming to  
consistently higher growth

Dear Shareholder
It was an honour to be appointed 
Chief Executive Officer in April 2022 
and I am pleased to have this opportunity 
to review the last year, and outline what 
we are doing to transform performance 
at Smith+Nephew.

When I joined Smith+Nephew I found 
a company that had many more 
opportunities than challenges, despite the 
backdrop of a difficult macro environment, 
including the impacts of higher inflation, 
war in Ukraine and Covid in China.

We are a company with innovation at our 
core, with leading technology across the 
business. We have a strong, energised 
management team and employees who 
are deeply committed to our purpose of 
Life Unlimited. Together, we are working 
to improve our execution to realise our 
opportunities and deliver greater value 
for our customers, investors, employees 
and other stakeholders.

We delivered 4.7% underlying revenue 
growth1 in 2022 (0.1% reported), operating 
profit margin of 8.6% and a trading 
profit margin1 of 17.3%. Performance in 
Orthopaedics and manufacturing and 
supply chain, alongside the difficult macro 
environment, held back our growth and 
trading profit margin during the year. 
We worked hard to closely manage the 
impact of the widely reported global 
shortages of some raw materials and 
components. We are benefitting from 
our increased investment in innovation, 
with more than 60% of growth in 2022 
coming from products launched in the 
last five years. We exited the year with 
good momentum, with all three global 
franchises contributing to a strong finish 
to the year, and all accelerated revenue 
growth over the first nine months.

Executing our 12-point plan
In July 2022 we announced a 12-point 
plan to fundamentally change the 
way Smith+Nephew operates, to drive 
higher growth and improve productivity, 
maximising the opportunities we have built, 
and addressing the challenges. Through this 
plan, we expect to accelerate delivery of 
our Strategy for Growth and deliver on our 
ambition to transform to a consistently 
higher-growth company.

Our Strategy for Growth is based on 
three pillars:
 – First, Strengthen the foundations 
of Smith+Nephew. A solid base in 
commercial and manufacturing will 
enable us to serve customers sustainably 
and simply, and deliver the best from 
our core portfolio.

 – Second, Accelerate our growth 
profitably, through more robust 
prioritisation of resources and 
investment, and with continuing 
customer focus.

 – Third, continue to Transform 

ourselves for higher long-term growth, 
through investment in innovation 
and acquisitions.

The 12-point plan supports the growth 
pillars to Strengthen and Accelerate, 
and is focused on:
 – Fixing Orthopaedics, to regain momentum 
across hip and knee implants, robotics 
and trauma, and earn market share 
with our differentiated technology;
 – Improving productivity, to support 
trading profit margin expansion; and
 – Further accelerating growth in our 
already well-performing Advanced 
Wound Management and Sports 
Medicine & ENT.

32

Read about our CORI◊ 
Surgical System

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly 
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 236–240.

8

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Since July we have embedded the 
teams and structures to drive this 
work, established internal KPIs to drive 
accountability, and have made meaningful 
early progress in delivery. We expect to 
continue to accumulate operational and 
financial benefits as we progress through 
the two-year life of the plan.

While there is still much work to be done to 
improve our performance in Orthopaedics 
we are pleased with our progress in the 
first few months, including reducing our 
overdue orders by 35% from the peak in 
the first half of the year and improving the 
percentage of customer orders that are 
completely filled, moving towards normal 
industry standards.

In our global operations, we opened 
a new high technology orthopaedics 
manufacturing facility in Malaysia. 
We also announced plans for a new 
Advanced Wound Management facility 
in the UK. Further benefits are expected 
to come from driving lean methodologies 
across our manufacturing operations, 
pursuing opportunities for additional 
network optimisation and targeting 
direct procurement savings.

Our Advanced Wound Management 
franchise has delivered above market 
performance since 2021 following 
extensive work to improve commercial 
execution, and we expect to build on 
this strong position going forward. 
Growth drivers include our portfolio 
breadth and extensive evidence-base. 
Both are differentiators and we see 
significant opportunities for further 
growth, particularly in Negative 
Pressure Wound Therapy.

36–37

Read about our 
REGENETEN◊ 
Bioinductive Implant

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

9

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONChief Executive Officer’s review continued

The ‘What’  
of our strategy

Transform
Through innovation  
and acquisition

Accelerate
Profitable growth  
through prioritisation and  
customer focus

Strengthen
The foundation to serve  
customers sustainably and simply

The ‘How’ – Executing our 12-point plan

Fixing  
Orthopaedics

Improving  
productivity

Improving productivity,  
to support trading profit 
margin expansion: 
 – Improve value and 
cash processes.

 – Optimise procurement.
 – Manufacturing  
optimisation. 

Fixing Orthopaedics, to 
regain momentum across 
hip and knee implants, 
robotics and trauma, 
and win share with our 
differentiated technology:
 – Rewire Orthopaedics 
commercial delivery.
 – Earn market share with 

our technology.
 – Streamline our 

reconstruction portfolio. 

Accelerating  
Sports Med  
and AWM

Further accelerating 
growth in our already 
well-performing 
Advanced Wound 
Management and Sports 
Medicine & ENT 
businesses, representing 
approximately 60% 
of Group revenue: 
 – Scale Negative Pressure 

Wound Therapy.

 – Drive cross-selling in 
Ambulatory Surgery 
Centers (ASCs).

The ‘Now’ of the opportunity

 – More opportunities than challenges.
 – Multiple positive factors coming together in Orthopaedics.

 – Next wave of innovative implants coming to market.
 – Unique expansions for CORI.
 – Revitalised management team in place.
 – Rewiring our commercial delivery underway.

 – Reinforcing our AWM and Sports Medicine leadership positions.
 – Bringing together leading technology and execution to drive performance.

Our Sports Medicine business has delivered 
above market growth consistently for 
many years, building on our reputation for 
innovation. Many of the drivers for further 
growth are already in place, including 
expanding both our REGENETEN◊ biologics 
platform into new indications and our 
technology leadership by adding advanced 
surgical capability onto our surgical tower. 
For ENT, we have a favourably positioned 
tonsil and adenoid business and are in the 
early stages of the roll-out of our unique 
TulaR System for in-office delivery of 
ear tubes.

We expect to continue to deliver further 
operational and financial benefits as 
we progress through the two-year life 
of the plan.

Innovation-led
Our commitment to innovation is central to 
our Strategy for Growth and we continued 
to invest behind recent product launches 
and in our R&D programme as well as 
clinical evidence to drive future growth.

New product launches in Orthopaedics 
included expanding our robotics-enabled 
CORI◊ Surgical System by bringing both 
cementless total knee and total hip 
arthroplasty onto the platform. We also 
became the first company to receive 
FDA 510(k) clearance for a revision knee 
indication using a robotics-assisted 
platform and completed the first cases 
on CORI. Revisions account for around 
10% of all knee procedures in the US.

In Sports Medicine, we announced 
encouraging evidence supporting 
REGENETEN, which delivered a significant 
86% reduction in rotator cuff re-tear rates 
at 12 months in interim results from a 
randomised controlled trial (see page 37).

16–17

Read about  
our KPIs

10

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

“ In July 2022 we announced a 12-point  
plan to fundamentally change the way 
Smith+Nephew operates, to drive higher  
growth and improve productivity.”

Building a winning culture
Our strong culture and connection to 
our purpose of Life Unlimited helped 
us navigate the challenges of 2022. 
We improved our employee engagement 
scores as measured by Gallup, and made 
good progress in building a diverse and 
inclusive workplace through our Employee 
Inclusion Groups (EIGs). I have spent time 
with employees at many of our sites and 
through our global town hall meetings, 
and was impressed by their welcome 
and the enthusiasm to go the extra mile 
to serve our customers. I would like to 
thank every one of our colleagues for 
their dedication and care.

We continue to work to build our culture, 
and to ensure it supports our Strategy for 
Growth, and during the year we defined 
the specific expectations and behaviours 
we believe are needed, introducing our 
Commitments. We also took steps to 
support our employees as the cost of 
living rose sharply in some of our locations. 
You can read more about these and 
other initiatives on pages 48–53.

In Advanced Wound Management, 
we introduced the WOUND COMPASS◊ 
Clinical Support App, a comprehensive 
digital support tool for healthcare 
professionals that aids wound assessment 
and decision making to help reduce 
practice variation, and launched our 
DURAMAX◊ S Silicon Super Absorbent 
Dressing for high exuding wounds in Europe, 
where superabsorbers are one of the 
fastest growing categories of dressings.

We continued to deliver successful 
acquisitions, bringing novel and disruptive 
technologies into our portfolio. In January 
2022 we acquired Engage Surgical, owner 
of the only cementless partial knee 
system commercially available in the US. 
The system will have an application on 
CORI in the future.

Finally, we made further investment behind 
medical education. I was proud to attend 
the opening of a new Smith+Nephew 
Academy in Singapore. Our Academies in 
the US, Europe and now Asia Pacific, as 
well as our online resources, provide tens 
of thousands of healthcare professionals 
with opportunities to evaluate the 
latest evidence, learn innovative clinical 
techniques as well as safe and effective 
use of our products through hands-on 
and state-of-the-art digital interactive 
learning experiences.

Supporting Net Zero
Our Strategy for Growth also embraces 
sustainability, and this report details our 
progress made against our commitment to 
achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045. 
Our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse 
gas emissions were independently 
assured in 2022 and we have reported 
our 2021 baseline Scope 3 emissions for 
eight categories. We are developing our 
Scope 3 emissions reduction roadmap 
in preparation for submitting this to the 
Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) 
for validation. You can read more about 
our progress across our sustainability 
focus areas of People, Planet and 
Products on pages 59–63.

Transforming Smith+Nephew
We will continue to face macroeconomic 
headwinds in 2023. However, I believe 
the drivers of further growth are in place, 
including leading technologies across 
all three franchises. With our 12-point 
plan, we are fundamentally changing the 
way Smith+Nephew operates to drive 
higher growth and improve productivity. 
Overall, we expect to deliver both faster 
revenue growth and margin expansion in 
the coming year, and are setting a solid 
foundation for our midterm ambitions 
as we transform to a consistently 
higher growth company.

Deepak Nath, PhD
Chief Executive Officer

45

Read about our 
WOUND COMPASS 
Clinical Support App

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

11

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION12

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Our technology takes  
the limits off living

Helping an 
athlete back 
to competing

Life Unlimited

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

13

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONOur business model

How we create value

Through our business model we strive to transform outcomes  
for the patients we serve, for clinicians and the healthcare 
systems we support, for the company and our shareholders.  
Our Strategy for Growth focuses our efforts, and our purpose  
of Life Unlimited inspires us every single day.

What we need to create value

People
A purpose-driven culture based 
on authentic values committed 
to doing business the right way.

R&D
Innovation is at the heart of 
our business and we prioritise 
investment in new products, 
technologies and services.

Financial strength
A robust balance sheet and capital 
allocation framework balancing 
investments in the future and 
returns today.

Sustainability
Addressing the long-term needs of our 
customers, employees, communities 
and stakeholders, reducing our impact 
on the environment.

Global operations
Resilient manufacturing and  
supply chains to ensure quality 
and competitiveness.

Medical education
Committed to educating and 
training healthcare professionals 
on the safe and effective use 
of our products.

Delivering value for stakeholders

Investors
Dividend

 $327m

Group revenue

Operating profit

 $5,215m
+0.1%

 $450m
-24%

Operating 
profit margin

 8.6%
-280bps

Trading profit1 

 $901m
-4%

Trading profit  
margin1

 17.3%
-70bps

Community
Volunteer hours

 11,500

Customers
Training sessions

 121,963

Employees
Engagement score

 4.12
+0.04

Product launches

 12

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly 
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 236–240.

14

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

How we create value

Innovative 
technology

1

We offer a broad portfolio of 
differentiated products and 
services that meet often-complex 
clinical needs, including digital 
and robotic technologies, driving 
procedural innovation. 

2

Go to market

Three franchises set product 
strategy which is executed by 
our selling organisations in the 
Americas, EMEA and APAC. 

6

Product 
development  
and acquisition

R&D model that provides for 
customer and franchise focused 
innovation and acquiring 
technologies needing  
further development and 
commercialisation. 

Customer centricity

5

Customer 
feedback

Building close relationships with 
customers to ensure a deep 
understanding of unmet clinical 
needs and changing financial 
and sustainability priorities 
within healthcare systems.

3

Expertise  
and support

Our sales force support  
customers and work with 
healthcare systems to address 
complex business and 
reimbursement requirements.

4

Education  
and learning 
academies

We support the safe and effective 
use of our products, skill 
development and procedural 
innovation through our Academy 
medical education programme.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

15

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONKey Performance Indicators

Measuring our progress

Smith+Nephew uses a number of financial and non-financial Key Performance Indicators 
(KPIs) to track and evaluate performance and delivery against its Strategy for Growth 
and other business objectives. Those KPIs in the public domain are consolidated below. 
A number of other KPIs are commercially sensitive and are not published but are used 
internally to drive performance and growth.

Financial Key Performance Indicators 

Revenue growth
Revenue growth allows management and 
investors to measure our relative performance. 
We are targeting underlying revenue growth 
of 5%+ in the medium term.

Profit margin
Profit margin allows management and  
investors to determine our relative performance. 
We are targeting at least a 20% trading profit 
margin in 2025, with improvements year-on-year.

Revenue growth – reported 

%

Operating profit margin 

%

 +0.1%

-11.2

14.3

0.1

 8.6%

6.5

11.4

8.6

Reported revenue growth 
includes a foreign exchange 
headwind of 460bps.

Reported profit margin 
reflects restructuring costs, 
as well as acquisition and 
disposal-related items, 
amortisation and legal 
and other items.

2020

2021

2022

12-point plan KPIs
Multiple KPIs are used to measure delivery 
against the 12-point plan. These examples 
express some of the process improvement 
elements of the plan. KPIs covering R&D and 
growth elements, such as a new product 
acceleration metric, are commercially 
sensitive and not disclosed externally.

Orthopaedics non-set line-item fill rate

 16

Percentage point improvement in the US 
year-on-year to 31 December 2022

2020

2021

2022

This KPI helps us track improving 
performance in filling customer orders.

Revenue growth – underlying1 

%

Trading profit margin1 

%

Orthopaedic Reconstruction set turns

 +4.7%

-12.1

10.3

4.7

 17.3%

15.0

18.0

17.3

 23%

All franchises and 
geographies delivered 
revenue growth in 2022.

Trading profit margin 
reflects the impact of 
higher input inflation 
in 2022.

2020

2021

2022

2020

2021

2022

Dividend per share
Dividend payments allow investors  
to receive a cash return on their  
investment in Smith+Nephew.

Return on invested capital1
ROIC allows management and investors to 
measure the return generated on capital invested, 
providing a metric for long-term value creation.

37.5¢

Total distribution of 37.5¢ 
per share, unchanged  
from 2021.

¢

37.5

37.5

37.5

 6.6%

The lower ROIC reflected 
the fall in operating profit 
and higher average net 
operating assets.

%

8.0

8.1

6.6

2020

2021

2022

2020

2021

2022

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly  
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 236–240.

16

Improvement from 2021 baseline

This KPI helps us measure improvements in 
utilisation of Orthopaedic Reconstruction 
surgical instrument sets, enabling more 
procedures and supporting sales.

Procurement improvements

 0%

Reduction since 2022 peak

This KPI enables us to track our productivity 
by measuring our success reducing direct 
and indirect spend (including transportation) 
as a percentage of revenue.

Manufacturing conversion cost

 95bps

Reduction since 2022 peak 

This KPI measures the cost to convert raw 
materials to finished products as a percentage 
of revenue to track manufacturing 
efficiency improvements.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 
 
48–49

For more about our employee 
engagement score

56–68

For more about our 
sustainability strategy

Long-term sustainability targets
These KPIs allow management and 
investors to measure progress against 
our long-term sustainability targets 
in the three areas of People, Planet 
and Products.

Achieve net zero

Achieve net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 
greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 2040 and 
Scope 3 GHGs by 2045, beginning by 
achieving a 70% reduction in Scope 1 
and Scope 2 GHGs by 2025.

Scope 1 and 2 (market-based)^

 27%

Reduction since 2019.

Hours volunteered

 11,500

Non-financial Key Performance Indicators

Investment in innovation
This KPI allows management and investors 
to understand how much is being invested 
in new innovative products designed to 
drive future revenue growth and profit.

Employee engagement score
The Gallup Global Engagement Survey allows 
management and investors to assess how 
engaged our employees are, which is a key 
driver of business performance.

R&D investment 

 $345m

In 2022, we continued to  
protect our R&D investment 
and launched multiple new 
products from our organic 
pipeline and acquisitions.

$

Engagement

48–49

307

356

345

 4.12

Our Grand Mean score of 4.12 positioned 
us in the 73rd percentile in Gallup’s 
database (2021: 71st percentile). 
88% of employees participated.

2020

2021

2022

75

Quality and safety
This KPI allows management and investors 
to verify that we are operating a safe 
working environment at high standards.

New product launches

 12

This KPI helps us track the number  
of on-time new product launches  
to drive future revenue growth.

Acquisitions

74

217–219

 1

This KPI tracks acquisitions that enhance our 
portfolio and pipeline, including technology 
that can change the standard of care and  
assets in high-growth categories.

In January 2022, we acquired Engage Surgical, 
owner of the only cementless partial knee 
system commercially available in the US. 
This gives us a unique position as the only 
company offering total and partial cemented 
and cementless knees in the US, our 
largest market.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Headline safety rate

We adopt the industry-
standard OSHA system 
to record incidents of 
occupational injury and 
ill health. Performance is 
expressed as the number 
of incidents per 200,000 
hours worked.

0.30

0.23

0.22

Each year employees are encouraged  
to use paid volunteering time.

Waste to landfill

 26%

Less waste to landfill versus 2019.

2020

2021

2022

Product donations

Medical education
This KPI helps investors understand how  
we support the safe and effective use  
of our products through the provision  
of medical education.

Practitioner training sessions

 121,963

26–27

For more about medical education

 $5.0m

Each year we donate products to 
support underserved communities.

^  Please refer to page 67 for our emissions 
reporting methodology, materiality 
and scope.

56–68

For details of the actions 
we are undertaking to meet 
our commitments

17

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONFinancial review

Building  
a stronger 
Smith+Nephew

We made good progress in 2022 as 
we focused on driving better execution 
and improving productivity.

2022 performance
Group revenue in 2022 was $5,215 million, 
an increase of 0.1% on a reported basis 
and 4.7% on an underlying basis1 excluding a 
460bps headwind from foreign exchange, 
within the revenue guidance range of 
4.0% to 5.0% we had provided for 2022. 

We exited the year with good momentum, 
with fourth quarter revenue up 1.4% on a 
reported basis and 6.8% on an underlying 
basis1 excluding a 540bps foreign exchange 
headwind. All three global franchises 
contributed to this strong finish to the year, 
with all accelerating revenue growth over 
the first nine months of the year.

The operating profit was $450 million 
with an operating profit margin of 8.6% 
(2021: 11.4%) after acquisition and 
disposal related items, restructuring and 
rationalisation costs, amortisation and 
impairment of acquisition intangibles 
and legal and other items.

Trading profit1 for 2022 was $901 million 
(2021: $936 million) with a trading profit 
margin1 of 17.3% (2021: 18.0%) reflecting 
higher inflation in freight and logistics, 
the impact of China volume-based 
procurement (VBP), as well as sales and 
marketing expenditure levels returning 
to more normal levels. The trading profit 
margin1 was below the updated guidance 
of 17.5% we gave on 28 July 2022.

The reported profit before tax was 
$235 million (2021: $586 million) 
after adjusting for an impairment loss 
of $109 million in our investment in 
our associate, Bioventus.

18

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Group performance

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

2022
$ million
5,215
450
901
235
223
25.5¢
81.8¢

2021
$ million
5,212
593
936
586
524
59.8¢
80.9¢

Change
$ million
3
(143)
(35)
(351)
(301)
(34.3)¢
0.9¢

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

US
Other Established Markets2

Total Established Markets
Emerging Markets

Total

2022
$ million
2,764
1,504

4,268
947

5,215

2021
$ million
2,658
1,.638

4,296
916

5,212

Reconciling items

Reported 
growth
%
4.0
(8.2)

Underlying 
growth
%
4.0
3.3

Acquisitions/ 
Disposals
%
–
–

Currency 
impact
%
–
(11.5)

(0.7)
3.5

0.1

3.7
9.1

4.7

–
–

–

(4.4)
(5.6)

(4.6)

Trading profit1 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 profit1

2022
$ million
450
4
167

205
75

901

2022
%
8.6
0.1
3.2

4.0
1.4

17.3%

2021
$ million
593
7
113

172
51

936

2021
%
11.4
0.1
2.2

3.3
1.0

18.0%

“ For the midterm, the Group is focused on 
delivering consistently higher revenue growth 
while also expanding its trading profit margin.”

Efficiency
In July 2022, we announced a 12-point 
plan to improve execution and drive our 
Strategy for Growth. The plan focuses on 
fixing Orthopaedics, improving productivity, 
and accelerating growth in Advanced 
Wound Management and Sports Medicine.

We are making good progress 
embedding the plan and are seeing 
early improvements.

The efficiency and productivity elements 
of the 12-point plan bring in a range of 
actions across the areas of cost of goods 
from our Global Operations and sales & 
marketing and general & administrative 
costs from our commercial and corporate 
activities. In aggregate, the benefits from 
these actions are expected to result 
in more than $200 million of annual 
savings by 2025. The work to finalise 
the associated cost is ongoing and will 
be reported alongside our Q1 results 
on 26 April 2023.

Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (‘EPS’) was 
down 57% to 25.5¢ primarily due to an 
impairment loss in our investment in our 
associate, Bioventus. Adjusted earnings 
per share1 (‘EPSA’) was up 1% at 
81.8¢, reflecting the improved trading 
performance, lower trading tax rate1 
and lower number of outstanding shares 
due to the share buyback.

Capital allocation
In December 2021 we announced an 
updated capital allocation policy to 
prioritise the use of cash as follows:
1. Invest in innovation to drive organic 

growth, and to meet our sustainability 
targets and further embed our 
ESG agenda.

2. Acquire new technologies and expand 
in higher growth segments, that have 
a strong strategic fit and meet our 
financial criteria.

3. Maintain investment grade credit 
metrics, our existing progressive 
dividend policy, and an optimal 
balance sheet position.

4. Return surplus capital to shareholders 

through buybacks. 

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly  
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 236–240.

2  Other Established Markets are Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

19

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONFinancial review continued

The 2022 share buyback programme 
commenced on 23 February 2022 and 
$150 million was completed by 12 August 
2022. As macroeconomic conditions 
continued to be uncertain, including higher 
inflation, the Board decided it was prudent 
to delay further buybacks until conditions 
improved. We remain committed to 
returning surplus cash to shareholders 
over time.

Investments
In January 2022, we completed the 
acquisition of Engage Uni, LLC (operating 
as Engage Surgical), owner of the 
only cementless partial knee system 
commercially available in the US.

This acquisition strongly supports 
Smith+Nephew’s Strategy for Growth 
by transforming our business through 
innovation and acquisition, while also 
providing differentiation for our customers. 
The maximum consideration, all payable 
in cash, is $135 million and the fair value 
consideration is $131 million and includes 
$32 million of contingent consideration.

We made further investment behind 
medical education with the opening of a 
new Smith+Nephew Academy in Singapore, 
a major medical education and digital 
innovation centre covering the Asia-Pacific 
region. The Group is planning to open a 
similar new Smith+Nephew Academy in 
Munich in 2023.

In 2022, we also announced plans to build a 
new Advanced Wound Management facility 
on the outskirts of Hull, UK. The design of the 
new facility takes into account sustainability 
factors and standards with a focus on 
energy and resource efficiency.

Dividends
The 2021 final dividend of 23.1¢ per ordinary 
share, totalling $202 million, was paid on 
11 May 2022. The 2022 interim dividend 
of 14.4¢ per ordinary share, totalling 
$125 million, was paid on 26 October 2022.

Taxation
Smith+Nephew is subject to various 
taxes in the many countries in which 
the Group operates. We seek to pay 
the correct amount of tax in line with 
local tax laws in each jurisdiction.

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

Cash generated from operations
Trading cash flow1
Free cash flow1

Our business generates tax receipts for 
the governments in each of these countries. 
In addition to corporate income taxes, 
we pay and collect other taxes including 
payroll (employee) taxes, sales (indirect) 
taxes and customs duties.

During 2022, we made global tax payments 
of $818 million (2021: $725 million). This  
comprised of $241 million of taxes borne by 
Smith+Nephew (corporate income taxes, 
employer social security contributions 
and customs duties) and $577 million 
of taxes collected from employees and 
customers on behalf of governments 
(employee income taxes and social security 
contributions and net indirect tax payable).

Balance sheet data and net debt
Our balance sheet remains strong. 
Key movements are outlined below.

Overall goodwill and intangible assets 
decreased by $120 million. Goodwill increased 
by $42 million as a result of acquisitions of 
$84 million, which was partially offset by 
foreign exchange movements of $42 million.

Intangible assets decreased by $162 million 
primarily because of amortisation and 
impairment of $268 million and foreign 
currency movements of $14 million 
being partially offset by acquisitions of 
$44 million and additions of $77 million. 
The acquisition of intangible assets 
relates to the Engage acquisition.

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly  
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 236–240.

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

20

2022
$ million
4,267
1,843
3,856
9,966
5,259
2,992
1,715
4,707
9,966
2,535

2022
$ million
581
444
56

2021
$ million
4,387
2,109
4,424
10,920
5,568
3,221
2,131
5,352
10,920
2,049

2021
$ million
1,048
828
410

Change
$ million
(120)
(266)
(568)
(954)
(309)
(229)
(416)
(645)
(954)
486

Change
$ million
(467)
(384)
(354)

Other non-current assets decreased by 
$266 million primarily due to a decrease of 
$58 million in property, plant and equipment, 
a $141 million decrease in investment in 
associates and a $41 million decrease 
in retirement benefit assets. The decrease 
in the investment in associates primarily 
relates to an impairment loss of $109 million  
in Bioventus Inc.

Current assets decreased by $568 million 
primarily due to a $940 million decrease 
in cash at bank, relating to the Engage 
Surgical acquisition, payment of dividends, 
share buybacks and repayment of debts. 
This was partially offset by a $361 million 
increase in inventories driven by strategic 
raw material buys, as part of managing 
disruption to certain global raw material 
and component supply, inflation raising 
the average value of our inventory, and 
increased inventory to support growth 
including new product launches, safety 
stock, or in markets where we expect 
growth acceleration.

Non-current liabilities decreased by 
$229 million primarily due to a $105 million 
reclassification of borrowings to current 
liabilities to reflect repayments due in 
2023, and an increase in retirement 
benefit obligations primarily due to higher 
discount rates in 2022 to reflect the 
current economic environment.

Current liabilities decreased by 
$416 million primarily related to the 
repayment of $407 million debt in 
2022 and movements in provisions.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

USD corporate bond, a €500 million EUR 
corporate bond valued at $533 million, a  
$1,000 million revolving credit facility and  
$1,160 million of private placement debt. 
The Group had committed facilities 
of $3.7 billion at 31 December 2022 
of which $2.7 billion was drawn.

that the Company and the Group are well 
placed to manage their business risks and 
to continue in operational existence for 
the period to 30 March 2024. Accordingly, 
the Directors continue to adopt the going 
concern basis in preparing the consolidated 
financial statements.

Cash flow
Cash generated from operations was 
$581 million after paying out $22 million 
of acquisition and disposal related items, 
$120 million of restructuring and rationalisation 
expenses and $133 million for legal and 
other items.

Trading cash flow1 decreased by $384 million 
driven by adverse working capital movements, 
primarily from inventory including from spot 
buying of raw materials and components 
to secure supply and mitigate the risk of 
shortages, and as we continued to invest in 
capital expenditure, including progressing 
changes to our manufacturing network.

The free cash flow1 decreased to $56 million 
from $410 million in the prior year because 
of the decrease in trading cash flow. As a 
result of the working capital movement, 
the trading profit to cash conversion1 
ratio deteriorated to 49% (2021: 88%). 
We expect a reduction in inventory levels, 
and for cash conversion to return to historic 
levels, as we deliver the 12-point plan.

In 2022, the Group purchased a total 
of 10.1 million ordinary shares at a cost 
of $158 million.

Liquidity and capital resources
At 31 December 2022, the Group had access 
to $344 million (2021: $1,285 million) in 
cash net of bank overdrafts. The Group’s 
debt facilities comprised a $1,000 million 

The Group’s net debt2 increased from 
$2,049 million at the beginning of 
2022 to $2,535 million at the end of 
2022, representing an overall increase 
of $486 million as a result of dividend 
payments ($327 million), the acquisition 
of Engage Surgical ($89 million), and 
share repurchases ($158 million).

Return on invested capital
Return On Invested Capital (ROIC)1,3 is a 
measure of the return generated on capital 
invested by the Group. It encourages 
compounding reinvestment within the 
business and discipline around acquisitions. 
ROIC decreased from 8.1% in 2021 to 6.6% 
in 2022 due to lower operating profit 
and higher average net operating assets.

Going concern
The Directors have considered various 
scenarios in assessing the future 
financial performance and cash flows. 
Throughout these scenarios, modelled 
on severe but plausible outcomes, the 
Group continues to have headroom on its 
borrowing facilities and financial covenants. 
The Directors have a reasonable expectation 

Available debt facilities by maturity date ($m)

105

430

1,000

75

140

60

633

1,095

0

155

1,000

1,000

533

430

105

140

75

2023

2024

2025

2026

2027

100

95

155

2029

2030

2031

2032

60
2028

Maturity by date

Revolving credit facility undrawn

USD corporate bond

EUR term loans

Private placement debt

1  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and reconciled to the most directly  
comparable financial measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on pages 236–240.

2  Net debt is reconciled in Note 15 to the Group accounts.
3  ROIC is defined as: Operating profit (before amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles)  

less adjusted taxes/(Operating net operating assets + Closing net operating assets)/2.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Outlook
For 2023 we are targeting both revenue 
growth and trading profit margin above 
2022 levels.

For revenue, we expect to deliver underlying 
revenue growth in the range of 5.0% to 6.0%. 
Within this, we expect continued strong 
growth from our Sports Medicine & ENT and 
Advanced Wound Management franchises, 
and further improvement in Orthopaedics 
as we continue to execute on the 12-point 
plan. On a reported basis the guidance 
equates to a range of around 5.0% to 6.0% 
based on exchange rates prevailing on 
13 February 2023.

In terms of phasing, we expect the first 
quarter to be impacted by the renewed Covid 
waves in China reducing surgical-volumes, 
as well as the continuing headwind of VBP 
in Orthopaedics. We expect the business 
to accelerate from the second quarter 
for the remainder of the year.

For trading profit margin, we expect to 
deliver at least 17.5% as the positive 
operating leverage from revenue growth, 
productivity improvements and the early 
benefits of our cost-saving initiatives more 
than offset continuing macroeconomic 
headwinds from raw material cost inflation, 
higher wages and a 100bps headwind from 
transactional foreign exchange. The tax 
rate on trading results for 2023 is forecast 
to be around 19% subject to any material 
changes to tax law or other one-off items.

For the midterm, the Group is focused on 
consistently delivering higher revenue growth 
while also expanding its trading profit margin.

We are now targeting underlying revenue 
growth consistently 5%+ (previously 4-6%), 
driven by return on innovation investments 
and execution of the 12-point plan, and 
trading profit margin expansion to at 
least 20% in 2025, driven by productivity 
improvements (previously 21% in 2024).

Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Chief Financial Officer

21

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONOur technology takes  
the limits off living

Getting a 
grandad back 
to playing with 
his grandchild

Life Unlimited

22

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
ACCOUNTS
OTHER INFORMATION

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

23

Serving  
healthcare 
customers

Our customers are healthcare 
professionals. 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.

Our franchise model
Smith+Nephew has a global franchise 
structure with three franchises: 
Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT 
and Advanced Wound Management.

The franchise model is designed to ensure 
that we have subject and market experts 
leading specialist teams dedicated to 
serving the specific requirements of our 
customers. Our franchises are responsible 
for strategy, determining which products 
we take to market. The franchises work 
closely with R&D to ensure we are 
developing products that address unmet 
needs and with Global Operations to 
ensure we have appropriate product 
availability to meet customer needs.

During 2022, our Orthopaedics and Sports 
Medicine & ENT were led by one leadership 
team under the President Orthopaedics, 
Sports Medicine & ENT and Americas, 
reporting to the Chief Executive Officer.

Advanced Wound Management was 
led by the President Advanced Wound 
Management and Global Commercial 
Operations, reporting to the Chief 
Executive Officer. Global Commercial 
Operations include medical education, 
sales training, marketing services and 
healthcare economics and serves all 
our franchises and regions.

Our regional organisations sell to our 
customers. In the US, our largest market, 
the commercial teams were organised 
by franchise and led by the franchise 
presidents. The President Orthopaedics, 
Sports Medicine & ENT and Americas also 
led our teams in LATAM and Canada. 
Our EMEA commercial organisation, 
headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, 
was led by the President EMEA Region. 
Our APAC commercial organisation, 
headquartered in Singapore, was led 
by the President APAC Region.

24

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Franchise areas
Three franchises set  
global product strategy

Orthopaedics
Orthopaedics includes Hip and Knee Implants 
used to replace diseased, damaged or worn joints, 
robotics-assisted and digital enabling-technologies 
and services that empower surgeons, and Trauma 
& Extremities products used to stabilise severe 
fractures and correct hard tissue deformities.

28

Sports Medicine & ENT
Our Sports Medicine & Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) 
businesses offer advanced products and instruments 
used to repair or remove soft tissue.

34

Advanced Wound Management
Our Advanced Wound Management portfolio provides 
a comprehensive set of products and services to meet 
broad and complex clinical needs of products and 
services to meet broad and complex clinical needs.

40

Regions

Three regional organisations  
sell to our customers

US/Americas
In the US, our largest market, the commercial teams  
are organised by franchise and led by the franchise 
presidents. The President Orthopaedics, Sports 
Medicine & ENT and Americas also led our teams 
in LATAM and Canada.

Europe, Middle East & Africa
Our EMEA commercial organisation is headquartered 
in Zug, Switzerland and led by the President 
of EMEA Region.

Asia Pacific
Our APAC commercial organisation is headquartered 
in Singapore and led by the President of APAC Region.

Putting customers at the heart of our business

Surgeons

Healthcare  
systems

Hospitals

Nurses

Payers

Patients

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

25

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONInnovative 
medical 
education

Serving healthcare customers continued

Our salesforce
Our sales representatives 
support our customers through 
their technical knowledge.

Depending on their area of specialism, 
representatives in our surgical businesses 
not only know the products that they 
sell and the surgical instruments used 
to implant them, but are also expected 
to have an 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 in the 
safe and effective use of our advanced 
medical technologies, or identifying 
and contacting new customers.

In Advanced Wound Management, sales 
representatives develop their knowledge 
of how clinicians seek to prevent and 
treat wounds, as well as understand 
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. Our Global Commercial 
Training and Education team delivers a 
consistent content and curriculum-based 
approach, coupled with commercial 
training specialisation in key markets.

Smith+Nephew Academy
Smith+Nephew is committed to educating 
and training healthcare professionals on 
the safe and effective use of our products.

Every year we provide tens of thousands 
of surgeons and nurses with opportunities 
to evaluate the latest evidence, and 
learn innovative surgical techniques and 
effective use of our products through 
our medical education programmes.

Central to Smith+Nephew’s commitment 
to being a global leader in medical 
education and improving patient outcomes 
is providing a comprehensive accessible 
learning environment tailored to the 
needs of the healthcare professional.

Through the Smith+Nephew Academy, 
introduced in 2022, we are actively 
transforming the way we educate our 
customers around the world by surrounding 
them with leading-edge technology, 
clinical content and scientific data.

The multiple elements of the 
Smith+Nephew Academy offer a blended 
learning environment inclusive of state-
of-the-art digital interactive learning, 
symposia, procedure-based education 
through hands-on experiences inclusive 
of Virtual Reality (VR) simulations, 
customised curriculum and programming 
specifically designed to meet the needs 
of the accomplished physician, resident, 
fellow and allied health professionals.

Smith+Nephew has three Academies in 
the US (Memphis, TN, Andover, MA and 
Pittsburgh, PA) as well as Academy London 
and Academy Singapore. Smith+Nephew 
Academy Munich is due to open in 2023. 
In addition we have smaller training 
facilities in Phoenix, AZ, Austin, TX 
and Minneapolis, MN.

 121,963

Smith+Nephew medical education 
sessions attended by healthcare 
professionals in 2022, accessing  
in-person and virtual resources

26

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

In 2022, we opened the 
Smith+Nephew Academy 
Singapore, a major medical 
education and digital 
innovation centre covering 
the Asia-Pacific region.

Supporting Smith+Nephew’s purpose 
of Life Unlimited, the S+N Academy 
Singapore offers an engaging, immersive 
and interactive training environment 
for healthcare professionals to experience 
the latest products and technologies, 
and refine their techniques under the 
guidance of expert peers.

S+N Academy Singapore includes a  
state-of-the-art digital operating suite, 
including handheld robotics and a virtual 
reality simulation studio, as well as fully 
equipped surgical super-stations for  
hands-on procedural training.

Smith+Nephew Academy Singapore was opened 
by our CEO Deepak Nath on 9 November 2022.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

27

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONServing healthcare customers continued

Orthopaedics
A leading portfolio of Hip and Knee Implants, robotics  
and digital enabling technologies and Trauma products

Smith+Nephew’s Orthopaedic franchise 
vision is to improve mobility and outcomes, 
with unique and differentiated technologies 
that allow patients to live a Life Unlimited. 
Our innovative implants seek to mimic 
natural movement, are manufactured using 
materials with a track record of longevity 
and performance, and are accompanied 
by our enabling robotic technologies. 
We are well positioned as the supplier 
of choice for surgeons across the globe.

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 improve 
accuracy and facilitate precision during the 
surgical procedure, and trauma products 
used to stabilise fractures and correct 
bone deformities.

In Orthopaedic Joint Reconstruction, 
we have a broad, clinically proven and what 
we believe to be a differentiated portfolio 
that allows us to compete effectively 
across a market worth around $14.7 billionb 
annually. This portfolio includes our 
proprietary OXINIUM◊ material which we 
consider offers a clear advantage over 
competitors (see page 31).

In addition, we believe our CORI◊ 
Surgical System is strongly positioned 
to take advantage of the trends 
towards robotic-assisted surgery and 
outpatient joint replacement seen across 
the segment. We are already a leader in-
industry with CORI being the first robotic-
assisted surgery system indicated for 
revision knee procedures in the US.

The Trauma & Extremities market is worth 
over $12.7 billionb annually, and we are 
well positioned to compete effectively in 
this segment. The simplicity and efficiency 
of our EVOS◊ Plating System gives us 
an advantage in the largest segment in 
Trauma, and our TRIGEN◊ INTERTAN◊ 
Intertrochanteric Nail is backed by the 
clinical and economic data to position it 
as the standard of care for hip fracture,1,2 
the second largest segment. In Extremities, 
following a portfolio acquisition in 2021, 
we are excited by our next generation 
shoulder implant, the AETOS◊ Shoulder 
System, due to launch in 2023, and 
expanding our presence in Foot & Ankle.

Highlights

Orthopaedics revenue

 $2,113m

2021: $2,156m

Reported
-2.0%

Underlyinga
+1.9%

Orthopaedics trading profit

 $383m

2021: $367m

2022
Revenue
$899m
$584m

2022
Reported 
growth
+2.5%
-4.4%

2022
Underlying
growtha
+6.8%
-0.2%

$87m

-5.6%

-1.8%

$543m

-5.7%

-2.6%

Knee Implants
Hip Implants
Other 
Reconstruction
Trauma & 
Extremities

a  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and 
reconciled to the most directly comparable financial 
measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on  
pages 236–240.

OR3O◊ Dual Mobility with  
OXINIUM DH Technology.

28

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

2022 performance
Orthopaedics revenue declined -2.0% 
on a reported basis in 2022, including a 
390bps headwind from foreign exchange. 
Revenue was up 1.9% on an underlying 
basisa. The performance reflects the 
implementation of the previously disclosed 
hip and knee volume-based procurement 
(VBP) programme in China.

Within this, our Knee Implant segment 
performed strongly, offsetting declines in 
our other segments. Other Reconstruction 
was held back by global shortages of 
semiconductors. Franchise trading profit 
was up 4%, although the Orthopaedics 
trading profit margin of 18.1% remained 
below that of our other franchises.

Strategy
Our Orthopaedic business has an 
innovative portfolio that allows us 
to compete in joint reconstruction, 
robotically enabled procedures, and 
Trauma & Extremities markets. We are 
building on our strong foundation to build 
momentum and unlock opportunity. 
Our areas of focus include optimised 
supply planning and delivery as well 
as improved asset deployment.

Our initiatives are designed to drive growth 
across the Orthopaedic franchise. In Joint 
Reconstruction and Robotics we aim to 
accelerate growth by focusing on robotically 
enabled procedures in total knee and 
hip arthroplasty with the CORI Surgical 
System. Additionally, we will continue to 
leverage the unique material properties in 
OXINIUM across the knee and hip platform. 
For Trauma & Extremities, Smith+Nephew 
expects to globally scale the EVOS Plating 
System portfolio to compete more broadly 
in Trauma centres. In addition, the launch 
of our AETOS Total Shoulder System 
is expected to expand our footprint in 
the Shoulder Replacement market.

Global market share
In our Orthopaedics franchise we are 
one of four leading players, competing 
against US-based companies Stryker, 
Zimmer Biomet and DePuy Synthes.

Global market size 2022b

Hip and Knee Implants

 $14.7bn +4%

2021: $14.1bn +11%

A Smith+Nephew

B Zimmer Biomet

C Stryker

D DePuy Synthesc

E Others

10%

32%

23%

20%

15%

E

A

D

B

C

Trauma & Extremities

 $12.7bn +3%

2021: $12.2bn +10%

A Smith+Nephew

B DePuy Synthesc

C Stryker

D Zimmer Biomet

E Others

4%

26%

22%

11%

37%

A

E

B

D

C

CONCELOC◊ technology allows  
for bony ingrowth
Smith+Nephew’s CONCELOC Advanced 
Porous Titanium is a patented, proprietary, 
3D printed porous structure technology 
used in Smith+Nephew’s leading REDAPT◊ 
Revision Hip System and new LEGION◊ 
CONCELOC Cementless Total Knee 
System (TKS).

CONCELOC is created in a virtual 
environment and manufactured through 
3D printing additive manufacturing to 
optimise its porous structure to allow 
for bony ingrowth.3–6

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

OXINIUM Tour of Change
During 2022, the Tour of Change mobile exhibit 
visited leading Orthopaedic centres across the 
US, providing healthcare professionals with an 
opportunity to learn how OXINIUM Technology 
is a truly differentiated implant material, how 
an implant is made, and how it has been applied 
clinically during the last 20 years in over 
two million cases, delivering proven clinical 
performance in hip and knee replacements.

OXINIUM Technology has established  
itself as the best performing bearing  
with the lowest risk of revision in total hip  
arthroplasty (THA) at 9–18 years,7–10 alongside 
strong clinical performance in knees.10

b  Data used in 2021 and 2022 estimates generated by 
Smith+Nephew is based on publicly available sources 
and internal analysis and represents an indication 
of market shares and sizes.

c  A division of Johnson & Johnson.

29

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Orthopaedics continued

Our technology takes the limits off living:

Building strength with 
the R3◊ Hip System

Getting a weightlifter back to competing.

R3 is the primary cup 
used by Smith+Nephew 
surgeons globally.

In 2016, I was winning medals in 
national powerlifting competitions. 
By 2018, I was walking with a cane.

My many years in sports had finally 
caught up with me – the wrestling, 
marathon running, martial arts, 
and weightlifting. I was 63 years 
old with a degenerative left hip 
and so much pain that I couldn’t 
take my dog for a walk.

I had spent much of my life guiding  
and motivating others, both as 
a physical trainer and a counsellor 
of at-risk youth, but it was my 
turn to seek help. I went to 
Dr Trey Remaley at AdventHealth 
Wesley Chapel. He recommended 
full replacement with the R3 Hip 
System with OXINIUM◊.

Flash forward to 2022: I’m back 
doing what I love and competing 
in powerlifting. I won first place 
in the Florida Senior Games for 
my age and weight division, and 
I’m able to help other people 
who need training and support.

I like to think of each day as an 
experiment. What else can I do?  
How much stronger can I get?

Patient: Mike

256

For patient testimonial 
reference

30

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

R3 Acetabular Cup  
provides a porous coating 
designed to enhance fixation  
and bony in-growth.4,5,11,12

Delivering 
innovation

OXINIUM Technology is a strong, 
resilient and advanced implant 
material that is only found in 
Smith+Nephew’s portfolio of 
joint replacement systems.

OXINIUM Oxidised Zirconium has 
been used clinically for over 20 
years as part of over two million 
procedures. On a global scale, 
OXINIUM Technology demonstrates 
excellent survivorship across a 
range of patients in hip and knee 
replacement surgery.

R3 Hip System  
with OXINIUM

POLAR3◊ System is a total  
hip solution, meaning that  
it includes a hip stem, a hip 
head and an acetabular 
cup. Together, these three 
components are designed to 
replace the ball and socket 
structure of a natural hip.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

31

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Orthopaedics continued

Hip Implants
The Hip Implants portfolio is headlined 
by the POLAR3◊ Total Hip Solution, that 
has among the lowest revision rates.22–26 
Our OR3O◊ Dual Mobility is the first system 
to use the latest OXINIUM DH advanced 
bearing technology. Dual mobility hip 
implants are used in primary as well as 
revision procedures. In addition, we offer 
a full breadth of stems to address global 
philosophies including the ANTHOLOGY◊ 
Hip System. For revisions, the REDAPT◊ 
Revision Hip System features CONCELOC 
Technology. Bridging primary and revision 
hips is the OR3O Dual Mobility with 
OXINIUM DH Liner Technology.

Other Reconstruction
Our Other Reconstruction business includes 
the CORI◊ Surgical System, one of the most 
advanced and efficient*27 solutions on the 
market. The CORI system is a smaller*28, 
portable solution capable of performing 
robotic-assisted knee and computer-
guided hip surgery on a single platform. 
In robotic-assisted knee procedures, 
CORI utilises handheld precision milling 
which allows surgeons to execute TKA 
and UKA procedures with reproducible 
accuracy**29–33 Unlike other systems, the 
proprietary smart mapping feature creates 
a 3-D image of the patient’s anatomy 
in surgery, eliminating time, costs, and 
radiation exposure33 associated with 
preoperative CT scans.

RI.HIP NAVIGATION further expands 
indications on the CORI System, bringing 
a computer-guided total hip application 
to a platform previously dedicated 
to robotic-assisted knee procedures. 
When combined with Smith+Nephew 
hip implants, like the POLAR3◊ Total Hip 
Solution and OR3O Dual Mobility System, 
and complementary tools to assess 
spinopelvic mobility (RI.HIP MODELER) and 
digital templating (TraumaCadTM), RI.HIP 
on CORI delivers a comprehensive solution 
for navigated total hip arthroplasty. 
RI.HIP NAVIGATION and RI.HIP MODELER 
are designed to help maximise accuracy 
and reproducibility by delivering patient-
specific component alignment.

During 2022, we successfully expanded the 
capabilities of the CORI Surgical System. 
With the addition of a first-in-market 
indication in the US for robotic-assisted 
revision knee using LEGION◊ Revision 
Knee System, the CORI System is currently 
the only solution indicated for robotic-
enabled knee procedures across the full 
continuum of care – partial, total, and 
revision knee arthroplasty. Furthermore, 
new indications for LEGION CONCELOC 
Cementless Total Knee System and 
RI.HIP NAVIGATION were added to 
CORI. In addition, RI.INSIGHTS, a data 
management solution, provides surgeon 
access to on-demand case information 
with patient-reported outcome measures 
(PROMs) for hip and knee procedures 
completed with the CORI Surgical System.

Key products by segment
Knee Implants
In Knee Implants, Smith+Nephew’s 
specialised systems include leading 
products for total primary replacement 
and revision, as well as partial and 
patellofemoral joint resurfacing procedures, 
offering surgeons and patients the benefits 
of many proprietary technologies.

These include a unique kinematic knee, 
the JOURNEY◊ II Total Knee Arthroplasty 
system, which has been shown to replicate 
normal knee positions, shapes and 
motions.13–15 and utilises OXINIUM◊, and 
a new LEGION◊ CONCELOC◊ Cementless 
Total Knee System (TKS), the first release 
in a multi-year roll-out of our family of 
cementless knee implant products.

In 2022, we brought these technologies 
together in the JOURNEY II ROX◊ Total Knee 
Solution, a new procedural product solution 
which aims to provide surgeons with the 
normal kinematics13–19 of JOURNEY II TKA, 
the cementless technology of CONCELOC 
Advanced Porous Titanium and the wear 
resistance20,21 of OXINIUM Technology.

We also offer strong differentiation in 
partial knees. In January 2022, we acquired 
the ENGAGE◊ Cementless Partial Knee 
System, the only cementless partial 
knee system commercially available in 
the US. With this acquisition, we are the 
only company offering total and partial 
cemented and cementless knees in the US, 
our largest market. The partial knee market 
is expected to grow faster than the total 
knee market and we expect cementless 
partial knees to grow ahead of overall 
partial knees, in line with recent patterns 
seen in the total knee segment.

First to market
In September 2022, we were proud to announce 
the first cases for revision knee replacement 
utilising our CORI Surgical System. We are 
the first orthopaedics company to receive 
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
510(k) clearance for a revision indication 
using a robotics-assisted platform.

RI.KNEE ROBOTICS utilises image-free 
smart mapping, eliminating the need  
for pre-operative CT/MRI scans and 
the potential for image distortion 
due to in situ components from the  
primary procedure.

32

254–256

For a full list of references

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Trauma & Extremities
Smith+Nephew’s portfolio includes 
differentiated technology across the 
major categories of Plates and Screws, 
Intramedullary Nails, Hip Fracture, 
Limb Restoration, Extremities, and 
Shoulder Replacement.

Leading products include the new EVOS◊ 
Plating System which includes a wide 
range of clinical indications from mini and 
small to large fragment and periprosthetic. 
Designed to offer surgeons an all-inclusive, 
expansive plating portfolio, EVOS provides 
the simplicity of logically organised 
instrumentation with advanced implant 
solutions that meets the demands and 
expectations of trauma surgeons.

The portfolio also includes the TRIGEN◊ 
INTERTAN◊ Hip Fracture System, which 
is backed by many years of strong clinical 
evidence.1,2 For Extremities, the launch of 
SMART TSF◊ expanded the capabilities of the 
TAYLOR SPATIAL FRAME◊ External Fixator.

In January 2021, we completed the 
acquisition of an exciting Extremity 
Orthopaedics portfolio which has 
strengthened our business by adding a 
focused sales channel, complementary 
shoulder replacement and upper and 
lower extremities portfolio, and an 
exciting new product pipeline.

Smart trauma technology
The SMART TSF is used in the management 
of fractures and correction of long bone 
deformities, including for fracture reduction 
and limb correction, lengthening and/or 
straightening. It is a circular, metal frame 
with two rings that connect with six telescopic 
struts that can be independently lengthened 
or shortened relative to the rest of the frame. 
This allows for six different axes of movement, 
which gives the TAYLOR SPATIAL FRAME 
the ability to correct even the most difficult 
congenital deformities and trauma cases. 
The SMART TSF application generates a 
prescription of strut adjustments which the 
patient can perform at a rate and rhythm 
determined by their surgeon, potentially 
reducing the need for travel and face-to-
face consultation.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Bringing 
innovation 
into the NHS

In July 2022, we announced a pilot with  
a third party, Rods&Cones, to provide 
smart surgery glasses and digital remote 
assistance to customers. This enables 
Smith+Nephew representatives to  
‘see’ through the eyes of the surgeon, 
instrumentalist nurse, or any healthcare 
professional using them, enabling 
continuous remote support before,  
during, and after surgical interventions.

Initially used in the UK to support the 
NHS and other customers, this solution 
allows Smith+Nephew to increase its 
ability to offer technical support for safe 
and effective use of its products at the 
right time from anywhere in the world. 
The increased complexity of surgery, 
advancement of technologies, and need 
for productivity and efficiency is enabled 
by ensuring a specialist is available 
remotely to support healthcare 
professionals upon request in a way  
which is not disruptive to the procedure.

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Sports Medicine & ENT
Elevating the Standard of Care

Smith+Nephew’s Sports Medicine & ENT 
franchise vision is to lead with innovative 
procedural solutions and elevate the 
standard of care in Sports Medicine & 
ENT. With a comprehensive procedural 
offering and differentiated technologies, 
we help healthcare professionals get 
their patients back to a Life Unlimited.

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

Smith+Nephew is a global leader in Sports 
Medicine, a $5.5 billionb market annually. 
Sports Medicine spans a broad patient 
population, including athletes. People of 
all ages are more active than ever before, 
and whenever they seek treatment for an 
injury or a degenerative condition, they 
expect a fast recovery and rapid return 
to activity. The surgeons who serve these 
patients want to treat them as efficiently 
and as minimally invasively as possible 
while ensuring the best possible outcomes. 
We have a rich history of product 
development, and 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.

Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) is also an 
attractive, growing market segment 
offering the opportunity to address unmet 
needs with differentiated procedural 
solutions. The positive momentum is 
driven by emerging therapies, changes 
in the point of care, mainly to the office 
setting, and increasing global access for 
ENT procedures. We offer a portfolio 
of technologies focused on the unmet 
needs of some of the most common 
procedures general and paediatric ENT 
surgeons perform today. These include 
tonsillectomies, epistaxis (severe nose 
bleeds) and tympanostomies (insertion 
of ear tubes).

2022 performance
Sports Medicine & ENT delivered revenue 
growth on a reported basis of 1.9% 
including a 480bps headwind from foreign 
exchange. Underlying growtha was 6.7%. 

Within this, all segments contributed 
positive growth. Sports Medicine Joint 
Repair performed strongly, in line with 
previous years, reflecting the strength 
of our portfolio. Arthroscopic Enabling 
Technology performance was held back 
by global shortages of semiconductors. 
ENT grew strongly as procedure volumes 
recovered from the impact of Covid. 
Franchise trading profit was up 3% 
with a trading profit margin of 29.7%.

Highlights

Sports Medicine & ENT revenue

 $1,590m

2021: $1,560m

Reported
+1.9%

Underlyinga
+6.7%

Sports Medicine & ENT trading profit

 $472m

2021: $459m

2022
2022
Underlying
Reported 
2022
growtha
growth
Revenue
+8.7%
+3.6%
$870m
$567m
+0.9%
-3.8%
$153m +17.1% +20.4%

SMJR
AET
ENT

a  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and 
reconciled to the most directly comparable financial 
measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on  
pages 236–240.

34

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Strategy
We have a strong Sports Medicine & ENT 
business and are well positioned for long-
term leadership and delivering our vision of 
advancing standards of care. Our franchise 
is driven by the three strategic priorities 
– innovation, market development and 
commercial execution.

Smith+Nephew’s Sports Medicine & 
ENT business is founded on procedural 
innovation, with differentiated technologies 
that shape clinical outcomes across 
the globe. Our portfolio continues to 
demonstrate strong growth across key 
segments, and we have an innovative 
pipeline in development.

In line with our vision, our emphasis 
on market development will help shift 
standards of care to technologies and 
procedures that deliver on the promise 
of Life Unlimited. We are committed to 
investments in key areas such as clinical 
evidence, medical education, and surgeon 
training for continued market development 
around key procedures. Our commercial 
initiatives reflect balanced selling across 
segments and regions, aligned priorities, 
and a customer-centric, winning mentality.

Global market share
In Sports Medicine, Smith+Nephew holds 
a leading position behind Arthrex (US), 
and also competes against Stryker and 
DePuy Mitek.

Global market size 2022b

Sports Medicinec

 $5.5bn +4%

2021: $5.3bn +13%

E

A

A Smith+Nephew

B Arthrex

C Stryker

D DePuy Mitekd

E Others

27%

32%

11%

10%

20%

D

C

B

b  Data used in 2021 and 2022 estimates generated by 
Smith+Nephew is based on publicly available sources 
and internal analysis and represents an indication 
of market shares and sizes.

c  Representing repair products and arthroscopic 

enabling technologies, and excluding ENT.

d  A division of Johnson & Johnson.

Arthroscopy Solutions for the OR
We are driven to design products that 
enable better outcomes and improved 
quality of care.

We work with customers to ensure their 
arthroscopy suite is complete, robust 
and ready to perform. Whether they need 
a comprehensive visualisation system, 
or our COBLATION◊ Technology.
Our INTELLIO◊ Connected Tower Solution 
provides sports medicine surgeons with a 
complete suite of enabling technologies in the 
operating room (OR). It uses a centralised app 
to wirelessly connect and control the major 
components of an arthroscopy surgical 
tower from outside the sterile field,  
helping to streamline procedure support.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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Sports Medicine & ENT continued

Our technology takes the limits off living:

Supporting new tendon  
growth with REGENETEN◊

Back on the green and back in the swing.

That was in 2018. Since then, 
my shoulder has healed to 100%, 
and I don’t have to think about 
pain anymore. I can sleep better 
at night, enjoy my work during 
the day, and I’ve been out playing 
golf tournaments from Florida 
to Maine.

I tell my old friend Dr. Sigman that 
I’ll never have to see him again – 
except for a round of golf, of course.

I didn’t see how a ‘patch’ was going 
to fix my shoulder, let alone get me 
out on the golf course again. But after 
several years of dealing with chronic 
pain in my right shoulder, I figured 
it was worth a shot. I had always 
been active – from my early years in 
professional hockey to my later years 
in golf – and I wasn’t ready to give 
up competing.

The REGENETEN Implant was 
recommended by my surgeon 
and friend, Dr. Scott Sigman at 
Orthopaedic Surgical Associates. 
He said the ‘patch’ was really an 
implant for the damaged part 
of my shoulder, and that it could 
help with the partial tear in my 
rotator cuff.

Patient: Colin

256

For patient testimonial 
reference

36

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

REGENETEN  
Bioinductive Implant

-86%

Delivered an 86%  
reduction in rotator  
cuff re-tear rates  
at 12 months.1–15,30

Rotator cuff  
disease is a significant 
and costly problem.

The REGENETEN Implant 
stimulates the body’s natural 
healing response to support 
new tendon growth.1,15

Delivering 
innovation

Revolutionising  
rotator cuff repair
Rotator cuff disease is a significant 
and costly problem that causes 
ongoing pain and limits patients’ 
mobility. Progressive in nature, 
small tears tend to grow in size 
and severity over time, eventually 
requiring surgery.

The REGENETEN Implant supports 
the body’s natural healing response 
to promote the grown of tendon-
like tissue and change the course of 
tear progression.1,15,16,28,29 Derived 
from highly purified bovine Achilles 
tendon, it creates an environment 
that is conducive to healing.1,15

In 2022, the results of a new 
randomised controlled trial showed 
that the addition of Smith+Nephew’s 
REGENETEN Implant delivered a 
significant reduction in rotator cuff 
re-tear rates at 12 months.30

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

37

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONServing healthcare customers continued
Sports Medicine & ENT continued

Key products by segment
Sports Medicine Joint Repair
Our Sports Medicine Joint Repair business 
offers innovative procedural solutions 
for repairing soft tissue injuries.

For shoulder repair, we develop products 
for Rotator Cuff Repair (RCR) and 
instability repair to help address pain 
and restore function.

Advanced Healing Solutions for RCR 
include the innovative REGENETEN◊ Implant. 
With at least 12 published clinical studies 
including 709 patients,1–12 the REGENETEN 
Implant has been shown to change 
the course of tear progression in early 
studies,1,13–16 aid return to normal activity13 
and reduce re-tears versus conventional 
surgery.17,18 The HEALICOIL◊ Platform 
of Shoulder Anchors features an open 
architecture design to facilitate healing19 
and is available in our REGENESORB◊ 
material which is designed to be 
absorbed and replaced by bone within 
24 months.20–22

In knee repair, arthroscopic repair 
techniques have become more prevalent 
and widely recognised for the treatment 
of meniscal tears in recent years.23 
Our All Tears, All Repairs Meniscal 
Repair Portfolio provides surgeons with 
unsurpassed options and possibilities for 
meniscal repair, including the FAST-FIX◊ 
FLEX Meniscal Repair System, launched 
in 2021, which enables all-zone all-inside 
meniscal repair to treat tears previously 
not accessible.*24–26

Our portfolio also contains the 
NOVOSTITCH◊ PRO Meniscal Repair 
System, which addresses complex 
meniscal tear patterns, including horizontal 
cleavage tears affecting approximately 
one-third of meniscal repair patients.27 
We also offer a comprehensive ligament 
portfolio of high-quality products and 
thoughtful techniques to address the full 
spectrum of ligament pathologies and 
concomitant injuries. Building upon our 
trusted legacy of data-driven solutions, 
we continue to innovate in this space.

Our hip preservation portfolio contains a 
comprehensive offering of technologies and 
techniques, establishing Smith+Nephew 
as a leader and innovator in the hip repair 
segment. The recently launched CAP-FIX◊ 
Capsular Management Family addresses 
all capsular management needs, from open 
to close. We are committed to Redefining 
Healing Potential in gluteus medius repairs, 
with the use of the REGENETEN Implant.**

Arthroscopic Enabling 
Technologies (AET)
In Arthroscopic Enabling Technologies, our 
products facilitate arthroscopic surgical 
procedures. The INTELLIO◊ Connected 
Tower Solution unites high-definition 
imaging solutions, energy-based and 
mechanical resection platforms, fluid 
management and access technologies.

The LENS◊ 4K Surgical imaging system 
uses 4K UHD image quality and network 
connectivity in a 3-in-1 console for  
multi-speciality environments.

Our WEREWOLF◊ Controller enables 
surgeons to remove soft tissue precisely.***31 
in a variety of arthroscopic procedures. 
With COBLATION treatment, patients 
experienced significantly less bleeding 
post-operatively.****32

The WEREWOLF FASTSEAL 6.0 Hemostasis 
Wand, launched in 2021, is used in 
orthopaedic procedures for hemostasis of 
soft and hard tissues bringing a technology 
widely used in sports medicine to 
orthopaedic customers.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs)
At Smith+Nephew, we go beyond 
product to deliver a comprehensive 
offering for ASCs. There continues to 
be a shift of both sports medicine and 
orthopaedic procedures from Hospital 
to ASC outpatient settings. We are 
uniquely positioned to meet the needs 
of the market with procedural solutions 
spanning across sports medicine, hip and 
knee reconstruction, robotics, trauma, 
extremities, and post-surgical wound care. 
Smith+Nephew offers a custom approach 
to the ASC, where we leverage not only our 
best-in-class products, but also introduce 
power up their ASC. As the ASC market 
evolves, Smith+Nephew will continue to 
meet the unique needs of this segment 
with procedure innovation and tailored 
programmes for growth.

FAST-FIX FLEX  
Meniscal Repair  
System

38

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
In Ear, Nose and Throat, our COBLATION 
Plasma Technology, which has been used 
to remove tonsils and adenoids for over 
15 years,34,35 has an ability to remove 
tissue at low temperatures with minimal 
damage to surrounding tissue.36–41

Evidence shows that COBLATION◊ 
Intracapsular Tonsillectomy (CIT) 
procedures offer less pain, quicker recovery 
and a decreased risk of post-operative 
bleeding with similar outcomes to total 
tonsillectomies.35–41 Smith+Nephew 
offers a full portfolio of COBLATION 
Wands for CIT procedures.

Our Tula System provides an in-office 
solution for placement of tympanostomy  
tubes.

In addition, we market a range of dissolvable 
and removable post-operative nasal 
dressings, as well as a comprehensive 
portfolio of epistaxis (nosebleed) solutions.

Delivering 
Innovation  
with Tula®

Smith+Nephew’s Tula System gives ENT 
surgeons an option to place ear tubes 
in an awake child during an office visit 
without the need for general anaesthetic. 
The physician numbs the eardrum using a 
novel, child-friendly anaesthetic while the 
patient may sit up, play, and remain with 
their parent. A specialised tube delivery 
system allows the physician to place 
an ear tube in less than half a second, 
minimising the amount of time the child 
needs to remain still. Most children 
return to normal activities immediately 
following the Tula procedure.42

WEREWOLF 
FASTSEAL 6.0 
Hemostasis Wand

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

39

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONServing healthcare customers continued

Advanced Wound Management
Shaping What’s Possible in Wound Care

Smith+Nephew’s Advanced Wound 
Management franchise vision is to 
Shape What’s Possible in Wound Care. 
Through our extensive portfolio, designed 
to meet broad and complex clinical needs, 
we help healthcare professionals solve 
the challenges of preventing and 
healing wounds.

The global wound care market is worth 
around $10.7 billionb globally per annum. 
Long-term growth has been driven 
by the needs of an aging population in 
many markets and as we experience 
lifestyle-related health conditions, such as 
increasing prevalence of obesity, diabetes 
and vascular disease. These conditions 
are key drivers of wound prevalence 
which contribute to the pressure on 
healthcare spending.

In Advanced Wound Management, we 
seek to help healthcare systems through 
innovation in products and services, to 
deliver accelerated healing or preventing 
wounds, and to do more with less, such 
as enabling patients to be treated faster 
requiring fewer resources, or moved from 
acute to homecare settings. We do this 
across our three segments of Advanced 
Wound Care (AWC), Advanced Wound 
Bioactives (AWB) and Advanced Wound 
Devices (AWD).

2022 performance
Advanced Wound Management delivered 
revenue growth on a reported basis of 
1.1% including a 530bps headwind from 
foreign exchange. Underlying growtha 
was 6.4%. 

Within this, all segments contributed 
positive growth. Advanced Wound Care’s 
performance reflected the breadth of 
our portfolio, Advanced Wound Bioactives 
delivered sustained good growth from 
our skin substitutes portfolio, and the 
strong growth from Advanced Wound 
Devices was driven by our PICO◊ Single 
Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy 
System. Franchise trading profit was 
down 8% with a trading profit margin 
of 28.8%.

Strategy
Our vision of Shaping What’s 
Possible in Wound Care is delivered 
through the two strategic levers 
of portfolio enhancement and ever 
improving commercial execution. 
Portfolio enhancement includes new 
product development, line extensions 
and acquisitions. To drive ever 
improving commercial execution  

Highlights

Advanced Wound Management revenue

 $1,512m

2021: $1,496m

Reported
+1.1%

Underlyinga
+6.4%

Advanced Wound Management 
trading profit

 $436m

2021: $474m

2022
Revenue
$712m
$520m
$280m

2022
2022
Underlying
Reported 
growtha
growth
+5.2%
-2.6%
+5.4%
+4.9%
+4.3% +11.6%

AWC
AWB
AWD 

a  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and 
reconciled to the most directly comparable financial 
measure prepared in accordance with IFRS on  
pages 236–240.

GRAFIX◊ Placental Membranes form 
our skin substitute product range.

DURAMAX S Silicone  
Superabsorbent  
Dressing for highly  
exuding wounds  
launched in 2022.

40

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

we seek to inspire, engage and align 
on our global strategy across all regions 
and functions as efficiently as possible. 
Through these strategic priorities we 
are driving performance and supporting 
delivery of Smith+Nephew’s global 
strategy to Strengthen, Accelerate and 
Transform through the 12-point plan.

Global market share
We operate in all three categories in 
wound care, and have the second largest 
business globally in terms of revenue. 
In the Advanced Wound Care segment 
we compete in dressings with Mölnlycke 
(Sweden), Coloplast (Denmark) and 
ConvaTec (UK). In Advanced Wound 
Devices, we are the primary challenger 
to Negative Pressure Wound Therapy 
incumbent 3M. In our Advanced 
Wound Bioactives franchise, we have 
leadership positions in a number of 
our respective categories.

Global market size 2022b

Advanced Wound Management

 $10.7bn +4%

2021: $10.3bn +11%

A Smith+Nephew

B 3M

C Mölnlycke

D ConvaTec

E Others

14%

17%

10%

6%

53%

E

A

B

C

D

b  Data used in 2021 and 2022 estimates generated by 
Smith+Nephew is based on publicly available sources 
and internal analysis and represents an indication 
of market shares and sizes.

measures the quality and effectiveness 
of patient turning, including patient turn 
frequency and turn angle.
Alongside our ALLEVYN◊ LIFE Dressings, 
which are multi-layered and uniquely 
constructed for protecting intact skin 
against pressure injury onset as part of a 
pressure injury/ulcer prevention protocol44–46 
and the SECURA◊ range of skin care products, 
– Smith+Nephew offers a powerful portfolio 
to help facilities follow evidence-based 
protocols, and develop improved practices 
to prevent HAPIs.51

The future of pressure injury prevention
Hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) 
are on the rise. 

Despite a decrease in other hospital-acquired 
conditions, HAPIs are up 6%.38* Each year, 
complications from pressure injuries result 
in an estimated 60,000 deaths in the US. 
The average incremental cost of treating 
a pressure injury is $21,767.
Smith+Nephew’s LEAF◊ Patient Monitoring 
System promotes adherence to patient 
turning procedures.41,42

Visual alerts in the patient room and at the 
nurses’ station make it easy for the whole 
team to see who needs to be turned and 
when43. Plus, the LEAF System’s Integrated 
Positioning Technology is the first tool that 

*  Between 2014 and 2017 in the US.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

RENASYS◊ NPWT 
System offers options 
for the hospital and 
home setting.

41

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONALLEVYN LIFE Foam 
Dressings are designed 
to be left in-situ for up to 
five or seven days.22,23,24*

Serving healthcare customers continued
Advanced Wound Management continued

Our technology takes the limits off living:

A new lease of 
ALLEVYN◊ LIFE

Rediscovering many of the small things we take for granted.

When Allan, a once active sportsman, 
developed diabetes 15 years ago 
he soon found that his passions, 
interests and many day-to-day 
tasks suddenly became out of 
reach. Although he recognised that 
diabetes was something he needed 
to manage, pain and discomfort 
permeated his everyday life to the 
point that even a leisurely stroll 
was impossible.

After several complications, with the 
possibility of foot amputation, it was 
finally suggested that Allan managed 
the wound using ALLEVYN LIFE 
Dressings and the effect on his life 
was transformational. Recounting the 
simplicity of using ALLEVYN LIFE 
Dressings (even administering them 
himself, as directed by his healthcare 
professional), he described how our 
unique foam dressing technology 
cushioned his wound and helped 
to alleviate his pain.

“Given me a new lease of life.”

Now rediscovering many of the small 
things he took for granted – such as 
gardening, mowing the lawn, or even 
taking his son a cup of tea – Allan 
accredits much of his progress to our 
dressing technology. In a seemingly 
small treatment intervention, 
ALLEVYN LIFE Dressings made all 
the difference in the world to Allan; 
helping to put him back on a path 
to Life Unlimited.

Patient: Allan

256

For patient testimonial 
reference

42

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

ALLEVYN LIFE dressings 
manage exudate with visible 
change indicators and are 
comfortable to wear.25,26,27,28,29

Delivering 
innovation

Reducing the burden on 
nurses through shared-care
In June 2022, a new peer-reviewed 
article in Wounds International 
proposed that an estimated 3.5 billion 
hours of nursing time could be 
released globally by 2030 if shared- 
care approaches between nurses and 
patients are adopted in chronic wound 
care alongside long-wear advanced 
foam dressings.18

Shared-care is the clinical practice 
of involving patients in the ongoing 
delivery of care, whilst supported and 
guided by a healthcare professional. 
Patients with chronic wounds may 
be encouraged to have greater 
involvement in dressing changes, 
lifestyle and nutrition factors, and 
monitoring and reporting. The success 
of shared-care is evidenced in 
other chronic conditions such as 
diabetes19, stoma management20 
and incontinence.21

ALLEVYN LIFE Foam Dressings 
complement a shared wound 
care approach by enabling nurses 
and patients to support healing. 
The dressings are designed to be left 
in-situ for up to 5 or 7 days,22–24* 
manage exudate with visible change 
indicators and are comfortable 
to wear.25–29

*  Up to 5 days for the sacral area.

ALLEVYN LIFE  
Dressing

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

43

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONServing healthcare customers continued
Advanced Wound Management continued

Key products by segment
Advanced Wound Care (AWC)
Smith+Nephew started as a wound care 
company and through our Advanced 
Wound Care business we have grown to be 
a leader in the segment. Today our portfolio 
includes products that are designed to 
manage exudate and infection, protect the 
skin and help prevent pressure injuries.

In exudate management, our products 
provide appropriate wound fluid handling 
and absorption to help promote an 
optimal wound healing environment.1–3 
Our ALLEVYN◊ LIFE Foam Dressing is 
uniquely differentiated, with its EXUMASK◊ 
change indicator and hyper-absorbent 
lock away layer with EXULOCK◊ technology 
for odour control and fluid lock-in.2,4,5 
The effectiveness of the ALLEVYN Dressing 
range has been demonstrated across 
138 publications in 19 countries on over 
12,000 patients and volunteers.6 In 2022, 
we introduced in Europe and the USA our 
DURAMAX◊ S Silicone Superabsorbent 
Dressing for highly exuding wounds. 
Superabsorbers are one of the fastest 
growing categories of dressings in Europe.

In infection management, our key silver-
based ACTICOAT◊ Antimicrobial Barrier 
Dressings, DURAFIBER◊ Ag Absorbent 
Gelling Silver Fibrous Dressing, ALLEVYN 
Ag Antimicrobial Foam Dressing, as well as 
our range of IODOSORB◊ Cadexomer Iodine 
products provide clinicians with a range 
of solutions to address bacterial burden, 
biofilm and infection.7–17

Advanced Wound Bioactives (AWB)
Our Advanced Wound Bioactives 
portfolio provides a unique approach to 
debridement, dermal repair, and tissue 
substitutes with considerable evidence 
supporting their clinical application.

Collagenase SANTYL◊ Ointment (250 units/
gram) is the only FDA-approved biologic 
enzymatic debridement agent available 
in the US market, and is indicated for 
dermal ulcers, severely burned areas and 
moderate to severe soft tissue burns. 
REGRANEX◊ gel is the only FDA-approved 
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor for the 
treatment of diabetic neuropathic ulcers, 
formulated to act as a first-line treatment 
following effective ulcer care.

In our skin substitute product range, 
GRAFIX◊ Placental Membranes and 
STRAVIX◊ Umbilical Tissues retain the 
extracellular matrix, growth factors and 
native placental components to support 
wound closure.30,31 They are intended for 
application directly to acute and chronic 
wounds and as a surgical cover or barrier. 
In addition, we offer OASIS®* Matrix and 
OASIS MICRO products, which are naturally 
derived scaffolds of extracellular matrix 
(ECM), composed of porcine small intestinal 
submucosa (SIS) and indicated for the 
management of a wide range of acute 
and chronic wounds, burns and surgical 
interventions.32

*  OASIS is manufactured by Cook Biotech, Inc.

Advanced Wound Devices (AWD)
In Advanced Wound Devices, our portfolio 
helps improve healing outcomes in 
chronic wounds, reduces surgical site 
complications and facilitates preventative 
care for pressure injuries. Within the 
negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) 
category, we offer single-use and 
traditional (cannister-based) solutions 
offering customers a one-stop-shop 
with great flexibility.

Our PICO◊ range of single-use negative 
pressure wound therapy systems with its 
proprietary AIRLOCK◊ Technology layer 
has demonstrated significant healing 
outcomes for chronic wounds35*,34 and in 
the reduction of surgical site complications 
in closed incisions,35† in a highly portable 
form that allows patients to return to 
their lives.36,37 Our traditional RENASYS◊ 
NPWT System offers options for the 
hospital and home setting.

AWD also includes the LEAF Patient 
Monitoring System that supports a 
hospital’s pressure injury prevention 
strategy, and the VERSAJET◊ Hydrosurgery 
System, a surgical debridement device.

*  Compared to baseline trajectory, n=52 wounds; p<0.006.
†  Compared to care with standard dressings; p<0.00001; 
meta-analysis of 29 studies (odds ratio (OR): 0.37).

PICO
PICO Single Use Negative Pressure Wound 
Therapy System (sNPWT) is cost effective and 
improved outcomes compared with standard 
care to help prevent surgical site complications 
in patients with surgically closed incisions. 
A systematic literature review and meta-
analysis of 19 studies involving 4,530 patients 
showed a 63% reduction in the odds of 
developing surgical site infections with the 
prophylactic use of PICO sNPWT compared 
with standard care.35

44

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Hospital-acquired pressure  
injuries (HAPIs) are on the rise38

Despite a decrease in other hospital-
acquired conditions, HAPIs are

+6%38*

Each year, complications from  
pressure injuries result in an estimated

60,000

deaths in the US39

The average incremental cost  
of treating a pressure injury is 

$21,76740

*  Between 2014 and 2017 in the US.

Delivering 
Innovation

Smith+Nephew’s Advanced Wound 
Management franchise is also focused 
on utilising digital technology and data 
analytics to provide new forms of value 
to our customers. We aim to help optimise 
outcomes, prevent unnecessary wounds 
and complications, support patient care 
self-management where appropriate, 
drive transition to new efficient business 
models and establish data as a 
strategic asset.

In 2022, we launched the award-winning 
WOUND COMPASS◊ Clinical Support App, 
a comprehensive digital support tool 
for healthcare professionals that helps 
reduce practice variation.52

This simple and easy-to-use app52 is 
accompanied by additional educational 
resources, images, and diagrams and 
can be customised to local customer 
formulary.52

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

For detailed product information, including the indications 
for use, contraindications, effects, precautions and warnings, 
please consult the product’s Instructions for Use (IFU) 
prior to use.

45

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONManufacturing  
and quality

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

Our Global Operations team supports  
the delivery of the Group’s strategy  
by ensuring that we respond efficiently  
to demand, new product development 
and changing regulatory requirements.

We operate manufacturing facilities in 
countries across the globe, and have 
central distribution facilities in the 
US, Europe and Asia. Products for our 
Orthopaedics franchise are primarily 
manufactured at facilities in Memphis (US), 
Penang (Malaysia), Aarau (Switzerland), 
Tuttlingen (Germany), Beijing (China) and 
Warwick (UK). Sports Medicine products 
are primarily manufactured at the Alajuela 
(Costa Rica) and Mansfield (US) facilities. 
Our major manufacturing sites for 
Advanced Wound Management products 
are Hull (UK), Fort Worth (US), Columbia, 
Maryland (US) and Suzhou (China).

During 2022 our global operations were 
subject to disruption from a number of 
factors including the impact of the war 
in Ukraine on the access and cost of 
supply channels, the widely reported 
global shortages of some raw materials 
and components, and localised factors 
including Covid-related lockdowns in China. 
During the year we worked to closely 
manage the impact of these factors on 
our business.

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. 
Our procurement team aims to contract 
to ensure value based on total spend 
across the Group. All our suppliers are 
subject to our Third Party Guide to Working 
with Smith+Nephew meaning they 
agree to conduct business on our behalf 
in an ethical manner that is compliant 
with all applicable laws, regulations and 
industry codes of conduct, and to manage 
their suppliers in accordance with the 
same standards. 

46

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Quality and Regulatory Affairs
Our 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 teams establish appropriate processes 
and procedures to facilitate compliance 
with complex global regulations and laws 
that govern the design, development, 
approval, manufacture, labelling, marketing 
and sale of healthcare products.

The Quality and Regulatory Affairs teams 
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.

The European Union Medical Device 
Regulation (EU MDR) is a significant 
regulatory change whereby medical 
devices carrying a CE mark now face 
greater scrutiny than ever before to 
ensure they are effective and safe. 
Our Regulatory Affairs is working with 
our Notified Bodies to certify our portfolio 
to EU MDR during the transition period 
which is currently scheduled to finish 
on 25 May 2024.

We are also monitoring the progress of the 
European Commission’s proposal to amend 
the EU MDR transitional period including 
extending the transitional period.

Building a world-class network
Aligned to our Strategy for Growth 
pillar to strengthen our foundation, 
we are undertaking major investment 
in our manufacturing network to enable 
Smith+Nephew to serve customers 
and their patients sustainably through 
advanced manufacturing.

In Malaysia we opened our new high 
technology manufacturing facility Penang 
in June 2022. The 277,000 square-foot 
facility will primarily support the Company’s 
Orthopaedics business, which is expected 
to grow strongly in the Asia Pacific region. 

In the UK we announced plans in June 2022 
to build a new facility for our Advanced 
Wound Management franchise on the 
outskirts of Hull, UK. The design of the new 
facility takes into account sustainability 
factors and standards with a focus on 
energy and resource efficiency.

We work closely with our suppliers to 
ensure high quality, delivery performance 
and continuity of supply. During 2022 
we saw the impact of significant inflation 
across our supply chain.

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 as 
well as compliance with our Third Party 
Guide to working with Smith+Nephew.

Improving productivity
The 12-point plan (see pages 8–11) 
includes focus on improving productivity 
to support trading profit margin 
expansion. Areas of opportunity include 
driving lean methodologies across our 
manufacturing operations, further 
network optimisation and direct and 
indirect procurement savings.

We are reviewing lean methodologies 
across our operations to simplify processes, 
drive greater standardisation, and 
reduce scrap. We expect to roll out the 
lean programme in a phased approach, 
focusing initially on the greatest potential 
by product category and location, and 
with the oversight and accountability 
to make improvements sustainable. 
We will continue to review our network 
for further strategic opportunities.

We are also targeting procurement 
savings to help mitigate cost inflation. 
Opportunities include where spend is 
fragmented between large numbers 
of suppliers, or disproportionately 
using providers in high-cost countries.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

47

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONStrengthening  
our Culture through 
leadership

Our Culture of Care, Courage and 
Collaboration sets Smith+Nephew 
apart. Our leaders – current and 
future – set the tone for our culture 
and the example for our global team 
to follow. We believe developing our 
current and future people leaders is 
an investment that benefits the 
entire organisation. Engaged leaders 
create engaged employees and 
contribute to a high-performing 
and purpose-driven company.

At Smith+Nephew, we know that our 
people enable our business strategy. That’s 
why our comprehensive people strategy 
is focused on making Smith+Nephew a 
workplace that talented people want to 
join and stay, creating positive and simple 
processes to support our employees in the 
‘moments that matter’, from recruitment 
to retirement, and building a high performing 
and inclusive culture where everyone 
feels a sense of respect and belonging.

Our Culture of Care, Courage and 
Collaboration is central to all we do. 
In 2022, we advanced this culture 
through strengthening and embedding 
our Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) 
initiatives, expanding our wellbeing 
offerings, engaging employees in their 
role and connection to our business 
strategy and empowering and enabling 
our people leaders.

An engaged team
For the fourth year, we conducted 
our annual Global Employee Survey 
administered by Gallup, a leader in survey 
research, using the Q12 survey tool. 
The Q12 tool measures the key aspects 
of employee engagement which creates 
an environment of trust and enables 
business performance.

48

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

The Q12 survey tool focuses strongly on 
the role of the people leader in engaging 
their team. People leaders are provided 
with their individual survey scores and 
conduct team sessions where the results 
are discussed and actions agreed – 
both to improve on opportunity areas 
and to maintain strengths. These action 
plans continued throughout the year 
and are assessed at our annual Gallup 
Accountability Check-in Survey to 
determine whether employees are 
seeing improvements.

In 2022, we saw a strong response rate 
of 88% and an overall upward trend 
of our results compared with last year.

Our overall Company engagement score 
was 4.12, is a slight increase from last year 
(4.08), putting us in the 73rd percentile 
of Gallup’s database. This gives us a good 
foundation on which to build.

The survey highlighted overall strengths 
in employee connection to our purpose 
and culture and the feeling that opinions 
count. Given some of the recent 
challenges around supply chain it was 
not surprising to see that our greatest 
areas of opportunity, where our scores 
fell slightly (down 0.02 points), are having 
the materials and equipment, as well as 
overall satisfaction with Smith+Nephew 
as a place to work.

Introducing our Commitments
In 2022, using results from our Global 
Employee Survey as well as inputs 
from leaders and employees across 
the business, we defined the specific 
expectations and behaviours needed 
to deliver our strategy and support 
our culture. Our Commitments, which 
take effect from 2023, define the 
specific ways in which we expect our 
employees to demonstrate our culture 
every day. These Commitments were 
launched through a leader-led cascade 
so that our leaders truly owned them 
and made them relevant for their teams.

Our Purpose

Life Unlimited

Our Culture

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

A culture of continuous 
learning, innovation 
and accountability. 

A culture based on 
mutual trust, respect 
and belonging.

Our new Commitments

Deliver for our customers
Understand our  
customer needs. 
Constantly deliver the 
products and services 
they need, when they 
need them, every time.

Show empathy
Be authentic, respectful 
and transparent.  
Listen, seek to  
understand and 
adapt appropriately.

Develop and grow
Foster your own 
development and that  
of your teams. Share  
honest feedback, 
coach, support and 
celebrate progress.

Take initiative
Pursue possibilities  
and take appropriate  
risks. Speak up  
and respectfully  
challenge to improve 
our Company.

Take accountability
Set priorities and 
associated KPIs. 
Take ownership for 
your decisions, actions 
and outcomes.

Be adaptable
Learn from successes  
and failures. Be brave, 
challenge and be open  
to change. Try new things 
and celebrate our wins.

Be inclusive
Value difference and 
foster diversity and 
open communication. 
Always encourage and  
respect alternative  
perspectives.

Build trust
Act with integrity, 
honesty and  
consistency. Keep  
commitments and  
deliver on promises.

Find solutions
Work together to  
address the root cause  
of issues. Have the  
difficult conversations  
and make decisions.  
Act in the best interest  
of our Company.

www.smith-nephew.com

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

49

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONStrengthening our Culture through leadership continued

Inclusion, Diversity & Equity
We want Smith+Nephew to be recognised 
as a place where every individual feels 
they belong, are empowered, valued, 
and have access to opportunities to build 
great careers, thrive and achieve their 
fullest potential.

Our Employee Inclusion Groups (EIGs) 
cover a broad spectrum of diversity and 
provide a network for employees to engage 
and collaborate. Each group is sponsored 
by a member of our Executive Committee 
who takes an active role in the Group’s 
development and serves as a champion 
for their respective focus area.

During 2022, we had 10 EIGs covering 
gender, race and ethnicity, veterans, mental 
health and physical wellbeing, generations, 
and LGBTQ+. We officially launched our 
tenth EIG, EMPOWER (centred around the 
differently abled/disabled area of diversity) 
in December 2022 to coincide with disability 
awareness month. EIGs currently reach 
over 3,000 employees, with more than 
20 engagement activities per month.

Leaders also take an active role on 
our Life Councils, which are employee 
groups at a site or country level aimed 
at strengthening employee engagement 
in the workplace and through 
community activities.

We continue to actively engage 
externally to attract diverse talent. In 2022, 
we sponsored the Scientist Mentoring 
Diversity Program, the National Society of 
Black Engineers and the Society of Women 
in Engineering, for which we are also a key 
corporate sponsor. Our EIGs were involved 
as brand ambassadors in activities that 
promote recruitment of diverse talent.

In 2022, Smith+Nephew was recognised 
by Forbes as a ‘Top Female Friendly 
Company’ for a second year running.

Gender ratios
Overall, we saw an increase of female 
representation in senior roles, up 
to 33% in 2022 from 31% in 2021. 
The percentage of female Board 
members was 36% in 2022, up from 
33% in 2021.

Total employees1

19,012

Male

57%

Female

43%

Senior managers and above2

1,099

Male

67%

Female

33%

Board of Directors

11

Male

64%

Female

36%

EMPOWER
EMPOWER is the voice within Smith+Nephew 
for all employees affected by or living with 
a visible or invisible disability, chronic health 
condition, neurodiversity, and/or mental 
health difficulties. Together we can improve 
the experience of our differently abled 
colleagues throughout support, advocacy  
and education.

1  Number of employees at 31 December 2022 

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 at 
31 December 2022.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Wellness
Wellness – physical, mental and financial – 
plays a critical part in enabling employees 
to engage and focus on delivering 
their objectives.

With this in mind, and based on feedback 
from our Global Employee survey, in 
2022 we reviewed several areas of 
our global rewards programme and 
implemented several initiatives to 
support employee wellbeing.

We expanded our global wellness 
programme to offer a wider range of 
resources in multiple languages through 
local Care EIG groups and content on 
our intranet SNLife. We held wellbeing 
webinars in local languages several times 
this year allowing the local teams to pick 
the topics of most relevance for their 
populations/countries.

We also improved our Employee 
Assistance plan to include an enhanced 
global emotional wellness solution to 
address mental health concerns. This will 
provide timely mental health appointments 
and a care navigator as well as financial, 
legal and work/life support such as finding 
day care or elder care for dependants.

Responding to the significant impact of 
high rates of inflation in a number of our 
markets on our employees, we made an 
exceptional off-cycle base pay adjustment 
for eligible employees in many markets, 
including the UK and US.

At Smith+Nephew we promote flexibility 
in where, how, and when we work. This  
means looking at the spaces in which we 
work, the ways we work and our work 
patterns. We believe our approach is an 
important differentiator, and helps our 
employees balance work and home life.

Our Global Flexibility Principles serve as 
the guiding philosophy for identifying flexible 
work solutions that foster productivity 
and wellbeing while supporting our 
culture. While the principles are consistent 
globally, specific flexibility options will 
vary depending upon the individual, 
role and site/country/region.

Wellbeing award
In 2022, we were honoured to be one 
of only four organisations awarded a 
Gold level Cigna Healthy Workforce 
Designation for having created a healthy 
work culture through our employee 
wellbeing and engagement programme. 
Cigna is an American multinational 
managed healthcare and insurance 
company and Smith+Nephew’s 
designated insurance provider for 
employees in the US.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

51

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONStrengthening our Culture through leadership continued

In 2022, more than 2,000 leaders globally 
took training to reduce bias in the 
interview process. We aim to practise 
‘bias interruption’, which involves diverse 
sourcing, diverse slates of candidates, 
and diverse interview panels.

We will continue to emphasise diverse 
talent across all management levels and 
we continue to see progress in female 
representation. We aim to strengthen 
our approach towards diversity by setting 
more goals to progress our racial and 
ethnic diversity in 2023–2024.

Leadership development
There has been a five-fold increase in 
the number of leadership programme 
participants in 2022 compared to 
the previous year, with almost 1,900 
employees successfully completing 
programmes. These programmes range 
from Introductions to leadership for  
first-time leaders to aspiring Managing 
Director and Executive Development 
Programmes. We collaborate with other 
companies on strategic-level problem-
solving development challenges, and offer 
courses from a range of business schools.

In 2022, we launched the People 
Leader Hub, which contains resources 
to support our key people practices, 
skills and behaviours and includes more 
than 400 learning and development 
resources. By year end the People Leader 
Hub had more than 20,000 views and 
10,000 users.

Supporting learning  
and growth
To truly live our purpose of Life Unlimited, 
we must realise every employee’s full 
potential. To achieve this, all our employees 
have robust 70-20-10 development 
plans, which take a blended approach to 
learning and development: 70% through 
experiential/on-the-job learning; 20% by 
learning from others, for example through 
coaching; and 10% from formal learning. 
Our performance management process 
aligns each individual’s objectives with 
our strategy.

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. We are Living Wage 
Accredited in the UK, voluntarily paying 
above the government required minimum. 
We also offer a share save plan to the 
majority of employees globally.

Elevate
200 participants signed up for our 
Elevate programme to support female 
professional development in 2022 as we 
continue to build engagement and retention 
in our female talent pipeline. Also in 2022, 
we enhanced and streamlined our female 
sponsorship programme, which is now 
called our Diverse Sponsorship programme. 
We have 12 senior-level employees 
strategically aligned to each Executive 
Committee leader to foster leadership  
transfer of knowledge and professional  
development.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Achieving results  
with responsibility
Our Global Compliance Programme helps 
our business to comply with applicable 
laws, regulations and industry code 
requirements in the markets in which we 
operate. Our comprehensive programme 
includes policies, guidance, role-based 
training, monitoring and validation 
processes supported by data analytics 
and reporting channels. Our Compliance 
teams work closely with business partners 
to ensure that our programme evolves 
in parallel with business changes and 
emerging risks in the sector. Data Privacy 
is an integral part of our Programme 
and regulation in this area continues to 
increase. During 2022, we increased our 
focus on Data Privacy and have added 
resource and expertise to our team, 
notably in the US and APAC regions.

We are committed to helping our employees 
and third-party partners to do business 
in the right way through simplification of 
Compliance programme requirements and 
by embedding key Compliance controls 
into business processes. We regularly 
review our Global Policies and associated 
tools. Through our global intranet, 
we provide these and other resources 
to guide employees to make decisions 
that comply both with the law and 
our Code of Conduct.

Our business models require that we 
work closely with third-party distributors, 
agents and others, and in many countries 
these partners sell product on our behalf. 
We have a well-established risk-based 
Third Party Compliance Programme 
which includes ongoing due diligence, 
training and oversight of these partners.

We have a strong ethics, compliance 
and governance infrastructure with 
oversight from the Board Compliance & 
Culture Committee, to ensure managers, 
employees and third parties act with 
integrity. Data Privacy has now been 
fully integrated into the Compliance 
governance framework. We ensure 
appropriate oversight of significant 
interactions with healthcare professionals 
or government officials, and we comply 
with all national and state transparency 
reporting laws which require reporting 
of physician compensation.

All employees have a responsibility to 
report violations of our Code. This may 
be done via their manager, directly 
to Compliance, HR or Legal functions, 
or through an externally managed 
reporting channel where anonymous 
reports may be made.

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.

Smith+Nephew gives individuals with 
disabilities fair consideration for all vacancies 
against the requirements of the role. 
Where possible, for any employee who 
has a disability or who becomes disabled 
while working for us, we make reasonable 
adjustments and provide appropriate 
training to ensure that they are supported in 
their career. We are committed to providing 
equal opportunities in recruitment, 
promotion and career development for all 
employees, including those with disabilities.

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.

www.smith-nephew.com

Our Code of Conduct and Business 
Principles are available on our website

www.smith-nephew.com

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

53

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONOur technology takes  
the limits off living

Helping a 
parent back to 
a normal life

Life Unlimited

54

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
ACCOUNTS
OTHER INFORMATION

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

55

For a healthy  
and sustainable 
future

Our sustainability strategy is built 
on our purpose – Life Unlimited, 
our Strategy for Growth and 
our culture of Care, Courage 
and Collaboration.

Protecting the future
Through our Strategy for Growth we are 
working to strengthen the foundation 
of our business to serve customers 
sustainably and simply, to accelerate 
profitable growth through prioritisation 
and customer focus, and to transform 
our business through innovation 
and acquisition.

Our Strategy for Growth is underpinned 
by our Capital Allocation Framework, 
which has as its first priority investing in 
innovation and our sustainability agenda. 
You can read more about our Strategy 
for Growth on pages 8–11, and our Capital 
Allocation Framework on pages 19–20.

We strive to deliver our sustainability 
strategy in the communities where we 
live and work through the application 
of our values:
 – We demonstrate Care by respecting 
our global resources and striving 
to protect the safety and wellbeing 
of our employees.

 – We demonstrate Courage by setting 
ambitious goals to increase our 
volunteerism, reduce waste and 
greenhouse gas emissions, and by 
operating responsibly and sustainably.

 – We demonstrate Collaboration by 
working together with our partners  
who share our commitment and 
contribute to our communities 
through individual and team  
volunteerism.

Our sustainability strategy supports 
these value drivers by helping us 
to address the requirements of our 
stakeholders, creating a lasting positive 
difference to our communities, and 
protecting our environment.

Our sustainability strategy is inspired 
by the United Nations’ Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs). It takes 
into account the social, environmental 
and economic aspects of our business 
and reflects the fact that sustainability 
and financial performance are closely 
linked. As a profit-seeking business, 
we aim to meet our economic objectives 
whilst at the same time managing 
the social and environmental impacts 
of our business activities.

56

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Our sustainability strategy focuses  
on three areas: People, Planet and 
Products. Our targets and progress 
against these are summarised on 
pages 59–63.

People
Creating a lasting positive  
impact on our communities

Planet
Aiming to reduce our impact 
on the environment

Products
Innovating sustainably

Our stakeholders’ priorities
Through our sustainability strategy we 
are addressing the needs and expectations 
of our stakeholders.

Customers
Building sustainability principles into 
the delivery of healthcare is of growing 
importance to our customers. Increasingly, 
customers require us to provide details 
of our sustainability strategy and targets. 
Customers place increasing importance 
on these responses when making 
contract decisions.

Employees
Employees are looking for companies 
with strong values and culture, that 
operate with integrity, transparency and 
accountability, and offer satisfying career 
opportunities for all. Living our values 
and being a force for positive change is 
part of our sustainability strategy.

Investors
Investors are prioritising investments 
based on corporate ESG programmes 
and outputs. Our sustainability programme 
provides evidence of our progress in 
these areas.

Communities
The communities where we are located 
want to see support for local education, 
health and volunteer programmes 
from businesses which operate there. 
Our sustainability strategy prioritises 
giving back to local communities, 
for example through employee 
volunteering programmes.

What our customers  
are asking
We aim to address the questions 
our customers are asking us through 
our disclosures in this Annual Report, 
and the more extensive disclosures 
and narrative in our Sustainability 
Report, available on our website  
www.smith-nephew.com.

What is your sustainability strategy 
and how does it help us achieve ours?

Can you help us meet our net zero targets?

Do your products use reusable plastics?

How do you ship products?

How does your local manufacturing 
operation reduce carbon?

What are you doing locally to reduce 
carbon emissions?

How will you reduce and minimise  
single-use plastic?

How are you reducing carbon emissions 
in your supply chain?

What materials make up your packaging?

Can you use cardboard instead 
of plastic for transit protection?

Why do you ship so much air in 
your packaging?

112

Read more about 
our stakeholders

More information on our activities can be 
found in our 2022 Sustainability Report 
available on our website.

www.smith-nephew.com

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

57

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONFor a healthy and sustainable future continued

Sustainability governance
In January 2023, we streamlined the 
governance and operational structure 
around the delivery of our ESG strategy. 
We established the ESG Operating 
Committee to implement and execute 
our ESG strategy across all business areas, 
reporting directly into the Executive 
Committee. The Executive Committee 
will continue to formulate and drive our 
ESG strategy with oversight from the 
Board and its Committees.

The Board reviews the sustainability 
strategy, key risks and opportunities and 
progress on a regular basis and three Board 
Committees review implementation: 
Compliance & Culture Committee, Audit 
Committee and Remuneration Committee. 
For further information on our governance 
see the Governance Report from page 84 
and our Task Force on Climate-related 
Financial Disclosures (TCFD) reporting 
on pages 64–67.

Our sustainability strategy focuses on 
three areas: People, Planet and Products. 
Within these three areas we have 
developed comprehensive targets to help 
us deliver on our sustainability ambitions. 
Each year we measure and report progress 
against these targets. We recognise 
that in some areas, such as employee 
volunteering and product donations, 
we are behind where we expected to 
be at this stage. During 2023, we intend 
to review options to ensure our targets 
remain meaningful. In 2022, we revised 
our Products supply chain due diligence 
target (see page 62).

We are on track to achieve a 70% 
reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG 
emissions by 2025 compared to the 
2019 baseline.

We aim to minimise the disruption 
to our manufacturing and distribution 
network. 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.

Our facilities in Memphis (US), our single 
largest manufacturing location, continued 
to source electricity from renewable wind 
energy in 2022, accounting for over 40% 
of our Group’s total electricity usage.

Our reporting against the TCFD framework 
and the Sustainability Accounting 
Standards Board (SASB) framework for 
our sector of Medical Equipment and 
Supplies can be found on pages 64–67 
and 250–251 respectively. The Compliance 
& Culture Committee and the Audit 
Committee received updates on TCFD 
and SASB reporting during 2022.

As part of our Enterprise Risk Management 
process, we have a sustainability risk 
register and a business resilience process 
review built into our review of our Principal 
Risks (see pages 71–77). Our Principal 
Risks capture our physical and transitional 
climate-related risks in our Enterprise 
Risk Management process. We believe 
climate change is not currently a Principal 
Risk for Smith+Nephew as we do not 
expect it to fundamentally alter the 
demand for our products or our ability 
to manufacture and supply them. 
However, we will continue to monitor 
and mitigate risks as appropriate.

64

Read our TCFD reporting

We are proud of our many achievements 
over the years, including our recurring 
inclusion in leading indices, such as 
FTSE4Good, ISS and the Dow Jones 
Sustainability Index. We achieved an ‘A’ 
rating in the most recent MSCI ESG Ratings.

We have reported our 2021 baseline 
Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 
from eight categories and are developing 
our Scope 3 GHG emissions reduction 
roadmap in preparation for submitting 
this to the Science Based Target initiative 
(SBTi) for validation.

Climate change
During 2022, we have continued to 
consider the potential impact of climate 
change on our business operations. 
The Group announced its plans to build 
a new Advanced Wound Management 
facility at Melton, on the outskirts of Hull 
(UK). The new facility sits at a higher 
elevation and is further inland, and 
accordingly has a significantly lower 
exposure to sea-level rise compared to 
the current site. The Group also opened 
its new manufacturing facility in Malaysia. 
The internal compound road level and 
internal floor levels of the facility were 
all raised to a height of 3 metres or more 
above sea-level to mitigate against the 
impacts of rising sea levels.

Our physical assets and supply chains are 
vulnerable to weather and climate change, 
for example through sea-level rise, more 
frequent extreme weather events and 
more severe extreme weather events. 
Patients 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 and further increase 
pressure on healthcare payments.

In 2021, we made a commitment to net 
zero. It is in our roadmap to achieve net 
zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions 
by 2040 and net zero Scope 3 GHG 
emissions by 2045, beginning by achieving 
a 70% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 
GHG emissions by 2025.

58

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

People
Creating a lasting positive  
impact on our communities

Our targets

Between 2020 and 
2030, contribute 
1 million volunteer hours 
to the communities in 
which we live and work.

Between 2020 and 2030,  
donate $125 million in 
products to underserved  
communities.

Empower and promote 
the inclusion of all.

Our progress  
in 2022

Progress since  
2020 baseline

11,500 hrs

29,500 hrs

$5.0m

$11.1m

10
Global Employee 
Inclusion Groups  
are now established.

3,000+
Employees now engaged 
with Employee Inclusion 
Groups.

People are at the heart of our purpose – 
Life Unlimited.

We prioritise people in three ways:
 – We support our own employees’ wellbeing 
by ensuring their work environment is 
healthy and safe, and by continuing to 
build employee wellness programmes 
that enable healthy life choices.

 – We help improve patients’ wellbeing and 
empower the healthcare professionals 
who treat them.

 – We engage with the communities where 
we operate. We encourage our people 
to volunteer in local communities, offer 
paid volunteering time and match eligible 
employees’ charitable donations up to 
$500 per employee on an annual basis. 
We have continued to offer additional 
volunteering for employees with 
healthcare training to serve on the front 
line when crisis response is needed, as it 
was during the pandemic.

Our giving activities during the year totalled 
donations of $5.16 million. These consisted 
of $5.03 million in product donations, 
including $3.5 million of wound care 
products to support those affected by 
the war in Ukraine, and $0.13 million from 
matching employee gifts to qualified 
charities. Since inception in 2020, our 
employee volunteering and product 
donation strategies have been held 
back by the impacts of Covid.

Employee engagement is important to 
us and is measured by the Gallup Global 
Engagement Survey (see pages 48–49). 
Our Employee Inclusion Groups (EIGs) 
continued to flourish during the year, 
promoting inclusion, and we strengthened 
our wellness programmes, including 
additional support to help employees 
facing an increased cost of living.

48

Read about our culture

Encouraging STEM careers  
with Migrant Leaders
In 2022, Smith+Nephew partnered with 
Migrant Leaders, an independent UK charity 
that “inspires and develops disadvantaged 
young migrants across the UK to broaden 
their horizons and capture opportunities 
well beyond their aspirations”. Young adults 
studying in sixth form were invited to spend 
the day at the Smith+Nephew Academy 
London, where they toured the facilities, 
learned about our business and products, 
and discovered the range of science, 
technology, engineering and mathematics 
(STEM) careers available at Smith+Nephew.

Responding to the war in Ukraine
In 2022, in partnership with the Polish 
Red Cross, we donated over $3.5 million 
of wound care products to support those 
impacted by the war in Ukraine. Additionally, 
we have matched individual employee 
donations and provided extra support 
to colleagues in Poland, many of whom 
opened their homes to refugees.

Our colleagues in Russia continue to work 
to provide our products to patients in need; 
we believe all people deserve to live their 
lives fully and peacefully.

We donated all profits from our Russian 
business in 2022 to humanitarian causes 
through International Red Cross and 
Médecins Sans Frontières.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

59

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONFor a healthy and sustainable future continued

Planet
Aiming to reduce our impact 
on the environment

Our targets

Our progress  
in 2022

Progress since  
2019 baseline

Achieve net zero Scope 1  
and Scope 2 GHG 
emissions by 2040 
and Scope 3 GHG 
emissions by 2045, 
beginning by achieving 
a 70% reduction in 
Scope 1 and Scope 2 
GHG emissions by 2025.

Achieve zero waste to 
landfill at our facilities 
in Memphis and Malaysia 
by 2025 and at all our 
strategic manufacturing 
facilities by 2030.

A carbon reduction roadmap 
for Scopes 1 and 2 through 
2025 has been developed 
and a roadmap for Scope 3 
is being developed. We have 
calculated baseline 2021 
Scope 3 emissions data.

Scopes 1 and 2 (total)
73,985 
tonnes
CO2e emitted  
(location-based)1

48,847 
tonnes
CO2e emitted  
(market-based)1
Our manufacturing sites in 
Malaysia and Suzhou have 
installed solar photovoltaic 
panels and will start 
generating on-site renewable 
energy in early 2023.

Scope 3
1.6 million 
tonnes
CO2e emitted

1,473 tonnes
Waste sent to landfill 
from the Group.1
Our Malaysia facility has 
achieved zero waste 
to landfill.
The Memphis facilities sent 
1,106 tonnes of waste to 
landfill compared to 1,462 
tonnes in 2019.

Scopes 1 and 2 (total)
4%  
reduction
CO2e emitted  
(location-based)1

27%  
reduction
CO2e emitted  
(market-based)1

All
Sites in Memphis 
continued to source 
renewable electricity.

26%
Less waste was sent 
to landfill during 2022 
compared to 2019.
The Memphis facilities 
sent 24% less waste 
to landfill.

We recognise the need to protect our 
planet and help mitigate against the 
impacts of climate change. In response, 
we manage resources efficiently, reduce 
our emissions where possible and are 
mindful of the impact our decisions 
have on the environment.

In 2022, our impact on the environment 
continued to be affected by the global 
pandemic, with many colleagues 
choosing to adopt remote or hybrid 
working. Accordingly, some offices 
continued to see lower occupancy levels. 
Combined home and office-working can 
have a higher environmental impact as 
the conditioning of our buildings is often 
independent of occupancy levels.

Along with our customers and 
stakeholders, we work to manage the 
environmental footprint of our products 
and services. Internally, we have made 
progress over several years, improving 
our performance in waste recycling, 
water use and GHG emissions.

We are mindful of the importance of 
biodiversity, particularly in some of the 
countries in which we operate including 
Costa Rica and Malaysia. The impact on 
local biodiversity is one of our considerations 
when we approve capital expenditure 
within our Global Operations business. 
Biodiversity will also be considered in the 
planning for our new Advanced Wound 
Management facility at Melton (UK) 
including impacts on the local landscape, 
ecosystems and climate stability.

Tree-planting in the UK
Our Hull Leadership Council worked with 
the Plant A Tree Today (PATT) foundation 
to provide a new woodland for the local 
community. Over 150 employees participated, 
representing around 600 volunteering hours 
clearing 10 acres of land owned by a charitable 
trust in Cottingham and planting over 6,000 
trees over a five-day period.

1  Data independently assured by ERM CVS, more details and the full assurance statement are available  

in the 2022 Sustainability Report on pages 60–61.

60

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 
Reducing our GHG emissions
Our approach to reducing emissions 
includes tackling energy efficiency, 
generating our own renewable energy, 
and sourcing lower-carbon energy.

In-line with our long-term target to achieve 
net zero emissions by 2045, we have been 
working with our global energy partner. 
We have assessed our Scope 1 and Scope 2  
GHG emissions and formulated a carbon 
reduction roadmap for key locations, 
aimed at reducing them by 70% by 2025 
compared to a 2019 baseline. During 2022, 
we calculated our 2021 baseline Scope 3  
GHG emissions for eight categories, and 
in 2023 we plan to develop a roadmap for 
reduction. See page 68 for more details.

In 2022, we continued to source renewable 
wind energy for all our locations in  
Memphis (US). This is significant, as the  
Memphis sites consume over 40% of 
the Group’s total electricity. Sourcing  
renewable energy reduces our market-
based GHG emissions, ie the emissions 
from the electricity we purchase. 

In support of our carbon reduction 
roadmap steps and our roadmap to net 
zero, we have installed solar photovoltaic 
panels at two of our manufacturing sites 
in Asia. We have installed a 1.7 megawatt 
(MW) capacity system in Suzhou (China) 
and a 1.4 MW system in Malaysia. 
Both systems will be operational in early 
2023. We expect the two solar-powered 
systems to reduce our Scope 2 GHG 
emissions by over 2,000 tonnes of CO2e 
in 2023 and beyond.

Highlights

Installation of new solar 
photovoltaic panels at our 
manufacturing sites in Asia

2 sites

Expected reduction in annual 
Scope 2 GHG emissions 
in 2023 and beyond

2,000 tonnes

Our Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon reduction roadmap steps

We have been working with our global energy partner to develop a carbon reduction roadmap aimed at delivering  
our sustainability targets in the short, medium and long term. These are defined as within one year, within three years 
and after more than three years respectively. Following a detailed carbon emissions benchmarking project, again with 
our global energy partner, the roadmap identified the following initiatives:

In order of priority

Carbon emissions 
benchmarking

1
Energy efficiency

2
On-site renewables

3
Power purchase 
agreements

4
Renewable energy 
certificates

Establish an accurate 
benchmark for 
Scope 1 and Scope 2 
GHG emissions. 
Complete.

Conduct energy 
efficiency studies  
at major sites. 
We carried out 
energy efficiency 
audits in Memphis 
and Costa Rica 
during 2022.

Implement on-
site solar energy 
generation. 
Solar energy 
generation projects in 
Malaysia and Suzhou 
(China) are expected 
to be operational  
in early 2023.

Long-term agreement  
(10+ years) to buy 
power from new 
renewable resources. 
We are investigating 
global opportunities 
to source power 
purchase agreements.

Procure renewable 
energy certificates 
(RECs) for remaining 
consumption. 
RECs purchased 
in Memphis 
and Malaysia.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

61

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONFor a healthy and sustainable future continued

Products
Innovating sustainably

Our targets

Our progress in 2022

By 2022, include sustainability review 
in New Product Development (NPD) 
phase reviews for all new products 
and product acquisitions.

By 2025, incorporate at least 30% 
post-consumer recycled content into 
all non-sterile packaging materials.

By 2025, incorporate packaging 
materials from sustainable sources 
for new packaging parts.

By 2025, complete a focused risk-based 
due diligence of our Tier 1 suppliers, 
including risk-based analysis of sub-tier 
suppliers, to assure compliance with 
our sustainability requirements.a

Complete.

Sustainability is embedded as part 
of our NPD phase review process, 
ensuring that we discuss, consider 
and implement sustainability in 
our design of new products.

Identified US-based paper board for 
packaging that contains up to 30% 
recycled content. Formal testing is 
planned to start in 2023. On successful 
completion of testing, non-sterile 
material specifications will be updated 
to allow the use of this material before 
the 2025 target.

Established packaging sustainability 
strategy and roadmap. Supply  
chain challenges continued to limit 
our ability to pursue innovative, 
more sustainable materials.

We have completed due diligence and 
assessments of all Tier 1 suppliers 
according to our risk-based procedure. 

We have implemented a supplier 
on-site audit programme for suppliers 
identified through risk-based analysis. 
On-site audits include worker 
interviews and practical assessment of 
the implementation of supplier policies 
and procedures to assure compliance 
with modern slavery, human trafficking, 
HSE and sustainability requirements.

a  We have revised our Products supply chain due diligence target as a result of a strategic and operational review which took 
into account a range of factors including the impact of the pandemic on access to supplier locations, supplier resources and 
availability of data sets required to verify compliance with the target. We will continue to take a risk-based, proportionate 
approach to supply chain verification in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. We will also continue to drive 
continuous improvement in our programmes in line with guidance and we will continue dialogue with suppliers to proactively 
guide improvement in their approach to sustainability, aligned with our policies and procedures.

We aim to develop products with 
sustainable attributes, increase access 
to care, improve our environmental 
impact and reduce costs. Manufacturing  
and supplying safe and effective products 
is at the heart of our business.

Our people, processes and technology 
are structured to support progress toward 
the goal of innovating sustainably. All these 
key product attributes are ‘locked in’ during 
new product development or product 
acquisition and are difficult to change later.

We have integrated a sustainability review 
into our NPD process to ensure that 
we intentionally discuss, consider and 
implement sustainability and efficiency in 
our product design. This will ensure that our 
future product portfolio becomes one that 
has intentional consideration for material 
and energy usage during production, 
the recyclability of waste products and 
a reduced product footprint for shipping 
and transportation.

Our customers are increasingly requesting 
information on the chemical components 
and recyclability of our products and 
packaging. Our focus on products will 
assist our customers in reaching their 
sustainability goals.

Packaging sustainability to minimise 
environmental impact, both for new 
products and our existing portfolio 
continues to be a key area of opportunity, 
as does moving to digital Instructions 
For Use (IFU). An initiative to reduce 
packaging dimensions for our ALLEVYN◊ 
LIFE Foam Dressings is shown on page 63, 
this resulted in reduced volumes of 
packaging materials being used and 
lower GHG emissions.

By 2025, we aim to have completed a 
focused risk-based due diligence of our  
Tier 1 suppliers, including a risk-based 
analysis of sub-tier suppliers. Supplier risk 
criteria include country, commodity and 
spend, and we have updated our global 
process for managing Corporate Social 
Responsibility (CSR) supplier risk. In 2022, 
we completed internal screening due 
diligence with 100% of our Tier 1 suppliers 
with additional due diligence with identified 
potential high-risk Tier 1 suppliers.

62

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Packaging material for our 
bordered dressings reduced by

334 tonnes

Less waste, more care
Daily wound care practice involves the 
routine use of supplies that, in turn, creates 
substantial amounts of packaging waste. 
With a focus on reducing carbon emissions 
and respectful use of global resources, 
our Advanced Wound Management business 
spearheaded a 2022 initiative to optimise 
packaging across a range of dressings.

The new reduced packaging dimensions 
eliminate some of the ‘air’ that was being 
shipped therefore reducing the overall 
volume of packaging being used. The redesign 
will eliminate the need for 334 tonnes of 
packaging material for our bordered dressings, 
equating to 2.7 million square metres. 
Ultimately, this could save 92 tonnes of 
GHG emissions (equivalent to 13 car trips 
around the globe) when compared to 2021.1,2

Retaining the same high standards 
of manufacturing and sterilisation, as an 
example, the ALLEVYN LIFE Foam Dressings 
will now use 28% less packaging material 
compared to our 2021 design.3

For healthcare practices and clinicians, 
we hope this translates to efficiencies in 
the use of storage space and alignment 
with their own sustainability objectives.

1  Smith+Nephew 2022. Internal report CSD. AWM.22.064.
2  Smith+Nephew 2022. Internal report CSD. AWM.22.072.
3  Smith+Nephew 2022. Internal report CSD. AWM.22.045.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Our roadmap to net zero is outlined below. 
These are our current targets and actions, 
which will be updated in the coming years 
as our plans develop.

Our net zero targets

Achieve Scope 1 and Scope 2 
net zero GHG emissions by 
2040

Achieve Scope 3 net zero 
GHG emissions by 2045

Begin by reducing Scope 1 
and Scope 2 GHG emissions 
by 70% by 2025

Net zero

Organisations around the world are 
making pledges to reduce GHG emissions. 
These commitments can play a key role 
in achieving the Paris Agreement, which 
aims to curb global emissions enough to 
cap global mean temperature increase to 
1.5–2ºC relative to the pre-industrial era. 
‘Net zero’ means that the activities within 
a company’s value chain result in no net 
impact on the climate from GHGs.

Committed to net zero
In 2021, we made a commitment to 
net zero. It is in our roadmap to achieve net 
zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions 
by 2040 and Scope 3 GHG emissions 
by 2045. We are on track to achieve a 
70% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 
GHG emissions by 2025 compared to 
a 2019 baseline.

Our facilities in Memphis (US), our single 
largest manufacturing location, continued 
to source electricity from renewable 
wind energy, accounting for around 
40% of our total electricity usage.

Roadmap to net zero

What we have completed in 2022

 – Conducted a detailed analysis of our energy usage data.
 – Actioned our carbon reduction roadmap (see page 61).
 – Measured and reported our 2021 baseline Scope 3 GHG emissions 

from eight categories.

 – Sourced renewable electricity for our manufacturing facility in Memphis (US) 
and installed solar photovoltaic panels to generate renewable electricity 
in Malaysia and Suzhou (China) (see page 61).

What we are currently doing

 – Preparing a carbon reduction roadmap to reduce Scope 3 GHG emissions.
 – Sourcing renewable energy opportunities at all our strategic manufacturing sites.
 – Converting our European and UK leased car fleet to electric vehicles (EVs).
 – Expanding our supplier engagement through CDP.
 – Launching a salary sacrifice scheme in the UK to enable employees to drive EVs.

What we expect to do next

 – Implement renewable electricity at all our strategic manufacturing sites by 2025.
 – Convert our remaining global leased car fleet to electric vehicles.
 – Encourage our suppliers to set their own net zero targets.

63

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONFor a healthy and sustainable future continued

TCFD reporting

Pages 64–67 set out Smith+Nephew’s disclosures which are 
consistent with the recommendations of the Task Force on  
Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework. By this we 
mean the four TCFD recommendations and the eleven recommended 
disclosures set out in Figure 6 of Section B of the report entitled 
‘Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-
related Financial Disclosures’ published in October 2021 by the TCFD.

Board:
 – Oversight of sustainability strategy 
and risk management programme.

Audit Committee:
 – Oversight of the risk management process 
and reviewing its operating effectiveness.

 – Receives regular updates on 

sustainability and climate-related 
financial risks and opportunities.
 – Assesses whether climate change 

has a material impact on our 
financial statements.

 – Ensures the Company reports in line 
with the recommendations of the 
TCFD framework.

Compliance & Culture Committee:
 – Oversight of sustainability policy 
and performance versus targets, 
with reviews undertaken at each 
committee meeting.

 – Receives regular updates on 

sustainability and climate-related 
risks and opportunities.

Remuneration Committee:
 – Oversight and review of sustainability 
metrics within Remuneration Policy, 
and compensation and incentive 
plans generally.

 – Determined that effective from 

the 2022 financial year, 5% of the 
Annual Bonus Plan for Executive 
Directors would be dependent on the 
achievement of ESG targets.

Executive Committee:
 – Driven by the Chief Executive Officer, 
determination and management of 
sustainability strategy, with President 
Global Operations accountable for 
leading the implementation of the 
sustainability strategy.

 – Ensures that sustainability risks and 

opportunities are included in decision 
making as part of each project, 
initiative and the 12-point plan.

Sustainability Council:
 – Develops and implements our 

sustainability strategy.

 – Responsibility for setting, implementing 
and achieving operational objectives, 
KPIs and targets.

 – Membership includes: Human Resources,  

Global Operations, Quality and 
Regulatory Affairs, Research  
& Development, Public Policy & 
Government Affairs, Commercial, 
Finance, Procurement and 
Supply Chain.

 – The Sustainability Council ceased to 

operate in January 2023 as a result of 
changes to the governance structure. 
See page 65 for details of the ESG 
Operating Committee that was 
established in January 2023.

101

116

Audit Committee membership

Remuneration Committee membership

108

89

Compliance & Culture  
Committee membership

64

Executive Committee membership

Governance
The way in which we evaluate, manage and 
embed sustainability within our business 
and culture is directly linked to our Strategy 
for Growth through a focus on People, 
Planet and Products. Oversight of our 
sustainability strategy is one of the Matters 
Reserved to the Board. The Board reviews 
the sustainability strategy, key risks and 
opportunities, and progress on a regular 
basis and approves the Sustainability 
Report annually, and reviews and approves 
the sustainability, TCFD and SASB reporting 
in the Annual Report.

Three Board Committees are also closely 
involved in reviewing the elements of 
sustainability that impact the key areas 
of our business. All Committees receive 
regular updates on sustainability strategy, 
implementation, objectives and targets, 
and climate-related financial risks and 
opportunities. The Committee Chairs 
report to the Board at each Board meeting:
 – The Compliance & Culture Committee, 

chaired by Marc Owen, assesses how we 
implement our sustainability strategy 
in the core areas of People, Planet and 
Products, encompassing the Group’s 
impact on employees, the environment, 
the local communities in which it 
operates, customers, suppliers and 
other key stakeholders. The Compliance 
& Culture Committee also tracks 
progress of the delivery on sustainability 
objectives and metrics, including a 
regular review of our net zero emissions 
progress at each Committee meeting.
 – The Audit Committee, chaired by Rick 
Medlock, is responsible for ensuring 
oversight of the process by which risks 
relating to the Group and its operations 
are managed and reported. The Audit 
Committee assesses the extent to which 
climate change and other sustainability 
risks are likely to have a material impact 
upon our financial statements by 
reviewing the possible impact of different 
scenarios related to climate change.

 – The Remuneration Committee, 

chaired by Angie Risley, is responsible 
for ensuring that the Remuneration 
Policy and related incentive schemes 
incorporate sustainability targets and 
metrics where appropriate to do so.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Our Chief Executive Officer sets strategy 
together with the Executive Committee, 
and President Global Operations is 
responsible for the implementation 
and regularly reports on our progress 
to the Board, its Committees and our 
Executive Committee. In January 2023, 
we streamlined the governance and 
operational structure around the delivery 
of our ESG strategy. We established the 
ESG Operating Committee to implement 
and execute our ESG strategy across all 
business areas, reporting directly into the 
Executive Committee. The Sustainability 
Council no longer operates as a result of 
the changes to the governance structure. 
The Executive Committee will continue 
to formulate and drive our ESG strategy 
with oversight from the Board and 
its Committees.

Smith+Nephew leaders consider 
sustainability risks and opportunities 
in their decision making. For example, 
when evaluating options for new or 
extensions of manufacturing sites in 
Malaysia, UK and Costa Rica, analysis 
of sustainability requirements and risks 
was undertaken as part of the project 
and decision making. In addition, papers 
which are submitted to the Board by 
management for review include an analysis 
of sustainability issues and opportunities 
where appropriate to enable the Board 
to consider these factors in decision 
making and to ensure effective Board 
oversight on sustainability strategy, risks 
and opportunities. Detailed information 
on our sustainability risks can be found 
in our Sustainability Report.

Strategy
Our sustainability strategy is built 
on our purpose – Life Unlimited, our 
Strategy for Growth and our culture 
of Care, Courage and Collaboration. 
Our sustainability strategy, which 
was developed by our Sustainability 
Council in 2019 and approved by the 
Board, is inspired by the United Nations’ 
Sustainable Development Goals. 
Our strategy reflects the importance 
of social, environmental and economic 
aspects of sustainable development.

Our Principal Risks capture our physical 
and transitional climate-related risks 
in our Enterprise Risk Management 
(ERM) process:
 – Business continuity and business change: 
impact to our business due to severe 
weather patterns, global temperature 
rise and sea-level rise.

 – Commercial execution: inability 

to satisfy customers’ sustainability 
requirements and expectations.

 – Global supply chain: severe weather 

patterns as a result of climate change 
cause damage to manufacturing or 
distribution facilities impacting ability 
to meet customer demand.

 – Legal and compliance: failure to identify 

existing or new legal or regulatory 
requirements including sanctions 
programmes and ESG matters which 
result in non-compliance with applicable 
laws and regulations. Failure to meet 
the needs of stakeholders relating to 
increased focus on and regulation of 
ESG reporting requirements.

 – New product innovation, design & 
development including intellectual 
property: sustainability in new products.
 – Political and economic: failure to meet 
the sustainability targets and public 
policy changes.

 – Pricing and reimbursement: limited 

ability to pass on the cost of 
sustainability improvements.

 – Quality and regulatory: failure to meet 
stakeholder expectations with regard 
to increasing sustainability regulations 
and reporting requirements.

The transitional and physical risks above 
are primarily expected to occur over the 
long term (as defined on page 66). Based on 
the work undertaken to date, these risks 
are not expected to have fundamental 
impacts on our business model. See page 66 
for further details. 

We address climate-related risk primarily 
through business strategies in our 
global operations functions including 
facilities, health & safety and business 
continuity management. Refer to the 
Risk Management section on page 66 
and the Risk report on page 69 for more 
details on our risk management process.

Climate-related opportunities:
Climate-related opportunities are identified 
and addressed through our sustainability 
strategy and programmes. Through this 
process we have identified a number of 
climate-related opportunities relating to 
energy sourcing, energy efficiency and 
packaging reduction initiatives.

In 2020, all our locations in Memphis (US) 
began sourcing electricity from renewable 
wind energy via the procurement of 
renewable energy certificates (RECs) 
and this has continued through 2022. 
We completed construction of our Malaysia 
facility in 2021, and have now completed 
the installation of solar photovoltaic panels 
on site. Similarly at our facility in Suzhou 
(China) we have installed solar photovoltaic 
panels to generate on-site renewable 
energy. We expect both systems to be fully 
operational in early 2023. In December 
2022, we sourced additional renewable 
energy via the procurement of RECs in 
Malaysia. The UK sites have sourced a 
green tariff for the supply of electricity 
from renewable sources beginning in 
October 2023.

In 2021, we aligned with the 
recommendations of the Intergovernmental 
Panel on Climate Change and published 
our commitment to achieve net zero 
Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 
2040 and Scope 3 GHG emissions by 2045, 
beginning by achieving a 70% reduction 
in Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions 
by 2025. We understand how important 
it is to balance environmental initiatives 
with business activities and strive to 
reduce emissions through new technology. 
We have conducted a review of our current 
state and captured related business risks 
in our risk register.

Energy efficiency audits have been carried 
out at sites in Memphis (US) and Costa 
Rica. All of the ‘easy to implement’ 
recommendations have been carried out 
and the remaining recommendations have 
been added to improvement action plans.

The new UK site at Melton, on the 
outskirts of Hull, will be designed to high 
sustainability standards with a focus on 
energy and resource efficiency. The site 
aims to generate on-site renewable energy.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

65

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONFor a healthy and sustainable future continued
TCFD reporting continued

Scenario analysis:
The 2021 scenario analysis focused 
on our critical manufacturing sites and 
modelled the potential financial impact 
of three scenarios:
 – a 5-metre sea-level rise;
 – a global temperature rise of at least 

4°C; and

 – extreme weather.

The modelling focused on the material 
impacts on our business and was based 
on our current business activities and 
assumed no mitigation. Based on the 
analysis undertaken, global temperature 
rise and extreme weather were not 
expected to have fundamental impacts 
on our business model. However, we 
noted that the Group has a number of 
manufacturing sites in coastal locations 
which are at low elevations and these 
could be impacted by a 5-metre sea-
level rise. Existing flood defences are 
expected to mitigate any near-term 
impacts and the longer-term impact on 
the Group’s manufacturing footprint is 
an area of focus being taken into account 
in our manufacturing strategy.

Based on our high level assessment, the 
impact of a 2°C global temperature rise is 
not expected to have a material impact on 
our business. As outlined on page 65, our 
physical and transition risks are captured  
in our ERM process. Refer to our Risk 
Report on page 69 for further details. 

Further work was undertaken in 2022 
to better understand the full impact of 
potential sea-level rises and whether 
any remedial action is necessary and 
over what time frame. We noted that in 
2013 our Hull (UK) facility was impacted 
by highly unusual levels of flooding, 
with the site incurring damage across 
its entire ground floor, including in the 
manufacturing facility and office areas. 
Since then, we have invested £3 million 
into new flood defences to help protect 
the site against repeat events. Based on 
a number of considerations, including 
sea-level rise, the Group announced in 
2022 its plans to build a new Advanced 
Wound Management facility at Melton on 
the outskirts of Hull. The new facility sits 
at a higher elevation and is further inland, 
and accordingly has a significantly lower 
exposure to sea-level rise compared to the 
current site. The facility will be designed 
to high sustainability standards with a 
focus on energy and resource efficiency. 

66

In 2022, the Group opened its new high 
technology manufacturing facility in 
Malaysia. The internal compound road level 
and internal floor levels of the facility were 
all raised to a height of 3 metres or more 
above sea-level to mitigate against the 
impacts of rising sea-levels.

During 2022, we expanded our scenario 
analysis to better understand the 
exposure of more than 30 facilities to 
extreme climate events. This analysis 
continues to support the prior year 
conclusions that global temperature rise 
and extreme weather are not expected 
to have fundamental impacts on our 
business model, while work continues on 
determining the full impact of sea-level 
rises on our manufacturing footprint and 
whether any further remedial action is 
necessary and over what time frame.

In 2022, we began preparations to screen 
and identify suppliers in order to better 
understand how to incorporate them 
into our scenario analysis. This work will 
continue into 2023 to better inform our 
strategic and financial planning.

Risk management
Climate-related risks are managed through 
our comprehensive risk governance 
framework. At the top of our structure, the 
Board sets our risk appetite and monitors 
the application of our risk framework, 
including strategy, execution and outputs 
of risk reviews by the business and the 
Group Risk team. The Board cascades our 
risk appetite throughout our organisation 
through the Executive Committee, the 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 
are reflected in our Principal Risks as 
appropriate. Refer to pages 69–70 for 
more detail.

Climate-related risks
We identify climate-related risks based 
on short-, medium- and long-term horizons. 
We consider short term to be within one 
year, medium term to be within three years 
and long term to be greater than three 
years. Short-term risks are captured in our 
annual financial planning process; medium- 
and long-term risks are captured within our 
global footprint planning process.

In 2021, we revised our annual and three-
year financial planning, and our capital 
expenditure planning processes to begin 
to require climate-related risk information 
and specific sustainability considerations.

We maintain a separate sustainability 
risk register where risk owners consider 
how sustainability and climate risks affect 
our Principal Risks. These are managed 
through our ERM process. In 2022, we ran 
a cross-functional sustainability workshop 
where risk champions brainstormed 
and discussed how climate change 
and sustainability risks could impact 
their Principal Risks and business areas. 
After assessing our business activities, 
we have determined that climate change 
is not currently a Principal Risk to the 
business as we do not expect climate 
change to fundamentally alter the 
demand for our products or our ability to 
manufacture and supply them. As outlined 
on page 65, our Principal Risks capture 
climate-related risks in our ERM process. 
Detailed information on our ERM process 
can be found on page 69 of the Annual 
Report and in our Sustainability Report.

Metrics and targets
We have published an annual Sustainability 
Report since 2001 detailing progress 
against our global targets. We have targets 
in each of our priority areas: People, 
Planet and Products. Our key climate-
related metrics are greenhouse gas 
emissions and waste to landfill. Our key 
targets in relation to these metrics are 
net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 
2045 and zero waste to landfill at our 
strategic manufacturing facilities by 2030. 
Detailed information about our targets 
and progress made against those targets 
can be found on pages 59–63 of the 
Annual Report and in our Sustainability 
Report. The Remuneration Committee 
determined that with effect from 2022, 
5% of the Annual Bonus Plan for Executive 
Directors will be dependent on the 
achievement of ESG targets linked to our 
sustainability strategy.

We have mapped our Scope 1 and Scope 2  
GHG emissions, and during 2022 we also 
began to map our Scope 3 GHG emissions 
in order to meet our target of reducing total 
life cycle GHG emissions to net zero by 
2045. In 2021, we also established interim 
carbon reduction targets to 2025. See  
page 63 for details on our Scope 1 and 
Scope 2 net zero roadmap.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

In 2021, we worked with our global 
energy partner to model our Scope 1 
and Scope 2 GHG emissions in line with 
scenarios limiting global temperature 
rises to 2°C and 1.5°C. The outputs of 
these analyses are being used to inform 
decisions and prioritise actions. In 2022, 
we published our 2021 baseline Scope 3 
GHG emissions, including data from eight 
of the fifteen categories. Our Scope 1, 2 
and 3 GHG emissions data are provided on 
page 68 of the Annual Report with more 
detailed information also available in our 
Sustainability Report.

In 2022, our location-based and market-
based Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions 
reduced by 4% and 27% respectively 
compared to 2019, and we sent 26% 
less waste to landfill compared to 2019. 
We did, however, see a small annual 
increase in energy usage and market-
based GHG emissions as a result of the 
new facility in Malaysia opening and further 
expansion of our facility in Costa Rica.

During 2022, driver appetite for electric 
vehicles continued to grow. In the UK, 
over 26% of our leased car fleet is now 
fully electric and over 45% of new cars 
on order, awaiting delivery, are electric 
vehicles. Fully electric business miles 
driven in the UK since the introduction of 
electric vehicles in 2021 are now in excess 
of 650,000. In addition to the UK, the electric 
vehicle policy is now implemented in the 
Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Norway, 
Sweden, Germany and Ireland, and is in 
progress in France and Spain.

The in-country charging infrastructure 
and the current supply chain issues for the 
delivery of new vehicles has hindered the 
speed of the transition as we estimate 
approximately 6% of the European leased 
car fleet is now fully electric. This is a great 
step towards our commitment to achieve 
net zero carbon emissions. In addition, 
our employees view this as a positive way 
to help them reduce their own personal 
carbon footprint. Being able to choose 
fully electric vehicles has brought increased 
motivation and satisfaction among our 
company car driver population.

In January 2023, we launched a salary 
sacrifice scheme to make electric vehicles 
available to all employees in the UK. 
With electric vehicle chargers in place 
at the majority of our UK offices and 
manufacturing facilities, all employees 
are being encouraged to commute with 
more consideration for the environment.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

CO2e reporting methodology,  
materiality and scope

We report the carbon footprint of our 
Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions 
in tonnes of CO2 equivalent from our 
business operations for the year ended 
31 December 2022. We are including 
UK specific energy and emissions data 
to satisfy the Streamlined Energy and 
Carbon Reporting (SECR) requirements. 
We also report our 2021 baseline Scope 3 
GHG emissions.

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 2022 are included in the data, with 
more recent ones excluded. This is in-line  
with our established policy for the integration 
of acquired assets.

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

We report our emissions in three scopes:
 – Scope 1: 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. We have 
included UK vehicle emissions from 
leased cars since 2020.

 – Scope 2: Indirect sources of emissions 

such as purchased electricity and steam 
we use at our sites.

 – Scope 3: Indirect value chain emissions 
that arise as a result of activities from 
assets or processes not owned or 
controlled by Smith+Nephew, these 
can be further divided into upstream 
and downstream emissions and fall 
into 15 defined categories. During 2022, 
we have worked on assessing our 2021 
baseline Scope 3 GHG emissions and 
have data available for eight categories.

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 2022.

We have applied the emission factors 
most relevant to the source data, 
including Defra 2022 (for UK locations), 
IEA 2020 (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 2022.

In line with dual-reporting we also 
report market-based emissions. These are 
contractual or supplier-specific emission 
factors that can be applied when procuring 
low-carbon energy or siting facilities 
in areas with lower emissions but also 
recognising that this might be higher 
than the grid average in some cases. 
Where market-based factors were 
not available, we have used ‘Residual 
Mix’ data for the EU locations and IEA 
data for all other countries, except for 
the remaining US locations where the 
eGRID factors were applied.

We have also implemented, or benefited 
from, numerous energy efficiency and 
low-carbon energy measures during 
2022. Some of these savings include: 
independent energy audits; detailed 
analysis of our energy usage data to 
identify saving opportunities; the use of 
Building Energy Management Systems 
(BEMS) to control equipment for maximum 
efficiency; and the installation of solar 
photovoltaic panels in Malaysia and China.

We have also targeted the use of online 
‘real time’ data to monitor energy usage 
to make savings. We have a programme 
to replace older inefficient equipment 
with highly efficient equipment, such 
as compressors, chillers, pumps, fans 
and motors.

67

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONIndependent assurance
In 2022, selected Scope 1 and Scope 2 
GHG emissions data were independently 
assured by ERM CVS. The assurance 
covered both the current year and the 
2019 baseline for Scope 1 and Scope 
2 GHG emissions. More details and the 
full limited assurance statement can be 
found in the 2022 Sustainability Report 
on pages 60–61.

www.smith-nephew.com/
sustainability

For a healthy and sustainable future continued
CO2e reporting methodology, materiality and scope continued

This year we also continued to convert 
our company car fleet in Europe to electric 
vehicles where appropriate.

In Memphis during 2022, we purchased 
RECs through Green Flex, a voluntary 
renewable energy programme. Certified by 
Green-e Energy, North America’s leading 
certification programme for renewable 
energy, Green Flex RECs are based on 
wind power generated in the Midwest 
US. Purchasing RECs gives buyers the 
right to renewable energy and also 
makes it possible to track ownership 
of it. Our participation in this scheme 
underscores our commitment to 
supporting renewable energy and helps 
to reduce our market-based carbon 
emissions footprint.

Reporting our Scope 3 emissions
During 2022, we have worked with our 
global energy partner to measure our 2021 
baseline Scope 3 GHG emissions for the 
first time using a recognised protocol, 
CEDA (Comprehensive Environmental 
Data Archive). Our estimation of our 
2021 baseline Scope 3 GHG emissions 
was 1.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide 
equivalent from the eight categories 
that we measured. We will increase the 
number of categories reported and refine 
the quantity as we continue to reassess 
our GHG emissions.

This estimate was from the best 
available 2021 data and is intended to 
be a baseline benchmark from which we 
will begin our Scope 3 carbon reduction 
journey. As expected, in line with our 
peer group, purchased goods and 
services contributes the most significant 
proportion of our Scope 3 GHG emissions, 
over 80%, which we believe will remain 
the case as we calculate more categories. 
Further details are available in the 2022 
Sustainability Report on page 59. In 2023, 
we intend to prepare an emissions 
transition plan which will cover all three 
emission scopes.

CO2e emissions (tonnes) from:
Direct emissions (Scope 1)1
Indirect emissions (Scope 2) 
(location-based)

Total (location-based)
Indirect emissions (Scope 2) 
(market-based)

Total (market-based)
Energy consumption to calculate 
Scope 1+2 emissions (GWh)
Intensity ratio (location-based):
CO2e (t) per $m sales revenue
CO2e (t) per full-time employee

Other indirect emissions (Scope 3)3

2022

2021

Global 
(excluding UK)

UK

Total

Global 
(excluding UK)

UK

Total

2019 (baseline year)

Global 
(excluding UK)

UK

Total

5,563

6,605

12,1682

5,892

5,443

11,335

4,747

5,141

9,8882

3,856

9,419

5,205

10,768

57,961

61,8172

64,566

73,9852

3,900

9,792

60,987

64,887

66,430

76,222

31,474

36,6792

5,088

30,374

35,462

38,079

48,8472

10,980

35,817

46,797

4,911

9,658

5,072

9,819

62,413

67,554

67,3242

77,2122

52,080

57,1522

57,221

67,0402

49

188

237

49

183

232

45

168

213

14.2
3.9

14.7
4.0

1,614,573

15.1
4.3

1  UK vehicle data included in Scope 1 GHG emissions since 2020.
2  Data independently assured by ERM CVS, more details and the full assurance statement are available in the 2022 Sustainability Report on pages 60–61.
3   Estimation of 2021 Scope 3 GHG emissions from the eight categories measured. Refer to ‘Reporting our Scope 3 emissions’ above for more details.
2022 data includes recent acquisitions completed and new site openings during 2021.
Revenue: 2022: $5.2bn, 2021: $5.2bn; 2019: $5.1bn. Full-time employee data: 2022: 19,094; 2021: 18,976; 2019: 18,030.

68

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Risk report

Like all businesses, 
we face risks and 
uncertainties

Our risk management process
Successful identification and management 
of existing and emerging risks is critical to 
the achievement of strategic objectives and 
to the long-term success of any business. 
Risk management is therefore an integral 
component of our Corporate Governance.

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

2022 has seen a further maturing of risk 
management. We introduced quarterly 
Risk Champion workshops focused on topics 
such as Data Privacy, Supply Chain and 
Sustainability, which increased awareness 
of risks and management actions across 
the Group. We implemented a new 
and easier to use central risk register 
system with built in quality checks to 
ensure consistency in the analysis and 
management of risk. We also developed 
data analytics and reporting dashboards 
to share regular ERM insights with 
Risk Champions and our Executive 
Management. Executive Committee risk 
owners report and discuss Principal Risk 
trends from an operational perspective in 
monthly Executive Committee meetings.

1. Risk identification

2. Gross (inherent) 
risk assessment

3. Current control  
identification

4. Net (residual) risk 
assessment

5. Risk response  
planning

6. Risk reporting

7. Monitoring and review

Emerging risks
Executive Committee Risk Owners continue 
to scan the horizon for new and emerging risks 
and these are discussed and considered in the 
top down risk discussion. Emerging risks that 
were identified this year are covered within 
our existing Principal Risks and include:
 – The impact of macroeconomic factors such 
as inflation and global recession. Similar to 
our peers in healthcare, we are limited in 
the extent to which we can pass increased 
costs onto customers and payers. We take 
steps to mitigate this risk through our 
pricing initiative in our 12-point plan.
 – Localised lockdowns in China and the 

war in Ukraine impact our global supply 
chain and operations. This risk is being 
mitigated through initiatives in our 
12-point plan.

 – New and increased medical device 

regulations in the EU and globally will 
require increased resources in our 
priority markets and delays experienced 
in interactions with notified bodies may 
further compound the impact on our 
business. There has been a reduction in 
the capacity of notified bodies leading 
to an increase in registration timelines, 
which impacts our route to market. 
This risk is being managed under our 
Quality and Regulatory principal risk.
 – Our customers, investors and other 

internal and external stakeholders are 
increasingly focused on our approach to 
Environmental, Social and Governance 
(ESG) matters and how we embed 
ESG considerations into all areas of our 
business. In 2022, we have responded 
to this increased interest by enhancing 
our ESG governance structure, ensuring 
that ESG considerations are taken into 
account in decision making processes 
and are reflected within each of our 
Principal Risks as appropriate. 

 – The competition for talent has impacted 

all employers globally. We are managing 
this risk by continuing to focus on various 
initiatives to ensure that our purpose 
and values are ingrained within the 
culture of the organisation which 
supports engagement, attraction and 
retention of new and existing employees.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRisk report continued

Risk management life cycle
Annual improvement and refinement of our 
risk management process ensures that it 
remains aligned with strategy and operations.

Our Risk Management Policy, sponsored 
by our Chief Executive Officer, is driven by 
an Enterprise Risk Management Manual 
and the Group Risk team providing training 
to Business Area 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 on this page.

2023 Risk Management Plan
Our work will continue to evolve in 2023 
with a particular focus on strengthening 
cross-functional risk management in 
alignment with the 12-point plan.

This will include deep-dive sessions into 
specific risks with cross-functional teams. 
We will work with the new sustainability risk 
champion to further develop the risk register 
in this area. The Group Risk team will also 
continue to influence decision making through 
effective challenge to Risk Owners and Risk 
Champions in the quarterly review process.

Our risk governance framework
At the very top of our structure is our 
Board with responsibility for oversight of risk 
management, 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’ risk management exercise ensures 
that risks are escalated back through the 
process to our Board and are reflected 
in 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.

70

Board of  
Directors and  
Board Committees

G

r

o

u

p

R

i

s

k

T

e

a

m

Internal Audit

Executive Committee

Business Area

Board of Directors  
and Board Committees
 – The Board is responsible 
for 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.

 – The Board 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.

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.

 – Lead regular risk 
register updates.

Executive Committee
 – Identifies and ensures 

the management of risks 
that would prevent the 
Company from achieving 
our strategic 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.

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.
 – Reports regularly on risk to 
the Executive Committee.
 – Prepares Board and Group 
Risk Committee reports.

Internal Audit
 – Provides independent 

assurance to the Board and 
Audit Committee on the 
effectiveness of the Group’s 
Risk Management process.
 – Provides annual assessment  
of effectiveness of Enterprise 
Risk Management.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 
 
2022 Principal Risks

We assess our Principal Risks in terms of their potential impact on our  
ability to deliver our business strategy. The Principal Risks are presented  
in alphabetical order below. Sustainability risks are embedded and run 
through the Principal Risks as appropriate.

Our Strategy for Growth

1 Strengthen the 

foundation to serve 
customers sustainably 
and simply

2 Accelerate profitable 

growth through 
prioritisation and 
customer focus

3 Transform our  

business through  
innovation and 
acquisition

8

For further information on our Strategy for Growth

Risk change from 2021 key

Increased risk

Reduced risk 

No change

3

2

1

Business continuity and business change

Our business requires continuous improvement and 
depends on our ability to execute business change 
programmes such as the 12-point plan at pace, whilst 
continuing to operate business as usual. The pace and 
scope of our business change initiatives may increase 
execution risk for the change programmes as well as 
for our business-as-usual activities.
Our business depends on our ability to plan for and 
be resilient in the face of events that threaten one 
or more of our key locations. Damage caused by 
environmental and climate change factors, including 
natural disasters and severe weather, can and do 
threaten our critical sites. Widespread outbreaks of 
infectious diseases and the local and global actions 
and requirements to deal with them, such as the 
Covid pandemic, create uncertainty and challenges 
for the Group and our customers.

Oversight
Board

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
3. Transform

3

1

Examples of risks
 – Multiple change initiatives, including those 
within our 12-point plan could distract 
management from delivering business 
as usual objectives.

 – Widespread outbreaks of infectious 
diseases, including new Covid variants.

 – Natural disaster causes disruption 

to manufacturing and/or distribution 
at single or sole source facility.
 – Severe weather patterns, global 
temperature rise and sea-level 
rise caused by climate change or 
natural disaster causes damage 
to manufacturing or distribution 
facilities, impacting ability to meet 
customer demand.

 – Disruption to the business due to 
critical system infrastructure and 
applications being unavailable.

 – Failure to effectively implement core 

elements of business change prevents 
our projects and programmes achieving 
the intended benefits and disrupts 
existing business activities.
 – Failure to transform to achieve 

our sustainability targets. 

Actions taken by management
 – Dedicated Acceleration Office and 
Executive Steering Committee led 
by our CEO to monitor the successful 
delivery of the 12-point plan.
 – Global, regional, and local crisis 

management governance in place.
 – Emergency and incident management 
and business recovery plans in place 
at major facilities and for key products 
and key suppliers.

 – IT disaster recovery policy in place.
 – Project management governance 
and toolkits and project steering 
committee oversight to support 
successful execution of programme 
and projects.

 – A new ESG Operating Committee 
implements and operationalises 
ESG strategy and provides data and 
metrics to monitor implementation.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRisk report continued
2022 Principal Risks continued

Commercial execution

The long-term success of our business depends 
on setting the right strategic priorities such as the 
12-point plan and our three-year strategic plan and 
executing on our plans to deliver priority initiatives 
in highly competitive markets. 
This requires effective communication and 
engagement both internally on a cross-functional 
basis (for example in order to drive procedure-based 
selling models) and with our customers, suppliers 
and other stakeholders. We must also successfully 
embed the right governance structures, accountability 
and capabilities across the Group and ensure we 
adjust and refine strategic priorities and business 
models when necessary. Failure to set and execute 
on priorities and drive cross functional accountability 
within our business will impact our ability to continue 
to grow our business profitably and sustainably and 
to serve our customers.

Oversight
Board

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
2. Accelerate
3. Transform

3

2

1

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 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.

 – Inability to satisfy customers’ 
sustainability requirements 
and expectations.

 – Limited healthcare professional 
access to medical education.
 – Failure to achieve potential from 
acquisitions due to integration  
challenges.

Cybersecurity

We depend on a wide variety of information systems, 
programmes and technology to run our business 
effectively. We also develop and sell certain digitally 
enabled products that connect to proprietary and 
third-party networks and/or the internet.
Our systems and the systems of the entities we 
acquire may be vulnerable to a cyber-attack, theft of 
intellectual property, malicious intrusion, data privacy 
breaches or other significant disruption. We have a 
layered security approach in place to prevent, detect 
and respond, to minimise the risk and disruption 
of any intrusions and to monitor our systems on 
an ongoing basis for current or potential threats.

Examples of risks
 – Loss of confidential or sensitive 

information, intellectual property  
and/or data privacy breach.
 – Inadequate consideration of 

cybersecurity in the design of new 
products, systems and/or processes.
 – Disruption to business operations due  
to a significant cybersecurity incident.

 – Increased government focus on 
cybersecurity and changes in 
regulatory environment.

 – Increasing demand for cybersecurity 
expertise could impact our ability to 
attract and retain cybersecurity talent.

Oversight
Audit Committee

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
3. Transform

3

1

Actions taken by management
 – Strategic planning process clearly 
linked to business and Group risk.
 – Continued new product launches and 
monitoring of innovation pipeline.
 – An enhanced Sales Inventory and 
Operations (SI&OP) process to 
improve demand and supply planning. 

 – Enhanced accessible digital sales 
information and training modules 
for sales staff.

 – Enhanced Virtual Medical Education 

platforms and opening of the 
Smith+Nephew Academy in Singapore.

 – Integration committee to review/

approve integration plans and monitor 
ongoing processes.

Actions taken by management
 – Ensured every user has access to 

and is using a secure Virtual Private 
Network (VPN) when connecting 
to Smith+Nephew networks to 
safeguard remote working.
 – Continued security awareness 

activities including email communications, 
intranet posts, visuals, videos and 
more Covid-related email phishing 
training activities.

 – Multi-factor authentication tools 

reduce the likelihood of remote attacks.

 – Security information and event 
management (SIEM) in place to 
provide real-time analysis of security 
alerts generated by applications 
and network hardware.
 – Regular penetration testing 
and frequent vulnerability 
scanning undertaken. 

 – Endpoint protection and intrusion 

detection/prevention implemented.

 – Security governance structure in 

place including a Security & Privacy 
Steering Committee. 

 – Monitor developments from 

governments and raise changes and 
developments with Global IT Security.

 – Cybersecurity Maturity Programme 
monitored by the Audit Committee.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Global supply chain

Our ability to make, distribute and sell medical 
products to customers in over 100 countries involves 
complex manufacturing and supply chain processes. 
Increased outsourcing, sophisticated materials, and 
the speed of technological change in an already 
complex manufacturing process leads to greater 
potential for disruption in our supply chain. Post-Covid 
lack of availability of raw materials and components 
and localised lockdowns such as in China compound 
supply and business disruption.
Capacity constraints and the regulatory environment, 
including the increased focus on global regulation of 
sustainability, increase our exposure to supply chain 
disturbance. Increasingly frequent climate events 
increase the likelihood and impact of disruptions 
to our supply chain.
Increased inflationary pressure on production, 
freight and warehousing and distribution costs 
increases our risk of failing to achieve accelerated 
profitable growth.

Oversight
Board

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
2. Accelerate

2

1

Examples of risks
 – Disruption to manufacturing 

at a single source facility (lack of 
manufacturing redundancy).

 – Manufacturing and supply chain capacity 

not adequate to support growth.
 – Risks associated with the transition 

of warehouse and distribution activities 
to external supplier impacting inbound 
and outbound logistics.

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

 – Inadequate sales and operational 
planning impacts ability to meet 
customer demand for product.
 – Excess inventory due to incorrect 
demand forecasts, inaccurate 
demand signals and unexpected 
changes in demand.

 – Failure of suppliers and distribution 
partners to achieve and maintain 
regulatory compliance.

 – Increasing costs of raw materials 

and freight.

 – Increasing salary and wage costs 

for manufacturing and distribution 
employees and contractors.

 – Severe weather patterns caused 

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

 – Disruption to the business due to 
critical system infrastructure and 
applications being unavailable.
 – Critical material shortages leading 

to supply challenges.

 – Increased freight cycle times, 

increasing in-network inventory 
while disrupting customer supply.

 – Labour attrition and delays 

in backfilling.

Actions taken by management
 – Our 12-point plan includes initiatives 
to improve product availability and 
inventory, enhance procurement 
and management of transportation 
costs, focus on lean manufacturing 
and quality and optimise our 
manufacturing network.

 – Delivering Global Operations 

transformation programme to 
optimise manufacturing and 
distribution centres and reduce 
single source limitations.
 – Global Operations project 

management governance and 
toolkits to support successful 
execution of transformation  
programmes.

 – Risk-based review programmes 
undertaken for critical suppliers.

 – Business continuity plans 

developed and alternative source 
options identified for critical suppliers.

 – Executive oversight of sales and 

operational planning.

 – Increased co-ordination between 

commercial, supply chain and logistics 
to improve forecast accuracy.
 – Comprehensive product quality 
processes in place from design 
to customer supply.

 – Supplier contract agreements achieve 
and manage regulatory compliance.
 – Initiatives to improve manufacturing 
efficiency and reduce overhead costs.

 – IT disaster recovery policy in place. 
 – Leadership taskforce established to 
resolve cumulative impact of global 
supply chain events.

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRisk report continued
2022 Principal Risks continued

Legal and compliance

We are committed to doing business with integrity 
and believe that ‘doing the right thing’ is part of our 
mandate to operate. We operate in multiple countries 
and regulatory authorities in each jurisdiction enforce 
an increasingly complex pattern of laws and regulations 
that govern the design, development, approval, 
manufacture, labelling, marketing, sale and operation 
of both traditional and digital healthcare products 
and services.
Operating across this complex and dynamic legal and 
compliance environment, which includes regulations 
on bribery, corruption, privacy, sustainability and trade 
compliance, increases the risk of fines, penalties, and 
reputational damage. We mitigate this through legal 
and compliance policies, procedures, training and 
practices designed to prevent and detect violations 
of law, regulations and industry codes.

Oversight
Compliance &  
Culture Committee

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
2. Accelerate
3. Transform

3

2

1

Mergers and acquisitions

As the Group 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 
or products 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.
Failure to identify appropriate acquisition targets, 
to conduct adequate due diligence or to integrate 
them successfully or to deliver on the acquisition 
business case would have an adverse impact on 
our competitive position and profitability.

Oversight
Board

Link to Strategy
3. Transform

3

Change from 2021

Examples of risks
 – Failure to act in an ethical manner 

consistent with our Code of Conduct 
and Business Principles.

Actions taken by management
 – Board Compliance & Culture 

Committee oversees our ethical 
and compliance practices.

 – Violation of anti-corruption or 

 – Global compliance programme, 

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.

 – The development, manufacture and 
sale of medical devices entail risk 
of product liability claims or recalls.
 – Failure to identify changes in or new 
legal or regulatory requirements 
including sanctions programmes 
and ESG matters which result in 
non-compliance with applicable 
laws and regulations.
 – Failure to meet needs of 

stakeholders relating to increased 
focus on and regulation of ESG 
reporting requirements.

policies and procedures.

 – Annually all employees required 
to undertake training and certify 
compliance with our Code of 
Conduct and Business Principles.

 – Group monitoring and auditing 

programmes in place.

 – Launched enhanced confidential 
independent reporting channels 
for employees and third parties 
to report concerns.

 – Trade compliance programme, 

policies and procedures.

 – The ESG Operating Committee 
assesses new and enhanced 
regulations and reporting 
requirements and works cross-
functionally to ensure compliance.

 – Monitoring new regulatory and 

enforcement trends.

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 Group standards, 
policies and financial controls.

 – Failure to deliver on plans to achieve 

the acquisition business case.

Actions taken by management
 – Acquisition activity 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 invested capital, in accordance 
with Capital Allocation Framework 
and comprehensive post-acquisition 
review programme.

 – Detailed and comprehensive cross-

functional due diligence undertaken 
prior to acquisitions by experienced 
internal and external experts 
(including the integration team).
 – Compliance and other risks included 
as part of due diligence reviews, 
integration plans and reporting 
for acquisitions.

 – Integration committee review, 

approval of integration plans and 
monitoring of ongoing process.

 – Board has annual post-deal 

review session.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

New product innovation, design & development including intellectual property

Our product innovation pipeline is becoming 
broader in scope and increasingly complex, as we 
focus our efforts on procedure innovation using 
digital technologies such as connectivity, machine 
learning, and artificial intelligence. Our focus on high 
growth and profitable markets requires us to better 
understand unmet customer needs, drivers of surgical 
efficiency and patient outcomes, and new country/
regional regulations including requirements related 
to cybersecurity and sustainability. Our innovation 
pipeline needs to be sufficiently differentiated 
from our competition in order for us to deliver 
our commercial ambition.
If Smith+Nephew fails to protect and enforce 
its intellectual property rights successfully, its 
competitive position could suffer, which could 
impact profitable, sustainable growth.

Oversight
Board

Link to Strategy
3. Transform

3

Change from 2021

Political and economic

We operate a global business and are exposed 
to the effects of political and economic risks, 
changes in the regulatory and competitive landscape, 
trade policies and trade compliance requirements, 
war, political upheaval, changes in government policy 
regarding healthcare priorities and sustainability 
expectations, increasing inflationary pressure and tax 
rates, preference for local suppliers, import quotas, 
economic sanctions and terrorist activities.

Oversight
Board

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
2. Accelerate

2

1

Examples of risks
 – Failure to develop, partner or acquire a 
competitively differentiated innovation.

Actions taken by management
 – Our 12-point plan includes an initiative 
to reposition our knee and hip portfolio.

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

 – Inadequate innovation due to low 
Research & Development (R&D) 
investment, R&D skills gap or ineffective 
product development execution.
 – Loss of market share due to critical 
gaps in product portfolio not filled.
 – 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 Group or fail to respect 
the Group’s intellectual property rights.

 – Failure to ensure sustainability in 

new products.

 – Continued product and technology 
acquisitions and product launches 
and effective implementation of new 
product launches.

 – Global R&D organisation and 

governance framework providing 
strategic direction for allocation of 
R&D investment across all businesses. 
Clear stage-gate process to continually 
evaluate R&D investment decisions 
and development of new products.

 – Cross-functional New Product 

Design and R&D processes focused 
on identifying new products and 
potentially disruptive technologies 
and solutions.

 – Replacing global PLM systems.
 – Monitored external market trends 
and collated customer insights to 
develop product strategies.
 – Careful attention to intellectual 

property considerations.

 – Sustainability criteria built into new 
product development processes.

Examples of risks
 – Global or regional recession and 

increasing macroeconomic controls 
due to Covid impact on customer 
financial strength.

 – Global political and economic 

uncertainty and conflict.

 – Failure to meet the sustainability 
targets and public policy changes.
 – Failure to pivot on business strategy 

in light of increased sanction 
programmes globally.
 – Market access rights.
 – Increases in import and labour costs.
 – Increases in tariffs and restrictions 

on global trade.

 – Inflationary pressures impacting 
raw materials, freight, salaries 
and wages.

Actions taken by management
 – Built sustainability strategy on 
our purpose, business strategy, 
and culture pillars, and tracked 
and benchmarked targets within 
the industry.

 – A new ESG Operating Committee 
implements and operationalises 
ESG strategy and provides data and 
metrics to monitor implementation.

 – Continued engagement with 

governments, administrations, 
and regulatory bodies to enhance 
education and advocacy efforts 
with policymakers.

 – Global trade compliance programme, 

policies and procedures.
 – Actively participate in trade 
associations to enhance 
education and advocacy efforts 
with policymakers.

 – Ongoing engagement and monitoring/
lobbying on localisation initiatives.

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75

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRisk report continued
2022 Principal Risks continued

Pricing and reimbursement

Our success depends on our ability to sell our 
products profitably, despite increasing inflation and 
costs associated with improving the sustainability 
of our products, pricing pressures from customers 
and the availability of and access to adequate 
government funding and reimbursement to meet 
increasing demands for our products arising from 
patient 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.
Market developments such as China volume-based 
procurement, consolidation of customers into buying 
groups, inflation, increasing professionalisation of 
procurement departments and the commoditisation 
of entire product groups, continue to challenge prices.
We mitigate this through price increases to mitigate 
the impact of inflation where possible, portfolio mix 
and promotion of differentiated products, including 
a compelling clinical and economic value proposition.

Oversight
Board

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
2. Accelerate

2

1

Quality and regulatory

Global regulatory bodies continue to increase their 
expectations of manufacturers and distributors 
of medical devices not only in respect of quality 
and regulation of products but also in respect of 
sustainability requirements. Our products are used 
in the human body and therefore patient safety is 
of paramount importance. The European Medical 
Device Regulation (EU MDR), and multiple other global 
regulations and changes in standards have increased 
the focus on clinical and technical evidence, supplier 
controls and product performance transparency. 
Our customers and other stakeholders also require 
us to explain our approach to and demonstrate 
compliance with increasing sustainability regulations 
and reporting requirements.

Oversight
Compliance &  
Culture Committee

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
2. Accelerate

2

1

76

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.

 – Unilateral price controls/reductions 

imposed on medical devices.

 – Price-driven tendering/
procurement processes.
 – Volume-based procurement 
in China and other markets.
 – Limited access to non-clinical 

decision makers. 

 – Limited ability to pass on 

increased costs such as raw materials, 
freight, sustainability improvements 
and the cost of compliance with 
regulations to our customers.

Actions taken by management
 – Our 12-point plan includes an initiative 
which focuses on pricing strategy 
and execution in order to mitigate 
some of the impact of inflation.
 – Developed innovative economic 
product and service solutions 
for both established and 
emerging markets.

 – Incorporated health economic 

components into the design and 
development of new products.

 – Sales training to improve capability 
to communicate the clinical and 
economic value proposition to  
non-clinical decision makers.

 – Implementing innovative contracting 

models designed to lessen the 
risk of adoption and coverage for 
healthcare providers and payers.
 – Increased engagement with payer 
bodies to influence reimbursement 
mechanisms to reward innovation.
 – Optimise portfolio mix and promote 

differentiated products.

 – Consideration of price increases.

Examples of risks
 – Transition to EU MDR impacts 

ability to meet customer demand.
 – Increase in time required by Notified 

Bodies to review product submissions 
and site quality systems’ certification 
time for new products impacts 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, design, manufacturing, 
distribution, sales or marketing.
 – Failure to obtain proper approvals 

for products or processes.

 – More stringent local requirements 
for clinical data across various 
markets globally.

 – Failure to meet stakeholder 

expectations with regard to increasing 
sustainability regulations and 
reporting requirements.

Actions taken by management
 – EU MDR Steering Group regularly 

monitors activities to comply with 
new requirements.

 – Regular engagement with Notified Bodies, 
MHRA 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 in 
place, with the addition of cybersecurity 
to new product development projects 
for relevant products.

 – Standardised monitoring and 

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

to provide a 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.

 – Local clinical evidence requirements 
are included in global new product 
development projects.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Talent management

In the current market, recruitment and retention 
of top talent and minimising attrition is a critical 
risk which requires a strong engagement process. 
We recognise that people leadership, effective 
succession planning and the ability to engage, 
retain and attract talent is a key lever of success 
for our business. Failure to do so places our ability 
to execute the Group strategy and to be effective 
in the chosen market/discipline at risk.

Oversight
Board

Change from 2021

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen
2. Accelerate

2

1

Taxation and foreign exchange

We operate a global business and are therefore 
required to comply with tax legislation in multiple 
jurisdictions and are also exposed to exchange 
rate volatility. Adverse changes to tax legislation, 
including those driven by international agreements 
such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation 
and Development (OECD) global minimum tax rate, 
and volatility in foreign currency exchange rates 
can impact our results and it may not be possible 
to fully mitigate against them.

Oversight
Audit Committee

Link to Strategy
1. Strengthen

Change from 2021

1

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.

 – Failure to attract talented 
and capable candidates.
 – Increased talent movement 

globally due to shifting personal  
work-life balance priorities. 
 – Increased salaries globally, 

particularly in the Cybersecurity, 
ESG, Research & Development, 
Quality and Regulatory Affairs, 
Manufacturing and Distribution  
functions.

Actions taken by management
 – Talent planning and people 

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

 – Identification of high-value roles and 
ensuring that these roles are filled 
with our high-performance individuals 
with strong succession plans in place.
 – Developed strategic skills resourcing 

plan by functional areas.

 – Provided employees with access 
to tools and resources to manage 
their emotional, physical, and 
mental wellness.

 – Enhanced Inclusion, Diversity and Equity 
(IDE) policy, including establishment of 
Employee Inclusion Groups (EIGs) and 
IDE Council in order to foster culture 
of belonging within the organisation 
and promote engagement, attraction 
and retention of top talent.

 – Ongoing segmentation of specific job 
roles and applying focused rewards 
to ensure we are competitive and 
attractive to candidates.

Examples of risks
 – Potential for significant tax rate 
changes and/or base broadening 
measures in key jurisdictions where 
we operate including OECD proposals 
and US tax reform.

 – Failure to comply with current tax laws.
 – Transfer pricing policy not correctly 

implemented or monitored.

 – Risk of adverse trading margins due to 
fluctuating foreign currency exchange 
rates between our main manufacturing 
operations (the US, UK, Costa Rica, 
Malaysia and China) and where our 
products are sold.

 – Changing legislation in the US 

and other key markets may require 
changes to our operating model. 

Actions taken by management
 – The Group Tax team continually 
monitor developments in tax 
legislation and obtain external 
advice where relevant.

 – The Group Tax team, supported by 
external advisers, work closely with 
the business to implement agreed 
processes and procedures.

 – A foreign exchange hedging programme 
is operated and is overseen centrally 
by the Group Treasury team.

 – The Finance and Banking Committee 
monitors ongoing treasury and 
tax matters including foreign 
exchange exposure.
 – Internal Audit and Audit 
Committee oversight.

 – Seeking appropriate independent  
third-party advice when required.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

77

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION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 71–77 
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, April, July and December, 
receiving presentations from the Group 
Risk team, explaining the processes 
followed by management in identifying 
and managing risk throughout 
the business.

 – In August and November 2022, the 

Executive Committee met to review 
the 2022 Principal Risks (the top-down 
risk review process). The Executive 
Committee was asked to consider the 
significant risks which they believed 
could seriously impact the profitability 
and prospects of the Group and the 
principal risks that would threaten its 
business model, future performance, 
solvency or liquidity.

 – All Executive Committee members 
nominated the Risk Champions and 
have worked with them to prepare risk 
registers. The Risk Champions nominated 
by the Executive Committee are senior 
employees and in risk management. 
 – Using the outputs from the Business 
Area ‘bottom-up’ risk identification 
completed in September 2022 and 
following ‘top-down’ discussions 
with the Executive Committee, the 
most significant risks affecting our 
organisation were presented to the 
Executive Committee for approval in 
November as the draft 2022 Principal 
Risks facing the Company and again 
in January 2023 as final disclosures. 

 – Executive Committee agreed to retain 
the 12 Principal Risks from 2021 with 
amendments to the descriptions 
within each Principal Risk to reflect 
the implementation of the 12-point plan 
and macro and internal factors to be 
taken into account in 2022. 
 – In assessing our TCFD risks we 

concluded that climate-related risks 
are not significant in our viability horizon 
of three years. Nonetheless, we have 
included an extreme weather event in 
our Business Continuity and Business 
Change scenario.

 – All relevant executives have attested 
alignment to the Group’s Enterprise 
Risk Management Process as part of 
the annual certification on governance, 
risk, and compliance.

 – The Board debated and agreed the 

risk appetite for each of the Principal 
Risks in February 2022.

 – Final Principal Risks were presented 
to the Audit Committee and the 
Board in February 2022 for their 
consideration and approval.
 – 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 2025 
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.

Scenario testing
To test 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 Group. 

These have been modelled as follows:
 – In carrying out scenario modelling 

of the Principal Risks on the following 
page we have also evaluated the 
impact of a severe but plausible 
combination of these risks 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 71–77 of this Annual Report. 
We recognise, however, that the long-
term viability of the Group 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.

Viability Statement
Having assessed the Principal Risks, 
the Board has determined that we  
have a reasonable expectation that  
the Group will be able to continue  
in operation and meet its liabilities  
as they fall due over a period of three 
years from 1 January 2023. In our  
long-term planning we consider horizons 
of between five and 10 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 the Strategic 
Plan reviewed by the Board in January 
2023. We will continue to evaluate any 
additional risks which might impact 
the business model.

By order of the Board, on 21 February 2023. 

Helen Barraclough
Company Secretary

78

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

2022 Scenarios modelled

Scenario 1: Global Economic Downturn 

Significant global economic recession, leading to sustained lower healthcare 
spending across both public and private systems. 

Action taken: We have modelled 10% lower revenue throughout 2023 
and 5% lower revenue throughout 2024. 

Reduced reimbursement levels and increasing pricing pressures.

Action taken: We have modelled annual price erosion of 1% impacting 
all product lines, along with a full drop through impact on profit in each 
of the periods 2023–2025. 

Link to strategy
 – Accelerate profitable growth through prioritisation  

and customer focus.

Link to Principal Risks
 – Business continuity and business change.
 – Global supply chain.
 – Commercial execution.
 – Political and economic.
 – Pricing and reimbursement.

Scenario 2: Operational risk

Inability to keep pace with significant product, innovation, and technical 
advances to develop commercially viable products, losing significant  
market share to the competition.

Action taken: We have modelled 1% lower growth than planned for a key 
product range in the US in 2023 and 2024.

Disruption to a Global Distribution Centre (GDC) preventing our ability to supply 
our customers with all products from the applicable GDC for one quarter.

Action taken: We have modelled an inability to supply products from 
one of our GDCs for one quarter of 2024.

Key Supplier Disruption – resulting in our inability to manufacture and 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 in 2023.

Increases in raw materials, freight and labour costs.

Product Liability Claim.

Link to strategy
 – Strengthen the foundation to serve customers sustainably and simply. 
 – Transform our business through innovation and acquisition.

Action taken: We have modelled an increase in our input costs by an 
additional 5% in 2023 and 2024, due to continued inflationary pressures.
Action taken: we have modelled a group of product liability claims 
resulting in a settlement agreement requiring cash payment in 2024 
and 2025, without any insurance coverage.

Link to Principal Risks
 – Commercial execution.
 – New product innovation, design & development including 

intellectual property.
 – Global supply chain.
 – Business continuity and business change (weather-related disruption).
 – Legal and compliance.
 – Political and economic.
 – Talent management.

Scenario 3: Tax, foreign exchange, legal, regulatory and compliance risks

Data privacy failure – giving rise to a significant fine or loss.

Failure to obtain proper regulatory approvals for products or processes 
impacting our ability to sell products.

Risk of adverse trading margins due to fluctuating foreign currency 
exchange rates across our markets.

Link to strategy
 – Strengthen the foundation to serve customers sustainably and simply.

Action taken: We have modelled a one-off significant fine from regulator 
of 2% of revenue or loss resulting from a data privacy issue in 2024.

Action taken: We have modelled the complete loss of revenue from a 
key product effective in mid-2023 for two years, and returning to lower 
volumes in mid-2025.

Action taken: We have modelled a reduction in profitability in 2024 and 
2025 due to a weakening in other currencies relative to the US Dollar by 5%.

Link to Principal Risks
 – Legal and compliance.
 – Quality and regulatory.
 – Taxation and foreign exchange.

Scenario 4: Cybersecurity

Disruption to business operations due to a significant cybersecurity incident. Action taken: We have modelled one of our key regions being unable 

to invoice also affecting shipping and tracking of deliveries for one month 
due to a disruption to our IT infrastructure in 2024.

Link to strategy
 – Strengthen the foundation to serve customers sustainably and simply.

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 over 2023 and 2024.

Link to strategy
 – Transform our business through innovation and acquisition.

Link to Principal Risks
 – Mergers and acquisitions.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

79

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONOur stakeholders

Section 172 statement

In accordance with section 172 of the Companies 
Act 2006 and the UK Corporate Governance 
Code 2018, the Board considers the potential 
impact on the Company’s key stakeholders 
and takes their views and interests into account 
when making decisions. The Board also takes 
the opportunity to engage with our stakeholders, 
as appropriate. Pages 109–115, as well as 
the pages referenced below, form part of this 
statement and provide examples of how 
each of our key stakeholders have been 
considered and engaged.

112

How we engage with  
our main stakeholders

Governments and regulators
We are subject to the laws and 
regulations of many governments and 
regulators across the world and we 
work to ensure product safety and 
legal compliance in order to achieve 
the full potential of our portfolio.

46

115

Employees
Our employees are crucial to the 
success of our business and many  
of our decisions have an impact 
on them. We believe that an engaged 
workforce is better for business.

48–53

109

112

80

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Environment and community
People, Planet and Products are  
at the heart of our sustainability 
strategy aiming to create a positive  
impact on our communities reducing 
the impact on our environment and 
enabling us to innovate sustainably.

Read more on pages  
56–68 and in our 2022 
Sustainability Report

Investors
Our investors are the owners of 
our business and it is important 
for us to understand their 
perspectives on performance, 
value, risk and governance.

113

240–248

Read more on investors

www.smith-nephew.com

Our Investor presentations  
are available to download  
on our website

Customers and suppliers
Our business model creates value 
through customer centricity whilst 
working in partnership with our 
suppliers ensures we have the right 
resources to support our growth.

14–15 24–45

114

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

81

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONOur technology takes  
the limits off living

Getting a rugby 
player back to 
the game

Life Unlimited

82

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

83

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONGovernance

Letter from the Chair

Board leadership and purpose
Letter from the Chair
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Division of responsibilities
Roles and composition of the Board
Corporate governance framework
Board activities
Composition, succession and evaluation
Board effectiveness review
Board development
Nomination & Governance Committee report
Audit, Risk and Control
Audit Committee report
Compliance & Culture  
Committee report
Engaging with stakeholders
Remuneration
Directors’ Remuneration report

84
86
89

90
92
94

96
97
98

101
108

112

116

Statement of Compliance
The Board is committed to the highest standards of corporate 
governance. We comply with the provisions and principles 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018 (2018 Code). 
The Company’s American Depositary Shares and bonds 
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and we 
are therefore subject to the rules of the NYSE as well as to 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’ 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 and 
Disclosure & Transparency Rules (DTRs) throughout the year.

84

Dear Shareholder
On behalf of the Board, I am pleased 
to present the governance section of 
our Annual Report, which sets outs the 
Board’s structure, roles, responsibilities, 
activities and stakeholder engagement 
during 2022.

Supporting strategic and 
operational improvement
Despite intense macroeconomic and 
geopolitical headwinds, the Board has 
remained focused on strategy and value 
creation. Following Deepak’s arrival in April 
2022, urgent focus was required in order to set 
the Company on a trajectory to achieve its full 
potential and deliver value for shareholders.

The executive directors and management 
focused on core business strategy and value 
creation opportunities under the 12-point 
plan to fix orthopaedics, improve margin 
and accelerate growth in our Advanced 
Wound Manufacturing (AWM) and Sports 
businesses. In parallel, the Board maintained 
scrutiny over the implementation of the 
Strategy for Growth in line with the Board’s 
risk appetite to ensure high standards of 
corporate governance were maintained and 
that decisions were considered in the interests 
of the Company’s stakeholders and in the 
best interests of the Company as a whole.

From a governance perspective, the Board 
has continued to drive improvements in our 
enterprise risk management programme in 
order to positively impact the risk culture of 
the Company. The refreshed focus on our 
governance structure in order to provide 
further oversight on environmental, social 
and governance (ESG) matters has also 
been a focus for the Board this year.

Board changes in 2022
Deepak joined us at an inflection point 
for the business and within his first 
100 days conducted a deep dive review  

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

and assessment of the opportunities and 
challenges facing the Company and then 
presented his 12-point plan to the Board, 
supported by key KPIs and metrics to 
execute and deliver on the Company’s 
significant potential for accelerated growth.

Jo Hallas was appointed as a Non-Executive 
Director to the Board on 1 February 2022 
and was subsequently appointed as a 
member of the Audit Committee with effect 
from 1 September 2022. Jo’s experience 
on sustainability matters has enhanced 
Board expertise in this area.

Robin Freestone, our Senior Independent 
Director took the decision to step down as 
a Non-Executive Director on 30 September 
having completed 7 years of service. We wish 
to thank him for his support to me as Chair, to 
the Board and the Company more broadly.

Marc Owen was appointed as Senior 
Independent Director with effect from 
Robin’s departure and led the search for my 
successor. We also took the opportunity to 
strengthen the Nomination & Governance 
Committee, appointing Angie Risley with 
effect from 1 September 2022.

Board and leadership 
succession planning
During my tenure we have strengthened 
the capabilities of the Board in terms 
of skills, composition and diversity and 
have appointed Board members with 
industry specific knowledge and broad 
geographical experience.

As succession planning is a key focus 
from both a leadership and governance 
perspective, we have developed a board 
composition and skills matrix which feeds 
into a formal rolling succession plan for 
directors. We have also worked with an 
independent third party to review our 
profile for the Company’s Chief Executive 
Officer and continue to review internal 
talent pipeline development as part of 
executive succession planning.

Chair search
The Nomination & Governance Committee 
and the Board were aligned on three core 
characteristics which would be required 
for a successful Chair: (i) a proven track 
record of delivering shareholder value; (ii) 
a strong background in governance, ideally 
within a UK FTSE environment; and (iii) the 
ability to support and develop the Chief 
Executive Officer, either through previous 
CEO experience or within a Chair role.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Marc engaged with various shareholders 
as part of the search process, who agreed 
with the characteristics determined by the 
Board and acknowledged that given the 
recent changes to Board and management, 
it was important to take the time to find 
the right fit for the new Chair.

After an extensive search, we announced on 
17 February 2023 that subject to shareholder 
approval, Rupert Soames OBE will be 
appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive 
Director and Chair-designate at our AGM 
and will join the Nomination & Governance 
and Remuneration Committees upon 
appointment. In order to ensure a smooth 
transition to Rupert, I have agreed to remain 
as Chair until 15 September 2023 and will 
put myself forward for re-election at the 
AGM on this basis.

Rupert has extensive global leadership 
experience, a strong track record of delivering 
shareholder value and a deep understanding 
of the UK corporate governance 
environment. For more than eight years as 
Chief Executive Officer of  Serco Group plc, 
Rupert led the transformation of the business 
and delivered significant improvements to 
profitability as he transitioned the Group’s 
strategy from turnaround to growth. 
Rupert was a Non-Executive Director of 
DS Smith, the FTSE 100 packaging company 
until September 2022 and was also Senior 
Independent Director of Electrocomponents 
plc (now RS Group). He was a member of 
the Remuneration, Nomination and Audit 
Committees at both companies.

On behalf of the Board, I am delighted to 
welcome Rupert as my successor as Chair. 
I am confident that he is the right person 
to support the management team, the 
organisation and the Board through the next 
stage of Smith+Nephew’s transformation.

Stakeholders
Pages 111–115 provide further insight into 
how the Board engage with and consider the 
views of our stakeholders in our decision-
making process, with one key example being 
the decision to invest in a new greenfield 
AWM site in Melton near Hull. The Board 
evaluated the benefit and impact on 
employees, customers, suppliers, investors, 
governments and regulators, the local 
communities and other stakeholders 
as part of decision making.

Following easing of restrictions post Covid, 
various Board members visited our Hull and 
Memphis sites in May and September 2022 
respectively, which provided opportunities 
for Board members (especially those who 
had joined during or since the pandemic) to 
understand more about the core business 
strategy, value creation opportunities and 
challenges and the impact of key initiatives 
and projects on our stakeholders.

Human capital issues including culture and 
workforce transformation also continue 
to be important agenda items for the 
Board. This year the Board amplified its 
listening session programme, holding 
five sessions with employees from diverse 
regional and workforce stakeholder groups. 
The session with Employee Interest Group 
(EIG) leadership in particular provided 
strong insights for the Board in terms of 
employee-driven initiatives on Inclusion, 
Diversity and Equity (IDE). Further details 
can be found on pages 110–112.

Annual General Meeting
Our 2023 AGM will be held at our 
Croxley offices on 26 April 2023 at 12pm. 
We strongly encourage shareholders to 
attend in person to listen to the proceedings, 
ask questions and vote. Further details of the 
AGM are included in the Notice of Meeting.

My thanks go to the Board for their 
commitment, contribution and dedication 
during 2022. I would also like to thank all of 
our shareholders for their continued patience 
during a challenging year for the Company.

It has been an honour to serve as your Chair 
and I will follow the Company with interest 
as management and the Board continue 
to partner together to execute on strategy 
and create and deliver further value for 
shareholders. 2023 looks set to be a year 
in which the resilience of Boards, CEOs and 
executives will continue to be tested and 
I believe that the current Board with the 
new Chair in place will be well positioned 
to provide support and oversight in a  
fast-changing environment.

Roberto Quarta
Chair

85

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION 
Board leadership and purpose

Board of Directors

Committee key

Committee Chair

Member of the  
Audit Committee

Member of the Nomination  
& Governance Committee

A

N

Member of the 
Remuneration Committee

Member of the Compliance  
& Culture Committee

C

R

C

Roberto Quarta
Chair
Appointed as an Independent  
Non-Executive Director in December 
2013 and appointed Chair at the 
2014 Annual General Meeting

N R

Key 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.

Current external appointments:
 – Chair of WPP plc.
 – Partner at Clayton Dubilier & Rice, 
LLC and Chair of CD&R Europe.

 – Independent Non-Executive 

Director of Gulf Capital.

Deepak Nath
Chief Executive Officer
Appointed Chief Executive Officer  
in April 2022 

Key skills and competencies:
Deepak brings global leadership and 
risk-management expertise and has 
a track record of driving growth at 
major healthcare companies through 
delivering a significant improvement 
in execution and building a strong 
results-focused culture.

Current external appointments:
None.

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

Nationality:

 American/Italian 

Rupert Soames
Chair Designate
To be appointed as Non-Executive Director on 
26 April 2023 subject to shareholder approval. 
Member of the Nomination & Governance  
and Remuneration Committees upon 
appointment and will succeed Roberto  
Quarta as Chair in September 2023 

Key skills and competencies:
Rupert has extensive global 
leadership experience, a proven track 
record of delivering shareholder 
value and a deep understanding of 
UK corporate governance. For more 
than eight years as Chief Executive 
Officer of Serco Group plc, Rupert 
led the transformation and delivered 
significant improvements to 
profitability transitioning the group’s 
strategy from turnaround to growth. 

Current external appointments:
 – Advisor to Serco Group plc, will 

retire in September 2023.

Previous experience:
Rupert stepped down in December 
2022 as Group Chief Executive 
from Serco Group plc, the specialist 
services business in Health, 
Defence, Transport and Immigration, 
employing c.53,000 people and 
operating in 16 countries. He joined 

Serco Group plc from Aggreko plc 
where he was Chief Executive Officer 
for 11 years and prior to that he was 
at software company Misys plc as 
Chief Executive of its Banking and 
Securities Division. He spent the first 
16 years of his career at GEC plc. 
He studied Politics, Philosophy & 
Economics at Oxford University and 
was President of the Oxford Union. 
Rupert was a Non-Executive Director 
of DS Smith the FTSE 100 packaging 
company until September 2022 and 
was previously Senior Independent 
Director of Electrocomponents plc 
(now RS Group). He was a member 
of the Audit, Remuneration and 
Nomination Committees for both 
companies. Rupert is a Visiting Fellow 
at Oxford University, and a Visiting 
Professor of Aston University.

Nationality:

 British

Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Chief Financial Officer
Appointed Chief Financial Officer  
in July 2020 

Previous experience:
He began his career as a scientist in 
computational physics at Lawrence 
Livermore National Laboratory and 
holds a BSc and MSc in Mechanical 
Engineering and a PhD in Theoretical 
Mechanics from the University of 
California, Berkeley. Prior to joining 
Siemens Healthineers, he held roles 
at both Amgen and McKinsey and 
spent 10 years at Abbott Laboratories, 
Inc. culminating in his appointment 
as President of Abbott Vascular. 
At Siemens Healthineers (2018–2022) 
he was President of the Diagnostics 
business responsible for $6 billion 
of revenue and 15,000 employees.

Nationality:

 American

Key skills and competencies:
Anne-Françoise has worked as a senior 
finance executive in global FTSE listed 
companies for many years, which 
alongside a strong business acumen 
and deep sector knowledge provides 
her with the experience required to be 
part of the Smith+Nephew leadership 
team. She demonstrates a high 
competency for delivering operational 
excellence across different geographic 
markets and leading large teams who 
are responsible for significant budgets. 
She has an impressive background and 
her ability to translate financial insights 
into results helps guide Smith+Nephew.

Current external appointments:
 – NED and Chair of the Audit 

Committee at Compass Group plc.

Previous experience:
Anne-Françoise joined GlaxoSmithKline 
plc in 1997 where she worked for 
16 years, holding multiple senior 
roles including Senior Vice President, 
Global Vaccines. Anne-Françoise 
served as Chief Financial Officer for 
Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc in 2013 
where she successfully implemented 
financial strategies to support the 
growth of the business. She was 
Chief Financial Officer of Merlin 
Entertainments Limited (formerly 
Merlin Entertainments plc from 
2016 to 2020.

Nationality:

 British/French

86

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Marc Owen
Senior Independent Director
Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in October 2017 and Senior 
Independent Director in September 2022 

Erik Engstrom
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in January 2015 

A

C N

A

N

Key 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.

Current external appointments:
None.

Previous experience:
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 2001, 
Marc joined McKesson Corporation 
and served as Executive Vice President 
and member of their 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 market intelligence, 
supply chain services, patient access 
to therapy, provider and patient 
engagement and clinical trial support. 
In 2014, 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.

Nationality:

 British/American

Key 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 Chief Executive Officer of a global 
company gives him valuable insights as 
a member of our Audit and Nomination 
& Governance Committees.

Current external appointments:
 – Chief Executive Officer of 

RELX Group.

Previous experience:
Erik commenced his career at 
McKinsey & Company and then worked 
in publishing, latterly as President and 
Chief Operating Officer of Random 
House Inc. and as President and Chief 
Executive Officer of Bantam Doubleday 
Dell, North America. In 2001, he moved 
on to be a partner at General Atlantic 
Partners, a private equity investment 
firm. Between 2004 and 2009, he was 
Chief Executive Officer of Elsevier, 
the division specialising in scientific 
and medical information and then 
from 2009 Chief Executive Officer 
of RELX Group, the division specialising 
in scientific and medical information 
and then from 2009 Chief Executive 
Officer of RELX Group.

Nationality:

 Swedish

Jo Hallas
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in February 2022 

John Ma
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in February 2021 

A

C

Key skills and competencies:
Jo has extensive international 
experience focused on business 
transformation through both organic 
and acquisitive growth in global 
industrial and consumer sectors. 
She brings valuable expertise which 
will help Smith+Nephew build upon 
and achieve our strategic ambitions.

Current external appointments:
 – Chief Executive Officer  

of Tyman plc.

Previous experience:
Jo commenced her career at Procter 
& Gamble based in Germany, the 
US, Thailand and the Netherlands. 
She then joined Bosch where she 
held a business unit leadership role 
in their Power Tools division followed 
by Invensys in 2009 where she ran 
their global heating controls business 
unit including launching its first smart 
home offer. She then moved to Spectris 
plc, where she had responsibility for a 
portfolio of global industrial technology 
businesses, as well as for the Group’s 
digital strategy. Since 2019, Jo has 
served as Chief Executive Officer 
for Tyman plc where she has made 
sustainability a core foundation of 
the group’s strategy. Jo was also 
previously Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee for Norcros plc.

Nationality:

 British

Key skills and competencies:
John has an impressive track record 
in medical device businesses and 
his contribution provides value as 
Smith+Nephew continues to develop 
innovative ways to grow and serve 
our markets with a focus towards Asia 
Pacific regions. He is an established 
healthcare leader and has strong 
experience of driving market entry 
and growth within emerging markets.

Current external appointments:
 – Founder, Chair and Chief Executive 

of Ronovo Surgical.

Previous experience:
In 2000, John joined GE Healthcare and 
became Vice President and General 
Manager of their Global Product 
Company in China. John has also held a 
number of senior positions as President 
of Asia Pacific regions at Pentair Inc., 
Vice President of Express Scripts Inc., 
and Global Partner of Fosun Group. 

He initially joined Fosun Pharma to 
lead their medical device business and 
in 2014 became President of Fosun 
Healthcare Holdings. He served as 
a key member of their healthcare 
investment committee which went 
on to establish a global presence 
across the US, Europe, Israel and 
China. In 2017, John joined Intuitive 
Surgical as their Senior Vice President 
of Strategic Growth Initiatives. He has 
previously served as a NED for both 
Haier Electronics Group and Clinical 
Innovations LLC.

Nationality:

 American

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

87

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONBoard leadership and purpose continued
Board of Directors continued

Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in November 2020 

Rick Medlock
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director in April 2020 

C

A

Key skills and competencies:
Katarzyna demonstrates a true 
passion for customer focus and 
maintains an impressive track record in 
senior leadership within the MedTech 
industry. She is a qualified medical 
doctor (PhD), has an Executive MBA 
from the University of Minnesota and 
has a wealth of experience in medical 
devices and orthopaedic sectors. 
Her Chief Executive Officer experience 
of a global company and valuable 
industry knowledge will help drive 
innovation and ensure the continued 
development of Smith+Nephew.

Current external appointments:
 – Chief Executive Officer, EMEA, 

at Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. 
KgaA.

Previous experience:
Katarzyna commenced her corporate 
career in 1998 at Roche in Poland, prior 
to becoming General Manager for Poland 
of Allergy Therapeutics plc. In 2001, 
Katarzyna joined Abbott Laboratories 
initially to manage their diabetes care 
division in Poland and became country 
General Manager. Over the next nine 
years, her career at Abbott progressed 
becoming Divisional Vice President 
Abbott Diagnostics for Europe. In 2010, 
she became President of EMEA at Zimmer 
and then led the operations of Zimmer 
Biomet in EMEA. In 2018, Katarzyna 
became Chief Executive Officer for the 
€2.7 billion EMEA renal care business of 
Fresenius Medical Care, and in January 
2022 took over responsibility for the 
Care Enablement organisation.

Nationality:

 German/Polish

Key skills and competencies:
Rick has extensive experience and 
a deep understanding of technology 
focused R&D businesses. He has driven 
value and transformation throughout 
his executive career which will further 
reinforce the ability of Smith+Nephew 
to grow and develop into new and 
existing markets. Rick brings significant 
financial and risk management 
expertise as a well-regarded former 
FTSE 100 Chief Financial Officer, 
NED and Audit Committee Chair.

Current external appointments:
 – NED and member of the Audit, 

Risk and Compliance Committee 
at Datatec Ltd.

 – NED and Chair of the Audit 
Committee at Deliveroo.

Previous experience:
Rick has had a highly successful 
career as a strong commercial Chief 
Financial Officer in the technology 
industry, working for a range of 
international FTSE 100 and NASDAQ 
listed businesses during periods of high 
growth. He has held a number of Chief 
Financial Officer positions throughout 
his career, including at NDS Group plc, 
Inmarsat plc and Worldpay Group plc. 
Rick brings a wealth of experience as 
a former NED and Audit Committee 
Chair of several technology driven 
businesses, such as Sophos Group 
plc, Edwards Vacuum, and Thus plc. 
Rick was also previously Chair of BluJay 
Solutions Ltd, Chair of Momondo Group 
and Chair of the Audit Committee 
for LoveFilm UK Limited.

Nationality:

 British

Angie Risley
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Appointed Independent Non-Executive  
Director in September 2017 

Bob White
Independent  
Non-Executive Director
Appointed Independent Non-Executive 
Director on 1 May 2020 

C R N

C R

Key skills and competencies: 
Angie 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.

Current external appointments:
 – J Sainsbury plc Group HRD and 

member of their Operating Board.

Helen Barraclough
Group General Counsel  
and Company Secretary
Appointed Company Secretary  
in April 2022

88

Previous experience:
Between 2007–2013 Angie was the 
Group HR Director for Lloyds Banking 
Group, joining J Sainsbury plc as Group 
HR Director 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 Group plc 
she was the Chair of the Remuneration 
Committee. Previously she has 
attended Remuneration Committees 
of Whitbread plc, Lloyds Bank.

Nationality:

 British

Key skills and competencies: 
Bob is an experienced leader with 
more than 25 years’ worth of industry 
relevant experience. He is an influential 
and well-known figure in the medical 
technology sector and has an 
impressive track record in delivering 
growth and fostering innovation. 
He brings valuable global medical 
technology insight to the Board, which 
will prove fundamental in helping 
to shape and develop the future 
strategic direction of Smith+Nephew 
healthcare expertise.

Current external appointments:
 – Executive Vice President and 
President, Medical Surgical 
Portfolio at Medtronic plc.

Previous experience:
Bob has held a number of senior 
Vice President positions throughout 
his career, including at Chemdex 
Corporation, Accelrys Inc., SourceOne 
Healthcare Technologies, Inc., GE 
Healthcare and Covidien as President 
for Emerging Markets and President for 
Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions. 
He then became Senior Vice President 
and President of Medtronic Asia Pacific, 
having led the integration of Covidien 
Asia Pacific when it was acquired 
by Medtronic plc in 2015.

Nationality:

 American

Key skills and competencies:
Helen is a qualified Solicitor admitted in England & Wales 
and a Chartered Governance Professional. She also serves 
as the Chief Risk Officer for Smith+Nephew.

Previous experience:
Helen started her career with Allen & Overy LLP and prior 
to joining Smith+Nephew held senior legal roles at WPP plc 
and Nomura International plc.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 Executive  
Committee

The Executive Committee 
of Smith+Nephew is 
responsible for leading the 
Company and executing 
on its strategy.

Brad Cannon
President Orthopaedics, 
Sports Medicine & ENT  
and Americas
Brad brings more than 25 years of 
experience across medical devices and 
medtech. Prior to Smith+Nephew, Brad 
worked in Medtronic plc’s Spine and 
Biologics division and previously served 
as Chief Marketing Officer and President 
of Europe and Canada at Smith+Nephew.

Nationality: 
Location: Andover, US

 American

Paul Connolly
President Global Operations
Paul brings more than 30 years 
of global manufacturing and supply 
chain experience at multinational 
companies with a strong track record 
in delivering operational excellence 
and transformation programmes. 
Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, Paul 
held senior roles at Goodyear, DePuy, 
Inc., and other Johnson & Johnson 
family companies.

Nationality: 
Location: Andover, US

 American/Irish

Phil Cowdy
Chief Corporate Development 
& Corporate Affairs Officer
Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, Phil  
served as a senior Director at Deutsche 
Bank AG for 13 years specialising in 
corporate finance and equity capital 
markets. He qualified as a chartered 
accountant with EY. Phil serves as 
the representative of Smith+Nephew 
on the Board of Bioventus Inc.

 British
Nationality: 
Location: Watford, UK

Myra Eskes
President APAC Region 
& Global Service
Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, 
Myra was President and Chief 
Executive Officer of GE Healthcare 
Southeast Asia, Korea, Australia 
and New Zealand and led the GE 
Life Sciences business for the 
Eastern & African growth markets.

Nationality: 
Location: Singapore

 Dutch

Simon Fraser
President Advanced Wound 
Management and Global 
Commercial Operations
Simon brings more than 30 years 
of experience across the sector. 
Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, Simon 
held senior roles at Dentsply Sirona, 
Abbott Laboratories, Alere Inc and 
Johnson & Johnson. Simon will 
retire in April 2023.

Nationality: 
Location: Fort Worth, US

 American/Canadian

Mizanu Kebede
Chief Quality & 
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Mizanu brings more than 20 years 
of leadership experience in Quality 
and Regulatory Affairs. Prior to 
Smith+Nephew, Mizanu held senior 
roles at Avanos Medical, Life 
Technologies Corporation, Johnson 
& Johnson and STERIS Corporation.

Nationality: 
Location: Georgia, US

 American

Elga Lohler
Chief HR Officer
Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, 
Elga held Human Resources roles 
at Transnet SOC Ltd, Sensormatic 
(now Tyco International plc) and 
Advanced Tissue Sciences, Inc. 
(acquired by Smith+Nephew in 2002).

Nationality: 
Location: Fort Worth, US

 American/South African

Vasant Padmanabhan
President Research  
& Development
Vasant has over 25 years of global 
med-tech leadership experience. 
Prior to Smith+Nephew, Vasant held 
senior roles at Thoratec Corporation 
and Medtronic plc as Vice President of 
Connected Care R&D and Operations 
and Vice President of Product 
Development for the Implantable 
Defibrillator Business.

Nationality: 
Location: Andover, US

 American

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Alison Parkes
Chief Compliance Officer
Prior to moving into her current role, 
Alison served as the Compliance 
Officer for the Global Advanced 
Wound Management business, 
APAC and Emerging Markets 
and established and led the Global 
Compliance Programme Effectiveness 
& Improvement team.

Nationality: 
Location: Fort Worth, US

 British

Helen Barraclough
Group General Counsel 
and Company Secretary 
Prior to joining Smith+Nephew, 
Helen started her career at Allen & 
Overy LLP and held senior roles at 
WPP plc and Nomura International 
plc. She also serves as the Chief 
Risk Officer for Smith+Nephew.

 British
Nationality: 
Location: Watford, UK

Executive Officers 
whose tenure ceased
Peter Coenen, President 
EMEA Region, served until 
31 December 2022.

89

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONDivision of responsibilities

Roles and composition of the Board

Chair

Roberto Quarta
 – Responsible for the effective leadership and operation of 

the Board and for facilitating the review of its composition, 
effectiveness and development.

 – Promotes effective board relationships, encouraging constructive 
challenge and facilitating effective communication between 
Board members and supporting a culture of openness, 
challenge and debate.

 – Ensures that the Board understand the views and needs of the 

Company’s stakeholders and facilitates effective communication 
and dialogue, whilst maintaining an appropriate balance 
between stakeholders.

 – Leads relations with shareholders in order to understand 

their views on governance and performance against strategy

 – Responsible for promoting high standards of governance by 

the Board and its Committees.

The Chair achieves this through effective chairing of Board meetings; 
setting a board agenda which focuses on strategy, performance, 
value creation, risk management, culture, stakeholders and 
accountability; enabling an annual review of Board effectiveness; 
holding discussions with Board members both inside and outside 
the boardroom and ensuring appropriate Board induction and 
development programmes are in place.

Senior Independent Director

Marc Owen
 – Acts as a sounding board for the Chair and as an intermediary 

for other Directors and stakeholders as necessary.

 – As a member of the Nomination & Governance Committee, 
leads the Board evaluation process and search for Chair 
and Independent Non-Executive Directors to ensure 
effective succession.

 – Acts as an alternative contact for stakeholders to raise 
concerns (in addition to Chair and senior management).

Independent Non-Executive Directors

Erik Engstrom, Jo Hallas, John Ma,  
Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess, Rick Medlock,  
Angie Risley and Bob White
 – Comprise more than half of Board membership in order 

to meet the independence criteria set out in the 2018 Code.

 – Ensure that no individual/small group can dominate 

the Board’s decision making.

 – Provide constructive challenge, give strategic guidance, 
offer specialist advice and hold executive management  
to account.

Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Company Secretary

Deepak Nath
 – Responsible for delivering and 

implementing Group strategy and 
management of the organisation as 
a whole. Provides information and 
participates in Board discussions 
regarding Group management and 
operational matters.

 – Leads the Executive Committee and 
ensures its effectiveness in managing 
the overall operations and resources 
of the Group.

 – Sets tone at the top with regard 

to culture, compliance and 
sustainability matters.

 – Ensures the Chair and Board are 
updated regularly regarding key 
matters and maintains relationships 
with shareholders, advising the 
Board accordingly. 

Anne-Françoise Nesmes
 – Supports the Chief Executive Officer 
in developing and implementing 
Group strategy.

 – Responsible for ensuring effective 

financial reporting, investor relations, 
tax, treasury and financial controls 
are in place within the Group.

 – Provides information and participates 

in Board discussions regarding 
financial matters.

 – Leads global finance function, 
developing key finance talent 
and succession planning.

Helen Barraclough
 – Supports the Chair and ensures 
Board members have access 
to the information required to 
perform their duties.

 – Advises the Board on legal and 

corporate governance matters and 
supports the Board in applying the 
2018 Code and complying with UK 
listing obligations, and other statutory 
and regulatory requirements. 
 – Provides a channel for Board and 
Committee communications 
and a link between the Board 
and management.

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 2022 Annual Report relating to the environment (pages 48–68 of this report and the 2022 Sustainability Report), 
social (pages 48–53 of this report and the 2022 Sustainability Report), anti-corruption and anti-bribery matters (page 53), employees (pages 48–53) 
and human rights (page 53).

90

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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 receive 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. The Board considers all external 
directorships prior to appointment, 
reviewing any potential conflict of interests 
and time commitment for both Executive 
Directors and Non-Executive Directors.

Management of conflicts 
of interest
None of our Directors or their connected 
persons, has any family relationship with 
any other Director or Officer, nor has a 
material interest in any contract to which 
the Company or any of its subsidiaries are, 
or were, a party during the year or up to 
21 February 2023.

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, the situations that could 
potentially give rise to a conflict of interest 
have been identified and duly authorised 
by the Board and are reviewed at least 
on an annual basis. 

Bob White is President of the Medtronic 
Medical Surgical Portfolio at Medtronic plc, 
a situation which the Board has identified 
and duly authorised as potentially giving 
rise to a conflict of interest. Mr White 
is recused from any matters discussed 
at a meeting of the Board or of a Board 
Committee which the Board or relevant 
committee consider may pose a 
potential conflict. 

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.

Anne-Françoise Nesmes is a Non-Executive 
Director of Compass Group plc which is 
listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Re-appointment of Directors
In accordance with the 2018 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.

Board support
Together with the Chief Executive Officer 
and the Group General Counsel and 
Company Secretary, the Chair ensures 
that the Board is kept properly informed. 
Each Director has access to the Group 
General Counsel and Company Secretary, 
who helps to ensure that Board procedures 
and good corporate governance practices 
are followed. Directors are permitted to 
take independent professional advice at 
the Company’s expense if required in order 
to enable them to fulfil their duties.

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 judgment 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 December 2021, we announced an 
updated capital allocation policy to 
prioritise the use of cash. The 2022 
share buyback programme commenced 
on 23 February 2022 and $150 million 
was completed by 12 August 2022. 
As macroeconomic conditions continued 
to be uncertain, including higher input cost 
inflation, the Board decided it was prudent 
to delay further buybacks until conditions 
improved. We remain committed to 
returning surplus cash to shareholders 
over time.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

91

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONEnsures the integrity of the Company’s 
financial reporting, systems and controls.

Oversight of risk management process. 
Reviews and monitors climate change 
disclosures and related ESG financial 
reporting obligations.

Ensures effectiveness of internal  
and external audit functions.

Compliance & Culture Committee  
108

Reviews and monitors and has  
oversight of ethics and compliance, quality 
and regulatory, culture, sustainability matters 
and metrics, stakeholder relationships and 
related legal matters across the Group.

Division of responsibilities continued

Corporate governance framework

The Board is accountable to shareholders for the performance and long-term sustainable success of the Company. It approves the strategy of  
the Group, evaluates and monitors the management of risk, and oversees the implementation of the strategy in order to achieve sustainable growth. 
The Board delegates certain matters to the Audit, Remuneration, Nomination & Governance and Compliance & Culture committees which support 
the Board in carrying out its responsibilities. Full details of the Matters Reserved to the Board can be found on the Company’s website.

Our Board

www.smith-nephew.com

Audit Committee  
101

Remuneration Committee  
116

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

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

Nomination &  
Governance Committee  
98

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

Finance & Banking Committee  

Disclosures Committee  

A Committee comprising senior executives 
which approves banking and treasury matters, 
guarantees and Group structure changes 
relating to mergers, acquisitions and disposals.

A Committee comprising senior executives which 
oversees and approves public announcements 
and communications to investors and 
Stock Exchanges. Reviews communications 
and reporting requirements in respect 
of market sensitive information.

Executive Committee  
89

The Board delegates the day-to-day operational management and implementation of Group strategy to the Chief Executive Officer and Executive 
Committee (see page 89). The Executive Committee recommends, and following Board approval, implements strategy, budget and three-year 
strategic plan within the Group. It ensures cross-functional alignment in order to deliver on strategy and reviews major investments, divestments  
and capital expenditure proposals. The Executive Committee also focuses on people and organisational culture, reviewing recruitment, attrition  
and development initiatives within the Company and developing and monitoring succession planning and talent pipeline below Board level.

The Executive Committee meets at least 10 times per year to review commercial and operating results against budget, key initiatives,  
KPIs and performance metrics aligned to deliver Group strategy. 

The Executive Committee forms subcommittees including those listed below:

Group Ethics 
& Compliance 
Committee

ESG Operating 
Committee

Mergers & 
Acquisitions 
Investment 
Committee

Global Benefits 
Committee

Health, Safety  
& Environment 
Committee

Quarterly Business 
Review and Franchise/ 
Function/Regional 
Leadership Team 
Meetings

92

Global Crisis 
Management  
Team

New Product 
Development 
Committee

Inclusion,  
Diversity and  
Equity Council

Security and  
Privacy Steering 
Committee

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Board and Committee attendance

Total meetings
Roberto Quarta1
Roland Diggelmann2
Deepak Nath3
Erik Engstrom
Robin Freestone4
John Ma5
Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess
Rick Medlock
Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Marc Owen6
Angie Risley7
Bob White
Jo Hallas8

Appointed
December 2013
March 2018
April 2022
January 2015
September 2015
February 2021
November 2020
April 2020
July 2020
October 2017
September 2017
May 2020
February 2022

Board
7
7/7
1/1
6/6
7/7
5/5
6/7
7/7
7/7
7/7
7/7
7/7
7/7
7/7

Audit
8
–
–

Remuneration 
8
7/8
–

Nomination  
& Governance 
6 
5/6
–

Compliance  
& Culture 
4
–
–

8/8
6/6

–
8/8
–
8/8
–
–
3/3

–
7/7

–
–
–
–
8/8
8/8

6/6
5/5

–
–
–
6/6
2/2
–

–
–
4/4
4/4
–
–
4/4
4/4
4/4

1  Due to unforeseen travel disruption, Roberto Quarta was prevented from attending the July 2022 Remuneration and Nominations 

& Governance Committee meetings.

2  Roland Diggelmann stepped down as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director with effect from 31 March 2022.
3  Deepak Nath has been appointed as the Company’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from 01 April 2022.
4  Robin Freestone stepped down as Senior Independent Director and as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 30 September 2022.
5  Due to prior commitments, John Ma was not in attendance at the 27 April Board meeting however, he gave his comments to the Chair 

before the meeting.

6  Marc Owen has been appointed as Senior Independent Director with effect from 30 September 2022.
7  Angie Risley joined the Nominations & Governance Committee on 1 September 2022.
8  Jo Hallas joined the Audit Committee on 1 September 2022.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

93

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONDivision of responsibilities continued

Board activities

The following pages provide an overview 
of the key topics reviewed, monitored, 
considered and debated by the Board 
in the year to 31 December 2022.

Group Purpose  
and Culture

Strategy and  
transformation

48 Employees

84 Letter from the Chair

108 Compliance & Culture Committee report

18 Financial Review

 – Reviewing and monitoring Group 

strategy in alignment to the Purpose of 
Life Unlimited and culture pillars of Care, 
Collaboration and Courage.

 – Monitoring and ensuring the scope and 
focus of strategic projects and initiatives 
support the Group’s purpose and 
culture pillars.

 – Review of Sustainability strategy, 
climate related disclosures and 
key performance metrics.

 – Review of initiatives to support employee 

wellbeing including further improvement 
of the employee assistance programme.

 – Review of initiatives to strengthen 
and embed Inclusion, Diversity and 
Equity throughout the Group, including 
receiving reports on engagement 
with employee interest groups at 
Board listening sessions.

 – Review of initiatives to increase 
manager competencies and 
capabilities at the Compliance & 
Culture Committee meetings.

 – Setting priorities for capital 

investment across the Group.

 – Reviewing and monitoring progress 

against the 12-point plan and related 
metrics in support of the Group strategy.
 – Approving annual budget, financial plan, 

three-year strategic plan.

 – Approving major borrowings and 

finance and banking arrangements.
 – Issuance of debut €500 million EUR 

Corporate Bond.

 – Repayment of €757 million of EUR bank 
term loans and $125 million of private 
placement debt.

 – Approving changes to the composition 
of the Board, its Committees and 
the Executive Committee. 

 – Approving Group policies relating 

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

94

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Performance

Stakeholders

Risk

108 Compliance & Culture Committee report

80 Our stakeholders

69 Risk report

101 Audit Committee report

112 Engaging with Stakeholders

105 Risk management programme

 – Reviewing performance against 
strategy, budgets and financial 
and business plans.

 – Approving half-year, full-year 

and trading updates.

 – Strategic deep dives on global and 

regional franchise plans in Orthopaedics, 
Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced 
Wound Management aligned to 12-point 
plan initiatives and broader long-term 
strategic initiatives.

 – Monitoring Group operations updates 
and response to external and internal 
challenges in line with 12-point plan 
key metrics and deliverables.
 – Determining the dividend policy 
and dividend recommendations.
 – Overseeing succession planning at 

Board and senior management level.

 – Approving the appointment and 
removal of the External Auditor 
on the recommendation of the 
Audit Committee.

 – Approving significant changes to 
accounting policies or practices.

 – Approving the use of the Company’s 

shares for the Company’s Share Plans.

 – Review of performance and return 
on investment of acquisitions and 
integration planning.

 – Review of global innovation pipeline 

and product portfolio with a focus on 
differentiation and delivery for our 
customers, patients and stakeholders. 

 – Continuing review and monitoring 
of impact of external factors such 
as inflation, supply constraints and 
localised lockdowns on ability to 
deliver on strategic objectives.

 – Overseeing and maintaining relationships 
with stakeholders including employees, 
customers, suppliers, investors, 
regulators and governments. 
Further details of Board interactions 
with stakeholders can be found on 
pages 111–115.

 – Review of gender pay gap data 

and reporting. 

 – Reviewing investor perspectives with 
external analysts in September and 
December 2022.

 – Reviewing Gallup results.
 – Reviewing Management Talent 

Pipeline and Succession Planning.

 – Engaging with shareholders throughout 
the year on key issues such as strategy 
and operational performance, 
governance and succession planning 
with a focus on chair succession and 
ESG and related governance matters.

 – Reviewing the fees of the  
Non-Executive Directors.

 – Overseeing the Group’s risk management 

programme and related processes. 
See pages 69–77 for further details.

 – Evaluation of risk with regard to 

initiatives within the 12-point plan.
 – Review of the risk register and annual 
review of the Board appetite for risk.
 – Review and approval of Principal Risks 

of the Group.

 – Ongoing consideration of key risks within 
all Board discussions including impact 
of inflation, ESG considerations and 
reporting requirements, investment 
in IT and workforce engagement.
 – Discussion at Board and Committee 
meetings on key topics including 
the potential impact of cybersecurity 
attacks and breaches in the current 
geopolitical context, regulatory changes, 
supply chain disruption, global talent 
outlook and post pandemic constraints 
and trends.

Our Investor presentations  
are available to download  
on our website

www.smith-nephew.com

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

95

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONComposition, succession and evaluation

Board effectiveness review

The Board effectiveness review in 2022 
was conducted internally by the Senior 
Independent Director Marc Owen 
supported by the Company Secretary. 
Mr Owen reviewed the results of the 
internal Board Evaluation conducted 
by Robin Freestone in 2020 and the 
external review conducted by Dr Tracy 
Long in 2021. Mr Owen spoke with 
Non-Executive Directors, the Chair 
and CEO in one-to-one discussions in 
November 2022 prior to summarising 
his findings which he presented to the 
Board for discussion in December 2022.

Mr Owen noted that 2022 has seen 
a period of significant change for the 
Company. Against a backdrop of external 
and internal operational challenges and 
share price performance, the Company 
has been through a CEO transition, SID 
transition and will undertake an upcoming 
Chair transition. He noted that this 
creates a Board environment where there 
is a shared urgency to see measurable 
improvements in performance whilst 
recognising that leadership needs time 
to effect lasting positive change.

The evaluation demonstrated the view 
that overall the Board operates effectively 
and that post pandemic the opportunity to 
meet in person and spend time informally 
with other Board members has been widely 
welcomed. It was felt that the Company, 
under new leadership, has a renewed 
energy and all Board members are anxious 
to support the actions being taken to 
improve performance. Feedback on Board 
mechanics was positive, with the number 
and duration of meetings being highly 
rated, the induction process positively 
regarded, and Board succession planning 
working well.

During the 2021 review, enhanced 
collaboration between Executive and 
Non-Executive Directors was highlighted 
as being an area for further development. 
As part of the 2022 Evaluation discussion, 
the Board continued to challenge themselves 
in terms of discussing the best way to 
constructively support and build trust 
with management and how best to 
focus on longer-term strategies to create 
shareholder value for the Company.

96

As a result of the internal evaluation, the Board has agreed the following actions 
for the next 12 months:

Actions identified
Management talent development – 
assess long-term approach to internal 
talent development and the Board’s 
role in supporting this process. 

External perspectives to inform Board 
discussions, with more information 
on industry trends and competitors. 

Focus on longer-term strategic 
value and management support. 

Actions Proposed/Taken 
In 2022, the Board undertook an external 
evaluation and review of the CEO profile 
and internal talent succession in order to 
understand the strategic and operational 
needs and requirements of the Company 
and the desire to build an internal 
talent pipeline.

As part of the 2023 Yearly Planner, 
sessions and speakers with external 
perspectives are planned covering the 
medical devices regulatory environment, 
ESG and customer views on the Company.

Emphasis at each Board meeting on 
constructive support and building trust 
and focusing on longer-term strategy.

The areas for attention identified in the 2021 review externally facilitated by 
Dr Tracy Long, have been addressed as follows:

Actions identified
Focus on enhancing communication 
between the Board and management 
team between meetings, to develop 
a shared purpose. 

Commence the search for a new 
Chair to replace Roberto Quarta, 
who will complete nine years’ 
service at the end of 2022. 

Ensure that Executive succession 
planning is discussed more  
frequently by the Board. 

Action taken
Informal Monthly Board Meetings were 
established as regular touchpoints for 
the Board to communicate and hear 
from the Chief Executive Officer and 
the Chief Financial Officer directly.

The Senior Independent Director led an 
extensive search, Rupert Soames OBE to be 
appointed as Non-Executive Director and 
Chair Designate with effect from 26 April 
2023, subject to shareholder approval.

The Board skills and composition matrix 
was discussed at Nomination & Governance 
Committee in July 2022 and circulated to 
the full Board for review. The matrix outlines 
tenure, skills and succession planning relating 
to a number of core metrics, which include 
the key areas on which the Board is required 
to report.

The reviews in 2023 and 2025 will be facilitated internally and led by the Senior 
Independent Director, supported by the Company Secretary. The 2024 review will 
be facilitated externally.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Board development

Timeline 2022

May
 – Site visit to Hull for Jo Hallas 

and Rick Medlock to meet with 
AWM Marketing Franchise leads, 
new Operations leadership, 
the Melton site project team 
and groups of key employees.

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. In 2022, 
we were able to resume in person visits 
and sessions within our Smith+Nephew 
facilities. Jo Hallas and Rick Medlock visited 
the Hull site in May which focused on our 
AWM business. Board members heard 
from the AWM global marketing team, 
the new Operations management team 
at the site and heard more about the 
Melton site project and other key initiatives. 
Board members were also able to tour 
the manufacturing facility and engage 
in discussions with the R&D team and 
other key employees during the visit.
In September, prior to the full Board 
meeting, various Smith+Nephew sites in 
Memphis hosted the Board including the 
Brooks Road manufacturing facility and 
Appling Road. The Board also attended 
the Power of One exhibition where Board 
members were shown current products 
and our innovation pipeline, enhancing 
understanding of the differentiated 
offering through procedural selling within 
Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine.

September
 – Board listening session with  

teams at manufacturing sites  
in Memphis, US.

 – Site visit to manufacturing  

facilities in Memphis and the  
Power of One tour which provided 
an exhibition of Robotics and Real 
Intelligence strategy, innovation 
pipeline and differentiated sales  
and marketing strategies.

December
 – Interactive session with external 
expert on macro factors likely to 
impact global markets and within 
the healthcare industry in 2023 
and beyond.

 – Strategy review session with 

all key franchise leads and senior 
management to deep dive into key 
metrics for the 12-point plan and 
longer term plans for each global 
and regional franchise.

We have also continued to provide our 
Directors with both virtual and physical 
opportunities to understand the business 
better as follows:
 – At our Board meeting in September, our 
Chief R&D Officer, Vasant Padmanabhan 
and his R&D team presented on the 
global product innovation strategy 
across each of our franchises and 
our differentiated product pipeline 
demonstrating the future of innovation.
 – Members of our Compliance & Culture 
Committee have held a number of Board/
employee listening sessions both physically 
and virtually, where they have talked 
with employees and heard from them 
their views on what it means to work 
for Smith+Nephew. These sessions are 
discussed in more detail on pages 110 
and 112.

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

Induction for new Directors
During 2022, we implemented induction 
programmes for our CEO Deepak Nath 
who joined on 1 April 2022 and for 
Jo Hallas who had recently joined as  
a Non-Executive Director.

These programmes were tailored to 
their individual 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.

 – Meetings with our external advisers 
including brokers, external counsel, 
remuneration consultants and auditors, 
to explain the legal and regulatory 
background to their role on our Board 
and how these matters are approached 
at Smith+Nephew.

 – Strategic presentations and site visits 
which were tailored to Executive and 
Non-Executive needs respectively in 
order to provide a strong foundation to 
learn about the organisation, its history, 
current and future opportunities and 
challenges and to give Board members 
an opportunity to ask questions and 
interact with our wider workforce.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

97

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONComposition, succession and evaluation continued

 Nomination & Governance  
Committee report

Roberto Quarta  
Chair of the Nomination & Governance Committee

Membership

Member  
from

Meetings  
attended

Roberto Quarta (Chair)1

April 2014

Erik Engstrom

Robin Freestone2

Marc Owen

Angie Risley3

April 2019

April 2019

March 2020

September 2022

5/6

6/6

5/5

6/6

2/2

Our focus for 2023 will include:
 – Search for Non-Executive Director 
to replace Erik Engstrom following 
completion of his 9 year tenure, 
in addition to the proposed 
replacement for Robin Freestone.

 – Continuous review of Board 

composition to ensure alignment 
with the Company’s strategic 
objectives and culture pillars.
 – Continued oversight of succession 

planning below Board level.

www.smith-nephew.com/investor-
centre/about-us/governance/corporate-
documents-and-policies/terms-of-
reference/

The Terms of Reference for the Nomination & Governance 
Committee describe the role and responsibilities of the 
Nomination & Governance Committee more fully and  
can be found on our website.

Responsibilities of the Nomination 
& Governance Committee
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.

In 2022, the Committee held six meetings 
together with a number of informal 
updates for Committee and Board 
members, which reflects the increased 
focus on Board succession planning 
including the Chair succession and search 
process. In addition to members of the 
Committee, the Company Secretary and 
Chief Executive Officer also attended 
these meetings as appropriate.

The following matters and actions were 
undertaken by the Committee in 2022:
 – Recommended the appointment to 

the Board of the Chief Executive Officer, 
Deepak Nath, effective 1 April 2022. 
The Board has been impressed and 
encouraged with the speed at which 
Deepak has engaged with and developed 
a deeper understanding of the business 
and the urgency with which the 12-point 
plan has been developed, implemented 
and communicated both internally and 
externally aligned with our Strategy 
for Growth.

 – Engaged with shareholders in relation 

to the chair search process.

 – Continued to review the composition 
of the Board and its committees to 
ensure alignment with the Company’s 
strategic objectives and culture pillars 
and with the developing external 
regulatory environment. 

1  Due to unforeseen travel disruption, Roberto Quarta was prevented from attending the July 2022 Committee meeting.
2  Robin Freestone stepped down as a member of the Committee on 30 September 2022.
3  Angie Risley joined the Committee with effect from 1 September 2022.

98

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 – Reviewed and approved the updated 

 – Reviewed the governance of the Board 

Board Skills Composition Matrix (please 
see table on page 100) which sets out 
the tenure, skills, competencies and 
diversity of the Board to enable effective 
succession planning for Non-Executive 
and Executive Directors.

 – Following Robin Freestone’s decision 
to step down as Senior Independent 
Director and member of the 
Nomination & Governance and Audit 
Committees, it was recommended 
that Marc Owen be appointed as 
Senior Independent Director in 
light of his skills, competencies and 
knowledge of the Company, the 
industry in which it operates and his 
commitment to best practice in terms 
of corporate governance.

 – Strengthened the Nomination & 
Governance Committee with the 
appointment of Angie Risley and the 
Audit Committee with the appointment 
of Jo Hallas in September 2022 to add 
diversity of perspective.

 – Circulated and discussed a refreshed 
CEO profile with a view to succession 
planning in respect of both internal and 
external candidates, taking into account 
the challenges and opportunities facing 
the Company, the skills and expertise 
likely to be required by the Board in the 
future and the benefits of diversity in 
its widest sense.

 – Monitored the 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.
 – Discussed succession plans with 

management for executives below Board 
level. These plans included consideration 
of diversity in the executive pipeline. 
Page 89 gives details of the members of 
the Executive Committee, 40% of whom 
are female, one of whom is of African 
heritage and one of Asian ethnicity. 
The Committee will continue to monitor 
diversity in the executive pipeline.

 – Conducted a mid year review of conflicts 
of interest in order to review and ensure 
the continued independence of the  
Non-Executive Directors. 

1  Russell Reynolds was also selected by the Company in 
2022 to act as agent for two other senior management 
search processes.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

and its Committees, approving the Terms 
of Reference of the Board Committees 
and the Matters Reserved to the Board.
 – Led by the Senior Independent Director, 
ensured oversight of the internal Board 
Evaluation process and recommended 
follow-up actions to the Board following 
the Evaluation review in December 2022.

Chair and Non-Executive 
Director search
Following Robin Freestone’s departure, 
Marc Owen drove the continued search 
for our new Chair. Russell Reynolds1 was 
appointed as search agent to progress 
the Chair search at pace, ensuring 
that we were presented with a diverse 
set of candidates for consideration. 
The Committee recommended and the 
Board aligned on three core characteristics 
required for the new Chair: (i) a proven 
track record of demonstrating creation 
and delivery of shareholder value; (ii) a 
strong background in governance, ideally 
within a UK FTSE environment; and (iii) the 
ability to support and develop the Chief 
Executive Officer, either through previous 
CEO experience or through development 
of a CEO as part of a Board role.

The Committee also considered the 
criteria of healthcare industry experience 
and corporate finance experience but the 
search was focused on finding a Chair who 
demonstrates performance ethic and track 
record, UK governance experience and CEO 
development. In advance of finalising the 
shortlist of candidates for the new Chair, 
Marc Owen engaged with shareholders 
on the proposed criteria which resonated 
well with the consultation group based 
on feedback received.

After an extensive search, it was announced 
on 17 February 2023 that subject to 
shareholder approval, Rupert Soames 
will be appointed to the Board as a Non-
Executive Director and Chair-designate 
at our AGM and will join the Nomination 
& Governance and Remuneration 
Committees upon appointment. In order 
to ensure a smooth transition to Rupert, 
Roberto Quarta has agreed to remain as 
Chair until 15 September 2023 and will put 
himself forward for re-election at the AGM 
on this basis.

Diversity
The Committee believes that a 
balanced, diverse Board is stronger 
and better equipped to consider the 
risks, opportunities and challenges 
facing the Company, understanding the 
views of all stakeholders, including our 
shareholders, in order to reach decisions 
which take into account a wider range of 
perspectives. The aim is for the Board to 
have a wide range of backgrounds, skills 
and experiences and value a diversity 
of outlook, approach and style in Board 
members. The Committee believes the 
Board’s composition gives us the necessary 
balance of diversity, skills, experience, 
independence and knowledge to ensure 
continued efficiency in running the business 
and delivery of sustainable growth.

In order to ensure that the Board 
remains diverse and that members 
have the skillsets to support and deliver 
shareholder value as the business evolved, 
the Committee analyses the skills and 
experiences required on an ongoing basis 
against the skills and experiences of 
the Board using the matrix on page 100.  
The Committee review this matrix 
regularly to ensure that it is refreshed to 
meet the changing needs and strategic and 
operational imperatives of the Company.

Diversity is not simply a matter of gender, 
ethnicity, social or other 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 
competence on governance and 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. 
To perform effectively, the Board needs 
to be both supportive and challenging. 
When selecting new directors for the Board, 
the Committee looks for members with 
suitable professional backgrounds, who 
provide new perspectives. The Committee 
will continue to appoint Directors on merit, 
valuing the unique contribution that they 
will bring to the Board, regardless of gender, 
ethnicity or any other diversity measure. 
The diversity statement is located on our 
website: www.smith-nephew.com/en/
about-us/corporate-governance/diversity-
statements.

99

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONComposition, succession and evaluation continued
Nomination & Governance Committee report continued

Board and Leadership 
Succession Planning
In order to support the Company 
to meet its strategic objectives, the 
Committee has aimed to strengthen 
the capabilities of the Board in terms 
of skills, composition and diversity and 
have appointed Board members with 
industry specific knowledge and broad 
geographical experience. The Committee 
has also sought to enhance the induction 
programmes for new Board members who 
had joined during the pandemic through 
site visits, listening sessions and focused 
Board sessions relating to strategic 
and macroeconomic matters.

Succession planning is a key focus for 
the Board from both a leadership and 
governance perspective. The Board 
composition and skills matrix feeds into a 
formal rolling succession plan for Directors. 
The Committee starts board recruitment 
well ahead of retirements, understanding 
the competitiveness of the market. 
Priorities for recruiting and succession 
planning include the ability to respond 
to evolving strategic imperatives for the 
company, adding and enhancing Board 
skills including in the areas of healthcare 
sector perspectives, operational 
experience and ESG and enhancing 
diversity in the boardroom.

The Committee has also worked with 
an independent third party to review 
the profile of the Chief Executive Officer 
role and has developed a profile focused 
on the skills required to lead the business 
moving into the future. The Committee 
also focused on development for leaders 
to ensure that the potential internal 
pipeline of candidates is strengthened.

Russell Reynolds, a third party search 
agent, has been appointed to find a 
candidate with the requisite financial skills 
and experience to provide support to the 
Board and particularly to Rick Medlock 
on the Audit Committee following Robin 
Freestone’s departure. The Board will 
provide an update on this search process 
once a recommendation has been 
considered and approved.

FTSE 350 companies to have 
at least one woman in the 
Chair or Senior Independent 
director role on the Board, 
and/or one woman in the 
Chief Executive or Finance 
Director role in the company 
by the end of 2025.

Year achieved

2020

Anne-Françoise Nesmes 
was appointed  
Chief Financial Officer  
in July 2020.

Board ethnicity

Ethnic Minority  
American

White American

White European

White American/
European

2

1

6

2

Board gender diversity

63.7% male
36.3% female

Board nationality

American

British 

German/Polish 

Swedish 

British/American 

British/French 

American/Italian 

3

3

1

1

1

1

1

Board tenure

Under 12 months 

1–3 years 

4–8 years

>9 years 

2

5

3

1

Skills and experience matrix

CEO Financial

International

Healthcare/
Medical Devices

Emerging 
Markets

UK 

Governance Remuneration

Roberto Quarta
Deepak Nath
Anne-Françoise 
Nesmes
Erik Engstrom
Jo Hallas
John Ma
Katarzyna 
Mazur-Hofsaess
Rick Medlock
Marc Owen
Angie Risley
Bob White

During 2022, the Board has benefitted 
from the diversity of experience, 
background and global and regional 
expertise of its members. As a new Chair 
takes the reins, the Board will continue to 
evaluate the requirements of a Company 
which is dual listed on the London and 
New York Stock Exchanges with its 
focus on key priority markets.

The balance on the Board of strong 
industry knowledge and experience with 
a solid appreciation of the UK environment 
will enable the Board to continue to 
support and challenge effectively in the 
years to come.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 
Audit, Risk and Control

Audit Committee report

Rick Medlock  
Chair of the Audit Committee 

Membership*

Member  
from

Meetings  
attended

Rick Medlock (Chair)1

April 2020

Erik Engstrom

January 2015

Robin Freestone2

September 2015

Marc Owen

Jo Hallas3

October 2017

September 2022

8/8

8/8

6/6

8/8

3/3

Our focus for 2023 will include:
 – Monitoring ESG and TCFD reporting.
 – Continued oversight of risk 

management process.

 – Monitoring of Cybersecurity controls.
 – Supporting the transition of the 

external auditors.

 – Ensuring that we review and consider 
all UK governance changes following 
the establishment of Audit Reporting 
and Governance Authority (ARGA).

www.smith-nephew.com

The Terms of Reference of the Audit Committee describe 
the role and responsibilities more fully and can be found 
on our website.

1  Designated financial expert under the SEC Regulations 
or recent and relevant financial experience under the 
UK Corporate Governance Code.

2  Robin Freestone stepped down as member of the 

Committee on 30 September 2022.
3  Jo Hallas joined the Audit Committee on 

1 September 2022.

*  All members of the Committee are deemed to be 

independent Directors.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Responsibilities of  
the Audit Committee
The Committee’s key roles are to:
 – Ensure the integrity of the Company’s 
financial reporting to shareholders 
and any announcements relating to 
the Group’s financial performance. 

 – Ensure financial statements 
comply with UK and US 
statutory requirements.

 – Review the content of the Annual 

Report and Accounts and advise the 
Board on whether, taken as a whole, 
it is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess the 
Company’s performance, business 
model and strategy.

 – Monitor the effectiveness of internal 
controls and compliance with the 
2018 UK Corporate Governance 
Code and the SOX Act.

 – Ensure the effectiveness of the 

internal audit function, agree audit 
plans and consider outcomes of 
internal audits.

 – Review the operation of the Group’s 

risk management framework.

 – On behalf of the Board, carry out a 
robust assessment of the principal 
and emerging risks facing the Group.

 – Ensure the effectiveness of the 
external audit function, agree 
the scope of the audits (including 
materiality thresholds and areas 
of risk for focus) and the auditor’s 
fees and terms of engagement.

 – Consider any reported frauds 

and any concerns raised by the 
Company’s whistleblowing process.
 – Oversee other matters, including 
cybersecurity, IT governance, 
ESG, tax and treasury.

The Committee met eight times during 
the year, with meetings timed to coincide 
with the financial and reporting cycles of 
the Company. In addition the Committee 
met with both the Company’s external 
auditor and Group Head of Internal Audit 
without management present.

During 2022, outside of the routine matters 
undertaken by the Committee (as set out 
in its Terms of Reference), the Committee 
has focused on the following matters:
 – Monitored progress on and enhancement 
of our ESG reporting plan including TCFD.

 – Continued oversight of the governance 
and maturity plan for our IT framework 
and controls.

 – Implemented the recommendations 

from the external review of the Internal 
Audit function that was carried out 
in 2021.

 – Carried out a deep dive on information 

security and cyber resilience.

The Committee also accelerated the audit 
tender process, which resulted in Deloitte 
being recommended to the Board as the 
Company’s new auditors, effective from 
1 January 2024. Information on the tender 
process can be found on page 104 of 
my report.

The Committee has satisfied itself that 
the Smith & Nephew plc 2022 annual 
report and accounts is fair, balanced and 
understandable. The Committee therefore 
supports the Board in making its formal 
statement on page 147.

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Audit Committee report continued

Significant matters related to the financial statements
We considered the following key areas of judgement in relation to the 2022 financial statements 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 (which accounts for 
approximately 60% of the Group’s total inventory and approximately 
80% of the total provision for excess and obsolete 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 typically 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 and phase-out of old products.

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 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.

Impairment

In carrying out impairment reviews of goodwill and 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
At each quarter end, we received reports from, and discussed with, 
management the level of provisioning and material areas at risk. 
The provisioning level was 21% at 31 December 2022 (2021: 21%). 
We challenged the basis of the provisions and concluded that 
the proposed levels were appropriate and have been 
consistently estimated.

Challenge by KPMG
During 2022 KPMG challenged management’s approach to 
inventory provisioning considering recovery of demand in 2022.

Our action
As members of the Board, we receive regular updates from the Group 
General Counsel & Company Secretary. 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 $239 million as of 31 December 2022. 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 decreased by 
$56 million during the year, primarily due to utilisation of the metal-on-
metal provision. We have determined that the proposed levels of 
provisioning at year end of $264 million included within ‘provisions’ 
in Note 17.1 in 2022 (2021: $320 million) were appropriate in 
the circumstances.

Challenge by KPMG
KPMG challenged management’s assumptions in determining the 
provisions for metal-on-metal hip claims including the work of 
management appointed actuaries.

Our action
We reviewed management’s reports on the key assumptions with 
respect to goodwill and acquisition intangible assets – particularly 
the forecast future cash flows and discount rates used to make 
these calculations. We had a particular focus on goodwill impairment 
testing for the Orthopaedics CGU as the level of headroom has decreased 
and is sensitive to a reasonably possible change in assumptions. 
We challenged the downside sensitivity analyses undertaken. 
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.

Challenge by KPMG
KPMG challenged management on the impairment conclusions 
and the basis of the assessment.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Effectiveness of external auditor 
We conducted a review into the 
effectiveness of the external audit as part 
of the 2022 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 
2022 effectively.

The Audit Committee continues 
to review the effectiveness of the 
external auditor, KPMG.

Appointment of external auditor 
at Annual General Meeting
Resolutions will be put to the Annual 
General Meeting to be held on 26 April 
2023 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 CMA Order 2014.

Other matters related to 
the financial statements
As well as the identified significant matters, 
other matters that the Audit Committee 
considered during 2022 were:

Going concern
The impact of a global economic recession 
has been considered as part of the 
adoption of the going concern basis in 
these financial statements. We reviewed 
three-year projections as part of the 
Group’s Strategic Plan, and also more 
detailed cash flow scenarios to 30 March 
2024 for going concern purposes and 
concurred with management that the 
continued adoption of the going concern 
basis is appropriate.

Taxation
The Group operates in numerous tax 
jurisdictions around the world and 
is subject to factors that may affect 
future tax charges. We annually review 
policies and approve the principles for 
management of tax risks. We review 
quarterly reports from management 
evaluating the 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.

We noted The Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC) included the Group’s 
financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2021 in their selection 
for the thematic review of companies’ 
disclosures relating to deferred tax assets. 
The FRC completed a limited scope 
review of the Group’s 2021 Annual Report 
and, based on their review, the FRC has 
not raised any questions to date with 
the Group.

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.

Climate change
The impact of climate change has 
been considered as part of our review 
of the impairment testing of goodwill 
and acquired intangible assets, and the 
going concern assessment. We have 
also considered the disclosures on 
climate change and considered 
them appropriate.

Since the year end
Since the year end, we have also reviewed 
the results for the full year 2022, Annual 
Report and Accounts for 2022, 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 14–15, 
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 is 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.

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. Paul Nichols was appointed 
as our senior lead audit partner on 
1 January 2022.

The Audit Committee confirms it has 
complied with the provision of the 
Competition and Markets Authority 
(CMA) Order 2014.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

103

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONAudit, Risk and Control continued
Audit Committee report continued

Audit Tender 
KPMG has been our auditors since 2015 
and during the year we recommended to 
the Board that the audit tender process 
be accelerated with a view to appointing 
new auditors from 1 January 2024. As well 
as KPMG, two other firms were invited to 
submit tenders. The audit tender process 
was led by me as Chair of the Audit 
Committee and a robust process was 
carried out. 

We had a common set of criteria for 
evaluating the proposals including:
 – Audit approach and quality.
 – The lead partner and their audit team.
 – Sector experience.
 – Approach to resolving issues or matters 

of judgement.
 – Transition plans.
 – Use of technology.

The proposals presented by the firms 
were subject to detailed evaluation 
and discussion which enabled us to 
recommend to the Board the appointment 
of Deloitte as the preferred new auditor. 
The Board endorsed this recommendation. 
Deloitte will begin transitioning in 2023 
and become auditors from 1 January 2024, 
subject to shareholders’ approval at the 
Annual General Meeting in 2024.

Disclosure of information  
to the auditor
In accordance with Section 418 of 
the Companies Act 2006, the Directors 
serving at the time of approving the 
Directors’ Report confirm that, to the 
best of their knowledge and belief, there 
is no relevant audit information of which 
the auditor, KPMG, 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 SVP 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 Chair of the Audit 
Committee. If unforeseen additional 
permitted services are required, or any 
which exceed the amounts approved, 
again pre-approval by the Chair of the 
Audit Committee is required.

The following reflects the non-audit 
fees incurred with KPMG in 2022, 
which were approved by the Chair 
of the Audit Committee.

Audit-related services

2022
$ million 
0.4

2021
$ million
0.1

Audit related fees in 2022 primarily consist 
of routine services provided in respect 
of the EUR bond issue and was deemed 
by the Committee not to infringe auditor 
objectivity or independence. The ratio of 
non-audit fees to audit fees for the year 
ended 31 December 2022 is 0.04. The ratio 
of non-audit fees to audit fees for the year 
ended 31 December 2021 was 0.01.

Full details are shown in Note 3.2 to 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

2022
$ million 
9.4
0.4
9.8

2021
$ million
7.5
0.1
7.6

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, commercial, 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 
35 risk-based audits and reviews across 
the Group. These included: financial 
controls effectiveness reviews across 
the EMEA, APAC, US and LATAM regions; 
IT and various programme assurance 
reviews ranging from end user computer 
security to IT controls effectiveness; and 
an ERP pre-implementation review in 
Malaysia. Group-level reviews included 
enterprise risk management effectiveness, 
data privacy controls, ESG governance, 
capital expenditure controls, shared 
services operations and fraud risk 
management effectiveness. Key issues 
noted during reviews included the need 
for all documentation relating to controls 
operation to be stored in the central 
repository. Management has taken swift 
action to implement Internal Audit’s 
recommendations. The team was able to 
travel to a number of locations, following 
the relaxing of Covid-related restrictions 
and there was continued use of data 
extraction and analysis techniques 
during all work.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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 
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 
2022 and up to the date of approval of 
this Annual Report was effective. Work will 
continue in 2023 and beyond to continue 
to enhance the process.

69

Risk Report

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. Management have considered 
various scenarios in assessing the impact 
of a global economic recession, with the 
key judgement applied being the speed 
and sustainability of the return to a normal 
volume of elective procedures in key 
markets. 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 pages 78–79.

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 on 
pages 18–21 and the Principal Risks 
on pages 71–77.

The financial position of the Group, 
its cash flows, liquidity position and 
borrowing facilities are described on 
pages 18–21. 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 continued uncertainty as to the future 
impact on the financial performance 
and cash flows of the Group as a result 
of a global economic recession has been 
considered as part of the adoption of 
the going concern basis in these financial 
statements. 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.

The function carries out its work 
in accordance with the standards and 
guidelines of the Institute of Internal 
Auditors. Its performance is annually 
assessed using a structured questionnaire, 
allowing non-executive, executive and 
senior management, plus the external 
auditor, to comment on key aspects of 
the function’s performance. In addition, 
Grant Thornton carried out an evaluation 
of the function and concluded that it 
was operating effectively. The Audit 
Committee, which re-approved the 
function’s charter in December 2022, 
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, 
April, July, and December. We approved 
the Risk Management programme for 2022 
and monitored performance against that 
programme, 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 
followed the risk management policy and 
manual communicated company-wide 
in 2022. 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).

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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Audit Committee report continued

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.

 – The Group’s IT organisation is responsible 

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, by either: performing 
testing directly, reviewing testing 
performed in-country, or utilising a 
qualified third party to perform this 
management testing on its behalf.
 – The Group Finance Manual sets out 
financial and accounting policies, 
and is updated regularly. The Group’s 
Minimum Acceptable Practices (MAPs) 
were updated in 2022 emphasising the 
timing of control operation and splitting 
controls between Key and Non-Key 
controls within the Risk and Control 
Matrix. The business is required to self-
assess their level of compliance with the 
MAPs on a monthly basis and remediate 
any gaps.

 – MAPs compliance is validated through 
spot-checks conducted by the Financial 
Controls & Compliance Group and 
Internal Audit, as well as during wider 
Internal Audit reviews performed 
throughout the year. The technology 
solution to facilitate the real time 
monitoring of the operation and testing 
of controls is now fully operational 
and has driven improvements in the 
control environment. 

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 effectiveness 
of the Company’s internal controls over 
financial reporting. The Company’s 
assessment included documenting, 
evaluating and testing the design and 
operating effectiveness of its internal 
controls over financial reporting. Based  
on this evaluation, we have satisfied 
ourselves that we are meeting the 
required standards and that our internal 
control over financial reporting is effective 
both for the year ended 31 December 
2022 and up to the date of approval 
of this Annual Report. No concerns 
were raised with us in 2022 regarding 
possible improprieties in matters of 
financial reporting.

This process complies with the FRC’s 
‘Guidance on Risk Management, 
Internal Control and Related Financial 
and Business Reporting’ under the 
UK Corporate Governance Code and 
additionally contributes to our compliance 
with the obligations under the SOX 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.

 – 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 SOX (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 using dashboards 
which are updated on a daily basis.
 – 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 
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.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

of controls. KPMG, an independent 
registered public accounting firm, 
audited the financial statements 
included in the 2022 Annual Report, 
containing the disclosure required 
by this item, issued an attestation 
report on the Group’s internal 
control over financial reporting as 
at 31 December 2022.

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 2022 or up until 
21 February 2023. A copy of the Code 
of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers 
can be found on our website.

In addition, every individual in the finance 
function certifies to the Chief Financial 
Officer that they have complied with 
the Finance Code of Conduct.

The Board is responsible overall for 
reviewing and approving the adequacy 
and effectiveness of the risk management 
framework and the system of internal 
controls over financial, operational 
(including quality management and 
ethical compliance) processes operated 
by the Group. The Board has delegated 
responsibility for this review to the Audit 
Committee. The Audit Committee, through 
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 2022 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 2022. Based upon the 
evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer concluded 
on 21 February 2023 that the disclosure 
controls and procedures were effective 
as at 31 December 2022.

 – 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 2022 in accordance 
with the requirements in the US under 
section 404 of the SOX Act. In making 
that assessment, they used the 
criteria set forth by the Committee 
of Sponsoring Organizations of the 
Treadway Commission in Internal 
Control-Integrated Framework 
(2013). Based on their assessment, 
management concluded and reported 
that, as at 31 December 2022, 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 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

107

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONAudit, Risk and Control continued

Compliance & Culture 
Committee report

Marc Owen  
Chair of the Compliance & Culture Committee

In 2022, the Committee held four 
meetings. Each meeting was attended by 
all members of the Committee. The Group 
General Counsel and Company Secretary, 
the Chief Compliance Officer, the Chief 
Quality & Regulatory Affairs Officer, 
Chief HR Officer and President of Global 
Operations (responsible for reporting 
on sustainability) also attended all 
or part of the meetings by invitation.

Membership

Member  
from

Meetings  
attended

Marc Owen (Chair)

March 2018

John Ma

December 2021

Katarzyna  
Mazur-Hofsaess

Angie Risley

Bob White

April 2021

April 2020

July 2020

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

4/4

Our focus for 2023 will include:
 – Continued oversight of the Company’s 
sustainability programme, including 
targets and monitoring its roll-out 
to the Group.

 – Assist with determining appropriate 
ESG metrics for the Performance 
Share Programme.

 – Monitoring the progress of the 

Company’s commitment to its net 
zero roadmap by 2045.

 – Ensure stakeholder considerations 
continue to be embedded into all 
Board decisions.

 – Continue to monitor regulatory 

developments which may impact the 
Strategy for Growth and 12-point plan.

 – Further Board/employee listening 

sessions to enable the Board to further 
monitor and assess the corporate 

culture globally taking into account 
post pandemic considerations and 
impact of localised lockdowns.

 – Monitor the actions taken by 

management following 2022’s  
Board/employee listening sessions.
 – Review further employee feedback 
gathered through the annual survey 
and other mechanisms to ensure 
the Board is aware of employees’ views 
and any resulting actions required by 
management. Recent survey results 
are discussed on page 48–49.
 – Developing the programme for 
the Committee and Board to 
meet and receive direct feedback 
from our other stakeholders with 
a focus on ESG considerations 
which are of interest to specific 
stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities of the Compliance & Culture Committee
Ethics and compliance
 – Overseeing ethics and compliance 
programmes, strategies and plans.
 – Monitoring ethics and compliance 

and related regulatory developments 
which impact our business.

process improvements 
and enhancements.

 – Assessing compliance performance 

based on monitoring, auditing 
and internal and external 
investigations data.

 – Discussion of allegations of significant 

potential compliance issues.

 – Receiving reports from the Group 
General Counsel and Company 
Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer.

 – Reviewing data privacy elements of 
the Global compliance programme 

Sustainability
 – Overseeing the sustainability strategy 
and reviewing targets and metrics, 
particularly with regard to the Scope 
3 roadmap and new and enhanced 
reporting regulations on ESG matters.

 – Receiving and assessing regular 
functional reports from the ESG 
Operating Committee and Global 
President Operations.

Culture
 – Oversight of our relationship 

with stakeholders, including the 
employee voice and sustainability.

 – Receiving and assessing regular reports 

and presentations from the Chief 
Human Resources Officer relating to 
key employee issues such as purpose 
and culture, talent, engagement and 
Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (“IDE”).

Quality and regulatory Affairs (QARA)
 – 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 & Regulatory 
Affairs Officer.

www.smith-nephew.com/investor-centre/about-us/governance corporate-documents-and-policies/terms-of-reference/

The Terms of Reference for the Compliance & Culture Committee describe the role and responsibilities of this Committee more fully and can be found on our website.

108

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Ethics and compliance
As stated in the Code of Conduct, the 
sustainability of our business depends 
on doing business the right way and 
ensuring the third parties that we 
work with share our perspective.

This year the Committee maintained 
oversight of our ethics and compliance 
programme activities within our business 
and continued to review external factors 
which could impact the business. The  
Chief Compliance Officer provided regular 
reports demonstrating the effectiveness 
of the Global Compliance programme as 
well as continuous improvement efforts 
to ensure our ethics and compliance 
programme activities are evolving in 
alignment with our strategy for growth 
and 12-point plan objectives.

The Committee is provided with updates 
on allegations of potentially significant 
issues which are raised through the 
Company’s hotline or to our Compliance 
team and the Company’s response to such 
matters, and also receive an annual review 
of investigations and enforcement trends 
in the industry.

The Committee also received an update on 
the progress of a continuous improvement 
plan for the Compliance Validation 
Assignment (CVA) programme and noted 
significant improvements including reduced 
report times, enhancements to the risk 
assessment process for third parties, and 
increased collaboration and best-practice 
sharing with other assurance providers. 
The Committee received a report from 
a self-assessment of the Compliance 
programme, which we understand will 
be conducted on an annual basis.

These reports demonstrated that the 
organisation has established, mature 
processes and controls over ethics 
reporting and investigations.

The Committee received regular updates 
on findings from compliance verification 
activities and the adaptation of processes 
to accommodate restrictions and altered 
risk profiles post pandemic.

During 2022, the Committee also received 
an update on our privacy programme, 
with a specific focus on evolution of the 
programme in light of changing regulatory 
environments in many of the markets 
in which we operate.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Quality and regulatory affairs
Product safety and effectiveness is 
at the foundation 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 2022, the Committee 
received and reviewed summary reports 
of the Company’s performance against 
internal and external KPIs and metrics, 
which display oversight regarding the 
quality and regulatory activities of 
our business.

At each meeting, the Committee received 
a briefing on key matters from the Chief 
Quality & Regulatory Affairs Officer. 
The Committee reviewed results of 
external regulatory inspections and audits 
conducted by the FDA and other regulatory 
agencies. The Committee also reviewed 
results of internal quality audits and key 
performance metrics associated with 
critical quality and regulatory compliance 
processes. The Committee received 
reports regarding preparation for emerging 
regulations applicable to our business and 
also received updates on the important 
efforts to ensure compliance with the EU 
Medical Device Regulation.

During the year, the Committee reviewed 
progress in areas of focus such as design 
for manufacturability at our Malaysia site 
and overall quality and manufacturing 
improvements at key sites across the 
business. The Committee also discussed 
our continued efforts on Quality System 
simplification leading to continued 
efficiency across our network.

Sustainability
In 2022, sustainability and ESG matters 
more generally have continued to 
receive focus and scrutiny from the 
Board and its Committees with strong 
focus on the Company’s sustainability 
strategy and agenda. The Committee 
reviewed the Company’s sustainability 
programme to ensure alignment with 
stakeholder expectations and monitored 
management’s actions taken against 
our targets.

Throughout the year, the Committee 
received updates from the Global President 
Operations on our performance against 
Scope 1 and 2 emissions and received an 
update on the proposed development of 
the Scope 3 roadmap demonstrating our 
progress towards our net zero commitment 
by 2045. We also received updates on our 
network optimisation projects and the 
ways in which ESG considerations have 
been considered within our facilities in 
Malaysia, Costa Rica and the proposed 
new Advanced Wound Management 
facility at Melton near Hull. In February 
2022 we reviewed and approved the 
2021 Sustainability Report and in April 
we reviewed and approved the Conflict 
Minerals declaration and Modern 
Slavery statements, in each case prior 
to Board approval.

The Company has engaged with ISS and 
other institutional investment teams to 
understand how the Company benchmarks 
against others in the industry and to 
seek further ways to demonstrate our 
performance to investors.

Customers are increasingly requiring 
Smith+Nephew to align with and 
demonstrate shared sustainability goals. 
The Committee reviewed the reporting 
requirements around climate change, 
reporting against the TCFD and SASB 
frameworks, and approved our revised 
carbon reduction target. Since the year 
end, the Committee has approved the 
2022 Sustainability Report.

56

Sustainability

109

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONAudit, Risk and Control continued
Compliance & Culture Committee report continued

Culture
During 2022, the Company’s core purpose 
of Life Unlimited and the supporting culture 
pillars of Care, Courage and Collaboration 
continued to be embedded. Our strategic 
objectives and culture pillars provide 
alignment across our business and stronger 
understanding by employees of their 
role in supporting our collective success.

The Committee was provided with 
regular updates on culture from the 
Chief HR Officer throughout 2022. 
The specific actions for the year relating 
to culture included the plan for engaging 
and developing our future leaders, the 
plans in place to ensure leadership and 
employees are engaged and contribute 
to a high performing and purpose driven 
company; the continuation of Board/
employee listening sessions; the launch 
of the People Leader Hub containing 
resources to support key management/
employee practices, skills and behaviours; 
a continued focus on inclusion, diversity and 
equity through employee inclusion groups 
(EIGs) and internal and external initiatives; 
and monitoring success through the 
annual Gallup engagement survey.

The Committee received an update on 
how the Company had defined the specific 
expectations and behaviours needed 
to deliver on its strategy and support the 
Company’s culture. Our Commitments 
were approved by the Board and define 
the specific ways in which the Company 
expects employees to demonstrate our 
culture. In 2022, the nine Commitments 

and three behaviours defining each of 
our culture pillars were launched to all 
employees through a leader-led cascade. 
From the nine culture Commitments, the 
initial focus for 2023 is on three that are 
most critical to delivering our strategy and 
12-point plan: Deliver for Customers (Care); 
Take Accountability (Courage) and Find 
Solutions (Collaboration).

During 2022, the Committee received an 
update on the ten EIGs covering gender,  
race and ethnicity, veterans, mental health 
and physical wellbeing, generations, 
the differently abled and LGBTQ+.

Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess met 
with leadership from two of the EIGs in 
December 2022 and was impressed by 
the passion, drive and grassroots support 
for the EIGs within the organisation.

The 2022 Gallup global employee survey 
results were shared with the Committee. 
These results, which allow Smith+Nephew 
to benchmark against similar companies 
in our industry, showed a strong employee 
response rate of 88%. The Committee was 
pleased to see that the survey highlighted 
overall strengths in employee connection to 
the purpose of Life Unlimited and an overall 
upward trend of our results compared 
with last year.

For specific issues where employees 
may not feel comfortable articulating their 
views, we have a whistle-blowing policy 
and confidential line, as discussed above.

Employees
The Board proactively support and 
further reinforce the Purpose of Life 
Unlimited and culture pillars of Care, 
Courage and Collaboration through 
informal board listening sessions. 
These sessions give the Board the 
opportunity to hear directly from 
employees and understand thoughts 
and perspectives on a number of 
topics in connection with our purpose 
and culture.

Marc Owen hosted Board listening 
sessions for over 80 of our employees in the 
Americas at our Memphis manufacturing 
sites in January 2022 where topics 
discussed included Talent, IDE strategy, 
linking strategy and Purpose within the 
Company, and sustainability initiatives 
and the Company’s impact on society 
and local communities.

Employees provided further background 
on the Company’s approach to attracting, 
retaining and developing talent and 
the implementation of IDE strategy. 
The employee team mission to add 
value and be part of the solution was a 
message which came through clearly from 
those sessions and employees outlined 
the various recognition programmes 
in place. New employee induction and 
training were highlighted as a key priority 
which will form part of the Committee’s 
continued monitoring and follow up 
with management in 2023.

“ In our session with EIG leaders 
in particular, I was struck by the 
strength of internal support for grass 
roots employee initiated IDE groups, 
programmes and events. My dialogue 
with EIG programme leaders has been 
a true inspiration – I was impressed by 
their commitment to Smith+Nephew 
and conviction that the EIGs make 
a positive impact on the culture 
of the Company.”

Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess

110

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Board Visits

The site visit programmes to Memphis 
and Hull focused on strategic and 
operational capabilities and initiatives 
and sought to highlight areas of interest 
aligned with key priorities for the Board, 
including core business strategy, value 
creation opportunities, culture and 
workforce, operational transformation 
and ESG and stakeholder considerations  
in key projects.

In Memphis, Board members started the visit 
with a tour of the Brooks Road manufacturing 
site to review the strategic and operational 
developments and improvements in progress 
as part of the 12-point plan and operational  
transformation.

The morning began with an employee-led 
wellness session including exercises and 
movement to start the day. The Board then 
toured the manufacturing site, experiencing 3D 
printing capabilities and manufacturing facilities 
at the Brooks Road site. Board members visited 
the Power of One Robotics and Real Intelligence 
platform tour hosted by cross functional teams 
from Recon, Robotics and Trauma in our “Ox 
Truck” which tours the US. The Board also 
attended three “innovation rooms” which 
showcased the pipeline for future procedural 
innovation and product development which 
were hosted by Marketing, R&D and other 
functional leads. Bob White attended the 
Appling Road facility and reported back to the 
Board on the improvements in supply chain and 
operational efficiency supporting increased 
completion of sets and inventory turn.

“ It was important for Board members 
to visit, and for some to return, to our 
Memphis hub in 2022 given the Strategy 
for Growth focus on fixing Orthopaedics 
and improving trading margin through 
productivity and supply chain resilience. 
It was also gratifying to engage with our 
Memphis workforce across manufacturing, 
marketing, R&D and functional teams 
to hear the passion, enthusiasm and 
pride in innovation and the business 
more generally.”

Roberto Quarta

STRATEGIC REPORT
GOVERNANCE
ACCOUNTS
OTHER INFORMATION

Board members Rick Medlock and Jo Hallas 
visited the Hull site and attended a session on 
our AWM Global Strategy led by our Marketing, 
Supply Chain and Operations teams based in 
the UK. This was followed by a tour of the Hull 
site where Board members were able to see our 
manufacturing operations in action, including 
our ALLEVYN◊ production and assembly 
capabilities. The AWM R&D team presented 
on our product pipeline and innovation which 
was followed by a product demonstration 
of a range of AWM products.

Our Board members engaged with our Hull Site 
Leadership during lunch and had an informal 
employee engagement session with various 
groups of employees including those 
undertaking apprenticeships with S+N 
and top talent.

Board members also attended in depth sessions 
which provided a view of future opportunities 
for value creation, including a presentation on 
our new site in Melton and our AWM strategic 
response to supply chain resilience. Both of 
these sessions were framed to provide the 
Board with an overview of the impact of 
these projects on key stakeholders including 
employees, suppliers, customers, regulators, 
government, investors, local communities 
and the environment.

“ The presentations from the teams 
were thoughtful and focused on Board 
priorities. Having joined the Board earlier 
this year, the Hull factory tour and the 
product demonstrations were essential 
for understanding more about the 
business. The opportunity to meet local 
leadership and employees at the site 
was invaluable in providing additional 
insight on the company’s culture and 
employee engagement.”

Jo Hallas

“ Having joined the Board at the start  
of the pandemic, the Hull site visit was 
incredibly worthwhile to learn more 
about our UK AWM manufacturing 
capabilities and see our products 
in action. We were impressed by the 
knowledge, energy and enthusiasm 
of the teams for our business.”

Rick Medlock

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

111

 Engaging with 
stakeholders

The Board understands the importance 
of ensuring that the views and interests 
of all stakeholders are considered in the 
delivery and oversight of the Company’s 
strategy and culture.

Although members of the Board engage 
directly with stakeholders as part of site 
visits or employee engagement meetings, 

engagement with stakeholders mostly 
takes place at an operational level 
and the Board forms its views through 
reports and information presented to 
it by management. Management are 
asked to outline and present the potential 
impacts on stakeholders to the Board 
where appropriate.

Employees

48

People

108 Compliance & 

Culture Committee

Our employees are crucial to the success of the 
business and many of the key decisions made by the 
Board have an impact on them. It is important for us 
to understand the employee perspective and take 
their views into account in our decision making.
The Board proactively support and further reinforce the purpose of 
Life Unlimited and culture pillars of Care, Collaboration and Courage 
through informal board listening sessions. These sessions give the 
Board the opportunity to hear directly from employees and understand 
thoughts and perspectives on a number of topics in connection with 
our purpose and culture.

Marc Owen hosted three Board listening sessions for over 80 of our 
employees in the Americas at our Memphis manufacturing sites on 
18 January (Brooks Road) and 19 January (Holmes Road) where topics 
discussed included Talent, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) strategy, 
linking strategy and purpose within the Company, and sustainability 
initiatives and the Company’s impact on society and local communities. 
Employees provided further background on the Company’s approach 
to attracting, retaining and developing talent and the implementation of 
IDE strategy and the ways in which the company is advancing inclusion, 
diversity and equity, wellbeing and a purpose-driven culture of belonging.

The Board heard about the various recognition programmes, employee 
engagement and the steps taken by site leadership and people managers 
to connect teams to the purpose of Life Unlimited. Visibility of leaders 
was a topic that had previously been raised and employees provided 
feedback that this was now being addressed at the sites in response to 
comments received on previous sessions. Areas of opportunity identified 
were to optimise and utilise engagement team and EIGs to support 
employees, improve communication from management on links to 
strategy and purpose, development opportunities and improvement 
on change management.

How we engage
 – Updates on leadership and talent 

development, succession planning 
and inclusion, diversity and equity 
are provided at Compliance & 
Culture Committee meetings.
 – The Board meets with employees  

on-site visits, or virtually.

 – Board/employee listening sessions.
 – The Board discusses results and 

next steps of annual Gallup survey.

Areas of interest
 – Engagement with purpose 
of Life Unlimited and our 
culture pillars of Care, 
Collaboration and Courage.

 – Talent, retention  
and development.
 – Employee wellbeing  
and cost of living.

 – Leadership and 

succession planning.

 – Diversity, Inclusion 

and Equity.
 – Innovation.
 – Society and the environment.
 – Strategy.
 – Customers.

112

2022 Highlights
 – The Board focused on the impact of localised Covid lockdowns on 
employees’ safety and wellbeing (eg in Shanghai), with the Culture 
and Compliance Committee receiving reports on the implementation 
of action plans to support employees.

 – On 14 June 2022, Angie Risley and Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess held 
a listening session with EMEA Commercial team members which 
centred on a number of key topics: (i) Leadership inspiration and 
trust; (ii) Employee engagement where employees shared examples 
of how people managers are working to engage and provide 
development opportunities, with employees sharing positive career 
development stories and experiences; and (iii) Strengths and areas 
for improvement. Issues were also raised to the Board regarding 
operational and supply chain challenges. Positive comments were 
provided supporting the KPI driven cultural step-change within the 
Company following the arrival of Deepak Nath as CEO in April 2022.

 – The September Board meeting incorporated a visit to our offices 
in Memphis, where the Board met with various employee groups. 
See page 111 for further details.

 – On 1 December 2022, Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess hosted a listening 
session with leaders of three of the EIGs (Empower, Unity and the 
S+N Global female employee network, GAIN).

 – The Board were updated on the activities of our Employee 

Interest Groups, particularly relating to diversity, mental health 
and volunteering programmes.

 – On 22 December 2022, Angie Risley chaired a listening session with 

UK employees to discuss highlights of 2022, areas for focus in 2023 
and an overview of executive remuneration with an opportunity 
for questions and comments. 

2023 Actions
 – Further Board/employee listening sessions planned for site visits.
 – Monitoring of management actions with regard to talent pipeline, 

leadership and succession.

 – Further review of culture, inclusion and diversity initiatives with a 

focus on monitoring the development of EIGs within the organisation.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Investors

Our investors are the owners of our business and it 
is important to understand investor perspective and 
approach on strategy, performance and governance.
In 2022, the Board has engaged with a number of investors, groups and 
teams covering a wide range of topics of interest including strategy and 
operations, supply, governance, succession planning and ESG matters. 
Following the appointment of Deepak Nath as CEO in April 2022 and 
the subsequent development and implementation of the 12-point plan 
aligned with the Strategy for Growth, investors wanted to understand 
from the Board their impressions on how the new CEO was settling into 
role. The Board engaged with a number of investors to provide further 
context on Board oversight and governance around the onboarding of 
the new CEO and scrutiny relating to the plans for the Company and 
the 12-point plan.

Another key topic of interest in 2022 was Board succession planning. 
Upon coming into role in September 2022, Marc Owen our Senior 
Independent Director engaged with investors on the chair search 
process and outlined the 3 key criteria the Board were looking for in a 
new Chair being a proven track record of shareholder value, strong UK 
corporate governance experience and experience of developing senior 
executives either whilst in a CEO or Chair role. Investors indicated that 
they appreciated the dialogue and these characteristics seemed to 
resonate with the Company’s investors, shaping the search and final 
selection and appointment of Rupert Soames as Chair Designate.

The Board continues to see strong interest from our shareholders in 
ESG and sustainability matters and has engaged with a number of 
specialist investor teams who focus on ESG and sustainability. These  
investor interactions help the Board to frame the approach to ESG 
strategy and the issues which have importance to investors, enabling 
the Board and management to further evaluate how we report on 
the impact of sustainability on our business to ensure we are providing 
investors with clear communication in this area.

Areas of interest
 – Succession planning.
 – Strategy.
 – Performance.
 – Dividend.
 – Leadership.
 – Remuneration.

How we engage
 – The Chair and Non-Executive Directors 
are available to meet with investors 
physically or virtually on request.

 – The Board receives reports on 

meetings taking place between 
investors and Board members and 
also reviews significant changes 
to the share register at each 
Board meeting.

 – Board members receive regular 

copies of analyst reports.

 – The Chief Executive Officer and Chief 
Financial Officer meet with investors.

 – The Board engage with and obtain 
feedback and advice from their 
brokers on key issues of importance 
to the Company.

 – The Board also receive presentations 
and regular reports from the investor 
relations team on external market 
perceptions of the Company.

240

Shareholder 
information

2022 Highlights
 – Executive Directors held 121 meetings with investors 
representing 46% of the Company’s Share Capital.

 – The Chair and Senior Independent Director met with shareholders 
regularly throughout the year. Their discussions focused on business 
and share performance and also the chair succession search. 
Investors were also interested in key topics such as ESG, culture 
and purpose of the Company, CEO and Board succession planning 
and Board governance more broadly.

 – Our Chair of the Remuneration Committee engaged with investors 
regarding the approach to our 2023 Remuneration Policy and 
discussed issues such as addressing the cost of living crisis and 
ESG metrics related to incentive plans and compensation.

 – The Company continued to pay dividends and undertake share 
buybacks to shareholders in line with our strategy and capital 
allocation policy (see pages 19 and 20 for further details).

 – MSCI upgraded the Company’s ESG rating from BBB to A in 2022. 

2023 Actions
 – The Board will continue to be available to meet with shareholders. 
Please contact the Company Secretary, if you have matters you 
wish to raise with the Non-Executive team.

 – The Annual General Meeting will be held in person in our auditorium 
at our headquarters in Watford enabling shareholders to attend, 
vote and ask questions in person to our Chair, CEO, CFO and the 
Chairs of each of our Board Committees.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONEngaging with stakeholders continued

Customers and suppliers

Our Strategy for Growth, 12-point plan and 
our Commitments are focused on creating 
value by delivering for customers.
The better we understand the needs of our customers, the better 
we are able to serve them and this helps to grow our business. 
Working in partnership with our suppliers ensures we have the 
right resources to support this growth.

Our customers are increasingly focused on ensuring that ESG 
and sustainability are taken into account in our decision making 
aligned with their own policies and procedures.

Areas of interest
 – Acting in partnership 

How we engage
 – Updates on product quality, 

together, supporting their 
needs and responding to 
their requirements.

regulatory matters and complaints.
 – Updates on ethical and compliance 

matters and complaints.

 – Acting ethically and fairly.
 – Ensuring product quality, 

compliant with regulations.

 – Prompt and fair payment.

 – The Board receives regular updates 

on supplier and customer relationships.

108 Compliance & 

Culture Committee

2022 Highlights
 – The Board has been kept updated of the supply chain issues 
affecting the Company and the Orthopaedics franchise in 
particular and have been actively engaged with management 
to resolve these issues in alignment with 12-point plan initiatives.
 – The Compliance & Culture Committee received regular reports on the 
challenges and impact of the transition to EU MDR throughout 2022.

 – In response to customer need, a revision knee application was 

launched on our robotics platform in 2022.

 – Management has reported to the Board on the importance 
of sustainability matters to our customers and in turn how 
we engage with our suppliers to ensure they share our view 
on sustainability matters.

 – The Board recognises that supply chain resilience is critical for the 

success of the Group and in evaluating the recent decision to move 
to Melton took into account the following: employees; shareholders, 
sustainability requirements; customers; suppliers; regulators; 
and governments.

 – Post-pandemic there are a number of additional requirements 
which make it challenging for Board members to accompany 
our sales representatives in the field. The Board will seek to find 
alternative ways to understand more on the customer perspective 
moving forward.

2023 Actions
 – The 2023 Board plan provides further opportunities for the Board 

to hear from external speakers.

 – Given the additional challenges post-pandemic in accompanying 
sales representatives in the field, we will look at alternative ways 
to understand more on the customer perspective.

114

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Governments and regulators

47

Quality & Regulatory

We are subject to the laws and regulations of many 
governments and regulators across the world and 
understanding their requirements is important for 
us to ensure not only product safety and compliance 
with relevant legislation, but also in order to implement 
our Strategy for Growth and our initiatives under 
our 12-point plan.

Areas of interest
 – Product safety.
 – Compliance with local  
legal and regulatory 
requirements.

 – Competition issues.
 – Social and economic  

concerns.

 – Investment and innovation  

in local communities.
 – Understanding how the 
Company’s business 
impacts local communities 
and global business.

How we engage
 – Management is responsible 

for ensuring compliance with 
applicable laws and regulations. 
Direct engagement between 
the Board and our regulators is 
therefore not always appropriate.

 – Updates on product quality, 

regulatory matters and complaints 
at every meeting of the Compliance 
& Culture Committee.

 – Updates on ethical and compliance 
matters, and complaints at every 
meeting of the Compliance 
& Culture Committee.

 – The Chief Executive Officer meets 

with UK government and regulators.

2022 Highlights
 – The Compliance & Culture Committee received regular reports 

from Mizanu Kebede, our Chief Quality & Regulatory Affairs Officer, 
on the results of FDA inspections at our manufacturing facilities.
 – The Compliance & Culture Committee also received reports on 
the enhancements being made to the data privacy programme 
to take into account the fast paced regulatory changes relating to 
data privacy legislation and the roadmap relating to these changes.

 – As part of the proposal for the new Melton site, the Board 

received a report on the terms of engagement with the UK 
central and local government with regard to the proposed site 
and the communications plan to ensure stakeholder views 
had been considered. 

2023 Actions
 – The Board and the Compliance & Culture Committee will continue 
to maintain oversight of all matters pertaining to the Company’s 
relationship with governments and regulators across the world.

Further information about our relationship 
with other stakeholders, including the local 
communities in which we operate and 
our impact on the environments and the 
impact of climate change on our business, 
can be found in the Sustainability Report 
and on pages 56–68. The Compliance 
& Culture Committee regularly received 
updates on our sustainability programme 
and our progress towards the achievement 
of our 2030 sustainability goals.

The Directors’ Report, prepared in 
accordance with the requirements of the 
Companies Act 2006 and the UK Listing 
Authority’s Listing Rules comprising 
pages IFC–115 and 240–IBC was approved 
by the Board on 21 February 2023.  

The Strategic Report comprising 
pages IFC–81 was approved by 
the Board on 21 February 2023. 

Helen Barraclough
Company Secretary

Deepak Nath
Chief Executive

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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Directors’ Remuneration report

Angie Risley  
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Membership*

Member  
from

Meetings  
attended

Angie Risley (Chair) September 2017

Robin Freestone1

September 2015

Roberto Quarta2

Bob White

April 2014

July 2020

8/8

7/7

7/8

8/8

The Committee’s role
The Committee’s role is to ensure 
that our Remuneration Policy and 
practices are aligned to the business 
strategy and promotes long-term 
sustainable success. We make sure the 
Remuneration of our Executive Officers 
is aligned to the Company’s purpose 
and values and is clearly linked to the 
successful delivery of the 12-point plan 
going forward.

Looking forward – 
Remuneration Committee’s 
focus for 2023
During 2023, the Remuneration 
Committee intends to:
 – Determine the appropriate ESG 
metrics to introduce into our 
Performance Share Programme.

 – Continue to focus on key 

remuneration challenges faced 
by our employees.

 – Appoint a new advisor to replace 

Deloitte who have been appointed 
our Auditors from 2024.

1  Robin Freestone stepped down as a member of the 
Committee with effect from 30 September 2022.
2  Due to prior commitments, Roberto Quarta was 
not in attendance at the July 2022 meeting.

3  These non-IFRS financial measures are explained and 
reconciled to the most directly comparable financial  
measures prepared in accordance with IFRS on 
pages 236–240.

116

Dear Shareholder
2022 has been a challenging year for 
our employees given the macroeconomic 
environment. One of the key focus 
areas of the Remuneration Committee 
(the “Committee”) this year has therefore 
been on remuneration and wellness 
issues across the Group. Additionally, 
given our current Remuneration Policy 
(the “Policy”), which was originally 
approved by shareholders at the 2020 
Annual General Meeting, will shortly expire 
we have reviewed and will present our 
new Policy to shareholders for approval 
at our 2023 Annual General Meeting.

We also welcomed Deepak Nath to the 
Company as our new CEO in April 2022. 
Since joining the Company, Deepak has 
made assessments of the opportunities 
and challenges facing the Company and 
has launched his 12-point plan to deliver 
and accelerate the Company’s potential 
for growth. You can read more about 
the 12-point plan on pages 8–10.

Broader employee experience
Although this report deals primarily with 
the remuneration of our Directors, much 
of the Committee’s focus during the past 
year has been on remuneration issues 
across the wider workforce during what 
has been a particularly challenging year 
for so many of our people. In December, 
I chaired a Board listening session with 
some of our employees from our UK teams 
to explain our remuneration policy, in 
particular how it aligns to the Company’s 
purpose, values and delivery of the 
Company’s long-term strategy. We also 
discussed the fall in disposable incomes.

 In response to the current cost of living 
crisis, the Company felt it was important 
to undertake an off-cycle salary review 

for employees. The 2.5% increase was 
determined by undertaking a thorough 
review of external data of inflation rates 
in the markets in which we operate and 
was applied to employees below senior 
management level in the markets where 
the gap between their 2022 annual pay 
increase and the rate of inflation was 
above a certain level.

We review annually the gender pay 
ratio and we continue to make positive 
progress. The Board and the Committee 
continue to monitor the pay arrangements 
for the wider workforce throughout the 
year to ensure our people are paid fairly 
and equitably for the work they do.

More broadly, under Deepak’s leadership, our 
culture of Care, Courage and Collaboration 
continues to be strengthened and embedded 
by focusing on three key areas in 2022:
 – Introduction of our Commitments – 

aligned to each culture pillar along with 
our People Leader Hub to clearly define 
the specific behaviours and expectations 
to deliver against our strategy.

 – Global wellness – increase employee 

engagement and productivity through 
wellbeing programs, enhanced 
employee assistance programmes 
and tools to support managers in 
increasing their teams’ overall wellbeing. 
Examples of events/programmes held 
include Nutrition Awareness month 
and Mental Health Awareness month.

 – Expansion to 10 Employee Inclusion 

Groups with 3,000+ members globally 
and the training of over 2,000 managers 
to drive inclusion in our interviewing 
and hiring practices.

You can read more about these initiatives 
together with our new Commitments 
on pages 48–53.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

ESG and our Incentive Plans
The Committee recognises that ESG 
performance forms an important part 
of Smith+Nephew’s short-term and  
long-term strategic priorities.

As disclosed last year, we took the decision 
to allocate a minimum of 5% of the 
performance measures in the 2022 Annual 
Bonus Plan to ESG and this remains in place 
for our 2023 Plan.

For long-term incentives, a suitable ESG 
metric is still under development and the 
intention is that an ESG objective will be 
introduced for the awards granted under 
the Performance Share Programme 
in 2024.

Review of 2022 Performance
In 2022 the Group delivered revenue 
growth in line with its guidance issued 
in May 2022, but trading profit margin 
was below guidance. Revenue was 
$5,215 million, up 0.1% on a reported 
basis and 4.7% on an underlying basis.3 
Operating profit was $450 million, and 
the trading profit3 was $901 million with 
a trading profit margin3 of 17.3% reflecting 
higher input inflation.

Good progress was made across 2022 
and we ended the year in a much stronger 
position than we started. We continued to 
outperform in Sports Medicine & ENT and 
Advanced Wound Management, which 
account for around 60% of Group sales, 
and even though we are early in our work 

to fix Orthopaedics, growth improved 
here too. All three franchises contributed to 
the 6.8% underlying revenue growth in the 
fourth quarter. However, we will continue 
to face macroeconomic headwinds in 2023. 
Information on operational improvements 
made during the year can be found on 
pages 8–11.

Remuneration Outcomes 
for 2022
Annual Bonus Plan
Performance against the financial targets 
under the Annual Bonus Plan was therefore 
above target for Revenue but below 
threshold for trading margin, resulting in 
an aggregated payout of 53% of target 
in respect of the financial objectives.

The Remuneration Committee reviewed 
the performance of the Executive Directors 
against their individual business objectives. 
We concluded both Deepak and Anne-
Françoise achieved against their individual 
business objectives in terms of what they 
did and exceeded in terms of how they 
performed and they consequently received 
an on target payout in relation to this 
element of their bonus. Our assessment in 
relation to Roland Diggelmann, our former 
CEO, was that he had partially achieved his 
objectives during the first quarter of 2022.

These ratings combined with performance 
against the financial objectives resulted 
in an overall bonus amounting to 63% of 
target for Deepak and Anne-Françoise. 

Measures in our variable pay plans 

Performance measures in Annual Bonus Plan for 2023

Payouts to both Deepak and Roland were 
appropriately pro-rated to reflect their 
period of employment during 2022.

We also considered whether these 
outcomes fairly represented the 
performance of the Company and 
the Executive Directors in 2022. 
We acknowledged that during 2022, 
the share price had slightly fallen, that 
the Company had delivered a mixed 
performance albeit ending the year in a 
much stronger position than we started 
and that there had been no reputational 
risk issues. We therefore determined that 
these outcomes were a fair representation 
of performance and there was no 
need to apply discretion to these 
formulaic outcomes.

Performance Share Programme
Similarly, the Remuneration Committee 
reviewed performance over the 
past three years against the targets 
determined in 2020 for the Performance 
Share Programme and determined 
that these awards should vest at 0%. 
This reflects performance against the 
targets over the three-year performance 
period since 1 January 2020. Deepak Nath 
was not employed by the Company at 
the time the awards were granted under 
the 2020 Performance Share Programme 
and therefore did not receive an award.

Revenue (40%)

Top-line growth is essential for continued progress and long-term value creation.

Trading margin (40%)

Trading margin focuses on profit.

Business objectives (15%)

Individual business objectives linked to the strategic imperatives to ensure alignment across the Company.

ESG objectives (5%)

Doing the right thing with regard to our employees, the environment and other stakeholders ensures 
a sustainable business for the future.

Performance measures in our Performance Share Programme for 2023

Revenue growth (25%)

Top-line growth leading to value creation is a key goal for Smith+Nephew over the next three to five years.
Earning market share is important to create a competitive advantage for Smith+Nephew in driving growth.

Return on invested capital (25%)

Provides focus on long-term efficiency and profitability.
Bottom-line performance provides balance to revenue measure.
Important measure for our investors.

Cumulative free  
cash flow (25%) 

TSR performance against 
an Index (25%)

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 (TSR) 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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Directors’ Remuneration report continued

Proposed Remuneration Policy
We are required at the 2023 Annual 
General Meeting to seek the standard 
triennial shareholder approval for a new 
Remuneration Policy (the “new Policy”). 
Ahead of this vote, the Committee has 
been carefully considering whether existing 
remuneration arrangements, as set 
out in our current Policy, are consistent 
with delivery of the 12-point plan. 
The Committee has concluded that no 
immediate, substantive changes should 
be made to the Policy. However, we intend 
to keep this issue under careful review 
during 2023.

The Committee additionally took the 
opportunity to review the current Policy 
against the UK Corporate Governance 
Code (the “Code”), shareholder guidance 
and general market practice. Following that 
review, a few minor changes are proposed 
to the new Policy, details of which are 
summarised below. Any use of the 
discretions available to the Committee in 
this new Policy would be fully explained 
and justified in the relevant Remuneration 
Report and, where appropriate, discussed 
in advance with major shareholders.
 – Pension: The Executive Director pension 
arrangements have been updated and 
are compliant with the Code.
 – Incentive plans: Consistent with 

emerging market practice, the new 
Policy contains scope for the Committee 
to set and measure bonus targets 
other than on an annual basis. Use of 
this option will be reserved for unusual 
circumstances, for example where there 
is exceptional economic volatility (as in 
the recent Covid affected period) and 
a consequent limited visibility to set 
robust 12-month targets. In line with the 
Investment Association guidance, the 
new Policy also provides for appropriate 
discretion so that the Committee may 
ensure incentive outturns properly 

reflect the performance of the 
executives and their contribution to 
overall corporate performance, the 
experience of shareholders in terms of 
value creation, the experience of wider 
stakeholders and the general market 
environment. Limitations on the use of 
this discretion are fully outlined in the 
Annual Bonus Plan and Performance 
Share Programme sections of the Policy. 

 – Shareholding guidelines: Whilst 

the default position in the new Policy 
remains for a post-employment 
shareholding guideline to apply for 
two years after an Executive Director 
ceases employment, there is discretion 
for the Committee to, exceptionally, 
adjust or waive the guideline in 
circumstances where the Board believes 
its application would be inappropriate 
(e.g. in the event of death).

 – Recruitment arrangements: Consistent 
with market practice, the new Policy 
contains flexibility for the reimbursement 
of legal or other professional fees 
approved by the Committee incurred 
by an individual in relation to their 
appointment. The Committee will also 
have the flexibility to determine whether 
a new Executive Director should be 
subject to a different set of criteria 
for annual and/or long-term incentive 
performance measures (within the 
existing parameters for these plans in 
this new Policy) during the first twelve 
months following appointment.
 – Pay for Loss of Office: Consistent 

with market practice, the new Policy 
contains flexibility to make payments 
to a departing Director in discharge 
of an existing legal obligation or 
by way of settlement of any claim 
arising in connection with cessation of 
employment. Minor amendments also 
permit the Committee to determine 
the form and basis of calculation of a 
departing Director’s annual bonus in 

a manner appropriate to the particular 
circumstances (albeit any such bonus 
will continue to be time pro-rated 
and subject to performance).

 – Non-Executive Director (NED) fees: 
Where a NED takes on additional 
responsibilities that involve additional 
time commitment, consistent with 
market practice, the new Policy will 
contain the flexibility to pay an associated 
supplementary fee. The new Policy 
also clarifies the flexibility to approve 
additional benefits (e.g. liability insurance) 
and to reimburse business expenses to 
the Chair and NEDs in connection with the 
performance of their duties. In addition, 
the new Policy also provides flexibility for 
fees to be delivered either in a mixture 
of cash and shares or wholly in cash with 
an accompanying commitment from the 
Chair or NED to separately purchase  
the required number of shares.

I would like to thank our shareholders for 
their support and engagement during 
the year.

Angie Risley
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

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), sections 420 to 422 
of the Companies Act 2006 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.

Pages 129–145 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 26 April 2023. The Implementation Report explains how the Remuneration Policy was implemented during 2022. The following sections have been audited by KPMG: 
The Single Figure Tables on Remuneration including related notes (pages 130–139); details of awards made under the Performance Share Programme (pages 135–138); Summary of Scheme 
Interests during the year (page 138); Payments to former Directors (page 135); Payments made to other past Directors (page 139); Directors interests in ordinary shares (page 140) and 
Senior Management Remuneration (page 145). 

This Policy Report describes our Remuneration Policy as it relates to the Directors of the Company. All payments we make in relation to Directors of the Company will be in accordance  
with this Remuneration Policy. The Policy will be put to shareholders’ vote at the Annual General Meeting on 26 April 2023.

118

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Directors’ remuneration policy

Compliance with the UK 
Corporate Governance Code
The new Remuneration Policy has been 
developed taking into account the 
following principles set out in Provision 
40 of the Code:
 – Simple and clear: Our remuneration 
structure is straightforward and 
transparent with Executive Directors’ 
variable pay consisting of an annual 
bonus and a single long-term 
incentive plan.

 – Aligned to culture, purpose and 

strategy: The remuneration structure 
has been designed to support our culture 
and business purpose with particular 
attention being paid to remuneration 
throughout the organisation to ensure 
that arrangements are appropriate 
in the context of our approach to 
reward for the wider workforce. 
Performance measures used in the 
incentive plans are aligned with key 
strategic objectives and the principle 
of long-term sustainable value creation.

 – Predictability: Incentive awards are 

capped so that the maximum potential 
award under each plan is transparent. 
The charts on page 125 provide an 
illustration of the potential total reward 
opportunity for the Executive Directors.

 – Proportionality and mitigating risk: 

Our variable remuneration arrangements 
are designed to provide a fair and 
proportionate link between Group 
performance and reward whilst 
mitigating risk where appropriate. 
The Committee has overriding discretion 
that allows it to adjust formulaic 
annual bonus or PSP outcomes so as 
to prevent disproportionate results 
and Policy provisions allow for the 
application of malus and/or clawback 
in specific circumstances. Additionally, 
there is a clear link between executive 
remuneration and the longer-term 
performance of the Group through 
a combination of bonus deferral into 
shares, five-year release periods for 
PSP awards and stretching shareholding 
requirements that apply during and 
post employment.

Proposed implementation of new Policy in 2023
Base salary
 – 2022 salaries: CEO $1,475,000; 

Performance Share Programme 
 – 2023 award for CEO and CFO: 

CFO £615,960.

 – 2023 salaries: CEO $1,526,625; CFO 

£637,519 (3.5% increase). For context, 
the average 2023 increases for our US 
and UK workforce (inclusive of a 2.5% 
off-cycle increase) are 6.5% and 6% 
respectively.

275% of salary (unchanged from 2022).
 – Three-year performance period plus 

two-year holding period.

 – Performance measures: 25% relative 
TSR, 25% ROIC, 25% revenue growth, 
25% free cash flow (unchanged 
from 2022).

Shareholding guideline
 – Whilst in employment, build up 

and maintain shareholding worth 
at least 300%/200% of salary  
for CEO/CFO.

 – After ceasing employment, 
remain compliant with their 
‘in employment’ guideline for 
two years after stepping down 
as Director.

Pension 
 – CEO: 7.5% of capped salary 
(aligned with US employees).

 – CFO: 12% of salary  

(aligned with UK employees).

Annual Bonus
 – 2023 opportunity for CEO and CFO: 

215% of salary (unchanged from 2022).

 – 50% paid in cash, 50% deferred 

in shares for three years.

 – Performance measures: 40% revenue 
growth, 40% trading profit margin, 
20% business objectives including 
ESG metrics (unchanged from 2022).

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Changes to policy
The new Policy contains no substantive 
changes to the 2020 Remuneration Policy. 
The handful of minor changes proposed 
in the new Policy are summarised on 
page 118.

In designing the directors’ remuneration 
policy set out on pages 120–128 
(the “Policy”), the Smith & Nephew 
plc Remuneration Committee (the 
“Committee”) followed a robust process 
which included discussions on the content 
of the Policy at several Committee meetings 
and engagement with our shareholders.

In order to avoid any conflicts of 
interest, the Committee is composed 
entirely of independent Non-Executive 
Directors. The Committee considered 
input from management, while ensuring 
that conflicts of interest were suitably 
mitigated, and our independent advisors, 
and sought the views of Smith & Nephew 
plc (the Company) major shareholders 
and other stakeholders, including 
employees. If approved by shareholders, 
the Policy will take effect from the date 
of that approval.

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Directors’ remuneration policy continued

Future policy table – Executive Directors

Base salary and benefits

Base salary

Core element of remuneration, paid for doing the expected day-to-day job to recruit and retain Executive Directors of the calibre required to deliver 
the Company’s strategy.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

Performance in the prior year is one of the  
factors taken into account and poor performance 
is likely to lead to a zero salary increase.

Salaries are normally reviewed annually 
with any increase usually applying from 1 April.
Salary levels and increases take into account:
 – 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.

While there is no maximum salary level, 
any increases will normally not exceed the 
typical increase for 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.

Pension and payment in lieu of pension

Provide Executive Directors with an allowance for retirement planning to recruit and retain Executive Directors of the calibre required to deliver 
the Company’s strategy.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

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.
Base salary is the only component 
of remuneration which is pensionable.

None.

The maximum pension allowance for an 
Executive Director will be no more than 
the percentage of salary contribution paid 
in respect of the majority of our UK workforce 
(currently 12% of salary) unless the percentage 
of salary contribution paid in respect of the 
majority of the workforce in the Executive 
Director’s home country or the country in 
which the Executive Director is based is lower, 
in which case that lower percentage of salary 
contribution would usually be offered.

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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Benefits

Provide Executive Directors with a market competitive benefits package to recruit and retain Executive Directors of the calibre required to deliver 
the Company’s strategy.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

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, or, in connection with an 
Executive Director’s recruitment, the country 
from which the Executive Director is recruited.
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, tax and/or 
legal consultancy advice. In some cases, 
such payments may be grossed up.

None.

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 regularly reviews the 
benefit policy and benefit levels.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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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

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

ShareSave Plans are operated in the UK 
and 31 other countries internationally. 
In the US, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
is operated. These plans enable employees 
to save on a regular basis and then buy shares 
in the Company. Executive Directors are able 
to participate in such plans on a similar basis 
to other employees, depending on where 
they are located.

Executive Directors may currently invest up 
to £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.

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.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

The Annual Bonus Plan is designed to reward 
performance over the year against financial 
and business objectives.
The Committee determines pay out levels 
based on the extent to which performance 
against these objectives has been achieved. 
The Committee retains discretion, in 
exceptional circumstances, to pay bonuses 
in respect of the half year and/or full year.
The Committee has full discretion to adjust 
outcomes under the Annual Bonus Plan 
where: (i) the occurrence of certain events 
would unfairly advantage or disadvantage 
participants, in the reasonable opinion of 
the Committee and/or (ii) 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 unfairly disadvantage or 
advantage a 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.
Normally, half of the award is paid in cash 
after the end of the performance year 
and half is deferred into an award of shares 
under the Deferred Share Bonus Plan (DBP), 
which normally vests after three years. 
The Committee has full discretion to authorise 
the payment of dividend equivalent payments 
on DBP awards to the extent they vest.

The maximum opportunity is 215% 
of base salary.
50% of maximum is payable for on-target 
performance. Up to 15% of maximum is 
payable for threshold performance. 

The Committee will determine the appropriate 
performance measures for 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. 
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 maximum performance targets 
and additionally, where appropriate, targets 
for threshold and/or on-target performance. 
In doing so, they will take into account a 
number of internal and external reference 
points, including the Company’s key strategic 
objectives. 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 participants being unfairly advantaged 
or disadvantaged.

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Long-term incentives

Performance Share Programme (PSP)

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 PSP awards are linked to our corporate strategy.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Framework in which performance is assessed

The maximum annual opportunity 
is 275% of base salary.
For on-target levels of performance, 
50% of the award vests. 
For threshold levels of performance, 
25% of the award vests.

Awards are granted pursuant to the terms 
of the PSP.
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 of awards.
Awards usually vest after three years, subject 
to the achievement of stretching performance 
targets linked to the Company’s strategy. 
The performance period is usually 3 years.
The Committee has full discretion to adjust 
outcomes under the PSP where: (i) the 
occurrence of certain events would unfairly 
advantage or disadvantage participants in 
the reasonable opinion of the Committee;  
and/or (ii) 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 unfairly 
disadvantage or advantage a 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 (or, exceptionally, cash) equivalent 
to the amount of dividends payable on ordinary 
shares subject to the award that vest during 
the period up to vesting. On vesting, a number 
of shares are sold to cover the tax liability. 
The remaining shares are usually required to be 
held by the Executive Director for a further two 
year holding period.
Malus and clawback provisions apply as 
detailed in the notes to this table.

The Committee aims to align the PSP 
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.
Maximum pay-outs will only be made 
for significant outperformance.
Under whatever performance measures are 
chosen, the Committee will set appropriately 
challenging maximum performance targets 
and additionally, where appropriate, 
targets for threshold and/or on-target 
performance. In doing so, they will take into 
account a number of internal and external 
reference points, including the Company’s 
key strategic objectives.
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 it appropriate to 
do so provided that this would not result in,  
in the Committee’s reasonable opinion, 
an unfair benefit to the Executive Director.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

123

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Directors’ remuneration policy continued

Notes to future policy table –  
Executive Directors
Share awards
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 DBP or PSP awards 
in accordance with the plan rules.

Malus and clawback
At any time prior to the vesting of a 
PSP or DBP 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 a PSP or DBP 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 will occur if any of the 
following matters 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 applicable programme 
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 2023 and the Annual 
Bonus Plan 2023.

124

In addition to (and without limiting) 
the foregoing, the Company is intending 
to adopt an additional clawback policy 
pursuant to listing standards that have 
been released by the New York Stock 
Exchange, pursuant to the final rule 
adopted by the United States Securities 
and Exchange Commission enacting the 
clawback standards applying to U.S. 
listed companies under the Dodd-Frank 
Act. In accordance with this policy, the 
Committee or the Board is also intending 
to adopt policies requiring repayment of 
any amounts of incentive compensation 
from its “executive officers”, which may 
include the Executive Directors, that was 
calculated erroneously based on financial 
statements that were required to be 
restated due to material noncompliance 
with financial reporting requirements, 
to the extent required under the new 
clawback policy.

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 came into effect, provided the 
terms of the payment were consistent with 
any applicable policy in force at the time 
they were agreed or the terms were agreed 
before the date on which the Company first 
obtained shareholder approval for a Directors’ 
remuneration policy; 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 
Group and differences between 
arrangements for Executive 
Directors and workforce as a whole
When setting the Policy for Director’s 
Remuneration, the Committee discusses, 
and takes into account of pay arrangements 
and employment conditions of employees 
across the Group when determining 
the pay of Executive Directors in the 
following ways:

Base salary
Increases to Executive Director base 
salaries will generally not exceed 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.

Recent off-cycle base salary increase 
adjustments made by the Company in 2022 
to its employees in certain geographies 
to respond to inflation and cost of living 
challenges were limited to employees 
within the company three tiers below 
senior management level and were 
not awarded to Executive Directors.

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 wider 
workforce in their local market or receive 
a cash allowance payable in lieu of a 
pension at a percentage of base salary 
in line with the wider workforce in the 
geography in which they are based.

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 available to the wider 
executive workforce 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 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Officers, to ensure that the performance 
of all employees is linked to the Company’s 
strategy and the objectives of the Executive 
Directors and senior management as 
applicable. In 2022, Executive Officers and 
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 2022, US employees 
participated in the Employee Stock Purchase 
Plan. In 2022, UK and international employees 
from 31 other countries, participated in 
the ShareSave Plan. Executive Directors, 
executive officers and senior executives 
participated in these plans aligned to the 
geography in which they operate.

Long term incentives
Executive Officers and senior executives 
participate in the PSP 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 PSP are also required to build a 
significant shareholding in the Company.

Corporate events
If there is a takeover of the Company, 
awards under the PSP and DBP will 
normally vest early at the time of the 
transaction. DBP awards will normally 
vest in full. The extent to which awards 
under the PSP vests will be determined 
by the Committee, taking into account, 
where considered to be appropriate in 
all the circumstances, the actual or likely 
achievement of the relevant performance 
conditions and, unless the Committee 
determines otherwise, the awards will 
be time pro-rated by reference to the 
proportion of the relevant performance 
period that has elapsed. Any post-vesting 
holding will normally cease to apply.

In these circumstances, the Committee 
reserves the discretion to treat the 
payment of annual bonuses for the 
financial year in which the takeover 
takes place in such manner as it 
considers appropriate (subject to the 
limit set out in the Policy table above).

If there is a demerger or other transaction 
that is likely to materially affect the 
Company’s share price, the Committee 
may allow awards to vest and bonus 
to be paid early on the same basis as 
set out above for a takeover.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Illustrations of the application of the Remuneration Policy 2023
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

100 $1,666k

31

100 £726k

30

39 $5,406k

Minimum %
Current
Target %
Minimum %

Maximum %
Target %

32

18
30
15

36

18

Maximum+ %*
Maximum %
[Proposed]
29
Maximum+ %*
Chief Financial Officer
Minimum %
Current
[Proposed]
Target %
Minimum %
Minimum %

15

100 $[X,XXX]k

[XX]
100 £726k
100 £[XXX]k
[XX]
30
[XX]
[XX]

32
[XX]

18
[XX]

36
[XX]

Maximum %
Target %
Target %

Maximum+ %*
Maximum %
Maximum %

38

£2,288k

36

46 $9,147k

29
46 £3,850k

56

£4,727k

56

$11,246k

[XX]

[XX] $[X,XXX]k

38

£2,288k

[XX] £[X,XXX]k

[XX]

[XX]

$[X,XXX]k

[XX]
46 £3,850k
[XX]

£[X,XXX]k

[XX]

$[XX,XXX]k

PSP

15
Maximum+ %*
* + 50% share price growth
[XX]
Maximum+ %*

29
Fixed pay
[XX]

Cash incentive

56
Equity incentive
[XX]

£4,727k
£[X,XXX]k

Annual bonus

[Proposed]
* + 50% share price growth

Fixed pay

Annual bonus

PSP

Minimum %

100 £[XXX]k

Target %

Assumed 
[XX]
[XX]
performance
[XX]
All performance  
scenarios
[XX]

Maximum %
Fixed  
pay
Maximum+ %*

[XX] £[X,XXX]k

Assumptions used for proposed Policy

[XX]

[XX]

[XX]

£[X,XXX]k

 – Consists of total fixed pay, including base salary and pension allowance  

(as at 1 April 2023) and benefits (as received during 2022).

[XX]

£[X,XXX]k

 – Pro-rated for Deepak Nath.

* + 50% share price growth
Minimum  
Variable  
Performance
pay

Fixed pay

Cash incentive

Annual bonus
Equity incentive
 – No pay out under the Annual Bonus Plan.
 – No vesting under the PSP.

PSP

Target  
Performance

Maximum  
Performance

 – 50% of maximum pay out under the Annual Bonus Plan (i.e. 107.5% 

of salary).

 – 50% vesting under the PSP (i.e. 137.5% of salary).

 – 100% of the maximum pay out under the Annual Bonus Plan  

(i.e. 215% of salary).

 – 100% vesting under the PSP (i.e. 275% of salary).

Maximum performance + 
50% share price growth

 – As Maximum Performance but this column assumes that the face value 
of the PSP award increases by 50% as a result of share price growth.

PSP awards have been shown at face value with no discount rate assumptions.  
The charts provide illustrative values of the remuneration package in 2023. 
Actual outcomes may differ from those shown.

125

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Directors’ remuneration policy continued

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. In addition, where a new Executive 
Director requires legal or other professional 
advice related to the appointment with 
the Company, we may agree to pay directly 
or reimburse the Executive Director for 
fees and expenses reasonably and properly 
incurred including the provision of advice to 
enable the Executive Director to understand 
the obligations, duties and legal and 
regulatory requirements of the new role.

The Committee also has the discretion 
to determine whether a new Executive 
Director should be subject to a 
different set of criteria for annual and/
or long-term incentive performance 
measures during the first twelve months 
following appointment.

For external appointments, the Committee 
may award compensation for the forfeiture 
of remuneration awards or compensation 
arrangements 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 

(e.g. 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.

126

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.

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.

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.

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 
their notice period and pay them (in phased 
instalments or as a lump sum) an amount 
equivalent to the base salary, contributions 
to a pension or equivalent savings plan (or 
payment in lieu thereof) and benefits they 
would have received if they had been required 
to work their notice period. The Executive 
Directors may become entitled to additional/
alternative sums if termination occurs within 
12 months of a change in control (as further 
described in the following section “Policy 
for payment for loss of office”).

Directors’ service contracts are available 
for inspection at the Company’s registered 
office: Building 5, Croxley Park, Hatters 
Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 8YE, 
United Kingdom

Policy for payment for loss of office
Our usual policy regarding termination 
payments to departing Executive 
Directors is to limit severance payments 
to pre-established contractual terms. 
Where necessary to comply with the 
mandatory laws of the jurisdiction in which 
the Executive Director is resident, the 
Committee may authorise remuneration 
payments or payments for loss of office in 
excess of the pre-established contractual 
terms. In the event that the employment 
and/or office of an Executive Director 

ends, any compensation payable will 
be determined in accordance with the 
terms of the service contract between 
the Company and the Executive Director, 
as well as the rules of any incentive plans 
and the Policy. In addition, the Committee 
will have the discretion to make payments 
in discharge of an existing legal obligation 
(or by way of damages for breach of 
such obligation) or by way of settlement 
of any claim arising in connection with 
the cessation of office or employment.

Under normal circumstances (excluding 
termination for gross misconduct and 
certain other terminations for ‘cause’) all 
leavers are entitled to receive a termination 
payment (in phased instalments or as a 
lump sum) in lieu of notice equal to base 
salary, pension contributions (or payment 
in lieu of pension) and benefits. The leaver 
may also be paid a payment in lieu of 
accrued but untaken holiday leave.

Payments may also include (but are 
not limited to) costs associated with 
relocation/repatriation, the costs of legal 
advice, financial (including tax) advice 
and outplacement services in connection 
with cessation of office or employment.

In the event of termination in connection 
with a change in control of the Company, 
in circumstances where there is a 
diminution of status, a reduction in salary 
or benefits, a mandatory relocation 
or where termination results from the 
change in control, the payment in lieu 
of notice will be payable as a lump sum, 
the Committee will consider to what 
extent an annual bonus award should 
be made, and the leaver will receive 
reasonable outplacement costs.

In the event that an Executive Director 
dies or ceases to be an employee because 
of ill-health, injury, disability, redundancy, 
retirement with the agreement with the 
Company, the sale of their employing 
company or business out of the Group, 
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. The annual bonus may be paid in 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

such proportion of cash and shares and 
subject to such deferral arrangements 
as the Committee may determine. 
The Committee will have the discretion 
to take into account performance over 
the full financial year or up to the date 
of cessation of employment based on 
appropriate performance measures 
determined by the Committee in line 
with the Policy.

 – Outstanding PSP awards will typically, 
unless the Committee determines 
otherwise, be pro-rated for the 
proportion of the relevant performance 
period that has elapsed at the time 
Executive Director leaves, and be 
tested for performance at the end 
of the performance period, unless 
the Committee determines to test 
performance otherwise. The two-year 
post-vesting holding period will, unless 
the Committee determines otherwise, 
continue to be enforced. If an Executive 
Director dies, awards will normally vest 
early and only be time pro-rated if the 
Committee considers it appropriate. 
Any outstanding awards under the PSP 
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 PSP awards 
will lapse in full.

 – If an Executive Director leaves for any 

reason other than dismissal or any other 
reason that the Committee determines, 
any outstanding DBP awards will 
remain subject to the same terms 
and conditions (including malus and 
clawback) as applied at time of grant 
and vest as if the Executive Director had 
not left. In the event of termination in 
connection with a change in control of 
the Company or, if an Executive Director 
dies, any outstanding DBP awards will 
vest. In any other circumstances any 
unvested DBP awards will lapse.

One-off awards granted on appointment 
will normally lapse on leaving except in 
cases of death, retirement, redundancy 
or ill-health. The Committee has discretion 
to permit such awards to vest in other 
circumstances or to agree to make a cash 
payment in respect of such an award 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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 
base salary and the Chief Financial Officer is 
expected to build a holding of two times 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, unless the Committee 
determines otherwise.

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 DBP 
(on a net-of-tax basis), but not PSP 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 usually 
required to hold any shares vesting 
under the PSP for a period of two years 
after vesting.

The Executive Officers and senior 
executives who participate in the Annual 
Bonus Plan and PSP 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 usually 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. This post employment holding 
requirement does not apply to shares 
purchased by an Executive Director in the 
market which have not been awarded as 
part of remuneration.

In order to reinforce this expectation, 
and to the extent that the shareholding 
requirement has not been reached, 
all relevant vested DBP and PSP shares will 
be held in a vested share plan account, 
which will not usually 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.

The Committee retains the discretion 
to adjust or waive all or part of the post 
employment shareholding requirement in 
appropriate circumstances. In exercising 
this discretion, the Committee may 
consider circumstances including (but 
not limited to) the performance, conduct 
and contribution of the participant.

Limited discretion to make 
minor amendments to Policy
The Committee retains the discretion to 
make minor amendments to the Policy as 
may be required or reasonably necessary 
for administrative reasons or to the extent 
required or reasonably necessary to comply 
with applicable laws and regulations.

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 Chair provided an overview of 
the compensation of Executive Officers 
at one of our Board Listening Sessions. 
No comments were raised by the 
employees attending that session.

Statement of consideration 
of shareholder views
Angie Risley, the Committee Chair, 
engaged with shareholders during 
development of the Policy. The feedback 
received was presented to and discussed 
by the Committee and informed the 
final shape of the proposed Policy 
which is being put to the 2023 AGM.

The Committee Chair corresponded with 
our top twenty shareholders regarding 
our proposed 2023 Remuneration Policy 
and also offered meetings to discuss our 
remuneration arrangements. This included 
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.

The Committee Chair and shareholders 
appreciated the engagement and the 
Committee took all comments received 
on board during its subsequent discussions 
and ensured further clarity was included 
in the narrative detailing the proposed 
changes to the new Policy (see page 118).

127

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Directors’ remuneration policy continued

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. 
No element of their remuneration is subject to performance. All payments made to the Chair are determined by the 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 is usually paid in shares in the third quarter of each year in order to further align Non-Executive Directors’ fees with the interests of shareholders.
Where appropriate, the Chair or Non-Executive Director may be provided with an alternative option of receiving their fee wholly in cash in return for them entering into a 
commitment to separately purchase the required number of shares to comply with the above requirement.

How the component operates

Maximum levels of payment

Fees will be reviewed on an annual basis. In future, any increase will usually 
be paid in shares until 25% of the total fees is paid in shares.
Fees are set in-line with market practice for companies of a similar size 
and complexity.
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 and exchange rate fluctuation will be taken 
into account when determining fees to be paid in alternative currencies.

Additional Fees

Whilst it is not usually expected to increase the fees paid to the Non-Executive 
Directors and the Chair by more than the increases paid to employees generally, 
in certain circumstances (including periodic and substantial increases in activity 
or time commitment), higher fees might become payable.
The total maximum aggregate fees payable to the Non-Executive Directors 
will not exceed the limit set out in the Company’s Articles of Association.

To compensate Non-Executive Directors for additional responsibilities such as Committee Chair or Senior Independent Director reflecting additional time involved 
in such roles.

How the component operates

A fixed fee is paid, which is reviewed annually.

Intercontinental travel

Maximum levels of payment

The aggregate amount of fees payable to the Non-Executive Directors may 
not exceed the limit set out in the Company’s Articles of Association.

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

The aggregate amount of fees payable to the Non-Executive Directors may 
not exceed the limit set out in the Company’s Articles of Association.

Notes to future policy table –  
Non-Executive Directors
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 will 
be payable. These fees will not exceed 
the amounts which would normally be 
paid to a permanent Executive Director 
undertaking such duties and will not 
include participation in short or long-term 
incentive arrangements or benefit plans.

Additional Benefits
The Committee will have the discretion 
to approve such additional benefits 
for Non-Executive Directors as may 
128

be required or reasonably necessary 
in connection with the performance of 
their duties, including without limitation 
expenses and associated taxes.

Policy on recruitment arrangements
Any new Non-Executive Director will 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: (i) 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; and (ii) authorise the 
payment of a contribution towards ongoing 
administrative support services as may be 
required or reasonably necessary to enable 
the Chair to fulfil the required duties and 
obligations of the role.

Terms 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 Committee has the discretion 
to waive all or a portion of the notice period 
of six months applicable for the Chair.

The Chair and Non-Executive Directors are 
encouraged to acquire a shareholding in the 
Company equivalent in value to their basic 
fee within two years of their appointment 
to the Board.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Remuneration implementation report

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 26 April 2023. 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

Work of the Remuneration 
Committee in 2022
In 2022, we held eight meetings and 
determined two further matters by written 
resolution. The Chief Executive Officer 
and the Chief Human Resources Officer, 
key members of the HR and Finance 
functions, the Company Secretary and 
Deputy Company Secretary also attended 
all or part of some of the meetings, except 
when their own remuneration was being 
discussed. Attendance by the members 
of the Committee at each meeting is set 
out on page 116 of this Annual Report. 
We also met with the independent 
remuneration consultants, Deloitte LLP 
(Deloitte), the remuneration advisors to 
the Committee. The work carried out 
by the Committee during the year is set 
out on pages 116–118.

Since the year end, we have reviewed 
the financial results for 2022 against 
the targets under the short-term and  
long-term incentive arrangements 
jointly with the Audit Committee.

We have also determined base salary 
increases for Executive Directors and 
Executive Officers with effect from April 
2023 and have determined the payouts 
under the 2022 Annual Bonus Plan and 
the vesting under the Performance 
Share Programme 2020.

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.

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 Policy, 
undertook calculations relating to 
the TSR performance conditions and 
advised on annual bonus reviews.

The fees paid to Deloitte for advice to 
the Committee during 2022, charged on 
a time and expense basis, were £103,725 
($127,696). Deloitte complies with the 
Code of Conduct in relation to Executive 
Remuneration Consulting in the UK and 
the Committee is satisfied that their 
advice is objective and independent.

Deloitte are to be appointed external 
auditors of the Group effective from 
1 January 2024. As a result Deloitte  
are to be replaced as advisors to 
the Remuneration Committee at the 
conclusion of the Annual General 
Meeting in April 2023. A tender 
process is currently underway.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

129

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Remuneration implementation report continued

Role of the Remuneration Committee
Main Responsibilities
 – Determination of Remuneration Policy for 
the Chair, Executive Directors, Executive 
Officers 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, Executive Officers 
and senior executives.

 – Determination of pay-outs under short-term and 
long-term incentive plans for Executive Directors, 
Executive Officers and senior executives.
 – Engage with major shareholders and ensure 
their views are sought and considered when 
determining the Remuneration Policy.

Key activities of the Committee 
during the year
 – Considered the terms of remuneration 
for the outgoing and incoming CEO.

 – Reviewed the Remuneration Strategy for 

the Executive Directors, Executive Officers 
and senior executives.

 – Reviewed out-turns for determining payouts 

to Executive Directors and Executive 
Officers under the 2019 Performance Share 
Programme, and 2021 Annual Bonus Plan.
 – Approved quantum of cash payments and 

awards to Executive Directors and Executive 
Officers under the 2021 Annual Bonus Plan 
and 2019 Performance Share Programme.
 – Approved the 2021 Directors’ Remuneration  

Report.

 – Considered principles for setting the targets 
for the Annual Bonus Plan 2022 and 2022 
Performance Share Programme.

 – Approved financial targets for the 2022 

Annual Bonus Plan for Executive Directors, 
Executive Officers and senior executives.
 – Approved financial measures and targets 

for 2022 Performance Share Programme for 
Executive Directors and Executive Officers.
 – Reviewed and consulted with shareholders on 
changes proposed for the new Remuneration 
Policy for approval by shareholders at the 
Annual General Meeting in 2023.

 – Approved the TSR Peer Group for Performance 

Share Awards to be made in 2022.

 – Noted Gender Pay Report and CEO Pay 

Ratio figures.

 – Reviewed Chair fees.
 – Approved 2022 Remuneration Committee 

Business Plan.

 – Reviewed the performance against the 

targets under the 2022 Annual Bonus Plan, 
and 2020, 2021 & 2022 Performance  
Share Programme.

 – Commenced the search for a new 

Remuneration Advisor.

Matters of a routine nature 
considered by the Committee
 – Reviewed current plans and performance 

versus targets.

 – Received updates on the external market 

context and data.

 – Noted grants of awards under the 

Company’s Share Plans.

 – Monitored dilution limits and the number 
of shares available for use in respect of 
discretionary and all-employee share plans.

 – Monitored adherence to shareholding 
guidelines for Executive Directors. 
Executive Officers and senior executives.
 – Received regulatory/best practice updates 
from Deloitte and other consulting groups.
 – Reviewed and approved the Committee’s 

Terms of Reference.

Single total figure on remuneration (audited)
The amounts for 2022 have been converted into US$ for ease of comparability using the exchange rates of £ to US$1.2311  
(2021: £ to US$1.3753) and CHF to US$1.0469 (2021: CHF to US$1.0939).

Deepak Nath
Appointed 1 April 2022

Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Appointed 27 July 2020

Roland Diggelmann

Appointed 1 November 20191 

2022

2021

2022

2021

2022

2021

Fixed pay

Base salary

Pension payments

Taxable benefits

Total Fixed Pay

Annual variable pay

Annual Incentive Plan/ 
Annual Bonus Plan – cash element

Annual Incentive Plan/ 
Annual Bonus Plan – equity element

Long-term variable pay

Performance Share Programme

Total Variable Pay

Forfeited Incentives2

Cash Bonus

Non-Performance Based Awards

Performance Based Award

Total Forfeited Incentives

Total Pay

$1,083,558

$22,875

$18,874

$1,125,243

$371,888

$371,887

–

$743,775

$371,414

$2,132,844

$1,581,970

$4,086,228

$5,955,246

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$747,224

$797,674

$361,181

$1,509,582

$89,667

$15,248

$95,721

$17,005

$43,342

$10,284

$182,587

$65,923

$852,139

$910,400

$414,807

$1,758,092

$251,194

$398,053

$94,148

$672,167

$251,193

$398,053

$94,148

$672,167

–

–

–

–

$502,387

$796,106

$188,296

$1,344,334

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

$1,354,526

$1,706,506

$603,103

$3,102,426

1  Stepped down from the Board on 31 March 2022.
2  Cash bonus and performance based award are part of annual variable pay and the non-performance based award is part of fixed pay. Total variable pay is $2,697,159. Total fixed pay is $3,258,119.

130

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Base salary

Pension payments

Taxable benefits

Annual Incentive Plan –  
cash element/Annual Bonus Plan

Annual Incentive Plan – 
equity element/Annual Bonus Plan

Performance Share Programme

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 
as described on pages 132–135 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 2023 this is based on 
an estimated share price of 1,056.07p per share, which was the average price of a share over 
the last quarter of 2022.

Total

The sum of the above elements.

All data is presented in our reporting currency of US Dollars (USD). Amounts for Roland Diggelmann have been converted from 
Swiss Francs (CHF) and for Anne-Françoise Nesmes from Sterling (GBP) using average exchange rates. Given currency movements in 2022, 
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.

Forfeited Incentives
These relate to buy-out awards received by Deepak Nath in respect of outstanding incentives he forfeited on leaving his former 
company (details of which were outlined on page 129 of the 2021 Annual Report). They comprise:
 – A cash bonus of $371,414 paid in November 2022 in respect of a forfeited 2022 cash bonus. This relates to legacy arrangements 

implemented by his previous employer and was based on an estimate of the bonus he forfeited upon leaving Siemens Healthineers (“SH”). 
The calculated value of the bonus was determined following confirmation from SH of performance against the targets attached to 
the forfeited bonus.

 – Awards of 132,048 Restricted Stock Units (RSU) in respect of forfeited restricted share awards of an equivalent face value. 

RSU awards over a total of 96,907 shares vested on 16 and 23 May 2022. RSU awards over a total of 12,161 shares vested on 8 
and 14 November 2022. The shares are valued at 1,312p being the share price at the date of grant (29 April 2022). More details 
are on page 138.

 – 117,245 performance shares that vested in December 2022 in respect of a forfeited performance share award of an equivalent face 
value originally granted in 2018. The number of shares that vested was determined following confirmation of performance against 
the targets attached to the original award. The shares are valued at 1096p being the share price at the date of vesting on 8 December 
2022. More details of this award are on page 138 alongside details of the additional 182,228 performance shares awarded to Deepak 
that will vest, and will be included in the single figure table, in 2023 and 2024.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

131

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Remuneration implementation report continued

Fixed pay

Base salary

As normal, the base salaries of the Executive Directors were reviewed in February 2023 and it was determined that their salaries 
be increased by 3.5%. The general increase to base pay in 2023 (inclusive of a 2.5% off-cycle increase), 6.5% for US and 6% for 
UK employees. 

Deepak Nath was appointed as Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2022 with a base salary of $1,475,000. This has increased by 3.5% 
to $1,526,625 effective from 1 April 2023. 

Anne-Françoise Nesmes’ base salary also increased by 3.5% to £637,519 (2022: £615,960) effective from 1 April 2023.

Pension payments

Deepak Nath received a Company pension contribution of $22,875 in line with the limits set forth by the US tax authority and the 
pension arrangement for the wider US workforce.

Anne-Françoise Nesmes receives a salary supplement of 12% of basic salary to apply towards her retirement savings, in lieu of 
membership of one of the Company’s pension schemes. This is in-line with the pension arrangement for the wider UK workforce.

Roland Diggelmann participated in the Swiss Profund pension plan. He was employed under a Swiss contract, which is where he 
was domiciled. Between 1 January and 31 March 2022 (the period in which he was CEO and a member of the Board), total Company 
pension contributions for Roland amounted to CHF41,400, which is equivalent to 12% of his base salary for that period.

Benefits

In 2022, Deepak Nath received life insurance cover of $1 million plus accidental death and dismemberment insurance of $1 million. 
Anne-Françoise Nesmes received life insurance cover of seven times basic salary for the period 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022 
which was changed to four times basic salary in line with the changes made to the wider UK workforce. Roland Diggelmann received 
death in service cover of seven times basis salary.

Each Executive Director received health cover for themselves and their families, a car and fuel allowance and financial consultancy 
advice. The same arrangements will apply in 2023. The following table summarises the value of benefits in respect of 2022 and 2021.

Health cover
Car and fuel allowance
Financial consultancy advice

Annual incentives

Annual Bonus Plan 2022

Deepak Nath
(Appointed 1 April 2022)

Anne-Françoise Nesmes

2022

$8,871
$8,467
£1,248

2021

–
–
–

2022

£986
£11,400
–

2021

£965 
£11,400 
– 

Roland Diggelmann
(Stepped down from the Board  
on 31 March 2022)

2022

2021

CHF1,723
CHF8,100
–

CHF6,893 
CHF32,400 
£16,680 

Following the approval of the Remuneration Policy at the 2020 Annual General Meeting, the maximum opportunity under the Annual 
Bonus Plan for Executive Directors is 215% of base salary, subject to satisfactory performance against the performance measures 
detailed below. 50% of the award is paid in cash and 50% is deferred into shares which will vest after three years.

The performance measures and weightings which applied to the Annual Bonus Plan 2022 were as follows:

Revenue
Trading margin
Business (including ESG) Objectives1

1  25% of this element of the bonus was based on ESG 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%

132

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

The 2022 targets and outturn for revenue and trading margin are shown below:

Revenue
Trading Margin

Threshold
$5,140m
18.0%

Target
$5,372m
18.4%

Maximum
$5,493m
18.9%

Actual1
$5,380m
17.2%

1  Actual revenue and trading margin is compared with the target range at constant exchange rates to ensure a like-for-like comparison. See page 236.

Financial objectives
The revenue target for 2022 is set by reference to our expectations for growth for the year. Threshold was set at 4.3 percentage points 
below target and maximum was set at 2.3 percentage points above target.

The trading margin target was set by reference to budgeted trading profit margin for the year. Threshold and maximum were set 
at 93.6% and 105% of budgeted trading profit margin, divided by threshold and maximum revenue respectively.

Performance resulted in an overall payout of 53% of target against the financial objectives.

Accordingly, the following amounts have been earned by Deepak Nath, Anne-Françoise Nesmes and Roland Diggelmann for 2022 
under the Annual Bonus Plan in respect of their financial objectives.

Deepak Nath
Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Roland Diggelmann

$505,931
£277,591
CHF157,782

As well as considering the monetary outcome of the formulaic calculation of these awards, the Committee considered that this 
performance fairly represented the overall financial performance during the year.

Business and ESG objectives
In determining performance against the business and ESG objectives, the Executive Directors have been 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 objectives were determined relating to achievement of the corporate strategy. 
For 2022, these objectives were Growth, People and Business processes as in 2021. Performance against these business objectives 
was considered alongside how the Executive Directors 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 has been 
assessed according to the extent to which the Executive Directors have met the expectations of the Board. The 20% of the Annual 
Bonus Plan which is attributable to business and ESG objectives will be paid out as follows: 

Performance

Below expectations

Partially met expectations

In-line with expectations (100% of target)

Above expectations

% of base salary 

Nil

6.4%

21.5%

43%

When setting 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 Directors 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 and ESG objectives. The table below sets out how the Chair 
and the Board have assessed how Deepak Nath and Anne-Françoise Nesmes have performed against the objectives of Growth, People 
and Business Processes.

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Remuneration implementation report continued

Annual incentives continued

Annual Bonus Plan 2022 

Deepak Nath

People

 – Exceeded against target to continue to embed the culture pillars 
and purpose to drive engagement and continuity as evidenced 
by improved Gallup engagement.

 – Achieved against target to strengthen Executive Committee 
effectiveness aligned to new strategy with clear objectives to 
measure performance.

 – Partially achieved against target to have talent in place to deliver 
success and make progress to build a more diverse and inclusive 
workforce. Missed target of voluntary attrition and incumbent roles 
filled from our talent pipeline of high value roles. Exceeded target 
of women in senior leadership with additional focus required on 
increasing women in middle-management roles.

 – Achieved against target to continue development and succession 
planning for leadership team roles with internal successors identified.

Organisation and Process

Anne-Françoise Nesmes

 – Achieved against target to implement people Finance priorities 

per roadmap with launch of the Finance Competency Framework.
 – Achieved against target to put in place IT and GBS succession plans, 
strengthening GBS leadership with a clear organisational design. 
 – Achieved against target to drive IDE, holding immersion sessions 

on Culture Commitments to foster adoption.

 – Achieved against target to strengthen, accelerate and transform 
Smith+Nephew for structurally higher growth and greater patient 
impact. Defined a clear 12-point plan to transform the organisation 
with established KPIs, governance and milestones. 

 – Achieved against our target to reduce Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse 

gasses by 70% by the end of 2025 with a carbon roadmap developed.

 – Achieved against target to partner with Executive Committee 
to drive trading margin improvement, supporting 12-point plan 
milestones with financial actions and milestones. 

 – Achieved against target to define IT/Enterprise Resource Planning 
strategy for medium to long term, including assessment of SAP, 
enterprise strategy and roadmap.

 – Achieved against the delivery of our waste to landfill target for 

 – Achieved against target to provide stronger data and insights 

Malaysia and Memphis sites.

 – Partially achieved against the target of a clear Scope 3 plan and 

milestones outline, with the roadmap for Scope 3 under development.
 – Achieved against target to uphold the highest standards of Quality 

and Compliance.

to support decision making including market analysis.
 – Lead the efforts to produce TCFD reporting resulting in 

integrated ESG reporting and a clear plan for Scope 3 disclosures. 
Leveraged framework tools to identify risks and opportunities 
and developed scenario analysis for climate related financial 
risks and opportunities.

 – Achieved against target to improve Finance and IT control 

environment, ensuring cyber security plans and IT Sox controls 
are implemented. 

Customer

 – Achieved against the target of 80% delivery of successful launches 

 – Drove rollout of the sales, inventory and operations planning (SIOP) 

for our top 10 NPD programs.

process and on track to deliver order-to-cash process.

 – Achieved against the target to launch at scale through the 

 –  Achieved against target to ensure comprehensive disclosure 

prioritization of development programmes.

and reporting that meets the needs of stakeholders

 – Achieved against target of seamless integration of value-creating 

acquisitions and performance against plan. Achieved against target 
to actively engage with key stakeholders to build support for our 
new strategy and highlight progress.

This resulted in a calculated bonus achievement of 100% of  
target in respect of Deepak Nath’s business and ESG objectives.

This resulted in a calculated bonus achievement of 100% of  
target in respect of Anne-Françoise Nesmes’ business and 
ESG objectives.

Roland departed on 31 March 2022. The rating of Partially achieved reflects the performance against business and ESG objectives for 
the period for which he was employed.

134

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Therefore the total amount earned by Executive Directors in 2022 under the Annual Bonus Plan 2022 is:

Roland Diggelmann1
Deepak Nath2
Anne-Françoise Nesmes

Amount earned  
in respect of 
financial objectives
CHF157,782
$505,931
£277,591

Amount earned  
in respect of 
business objectives
CHF22,080
$237,844
£130,499

Total 
amount earned
CHF179,862
$743,775
£408,090

Total  
as percentage 
of target
48.5%
63%
63%

Total  
as percentage 
of salary
52%
67%
67%

1  Bonus paid is for employment during the period 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2022.
2  Bonus paid is for employment during the period 1 April 2022 to 31 December 2022.

The Board has reviewed the formulaic calculation of these figures. We acknowledged that during 2022, the share price had slightly fallen, 
that the Company had delivered a mixed performance ending the year in a much stronger position and that there had been no reputational 
risk issues during the year. We therefore determined this fairly represents the performance of the Company and of the Executive 
Directors during 2022.

50% of the total amount earned will be paid in cash and the remaining 50% will be deferred into shares which will vest after three years.

2023 Annual Bonus

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.

The performance measures and weightings which apply to the Annual Bonus Plan 2023 are as follows:

Revenue
Trading margin
Business objectives
ESG objectives

Weighting
40%
40%
15%
5%

Threshold as 
a percentage 
of salary
12.8%
12.8%
4.8%
1.6%

Target as a 
percentage 
of salary
43%
43%
16.125%
5.375%

Maximum as 
a percentage 
of salary
86%
86%
32.25%
10.75%

For reasons of commercial sensitivity, we are unable to disclose the precise targets for revenue and trading margin for 2023 now, which 
are both set by reference to our expectations for growth for the year. They will be disclosed retrospectively in the 2023 Annual Report, 
when performance against those targets are determined.

Long-term incentives

Performance Share Programme

Performance Share Programme 2020
Since the end of the year, the Committee has reviewed the vesting of conditional awards made to former Executive Directors in 2020 
under the Global Share Plan 2020. Vesting of the conditional awards made in 2020 was subject to performance against four equally 
weighted performance measures – TSR, global revenue growth, cumulative free cash flow and return on invested capital – measured 
over a three-year period commencing 1 January 2020.

TSR performance 25% of the award was based on the Company’s TSR performance relative to two equally weighted peer groups 
against which the Company’s TSR performance was measured as follows:
 – 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’). The Company’s TSR was -33.7% against an index TSR for the peer group of 14.2%.

 – 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 was -33.7% against an 
index TSR for the peer group of -8.1%.

In aggregate therefore, the Company’s TSR performance results in a final vesting outcome of 0% out of the 25% target.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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Remuneration implementation report continued

Long-term incentives continued

Performance Share Programme continued

Global revenue growth 25% of the award was based on global revenue growth. The threshold set in 2020 was $16,628 million 
with a target of $16,968 million. Over the three-year period, the adjusted revenues in Global Revenue Growth were $14,918 million. 
These adjustments include translational foreign exchange and Board-approved M&A.

This part of the award therefore vested at 0% out of the 25% target.

Cumulative free cash flow performance 25% of the award was based on cumulative cash flow performance. The target set in 2020 
was $2,285 million with maximum at $2,742 million. Over the three-year period, the adjusted cumulative free cash flow was $958 million 
which was below threshold. These adjustments include items such as Board-approved M&A, restructuring programmes and translational 
foreign exchange.

This part of the award therefore vested at 0% out of the 25% target.

Return on invested capital (ROIC) 25% of the award was based on return on invested capital defined as follows:

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 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 target set in 2020 was an average over three years of 12.0% with maximum at 13.5%. The adjusted average ROIC measurement 
for the three years was 8.2%. These adjustments include Board-approved M&A.

This part of the award therefore vested at 0% of the 25% target.

In summary therefore, the Performance Share Programme award made in 2020 vested at 0% of target as follows:

TSR
Global revenue growth
Cumulative free cash flow
Return on invested capital

Threshold
Equal to Index
$16,628m
$2,057m
10.5%

Target

Maximum
– 8% Above Index
$17,646m
$2,742m
13.5%

$16,968m
$2,285m
12.0%

Actual 
 Below Index
$14,918m
$958m
8.2%

Percentage  
Vesting
0%
0%
0%
0%

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.

Performance Share Programme 2022
In accordance with the Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting held on 9 April 2020, 
performance share awards were granted to the Executive Directors under the Global Share Plan 2020 to a maximum value of 275% 
of salary (137.5% for target performance) measured over the three financial years commencing 1 January 2022 against four equally 
weighted performance measures: Indexed TSR, Global Revenue Growth, ROIC and Cumulative Free Cash Flow. The performance 
conditions for these awards were determined in April 2022 and the awards were made in May 2022. The maximum payout under 
each element will only be for significant outperformance. 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.

136

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

TSR performance 25% of the award is based on the Company’s TSR performance measured against two equally weighted peer groups 
as defined for the awards made in 2020.

TSR performance is relative to the two separate indices as follows:

Relative TSR
Below the index
Equalling the index (Threshold vesting at 50% of target)
8% above the index (Maximum vesting at 200% of target)

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.

Global revenue growth 25% of the award is based on global revenue growth against the following targets:

Revenue growth over three-year period commencing 1 January 2022
Below Threshold
Threshold (–5% of target)
Target – set by reference to our expectations
Maximum or above (+5% 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 considered to be potentially price-sensitive information. This target however will be disclosed in 
the 2024 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.

Return on invested capital (ROIC) 25% of the award is based on ROIC, as defined for the awards made in 2020, with the 
following targets:

Return on Invested Capital (three-year average) 
Below Threshold 8%
Threshold 8% (–1% of target)
Target 9%
Maximum or above 10.5% (+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.

Cumulative free cash flow 25% of the award is based on cumulative cash flow performance defined for the awards made in 2020, 
with the following targets:

Cumulative free cash flow
Below $1,535m
$1,535m (–20% of target)
$1,913m
$2,104m or more (+10% 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

137

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Remuneration implementation report continued

Performance Share Programme 2023
In early 2023, the Remuneration Committee considered the performance framework and determined the targets for the Performance 
Share Programme (“PSP”) awards due to be made in 2023. It was agreed that performance would be measured under the same four 
equally weighted performance measures which applied in 2022 – indexed TSR, Global Revenue Growth, ROIC, and Cumulative Free 
Cash Flow, as set out below. The Executive Directors will each be granted an award under the PSP on 9 March 2023 to the value of 275% 
of their base salary.

TSR performance 25% of the award will be based on the Company’s TSR performance, measured against the same peer groups and 
with the same targets as the awards made in 2022.

Revenue growth 25% of the award will be based on global revenue growth. 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 considered to be potentially 
price-sensitive information.

ROIC 25% of the award will be based on ROIC as defined for the awards made in 2022. Targets will be 8.5% at Threshold, 9.5% at Target 
and 10.5% at Maximum.

Cumulative free cash flow 25% of the award will be based on cumulative cash flow as defined for the awards made in 2022. It is not 
possible to disclose precise targets for this measure as this is considered to be commercially sensitive information.

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 2020. The performance conditions and performance periods applying to 
these awards are detailed below:

Deepak Nath
Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Roland Diggelmann1
Roland Diggelmann1

Date granted
20 May 2022
20 May 2022
21 May 2021
21 Dec 20202
21 May 2021
21 May 20202

Outstanding number of 
ordinary shares  
under award at maximum
259,422
134,648
102,936
42,726
55,282
135,766

Date of vesting
20 May 2025
20 May 2025
21 May 2024
21 Dec 2023
21 May 2024
21 May 2023

1  Roland Diggelmann stepped down from the Board as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 31 March 2022. The awards shown have been pro-rated based on the length of service during the 

performance period.

2  The awards granted on 21 May 2020 and 21 December 2020 did not achieve the performance conditions and lapsed in full on 21 February 2023.

Summary of scheme interests awarded during the financial year (audited)

Director
Performance Share Programme award  
at maximum (see pages 135–137)
Deferred Share Bonus Plan award 
(2021 bonus)
Buy-out award agreement1

Deepak Nath1,2

Anne-Françoise Nesmes

Roland Diggelmann3

Number 
of shares

Face value

Number 
of shares

Face value

Number 
of shares

Face value

259,422

£3,263,528.76

134,648

£1,693,871.84

0

£0

0
441,737

£0
£5,795,589.44

24,169
N/A

£289,423.78
N/A

42,113
N/A

£504,303.18
N/A

1  As outlined on page 129 of the 2021 Annual Report, Deepak Nath’s buy-out awards are in respect of outstanding equity incentives he forfeited on leaving his former company. All awards have 

been provided on a like-for-like basis in terms of the value provided and their performance and/or vesting periods. The awards (granted on 29 April 2022) comprised the following: 132,048 RSUs 
vesting between May 2022 and November 2025 127,461/84,868/97,360 performance shares vesting in November 2022/2023/2024 subject to the original performance conditions applicable 
to the forfeited performance share awards granted to Deepak by Siemens Heathineers AG (“SH”) in November 2018/2019/2020.

2  As noted above, a performance award over 127,461 shares was granted to Deepak Nath with vesting subject to the performance conditions applicable to the performance share award over SH 
shares originally granted to Deepak by SH in November 2018. Following completion of the performance measurement period, SH provided confirmation that 91.985% of the original award would 
have vested. Accordingly, 117,245 shares from the buy-out award vest with the balance, 10,216 shares, lapsing.

3  Roland Diggelmann stepped down from the Board as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 31 March 2022.

Please see Policy Table contained within the Annual Report 2020 on pages 128–137 on our website at www.smith-nephew.com 
for details of how the above plans operate. Following approval of the 2020 Remuneration Policy, no Annual Equity Incentive Programme 
awards were granted during 2022. The number of shares is calculated using the closing share price on the day before grant, which for 
the Performance Share Programme award granted on 20 May 2022 was 1,258.0p. The Deferred Share Bonus Plan award granted on 
9 March 2022 is calculated using the closing share price on the day before grant being 1,197.5p. The buy-out award agreement granted 
on 29 April 2022 to Deepak Nath is calculated using the closing share price on the day before grant being 1,312.0p.

138

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Single total figure on remuneration
Chair and Non-Executive Directors (audited)

Director
Roberto Quarta
Jo Hallas2
Erik Engstrom
Robin Freestone3
John Ma
Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess
Rick Medlock
Marc Owen4
Angie Risley
Bob White

2022

£64,250
£69,500
£53,750

Basic annual fee1
2021
£428,645 £428,645
£18,173
£69,500
£69,500
$129,780 $113,472
£69,500
£69,500
£69,500
£69,500
$129,780 $129,780
£69,500
£69,500
$129,780 $129,780

Committee Chair/ 
Senior Independent 
Director fee
2021
–
–
–
£20,000
–
–
£20,000
$35,000
£20,000
–

2022
–
–
–
£15,000
–
–
£20,000
$35,000
£20,000
–

Intercontinental  
travel fee
2021
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
$7,000
–
–

2022
£3,500
£3,500
–
–
$21,000
£3,500
£3,500
$21,000
£3,500
$7,000

2022

£67,750
£69,500
£68,750

Total
2021
£432,145 £428,645
£18,173
£69,500
£89,500
$150,780 $113,472
£69,500
£73,000
£89,500
£93,000
$185,780 $171,780
£89,500
£93,000
$136,780 $129,780

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 below.
2  Jo Hallas was appointed as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 February 2022.
3  Robin Freestone retired as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 30 September 2022.
4  Marc Owen waived his right to receive a $35,000 increase in fees pursuant to his appointment as Senior Independent Director on 1 October 2022.

Chair and Non-Executive Director fees
In February 2023 the fees paid to the Chair and the other Non-Executive directors were reviewed and it was determined that with effect 
from 1 April 2023 the fees paid will remain unchanged:

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

As part of the appointment of the new Chair, the Committee undertook the first detailed review of the associated fee since 2014 when 
the current Chair was first appointed. The review took into account a range of factors including relevant market data and the anticipated 
time commitment involved with the role. The resulting fee agreed by the Committee is £450,000 effective from 15 September 2023 
and the new Chair will be required, each year, to purchase shares worth at least 25% of his post-tax annual fee.

Payments made to former Directors (audited)
Roland Diggelmann ceased to be Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board on 31 March 2022. As detailed in last year’s 
Remuneration Report, in accordance with his employment agreement and with the Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders 
on 9 April 2020, Roland Diggelmann continued to receive his base salary of CHF1,380,000, pension payments and benefits up to 
28 February 2023.

Roland Diggelmann holds an award over 42,113 shares under the Deferred Share Bonus Plan (“DBP”) which was granted on 9 March 
2022. This represented 50% of his 2021 bonus which vests after three years in line with the Remuneration Policy. He will receive a 
further award under the DBP on 9 March 2023 to the value of 50% of his 2022 annual bonus. Roland also holds awards (in aggregate) 
over 191,048 shares at maximum under the Performance Share Programme, exclusive of dividend equivalents. These shares were  
pro-rated to his date of leaving and vest subject to achievement of the relevant performance conditions.

Legal fees incurred in connection with Roland Diggelmann’s stepping down from the Board of up to CHF 5,000 for Swiss legal advice  
and of up to £5,000 for English law advice are payable by the Company.

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 125 of the Policy Report contained within the 
Annual Report 2020.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

139

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Remuneration implementation report continued

Directors’ interests in ordinary shares (audited)
Beneficial interests of the Executive Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company are as follows:

Ordinary shares
Share options
Deferred Share Bonus Plan award 
(2021 bonus)
Buy-out award agreement
Performance Share Programme awards2

1 January  
2022
–
–

31 December  
2022
97,7842
–

Deepak Nath
10 February
20231
97,7842
–

1 January  
2022
18,207
2,534

Roland Diggelmann3
10 February
20231
N/A
–

31 December  
2022
N/A
–

1 January 
2022
–
1,621

Anne-Françoise Nesmes
10 February
20231
–
1,621

31 December  
2022
–
1,621

–
–
–

–
205,208
259,422

–
205,208
259,422

–
–
385,420

42,113
–
191,048

42,113
–
191,048

–
–
145,662

24,169
–
280,310

24,169
–
280,310

1  The latest practicable date for this Annual Report.
2  These share awards are subject to further performance conditions before they may vest. The awards granted on 21 May 2020 and 21 December 2020 did not achieve the performance conditions 

and therefore lapsed in full on 21 February 2023 (see page 138 for further details).

3  Roland Diggelmann stepped down from the Board as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 31 March 2022.

The beneficial interest of each Executive Director is less than 1% of the ordinary share capital of the Company.

Beneficial interests of the Directors in the ordinary shares of the Company are as follows:

Director
Roberto Quarta4
Roland Diggelmann5
Erik Engstrom
Robin Freestone6
Jo Hallas7
John Ma4
Katarzyna Mazur-Hofsaess
Rick Medlock
Deepak Nath8
Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Marc Owen4
Angie Risley
Bob White4

1 January 2022  
(or date of  
appointment  
if later)
67,468
18,207
16,442
16,420
–
296
366
3,264
–
–
8,072
5,011
6,656

31 December 2022  
(or date of  
retirement  
if earlier)
73,300
18,207
16,774
16,752
5,332
924
880
3,564
97,784
–
16,478
5,343
7,284

10 February
20231
73,300
18,207
16,774
N/A
5,332
924
880
3,564
97,784
–
16,478
5,343
7,284

Shareholding as %  
of annual salary/
fee2,3,9
196.51
37.68
276.95
N/A
95.23
9.94
14.53
58.84
92.14
23.86
177.25
88.22
78.35

1  The latest practicable date for this Annual Report.
2  Calculated using the closing share price of 1,147.5p per ordinary share and $27.92 per ADS on 10 February 2023, and an exchange rate of £1:$1.21125.
3  Due to their length of service some Non-Executive Directors have not met their shareholding requirements, but this will continue to be monitored in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.
4  Roberto Quarta, John Ma, Marc Owen and Bob White hold some of their shares in the form of ADS.
5  Roland Diggelmann stepped down from the Board as Chief Executive Officer with effect from 31 March 2022.
6  Robin Freestone retired from the Board as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 30 September 2022.
7  Jo Hallas was appointed Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 February 2022.
8  Deepak Nath was appointed Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 April 2022.
9  For the purposes of calculating an Executive Director’s performance against their shareholding requirement, ordinary shares or ADRs held by the individual and their immediate family are included 
as are unvested awards under the DBP (on a net of tax basis) but not awards subject to an ongoing performance condition. The percentages in this column are consistent with this methodology.

The beneficial interest of each Non-Executive Director is less than 1% of the ordinary share capital of the Company.

140

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Chief Executive Officer remuneration compared to employees generally
The percentage change in the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer between 2021 and 2022 compared to that of employees 
generally was as follows:

Salary/fees

% change 2021/2022
Annual  
Taxable  
incentive
benefits

Salary/fees

% change 2020/2021
Annual  
Taxable  
incentive
benefits

Salary/fees

% change 2019/2020
Taxable  
benefits

Annual  
incentive

Executive Directors
CEO1 Deepak Nath

Roland Diggelmann
CFO Anne Françoise Nesmes

Graham Baker
Non Executive Directors2
Average of all employees

0% -55.54% 

44.89%

4.62%

3.97% -29.50%

0%

0%

0%
5.95%

0%
N/A

N/A
N/A

0%
1.64%

0%

0%

0%
N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A
N/A

0%

0%

N/A

4.00% -57.00% -100.00%

0%
3.30%

N/A
N/A

N/A
N/A

1  Represents the difference between Roland Diggelmann and Deepak Nath.
2  There was no change to the fees paid to Non-Executive Directors during 2022.

The average cost of wages and salaries for employees generally decreased by 1.19% in 2022 (see Note 3.1 to the Group accounts). 
Figures for annual cash bonuses are included in the numbers.

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 Bonus Plan 
and the Performance Share Programme) as other Executive Officers and senior executives. The level of award reflects the differing 
seniority of participants and the market where the Executive is located. Performance conditions for the Performance Share 
Programme are the same for Executive Directors and Executive Officers. Executives, however, have only three measures with no 
reference to ROIC. For the Annual Bonus Plan (ABP) Performance Measures apply to all Executives consistently, however, weighting 
between Financials and Non-Financials differs based on the position.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

141

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Remuneration implementation report continued

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 UK 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 2022. Figures are calculated by 
reference to 31 December 2022 using actual pay data from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. The single figure for remuneration 
for each employee includes earned salary, annual incentive, allowance, pension and benefits for 2022. Part-time employees have 
been excluded for the purpose of calculations. The Chief Executive Office single figure is an amalgamation of the data for the two 
individuals who held the post during the year.

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 the 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
2020
2021
2022

P25 (lower  
quartile)
116:1
42:1
71:1
160:1

P50  
(median)
81:1
29:1
49:1
107.1

P75 (upper  
quartile)
51:1
19:1
32:1
70:1

In 2022, the ratio increased due to the impact of the buy-out award agreement made to Deepak Nath. Excluding this one-off 
arrangement, the median ratio would have been 47:1.

The table below provides the total pay figure used for each quartile employee, and the salary component within this.

Component
Salary
Total pay

CEO1
$1,816,153
$6,103,705

P25 (lower  
quartile)
$38,619
$40,977

P50  
(median)
$59,669
$61,046 

P75 (upper  
quartile)
$52,021
$93,464 

1  Roland Diggelmann is paid in Swiss Francs and this figure was converted into US Dollars for comparative reasons using CHF to US$1.046901.

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 2022 and 2021 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

For the year to  
31 December  
2022
$223m
$327m 
$158m
$1,565m

For the year to  
31 December  
2021
$524m
$329m 
$0m
$1,562m

% change
-57%
0%
+100%
0%

1  Shares are bought in the market in respect of shares issued as part of the executive and employee share plans. In December 2021 we announced an updated capital allocation policy to 

prioritise the use of cash. The 2022 share buyback programme commenced on 22 February 2022 and $150 million was completed by 31 August 2022. As macroeconomic conditions continued 
to be uncertain, including higher cost inflation, the Board decided it was prudent to delay further buybacks until conditions improved. We remain committed to returning surplus cash to 
shareholders over time.

142

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Total Shareholder Return
A graph of the Company’s TSR performance compared to that of the FTSE 100 index, of which the Company, is a constituent 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)

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Dec 2012
Source: DataStream

Dec 2013

Dec 2014

Dec 2015

Dec 2016

Dec 2017

Dec 2018

Dec 2019

Dec 2020

Dec 2021

Dec 2022

Smith & Nephew plc

FTSE 100

As we also compare the Company’s performance to a tailored sector peer group of medical devices companies (see page 135), 
when considering TSR performance in the context of the Global Share Plan 2010 and Global Share Plan 2020, 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)

1,000

800

600

400

200

0

Dec 2013

Dec 2012
Source: DataStream
Medical Devices comparators that are still trading for awards made since 2012

Dec 2015

Dec 2014

Dec 2016

Dec 2017

Dec 2018

Dec 2019

Dec 2020

Dec 2021

Dec 2022

Smith & Nephew plc

Medical Devices

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

143

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONRemuneration continued
Remuneration implementation report continued

Table of historic data
The following table details information about the pay of the Chief Executive Officer in the previous 10 years:

Year
2022
2022
2021
2020
2019
2019
2018
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013

Chief Executive Officer
Deepak Nath1
Roland Diggelmann
Roland Diggelmann
Roland Diggelmann
Roland Diggelmann2
Namal Nawana3
Namal Nawana
Olivier Bohuon4
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon
Olivier Bohuon

Single figure of total 
remuneration $
$5,955,246
$603,103
$3,102,426
$1,697,773
$265,814
$4,489,374
$2,883,632
$2,383,582
$5,116,689
$3,332,850
$5,342,377
$6,785,121
$4,692,858

Annual Cash Incentive  
payout against maximum %
32
24
41
05
–
716
69
63
61
30
75
43
84

Long-term incentive vesting rates  
against maximum opportunity
Performance Share  
Programme shares %
– 
–
–
–
–
–
–
46.5
54
8
33.5
57
0

1  Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2022.
2  Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 November 2019 and stepped down on 31 March 2022.
3  Appointed Chief Executive Officer on 7 May 2018 and resigned on 31 October 2019.
4  Retired as Chief Executive Officer on 7 May 2018.
5  Due to the impact of Covid upon the Chief Executive Officer’s financial targets, a cash award of 0% was achieved.
6  Calculated as 106.7% for Namal Nawana (disclosed on page 108 of the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2019), divided by the maximum potential payout of 150%.

Gender pay ratio
In 2022, 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 are seeing improvements year-on-year. Our mean pay gap for the UK has decreased from 20% in 2021 to 16% in 2022, 
and the median gap has decreased from 17% in 2021 to 16% in 2022. 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 her salary. Executive Directors have five years from their appointment within which to meet that holding requirement. 
Due to the tenure of the Executive Directors neither have met their shareholding requirements, but this will continue to be monitored 
in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.

Post cessation shareholding requirements
In addition, Executive Directors are expected to hold vested shares for up to two years post-vesting of the Performance Share 
Programme and Deferred Share Bonus Plan. They are expected to hold up to their shareholding requirement only. These shares are held 
in the vested Share Plan Account provided by the Company’s share plan administrator.

Statement of voting at Annual General Meeting
At the Annual General Meeting held on 13 April 2022, 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 9 April 2020 are noted below:

Resolution
Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration report 
(excluding policy)
Approval of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy 
at the 2020 Annual General Meeting

Votes for

% for

Votes  
against

% against

Total votes  
validly cast

 Votes  
withheld

647,076,103

96.71

22,010,946

3.29

669,087,049

1,731,661

676,749,445

97.71

15,843,720

2.29

692,593,165

352,762

144

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Senior management remuneration
The Group’s administrative, supervisory and management body (senior management) comprises for US reporting purposes, 
Executive Directors and Executive Officers. Details of the current Executive Directors and Executive Officers are given on pages 86–89.

Compensation paid to senior management in respect of 2020, 2021 and 2022 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

2022

2021

2020

$17,211,000
–
–
$1,626,000

$15,795,000
–
–
$1,454,000

$12,369,000
–
–
$1,753,000

As at 10 February 2023, senior management owned 530,016 shares and 8,457 ADSs, constituting less than 0.063% 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 10 February 
2023 by members of senior management are as follows:

Equity Incentive Programme awards
Deferred Share Bonus Plan awards
Performance Share Programme awards at maximum
Performance Share Programme – Supplementary awards
Conditional Share Awards under the Global Share Plan 2020
Buy-Out Award Agreement
Options under Employee ShareSave plans

Share awards  
granted during  
the year
0
161,396
1,400,882
0
126,337
441,737
2,135

Total share  
awards held as at 
10 February  
2023
99,066
108,506
2,121,358
41,898
229,896
205,208
3,756

The Smith+Nephew Employee Share Trust
Note 19.2 of these accounts states the movement in Treasury Shares and the Trust during 2022. No more shares are held within the 
Trust than are required for the next twelve 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 2022 is held within the Trust. At 31 December 
2022 shares were held in the Trust representing 0.37% 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 (2013 to 2022), the number of new shares issued under our share plans has been as follows:

All-employee share plans
Discretionary share plans

By order of the Board, on 21 February 2023

7,102,563 (0.81% of issued share capital as at 10 February 2023)
15,478,364 (1.77% of issued share capital as at 10 February 2023)

Angie Risley
Chair of the Remuneration Committee

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

145

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION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

147
148
164
168
221
223

146

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities in respect  
of the Annual Report and Financial Statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing 
the Annual Report and Form 20-F and the 
Group and Parent Company financial 
statements in accordance with applicable 
law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors 
to prepare Group and Parent Company 
financial statements for each financial 
year. Under that law they are required to 
prepare the Group financial statements in 
accordance with UK-adopted international 
accounting standards and applicable law and 
have elected to prepare the Parent Company 
financial statements in accordance with 
UK accounting standards and applicable 
law, including FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure 
Framework. In addition the Directors have 
also chosen to prepare the Group financial 
statements in accordance with IFRS as 
issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB).

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 UK-adopted 
international accounting standards 
and IFRS as issued by the IASB; 
 – 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;

 – Assess the Group and Parent Company’s 
ability to continue as a going concern, 
disclosing, as applicable, matters 
related to going concern; and 

 – Use 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.

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. 

In accordance with Disclosure Guidance 
and Transparency Rule 4.1.14R, the 
financial statements will form part of 
the annual financial report prepared 
using the single electronic reporting 
format under the TD ESEF Regulation. 
The auditor’s report on these financial 
statements provides no assurance 
over the ESEF format.

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 IFC–81.

The Directors’ Report, prepared in 
accordance with the requirements of 
the Companies Act 2006 and the UK 
Listing Authority’s Listing Rules, and 
Disclosure Guidance and Transparency 
Rules, comprising pages 7, 20–21, 29–45, 
47, 48–53, 56–68, 69–80, 84, 92–93, 
97–100, 103–107, 108–109, 112–115, 
197–198, 220, 225–228 and 240–248, 
was approved by the Board and signed on 
its behalf. 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 21 February 2023

Helen Barraclough
Company Secretary

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

147

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONIndependent auditor’s report to the  
members of Smith & Nephew Plc

1. Our opinion is unmodified
In our opinion:
 – the financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s 

affairs as at 31 December 2022, and of the Group’s profit for the year then ended;

 – the Group financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards;
 – the parent Company financial statements have been properly prepared in accordance with UK accounting standards, including 

FRS 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework; and

 – the Group and Parent Company financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies 

Act 2006.

What our opinion covers
We have audited the Group and Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc (“the Company”) for the year ended 
31 December 2022 (FY22) included in the Annual Report, which comprise:

Group (Smith & Nephew plc and its subsidiaries)

Parent Company (Smith & Nephew plc)

 – The Group Income Statement.

 – Company Balance Sheet.

 – Group Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 – Company Statement of Changes in Equity.

 – Group Balance Sheet.

 – Group Cash Flow Statement.

 – Group Statement of Changes in Equity.

Notes 1 to 23 to the Group financial statements,  
including the accounting policies in note 1.

Notes 1 to 9 to the Parent Company financial statements,  
including the accounting policies in note 1.

Additional opinion in relation to IFRS as adopted by the IASB
As explained in Note 1 to the Group financial statements, the Group, in addition to complying with its legal obligation to apply  
UK-adopted international accounting standards, 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 and matters included in this report are consistent with those discussed and included in our reporting to the Audit Committee (“AC”).

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.

148

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

2. Overview of our audit

Factors driving our view of risks

Following our FY21 audit, and considering developments affecting 
the Group since then, we have updated our risk assessment.

Consistent with FY21 audit, we determined Provision for metal-on-
metal hip products and Excess and Obsolescence (E&O) provision 
for Orthopaedics inventory as key audit matters due to a high 
degree of estimation uncertainty, with a potential range of outcomes 
greater than our materiality for the financial statements as a whole.

We have identified Recoverability of the Orthopaedics CGU goodwill 
as a new key audit matter. The profitability of the Orthopaedics 
business remains below historic levels, which combined with higher 
input inflation and supply chain challenges means that reasonably 
possible changes in assumptions could lead to a material impairment.

Parent company financial statements only: Recoverability of Parent 
Company’s investments in subsidiaries – 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.

Audit Committee interaction

Key Audit Matters

Vs FY21

Recoverability of the 
Orthopaedics CGU goodwill

Provision for metal-on-metal 
hip products

Excess and Obsolescence 
(E&O) provision for 
Orthopaedics Inventory

Parent company financial statements 
only: Recoverability of Parent 
Company’s investment in subsidiaries

Item

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

During the year, the AC met 8 times. KPMG are invited to attend all AC meetings and are provided with an opportunity to meet with the AC 
in private sessions without the Executive Directors being present. For each Key Audit Matter, we have set out communications with the AC 
in section 4, including matters that required particular judgement for each.

The matters included in the Audit Committee report on page 101 are materially consistent with our observations of those meetings.

Our independence

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.

We have not performed any non-audit services during FY22 or 
subsequently which are prohibited by the FRC Ethical Standard.

We were first appointed as auditor of the Company in 2015 following 
a competitive tender in 2014. The period of total uninterrupted 
engagement is for the 8 financial years ended 31 December 2022.

This is Paul Nichols first year as a group engagement partner.

The average tenure of partners responsible for component audits 
as set out in section 7 below is 3.2 years, with the shortest being 
1 and the longest being 6.

Total audit fee

Audit related fees  
(including interim review)

Non-audit fee as a % of total audit 
and audit related fee %

Date first appointed

Uninterrupted audit tenure

Tenure of Group engagement partner

Average tenure of component 
signing partners

$9.4m

$0.4m

4%

31 December 2015

8 years

1 year

3.2 years

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

149

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONIndependent auditor’s UK report continued

2. Overview of our audit continued

Materiality (Item 6 below)

The scope of our work is influenced by our view of 
materiality and our assessed risk of material misstatement.

We have determined overall materiality for the Group financial 
statements as a whole at $35m (FY21: $35m) and for the 
Parent Company financial statements as a whole at $32m 
(FY21: $32m).

Consistent with FY21, we determined that adjusted profit 
before tax remains the benchmark for the Group as we 
consider it to be the primary measure by which users 
of the accounts assess the performance of the Group. 
As such, we based our Group materiality on adjusted profit 
before tax, of which it represents 5.15% (FY21: 5.13%).

Materiality for the Parent Company financial statements 
was determined with reference to a benchmark of 
Parent Company total assets of which it represents 
0.3% (FY21: 0.3%).

Group scope (Item 7 below)

We have performed risk assessment and planning procedures 
to determine which of the Group’s components are likely to 
include risks of material misstatement to the Group financial 
statements, the type of procedures to be performed at 
these components and the extent of involvement required 
from our component auditors around the world.

Of the Group’s 121 (FY21: 112) reporting components, we 
subjected 3 (2021: 6) to full scope audits for group purposes, 
33 (FY21: 34) to audits of specific account balances and 
specified risk focussed audit procedures focussed over 
revenue, receivables and cash (5 (FY21: 6)), inventory 
(6 (FY21: 6)) and property, plant and equipment (2 (FY21: 1). 
The components within the scope of our work accounted 
for the percentages illustrated opposite.

In addition, we have performed Group level analysis on 
the remaining components to determine whether further 
risks of material misstatement exist in those components.

We consider the scope of our audit, as communicated 
to the Audit Committee, to be an appropriate basis for 
our audit opinion.

Materiality levels used in our audit

35

35

32

32

29

26.2

26.2

24

6

6

Group 
Materiality

Group
Performance
Materiality

Highest
Component
Materiality

Parent
Company
Materiality

Lowest
Component
Materiality

1.8

1.8

Audit
Misstatement
Posting 
Threshold

FY22 $m

FY21 $m

Coverage of Group financial statements 

Profit before tax

Total assets

Revenue

Full scope audits 

Audit of specific account balances

Remaining components

63%

18%

19%

Full scope audits 

Audit of specific account balances

Remaining components

37%

48%

15%

Full scope audits 

Audit of specific account balances

Remaining components

60%

17%

23%

150

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

The impact of climate change on our audit 

In planning our audit, we considered the potential impacts of climate change on the Group’s business and its financial statements.

The Group has set out in the Strategic Report its commitment to achieving net zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) 
by 2040 and Scope 3 GHGs by 2045 and its commitment to several other shorter-term targets.

As a part of our audit, we have performed a risk assessment, including enquiries of management, to understand how the impact of 
commitments made by the Group in respect of climate change, as well as the physical or transition risks of climate change, may affect 
the financial statements and our audit. There was no impact of this work on our key audit matters.

Based on the procedures we performed in reviewing and challenging the Group’s Road map for transitioning to net zero Scope 1 and 
Scope 2 GHGs, we did not identify any significant risk in this period of climate change having a material impact on the Group’s critical 
accounting estimates. This is due to the shorter-term nature of certain estimates (inventory provisioning) and the nature of the estimate itself 
(metal on metal liabilities). In addition, we did not identify any significant risks in this period to the carrying value and useful economic lives 
of property, plant and equipment or intangible assets caused by the projected physical risks of climate change or the transition to a net 
zero operating model.

We have read the disclosures of climate related information in the annual report and considered their consistency with the financial statements 
and our audit knowledge.

3. Going concern, viability and principal risks and uncertainties
The directors have prepared the financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Group or the 
Parent Company or to cease their operations, and as they have concluded that the Group’s and the Parent Company’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”).

Going concern

We used our knowledge of the Group, its industry, and the general 
economic environment to identify the inherent risks to its business 
model 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 Group’s and Company’s available financial 
resources and metrics relevant to debt covenants over this period 
relates to supply chain disruption and macroeconomic factors, 
including inflation. This could lead to a sustained medium-term 
decline in revenue and profits.

We also considered less predictable but realistic second order 
impacts, such as adverse working capital movements, including 
delays in customer payments, new product liability claims giving 
rise to significant claims and legal fees, pricing and reimbursement 
pressures, and currency exchange volatility leading to a long-term 
decline in revenue and profits.

We considered whether these risks could plausibly affect 
the liquidity or covenant compliance in the going concern 
period by comparing severe, but plausible downside scenarios 
that could arise from these risks individually and collectively against 
the level of available financial resources and covenants indicated 
by the Group’s financial forecasts.

We considered whether the going concern disclosure in note 1 to 
the financial statements gives a full and accurate description of the 
Directors’ assessment of going concern, including the identified risks, 
and related sensitivities.

Our conclusions
 – We consider that the directors’ use of the going concern basis 
of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements 
is appropriate;

 – We have not identified, and concur with the directors’ assessment 
that there is not, a material uncertainty related to events or conditions 
that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the 
Group’s or Parent Company’s ability to continue as a going concern 
for the going concern period;

 – We have nothing 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 
Parent Company’s use of that basis for the going concern period, and 
we found the going concern disclosure in note 1 to be acceptable; and

 – The related statement under the Listing Rules set out on page 84  
is materially consistent with the financial statements and our 
audit knowledge.

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 above conclusions are not a guarantee that the Group or the 
Parent Company will continue in operation.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

151

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONIndependent auditor’s UK report continued

3. Going concern, viability and principal risks and uncertainties continued

Disclosures of emerging and principal risks and longer-term viability

Our responsibility
We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there is 
a material inconsistency between the directors’ disclosures in respect 
of emerging and principal risks and the viability statement, and the 
financial statements and our audit knowledge.

Our reporting
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation 
to these disclosures.

We have concluded that these disclosures are materially consistent 
with the financial statements and our audit knowledge.

Based on those procedures, we have nothing material to add or draw 
attention to in relation to:
 – the directors’ confirmation within the viability statement on 

page 78 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 Emerging and Principal Risks disclosures describing these risks 
and how emerging risks are identified 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.

We are also required to review the viability statement set out on 
page 78 under the Listing Rules.

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 judgements 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 Parent Company’s longer-term viability.

4. Key audit matters

What we mean

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, 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 include below the Key Audit Matters in decreasing order of audit significance together with our key audit procedures to address those 
matters and our results from those procedures. These matters were addressed, and our results are based on procedures undertaken, 
for the purpose of our audit of the financial statements as a whole. We do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

152

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

4.1 Recoverability of orthopaedics CGU goodwill (Group)

Financial statement elements

Goodwill (Orthopaedics CGU)

$953m

$897m

FY22

FY21

Our assessment of risk vs FY21
We have identified recoverability of the 
Orthopaedics CGU goodwill as a new 
key audit matter. The profitability of the 
Orthopaedics business remains below 
historic levels, which combined with 
higher input inflation and supply chain 
challenges means that reasonably possible 
changes in assumptions could lead to a 
material impairment.

Our results
FY22: 
Acceptable
FY21: 
Acceptable

Description of the key audit matter

Our response to the risk

Forecast-based valuation
As discussed in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the 
goodwill balance as of 31 December 2022 was $3,031 million, of which 
$953 million related to the Orthopaedics cash generating unit (CGU).

The Group performs an impairment test for goodwill annually, 
and additionally whenever an indicator of impairment is identified. 
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 and extrapolated 
for a further two years. The headroom for the Orthopaedics CGU has 
decreased from $1.1bn in the prior year to $0.6bn in the current year, 
primarily due to higher input inflation and supply chain challenges.

We identified the recoverability of Orthopaedics CGU goodwill and 
related disclosure as a key audit matter. Significant auditor judgment 
was required to evaluate the key assumptions used in the Group’s 
impairment test, specifically the revenue growth rates and trading 
profit margins. The effect of these matters is that, as part of our risk 
assessment, we determined that the value in use of goodwill 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, and possibly many times that amount. The financial statements 
(Note 8.4) disclose the sensitivity estimated by the Group.

Disclosure quality
The financial statements (note 8.4) disclose the sensitivity estimated 
by the Group. These disclosures give relevant information about 
the estimation uncertainty including the risk of a reduction in the 
headroom or need for an impairment as a result of a reasonably 
possible change in one or more of the key assumptions.

Our procedures to address the risk included:
 – Control operation: We evaluated the design and implementation 

and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal 
controls over the Group’s goodwill impairment process, 
including controls over the key assumptions.

 – Benchmarking assumptions and historical comparison: We 

assessed the revenue growth rates and trading profit margins 
assumptions by comparing them to external industry forecasts; 
and analysts’ reports.

 – Our sector experience: We involved valuations experts with 
specialised skills and knowledge, who assisted in developing 
a range of Orthopaedics CGU enterprise values using market 
based valuation techniques and compared their results to the 
value in use valuation calculated by management.

 – Sensitivity analysis: we performed a sensitivity analysis over 
the key assumptions listed to the left to assess the impact 
on the value in use.

 – Historical comparisons: We evaluated the Group’s ability 

to forecast the cash flow projections by comparing historical 
actual results to the approved budgets in the previous years.

 – Assessing transparency: We assessed whether the Group’s 

disclosures about the sensitivity of the outcome of the 
impairment assessment to a reasonably possible change in 
the key assumptions listed to the left, reflects the risks inherent 
in the estimation of the recoverable amount of goodwill.

Communications with the Smith & Nephew plc Audit Committee
Our discussions with and reporting to the Audit Committee included:
 – Our risk assessment and planned substantive procedures and the extent of our control reliance.

 – The adequacy of the disclosures, particularly as it relates to the level of estimation uncertainty involved.

Areas of particular auditor judgement
We identified the following as the areas of particular auditor judgement:
 – Assumptions used by management in the value in use calculation relate to the revenue growth rates and trading profit margins.

Our results
We found the Group’s conclusion that there is no impairment of Orthopaedics CGU’s goodwill to be acceptable (2021: acceptable) 
and we found the sensitivity disclosures made to be acceptable (2021: acceptable).

Further information in the Annual Report and Accounts: See the Audit Committee Report on page 102 for details on how the 
Audit Committee considered Impairment of Goodwill attributable to Orthopaedics CGU as an area of significant attention, page 170 
for the accounting policy on Impairment of Goodwill attributable to Orthopaedics CGU, and note 8 for the financial disclosures.

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4. Key audit matters continued

4.2 Provision for metal-on-metal hip products (Group)

Financial statement elements

Provision for metal-on-metal 
hip products

FY22

FY21

$239m

$289m

Our assessment of risk vs FY21
Our assessment is that the risk is similar to FY21. 
We identify provision for metal-on-metal hip 
products to be a key audit matter due to a high 
degree of estimation uncertainty involved.

Our results
FY22: 
Acceptable
FY21:  
Acceptable

Description of the key audit matter

Our response to the risk

Subjective estimate
As discussed in note 17.1 to the consolidated financial 
statements, the Group holds a provision of $239 million 
(FY21: $289 million) relating to the present value at 31 December 
2022 of the estimated costs to resolve all other known and 
anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims globally.

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 outcomes. 
We identified the evaluation of the provision for metal-on-metal 
hip products and related disclosure for these potential liabilities 
as a key audit matter because especially challenging auditor 
judgement and specialised skills and knowledge was required in 
assessing the key assumptions above. Minor changes to these 
assumptions would have a significant effect on the provision.

Our procedures to address the risk included:
 – Control operation: We evaluated the design and implementation and 
tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over 
the Group’s legal provision process. This included controls related to 
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 the 

Group’s external counsel on the status of open metal-on-metal court 
proceedings and settlement negotiations. We compared the number 
of open metal-on-metal claims per the Group’s records against this 
correspondence, and considered any relevant information provided 
in our evaluation of the related exposure.

 – Our actuarial expertise: We involved actuarial specialists with relevant 

skills and knowledge, who assisted in challenging the number of 
claimants and settlement outcomes used in statistical projections in 
determining the provision, as well as the range of reasonably possible 
outcomes determined by the Group, by reference to historical data 
including settlement amounts, number of new claimants, and experience 
of other cases. In addition, the actuarial professionals assisted in 
evaluating the statistical model applied by the Group 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 sensitivity disclosures 
in respect of the metal-on-metal hip provision over how sensitive the 
provision is to changes in the key assumptions and how the range of 
possible outcomes reflect the underlying facts and circumstances.

Communications with the Smith & Nephew plc Audit Committee
Our discussions with and reporting to the Audit Committee included:
 – Our approach to the audit of the provision for metal-on-metal hip including details of our planned substantive procedures and the extent 

of our control reliance.

 – Our conclusions on the appropriateness of Smith & Nephew plc’s provisioning methodology and policy.

 – The adequacy of the disclosures, particularly as it relates to the level of estimation uncertainty involved.

Areas of particular auditor judgement
We identified the following as the areas of particular auditor judgement:
 – Assumptions relating to the number of claimants and settlement outcome, which are used in the actuarial model.

Our results
We found the level of provisioning in respect of metal-on-metal hip products to be acceptable (FY21: acceptable).

Further information in the Annual Report and Accounts: See the Audit Committee Report on page 102 for details on how the 
Audit Committee considered the Provision for metal-on-metal hip products as an area of significant attention, page 170 for the 
accounting policy on Provision for metal-on-metal hip products, and note 17.1 for the financial disclosures.

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4.3 Excess and obsolescence (E&O) provision for orthopaedics inventory (Group)

Financial statement elements

E&O Provision for 
Orthopaedics inventory

FY22

FY21

$504m

$430m

Our assessment of risk vs FY21
Our assessment is that the risk is similar to FY21. 
We identify E&O provision for Orthopaedics 
inventory to be a key audit matter due to a high 
degree of estimation uncertainty involved.

Our results
FY22: 
Acceptable
FY21:  
Acceptable

Description of the key audit matter

Our response to the risk

Subjective estimate
As discussed in notes 1.2 and 12 to the consolidated financial 
statements, the Group’s total E&O provision is $504 million 
(FY21: $430 million), approximately 80% of which is related 
to Orthopaedics. The Group has high levels of Orthopaedics 
inventory that is available for customers’ immediate use. 
Complete sets of products including large and small sizes of 
inventory (which are used less frequently) have to be available 
to customers at their premises. An assessment is made by the 
Group to identify excess or obsolete inventory. The key input 
into this provision is the estimate of the forecasted usage of 
inventory on hand. 

There is 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 which is based on 
assumptions of historical sales of inventory adjusted for other 
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. 

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 over the longer term.

Our procedures to address the risk included:
 – Control operation: We evaluated the design and implementation and 
tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over 
the Group’s process for assessing the E&O provision, including controls 
over the key assumptions used to determine forecasted usage of 
Orthopaedics inventory.

 – Test of detail: We assessed and challenged the key assumptions 
used to determine the E&O provision through a combination of 
interviews of both finance and operations personnel and inspection 
of internal budgets, including a selection of product plans to assess 
the impact of plans for phasing out product lines on forecasted 
usage 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 inventory write-offs and historic estimates 
of forecasted usage to actual usage.

 – Sensitivity analysis: We assessed the sensitivity of the key 

assumptions, listed to the left, incorporating the recent volatility 
in sales of inventory, to consider their impact on the Group’s 
determination of the provision recognised.

 – Assessing disclosures: We assessed the adequacy of the Group’s 

disclosures in respect of the E&O provision.

Communications with the Smith & Nephew plc Audit Committee
Our discussions with and reporting to the Audit Committee included:
 – Our approach to the audit of E&O provision including details of our planned substantive procedures and the extent of our control reliance.

 – Our conclusions on the appropriateness of Smith & Nephew plc’s provisioning methodology and policy.

 – The adequacy of the disclosures, particularly as it relates to the level of estimation uncertainty involved. 

Areas of particular auditor judgement
We identified the following as the areas of particular auditor judgement:
 – Assumptions used by management in relation to future utilisation of provision.

Our results
We considered the level of E&O provisions for orthopaedics inventory to be acceptable (FY21: acceptable).

Further information in the Annual Report and Accounts: See the Audit Committee Report on page 102 for details on how the 
Audit Committee considered E&O provision for Orthopaedics Inventory as an area of significant attention, page 169 for the 
accounting policy on E&O provision for Orthopaedics Inventory, and note 12 for the financial disclosures.

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4. Key audit matters continued

4.4 Recoverability of Parent Company’s investment in subsidiaries (Parent Company only)

Financial Statement Elements

Investments in subsidiaries

$7,092m

$7,092m

FY22

FY21

Our assessment of risk vs FY21
There are no significant new factors, which 
affected our risk assessment in FY22 and the risk 
level is unchanged as compared to FY21.

Our results
FY22: 
Acceptable
FY21: 
Acceptable

Description of the key audit matter

Our response to the risk

Low risk, high value
The carrying amount of the Parent Company’s investments 
in subsidiaries held at cost less impairment represents 69% 
(FY21: 64%) 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.

We performed the tests below rather than seeking to rely on any of the 
Company’s controls because the annual assessment meant that detailed 
testing is inherently the most effective means of obtaining audit evidence.

Our procedures to address the risk included:
 – Test of detail: Comparing a sample of the highest value investments 

representing 98% (FY21: 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 teams on that sample of subsidiaries and considering 
the results of their work on those subsidiaries’ profits and net assets.

Communications with the Smith & Nephew plc Audit Committee
Our discussions with and reporting to the Audit Committee included:
 – Our audit response to the Key Audit Matter which included challenge of the key aspects of management’s impairment assessment 

and the range of reasonably possible alternatives for significant assumptions.

Areas of particular auditor judgement
There are no areas of significant auditor judgement in relation to this Key audit matter.

Our results
We found the Directors’ assessment of the recoverability of the investment in subsidiaries to be acceptable (FY21: acceptable).

Further information in the Annual Report and Accounts: See page 223 for the accounting policy on Recoverability of Parent Company’s 
investment in subsidiaries, and page 223 for the financial disclosures.

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5. Our ability to detect irregularities, and our response

Fraud – Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to fraud

Fraud risk assessment

Risk communications

Fraud risks

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud (“fraud risks”) we assessed events or conditions 
that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. 
Our risk assessment procedures included:
 – Enquiring of directors, the Audit Committee, internal audit, compliance officers and inspection of 

policy documentation as to the Group’s high-level policies and procedures to prevent and detect fraud, 
including the internal audit function, and the Group’s channel for “whistleblowing”, as well as whether 
they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud.

 – Reading Board and all relevant committee minutes.

 – Inspecting management’s own fraud risk assessment and considering the applicability of identified 

risk factors.

 – Considering remuneration incentive schemes (primarily the annual bonus plan) and performance 

targets for management and directors, including revenue and trading margin targets for 
management remuneration.

 – Using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships.

 – Using our own forensic specialists to assist us in identifying fraud risks based on discussions of the 

circumstances of the Group and Company.

We communicated identified fraud risk factors throughout the audit team and remained alert to any 
indications of fraud throughout the audit. This included communication from the Group audit team to all 
in-scope component audit teams of relevant fraud risk factors identified at the Group level and request 
to component audit teams to report to the Group audit team any instances of fraud that could give rise 
to a material misstatement at the group level.

As required by auditing standards and taking into account our overall knowledge of the control environment, 
we perform procedures to address the risk of management override of controls, in particular the risk that 
Group and component management may be in a position to make inappropriate accounting entries and 
the risk of bias in accounting estimates and judgements such as inventory provisioning. On this audit we 
do not believe there is a fraud risk related to revenue recognition based on the following assessment:
 – The accounting for the majority of the Group’s sales is non-complex, and subject to limited levels 
of judgement with limited opportunities for manual intervention in the sales process to fraudulently 
manipulate revenue. There is also a short period of time between order and delivery.

 – Revenue related rebates and deductions are relevant for sales made to distributors in certain markets, 
and the calculation of these includes a level of estimation which may be subject to management bias. 
However, given the materiality of the respective accruals, their contractual terms, and the historic profile 
of these deductions, including frequency of settlement, we are satisfied that there is no significant risk 
of fraud associated with these sales.

 – We are also satisfied that there are no significant risks around fraudulent sales to distributors, including 

channel stuffing, given the materiality of these arrangements, number and size of agreements and levels 
of channel inventory.

We did not identify any additional fraud risks.

Procedures to address 
fraud risks

In determining the audit procedures, we considered the results of our evaluation and testing of the 
operating effectiveness of the Group-wide fraud risk management controls.

We also performed procedures including:
 – Identifying journal entries and other adjustments to test for all full scope components based on specific 
risk-based criteria and comparing the identified entries to supporting documentation. These included 
those posted by senior finance management, those posted to unusual accounts, and those with missing 
user identification; and

 – Assessing significant accounting estimates for bias.

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5. Our ability to detect irregularities, and our response continued

Laws and regulations – Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement relating to compliance with laws 
and regulations

Laws and regulations 
risk assessment

Risk communications

Direct laws context 
and link to audit

Most significant indirect 
law/regulation areas

Actual or suspected 
breaches discussed  
with AC

Context

Context of the ability  
of the audit to detect 
fraud or breaches of 
law or regulation

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, 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. We engaged forensic specialists to assist 
in the review of relevant correspondence and attend discussions with management on relevant matters.

As the Group is regulated, our assessment of risks involved gaining an understanding of the control 
environment including the entity’s procedures for complying with regulatory requirements.

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 audit 
team to all in-scope component audit teams of relevant laws and regulations identified at the Group level, 
and a request for component auditors to report to the group audit team any instances of non-compliance 
with laws and regulations that could give rise to a material misstatement at the 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 license 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. Therefore if a breach of operational regulations is not disclosed to us or evident 
from relevant correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach.

We discussed with the Audit Committee other matters related to actual or suspected breaches of laws 
or regulations, for which disclosure is not necessary, and considered any implications for our audit.

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 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 fraud, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, 
intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. Our audit procedures are 
designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud 
and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

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6. Our determination of materiality
The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality. We set quantitative thresholds and overlay qualitative 
considerations to help us determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent of our procedures, and in evaluating 
the effect of misstatements, both individually and in the aggregate, on the financial statements as a whole.

$35m
(FY21: $35m)

What we mean
A quantitative reference for the purpose of planning and performing our audit.

Materiality for the Group 
financial statements as 
a whole

Basis for determining materiality and judgements applied
Materiality for the Group financial statements as a whole was set at $35m (FY21: $35m).  
This was determined with reference to a benchmark of Group’s adjusted profit before tax.

Consistent with FY21, we determined that Group adjusted profit before tax remains the main benchmark 
for the Group as we consider it to be the primary measure by which users of the accounts assess the 
performance of the Group.

Our Group materiality of $35m was determined by applying a percentage to the profit before tax, adjusted 
to exclude this year’s restructuring costs of $168 million, legal & other charges of $82 million, a charge 
of $162 million related to acquisition and disposal related items as disclosed in note 3 and excluding 
charge for impairment of acquisition intangible assets of $32 million, as disclosed in note 9.

When using a benchmark of adjusted profit before tax to determine overall materiality, KPMG’s approach 
for listed entities considers a guideline range 3%–5% of the measure. In setting overall Group materiality, 
we applied a percentage of 5.15% (FY21: 5.13%) to the benchmark.

Materiality for the Parent Company financial statements as a whole was set at $32m (FY21: $32m), 
determined with reference to a benchmark of Parent Company total assets, of which it represents 0.3% 
(FY21: 0.3%).

$26.2m
(FY21: $26.2m)

Performance materiality

What we mean
Our procedures on individual account balances and disclosures were performed to a lower threshold, 
performance materiality, so as to reduce to an acceptable level the risk that individually immaterial 
misstatements in individual account balances add up to a material amount across the financial statements 
as a whole.

Basis for determining materiality and judgements applied
We have considered performance materiality at a level of 75% (FY21: 75%) of materiality for 
Smith & Nephew plc’s Group financial statements as a whole to be appropriate.

The Parent Company performance materiality was set at $24m (FY21: $24m), which equates to 75% 
(FY21: 75%) of materiality for the Parent Company financial statements as a whole.

We applied this percentage in our determination of performance materiality because we did not identify 
any factors indicating an elevated level of risk.

$1.8m
(FY21: $1.8m)

Audit misstatement 
posting threshold

What we mean
This is the amount below which identified misstatements are considered to be clearly trivial from a 
quantitative point of view. We may become aware of misstatements below this threshold which could 
alter the nature, timing and scope of our audit procedures, for example if we identify smaller misstatements 
which are indicators of fraud.

This is also the amount above which all misstatements identified are communicated to the  
Smith & Nephew plc Audit Committee.

Basis for determining materiality and judgements applied
We set our audit misstatement posting threshold at 5% (FY21: 5%) of our materiality for the Group 
financial statements. We also report to the Audit Committee any other identified misstatements that 
warrant reporting on qualitative grounds.

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6. Our determination of materiality continued
The overall materiality for the Group financial statements of $35m (FY21: $35m) compares as follows to the main financial statement 
caption amounts:

Financial statement caption

Group Materiality as % of caption

7. The scope of our audit

Total Group Revenue

Group adjusted profit before tax

Total Group Assets

FY22
$5,215m

0.7%

FY21
$5,212m

0.7%

FY22
$679m

5.15%

FY21
$682m

5.13%

FY22
$9,966m

0.4%

FY21
$10,920m

0.3%

Group scope

What we mean
How the Group audit team determined the procedures to be performed across the Group.

Of the Group’s 121 (FY21: 112) reporting components, we subjected 3 (2021: 6) to full scope audits for 
group purposes and 33 (FY21: 34) to audits of specific account balances and specified risk focussed audit 
procedures focussed over revenue, receivables and cash (5 (FY21: 6)), inventory (6 (FY21: 6)) and property, 
plant and equipment (2 (FY21: 1)).

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.

The remaining 23% (FY21: 16%) of total group revenue, 23% (FY21: 18%) of group profit before tax 
and 15% (FY21: 9%) of total group assets is represented by 85 (FY21: 72) reporting components, none 
of which individually represented more than 5% (FY21: 4%) 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 our assessment that there were no significant risks of material misstatement 
within these.

The Group team instructed component auditors as to the significant areas to be covered, including the 
relevant risks detailed above and the information to be reported back. The Group team approved the 
component materialities, which ranged from $6 million to $24 million (FY21: $6 million to $29 million), 
having regard to the mix of size and risk profile of the Group across the components. The work on 10 of 
the 36 components (FY21: 15 of the 40 components) was performed by component auditors and the rest, 
including the audit of the Parent Company, was performed by the Group team.

Scope
Full scope audit

Number of components
3 

Range of materiality applied
$6m–$24m 

Audit of one or more account balances

33 

$6m–$12m 

We have also performed audit procedures centrally across the Group, and beyond the components scope 
set out above, in the following areas:

 – Testing of IT Systems;

 – The items excluded from adjusted group profit before tax;

 – Goodwill and acquired intangible assets impairment assessment; and

 – Defined benefit pension.

In addition, we have performed Group level analysis on the remaining components to determine whether 
further risks of material misstatement exist in those components.

We were able to rely upon the Group’s internal control over financial reporting in several areas of our 
audit, where our controls testing supported this approach, which enabled us to reduce the scope of our 
substantive audit work; in the other areas the scope of the audit work performed was fully substantive.

Group audit  
team oversight

What we mean
The extent of the Group audit team’s involvement in component audits.

Senior members of the Group engagement team oversaw the component auditor work, by performing 
site visits and video conference discussions with management of the component locations in scope of 
the Group audit. In the course of the year the Group audit team visited component audit teams in the 
US, China, Japan, UK and Netherlands and in addition visited local/regional management in Switzerland 
and Poland. The Group engagement team assessed the audit risk and strategy and directed the audit 
work of component auditors. The Group audit team also evaluated the sufficiency of the audit evidence 
obtained through discussions and remote review of the audit working papers of component teams.

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8. 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 reporting
Based solely on that work we have not identified material 
misstatements or inconsistencies in the other information. 

All other information

Our responsibility 
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.

Strategic report and Directors’ report

Our responsibility and reporting
Based solely on our work on the other information described above 
we report to you as follows:
 – we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic 

report and the directors’ report;

 – in our opinion the information given in those reports for the 

financial year is consistent with the financial statements; and

 – in our opinion those reports have been prepared in accordance 

with the Companies Act 2006.

Directors’ remuneration report 

Our responsibility
We are required to form an opinion as to whether the part of the 
Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly 
prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.

Our reporting
In our opinion the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report 
to be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with 
the Companies Act 2006.

Corporate governance disclosures 

Our responsibility
We are required to perform procedures to identify whether there 
is a material inconsistency between the financial statements 
and our audit knowledge, 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;

 – the section of the annual report describing the work of the 

Audit Committee, including the significant issues that the Audit 
Committee considered in relation to the financial statements, 
and how these issues were addressed; and

 – the section of the annual report that describes the review of 

the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal 
control systems.

We are also required to review the part of the Corporate Governance 
Statement relating to the Group’s compliance with the provisions 
of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified by the Listing Rules 
for our review. 

Our reporting
Based on those procedures, we have concluded that each 
of these disclosures is materially consistent with the financial 
statements and our audit knowledge.

We have nothing to report in this respect.

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8. Other information in the annual report continued

Other matters on which we are required to report by exception 

Our reporting
We have nothing to report in these respects.

Our responsibility
Under the Companies Act 2006, we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion:
 – adequate accounting records have not been kept by the 

Parent Company, or returns adequate for our audit have not 
been received from branches not visited by us; or

 – the Parent Company financial statements and the part 

of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not 
in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

 – certain disclosures of directors’ remuneration specified 

by law are not made; or

 – we have not received all the information and explanations 

we require for our audit.

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9. Respective responsibilities
Directors’ responsibilities
As explained more fully in their statement set out on page 147, 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 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 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.

The Company is required to include these financial statements in an annual financial report prepared using the single electronic reporting 
format specified in the TD ESEF Regulation. This auditor’s report provides no assurance over whether the annual financial report has 
been prepared in accordance with that format.

10. 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.

Paul Nichols (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP, Statutory Auditor

Chartered Accountants  
15 Canada Square  
London E14 5GL

21 February 2023

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

163

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION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
Gain on disposal of interest in associate
Profit before taxation
Taxation
Attributable profit for the year1
Earnings per ordinary share1
Basic
Diluted

Group statement of comprehensive income

Attributable profit for the year1
Other comprehensive income:
Items that will not be reclassified to income statement
Remeasurement 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
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 
Taxation on other comprehensive income
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to income statement
Other comprehensive (loss)/income for the year, net of taxation
Total comprehensive income for the year1

1  Attributable to equity holders of the Company and wholly derived from continuing operations.

Notes     
 2 

 3 
 3 
 2 & 3 
 4 
 4 
 4 
 11 
 11 

 5 

 6 

Year ended    

31 December
2022
$ million     
 5,215 
 (1,540)
 3,675 
 (2,880)
 (345)
 450 
 14 
 (80)
 (8)
 (141)
 – 
 235 
 (12)
 223 

Year ended    

31 December
2021
$ million     
 5,212 
 (1,543)
 3,669 
 (2,720)
 (356)
 593 
 6 
 (80)
 (17)
 9 
 75 
 586 
 (62)
 524 

Year ended 
31 December
2020
$ million  
 4,560 
 (1,396)
 3,164 
 (2,562)
 (307)
 295 
 6 
 (62)
 (7)
 14 
 – 
 246 
 202 
 448 

 25.5¢ 
 25.5¢ 

 59.8¢ 
 59.7¢ 

 51.3¢ 
 51.2¢ 

Notes     

Year ended    

31 December
2022
$ million     
 223 

Year ended    

31 December
2021
$ million     
 524 

Year ended 
31 December
2020
$ million  
 448 

 18 
 5 

 5 

 30 
 (7)
 23 

 24 
 (37)
 (102)
 2 
 (113)
 (90)
 133 

 79 
 (22)
 57 

 34 
 7 
 (53)
 (5)
 (17)
 40 
 564 

 10 
 (4)
 6 

 (24)
 (6)
 21 
 4 
 (5)
 1 
 449 

164

The Notes on pages 168–220 are an integral part of these accounts.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Group financial statements  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
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
Current tax receivable
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
2022
$ million     

At
31 December
2021
$ million  

Notes     

 7 
 8 
 9 
 10 
 11 
 13 
 18 
 5 

 12 
 13 

 15 

 19 

 19 

 15 
 18 
 14 
 17 
 5 

 15 
 14 
 17 

 1,455 
 3,031 
 1,236 
 12 
 46 
 12 
 141 
 177 
 6,110 

 2,205 
 1,264 
 37 
 350 
 3,856 
 9,966 

 175 
 615 
 20 
 (118)
 (459)
 5,026 
 5,259 

 2,712 
 70 
 90 
 84 
 36 
 2,992 

 160 
 1,098 
 243 
 214 
 1,715 
 4,707 
 9,966 

 1,513 
 2,989 
 1,398 
 10 
 188 
 15 
 182 
 201 
 6,496 

 1,844 
 1,184 
 106 
 1,290 
 4,424 
 10,920 

 177 
 614 
 18 
 (120)
 (346)
 5,225 
 5,568 

 2,848 
 127 
 67 
 35 
 144 
 3,221 

 491 
 1,096 
 322 
 222 
 2,131 
 5,352 
 10,920 

The accounts were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 21 February 2023 and are signed on its behalf by:

Roberto Quarta 
Chair 

Deepak Nath, PhD 
Chief Executive Officer 

Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Chief Financial Officer

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

The Notes on pages 168–220 are an integral part of these accounts.
165

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
Group financial statements continued

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
Gain on disposal of interest in associate
Net movement in post-retirement benefit obligations
Increase in inventories
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables
(Decrease)/increase in trade and other payables and provisions
Cash generated from operations1
Interest received
Interest paid
Income taxes (paid)/refunded
Net cash inflow from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities 
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Capital expenditure
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
Settlement of borrowings due within one year
Proceeds from borrowings due after one year
Settlement of borrowings due after one year
Proceeds from own shares
Settlement of currency swaps
Equity dividends paid
Net cash (used in)/from financing activities
Net (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
2022
$ million     

Year ended 
31 December
2021
$ million     

Year ended 
31 December
2020
$ million  

Notes     

 4 

 22 
 11 
 11 

 11 

 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 19 

 20 
 20 

 235 
 66 
 617 
 11 
 40 
 141 
 – 
 6 
 (407)
 (103)
 (25)
 581 
 7 
 (73)
 (47)
 468 

 (113)
 (358)
 (2)
 1 
 (472)

 1 
 (158)
 (54)
 (407)
 485 
 (474)
 5 
 3 
 (327)
 (926)
 (930)
 1,285 
 (11)
 344 

 586 
 74 
 567 
 14 
 41 
 (9)
 (75)
 – 
 (151)
 (81)
 82 
 1,048 
 6 
 (80)
 (97)
 877 

 (285)
 (408)
 (2)
 4 
 (691)

 2 
 – 
 (59)
 (267)
 – 
 – 
 12 
 (4)
 (329)
 (645)
 (459)
 1,751 
 (7)
 1,285 

 246 
 56 
 562 
 34 
 26 
 (14)
 – 
 1 
 (45)
 209 
 (103)
 972 
 2 
 (61)
 22 
 935 

 (170)
 (443)
 (2)
 9 
 (606)

 2 
 (16)
 (55)
 (5)
 1,950 
 (400)
 9 
 7 
 (328)
 1,164 
 1,493 
 257 
 1 
 1,751 

1 

Includes $120m (2021: $108m, 2020: $117m) of outgoings on restructuring and rationalisation expenses, $22m (2021: $28m, 2020: $24m) of outgoings on acquisition and disposal-related items 
and $133m outflow (2021: $111m, 2020: $75m) of legal and other items. 

2  Cash and cash equivalents is net of bank overdrafts of $6m (2021: $5m, 2020: $11m). 

166

The Notes on pages 168–220 are an integral part of these accounts.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Group statement of changes in equity

At 31 December 2019
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 capital5
At 31 December 2020
Attributable profit for the year1
Other comprehensive income
Equity dividends declared and paid
Share-based payments recognised
Taxation on share-based payments
Cost of shares transferred to beneficiaries
Issue of ordinary share capital5
At 31 December 2021
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 capital5
At 31 December 2022

Share
capital

Share
premium

Capital
redemption
reserve

Treasury
shares2

Other
reserves3

Retained
earnings4

Total
equity

     $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million  
 5,141 
 448 
 1 
 (328)
 26 
 (4)
 (16)
 9 
 – 
 2 
 5,279 
 524 
 40 
 (329)
 41 
 (1)
 12 
 2 
 5,568 
 223 
 (90)
 (327)
 40 
 (3)
 (158)
 5 
 – 
 1 
 5,259 

 4,849 
 448 
 6 
 (328)
 26 
 (4)
 – 
 (28)
 (11)
 – 
 4,958 
 524 
 57 
 (329)
 41 
 (1)
 (25)
 – 
 5,225 
 223 
 23 
 (327)
 40 
 (3)
 – 
 (26)
 (129)
 – 
 5,026 

 (189)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (16)
 37 
 11 
 – 
 (157)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 37 
 – 
 (120)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (158)
 31 
 129 
 – 
 (118)

 (324)
 – 
 (5)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (329)
 – 
 (17)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (346)
 – 
 (113)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (459)

 177 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 177 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 177 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (2)
 – 
 175 

 610 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 612 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 614 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 615 

 18 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 18 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 18 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 – 
 20 

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 2022 was $452m (2021: $350m, 2020: $297m).

4  Within retained earnings is a capital reserve of $2,266m (2021: $2,266m, 2020: $2,266m).
5 

Issue of ordinary share capital in connection with the Group’s share incentive plans. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

The Notes on pages 168–220 are an integral part of these accounts.
167

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER 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.

The Group has prepared its accounts in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards. 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 2022. 
IFRS as adopted in the UK 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, liability provisions and impairment. These are discussed in Note 1.2 below. 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 uncertainties as to the future impact on the financial performance and cash flows of the Group as a result of the current challenging 
economic environment have been considered as part of the Group’s adoption of the going concern basis in these financial statements, 
in which context the Directors reviewed cash flow forecasts prepared for a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval 
of these financial statements. Having carefully reviewed those forecasts, the Directors concluded that it was appropriate to adopt 
the going concern basis of accounting in preparing these financial statements for the reasons set out below. 

The Group had access to $344m of cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2022. The Group’s net debt, excluding lease liabilities, 
at 31 December 2022 was $2,339m with access to committed facilities of $3.7bn with an average maturity of 5.1 years. At the date 
of approving these financial statements the funding position of the Group has remained unchanged and the cash position is not 
materially different. 

The Group has $105m of private placement debt due for repayment in 2023. $1,160m of private placement debt is subject to financial 
covenants. The principal covenant on the private placement debt is a leverage ratio of <3.5 which is measured on a rolling 12-month 
basis at half year and year end. There are no financial covenants in any of the Group’s other facilities. 

The Directors have considered various scenarios in assessing the impact of the economic environment on future financial performance 
and cash flows, with the key judgement applied being the speed and sustainability of the return to a normal volume of elective 
procedures in key markets, including the impact of a significant global economic recession, leading to lower healthcare spending 
across both public and private systems. Throughout these scenarios, which include a severe but plausible outcome, the Group 
continues to have headroom on its borrowing facilities and financial covenants. 

The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group are well placed to manage their business risks, 
have sufficient funds to continue to meet their liabilities as they fall due and to continue in operational existence for a period of at 
least 12 months from the date of the approval of these financial statements. The financial statements have therefore been prepared 
on a going concern basis.

Accordingly, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis (in accordance with the guidance ‘Guidance on Risk Management, 
Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting’ issued by the FRC) in preparing these financial statements.

New accounting standards effective 2022
A number of new amendments to standards are effective from 1 January 2022 but they do not have a material effect on the Group’s 
financial statements. 

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 2022 and earlier 
application is permitted; however, the Group has not early adopted them in preparing these financial statements.

168

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Group financial statements continued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 coterminous 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 Critical judgements and estimates
The Group prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and IFRS adopted in the 
UK, 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.

The Group’s accounting policies do not include any critical judgements. The Group’s accounting policies are set out in Notes 1–23 
of the Notes to the Group accounts. Of those, the policies which require the most use of management’s estimation are outlined below. 
The critical estimates are consistent with 31 December 2021. Management have considered the impact of the uncertainties around 
the current challenging economic environment below.

Valuation of inventories
A feature of the Orthopaedics franchise (which accounts for approximately 60% of the Group’s total inventory and approximately 
80% of the total provision for excess and obsolete 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 typically 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.

Current economic environment impact assessment: In assessing the increase in provision for excess and obsolete inventory, 
management have considered the impact of higher input cost inflation on increased inventory levels. Management have not changed 
their accounting policy since 31 December 2021, nor is a change in the key assumptions underlying the methodology expected in 
the next 12 months. Primarily due to inventory growth, the provision has increased from $430m at 31 December 2021 to $504m 
at 31 December 2022. The provision for excess and obsolete inventory is not considered to have a range of potential outcomes that 
is significantly different to the $504m at 31 December 2022 in the next 12 months. The provision has a high degree of estimation 
uncertainty given the range of products and sizes, with a potential range of reasonable outcomes that could be material over the 
longer term.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

169

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONGroup financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

1 Basis of preparation continued
Liability provisioning
The recognition of provisions for legal disputes related to metal-on-metal cases 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 2023 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.

Current economic environment impact assessment: Management considered whether there had been any changes to the number 
and value of claims due to current challenging economic environment and to date have not identified any significant changes in trends. 
If the experience changes in the future, the value of provisions may require adjustment.

Impairment
In carrying out impairment reviews of intangible assets and 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. There has been a decrease in the level of headroom in relation to goodwill impairment testing for the 
Orthopaedics CGU which is sensitive to a reasonably possible change in assumptions. For other intangible assets and goodwill CGUs, this 
critical estimate is not considered to have a significant risk of material adjustment in 2023 or thereafter based on sensitivity analyses 
undertaken (as outlined below). See Notes 8 and 9 for further details on impairment reviews.

Current economic environment impact assessment: Management have assessed the non-current assets held by the Group at 31 December 
2022 to identify any indicators of impairment as a result of current economic environment. Where an impairment indicator has arisen, 
impairment reviews have been undertaken by comparing the expected recoverable value of the asset to the carrying value of the asset. 
The recoverable amounts are based on cash flow projections using the Group’s base case scenario in its going concern models, which was 
reviewed and approved by the Board. Impairments of $39m, related to immaterial product intangible assets, were identified as a result 
of the impairment reviews undertaken.

1.3 Climate change considerations
The impact of climate change has been considered as part of the assessment of estimates and judgements in preparing the 
Group accounts. The climate change scenario analyses undertaken this year in line with TCFD recommendations did not identify 
any material financial impact. The following considerations were made in respect of the financial statements:
 – The impact of climate change on the going concern assessment and the viability of the Group over the next three years.
 – The impact of climate change on the cash flow forecasts used in the impairment assessments of non-current assets including goodwill. 
 – The impact of climate change on the carrying value and useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment.

1.4 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 
at the exchange rate as 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.

170

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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

2022     

2021     

2020  

 1.23 
 1.05 
 1.05 

 1.21 
 1.07 
 1.08 

 1.38 
 1.18 
 1.09 

 1.35 
 1.13 
 1.10 

 1.28 
 1.14 
 1.07 

 1.37 
 1.23 
 1.14 

2 Business segment information
The Group’s operating structure is organised around three global franchises and the chief operating decision maker monitors performance, 
makes operating decisions and allocates resources on a global franchise basis. Accordingly, the Group has concluded that there are 
three reportable segments. 

Franchise presidents have responsibility for upstream marketing, driving product portfolio and technology acquisition decisions, and full 
commercial responsibility for their franchises in the US. Regional presidents in EMEA and APAC are responsible for the implementation 
of the global franchise strategy in their respective regions. 

The Executive Committee (‘ExCo’) comprises the Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’), the franchise presidents, the 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 while 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

171

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

2 Business segment information continued
2.1 Revenue by business segment and geography

Accounting policy
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 fulfilled 
within one year. There is no significant revenue associated with the provision of 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. 

Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine & ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat)
Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine & ENT consists of the following businesses: Knee Implants, Hip Implants, Other Reconstruction, 
Trauma & Extremities, 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 centers 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. When control is transferred to a wholesaler or distributor, revenue is recognised accordingly. 
The proportion of sales direct to hospitals is higher in our Advanced Wound Devices business in Established Markets.

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

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million     

2020
$ million

 2,113 
 1,590 
 1,512 
 5,215 

 2,156 
 1,560 
 1,496 
 5,212 

 1,917 
 1,333 
 1,310 
 4,560 

172

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
    
    
    
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 & Extremities
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

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million     

2020
$ million  

 899 
 584 
 87 
 543 
 2,113 
 870 
 567 
 153 
 1,590 
 712 
 520 
 280 
 1,512 
 5,215 

 876 
 612 
 92 
 576 
 2,156 
 839 
 590 
 131 
 1,560 
 731 
 496 
 269 
 1,496 
 5,212 

 822 
 567 
 68 
 460 
 1,917 
 710 
 517 
 106 
 1,333 
 647 
 431 
 232 
 1,310 
 4,560 

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 product 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.

2022

2021

2020

Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT
Advanced Wound Management
Total

Established

Total

Emerging 
Markets1 
Markets
$ million      $ million     $ million     
 754 
 2,949 
 193 
 1,319 
 947 
 4,268 

 3,703 
 1,512 
 5,215 

Established

Total

Emerging 
Markets1 
Markets
$ million      $ million     $ million     
 747 
 2,969 
 169 
 1,327 
 916 
 4,296 

 3,716 
 1,496 
 5,212 

Established

Emerging 
Markets1 
Total
Markets
$ million      $ million      $ million
 3,250 
 2,619 
 1,310 
 1,170 
 4,560 
 3,789 

 631 
 140 
 771 

1  Established Markets comprises the US, Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan and New Zealand. 

US revenue for 2022 was $2,764m (2021: $2,658m, 2020: $2,339m), China revenue for 2022 was $319m (2021: $352m, 2020: $318m) 
and UK revenue for 2022 was $186m (2021: $189m, 2020: $166m).

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

173

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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 2022. As of 31 December 2022, contract assets principally comprise 
trade receivables and contract liabilities principally comprise rebates (as described in the accounting policy above). The accrual for 
rebates at 31 December 2022 was $103m (2021: $97m) with $369m being recognised in revenue in 2022.

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; significant restructuring programmes; 
amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles; gains and losses arising from legal disputes; and other significant items. 
Further detail is provided in Notes 2.3, 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

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million      

2020
$ million

 383 
 472 
 436 
 1,291 
 (390)
 901 
 (4)
 (167)
 (205)
 (75)
 450 

 367 
 459 
 474 
 1,300 
 (364)
 936 
 (7)
 (113)
 (172)
 (51)
 593 

 389 
 306 
 316 
 1,011 
 (328)
 683 
 (4)
 (124)
 (171)
 (89)
 295 

2.3 Acquisition and disposal-related items
For the year to 31 December 2022, costs primarily relate to the acquisition of Engage and prior year acquisitions, partially offset 
by credits relating to remeasurement of deferred and contingent consideration for prior year acquisitions.

For the year to 31 December 2021, costs primarily relate to the acquisition of Extremity Orthopaedics and prior year acquisitions, 
partially offset by credits relating to remeasurement of contingent consideration for prior year acquisitions. 

For the year to 31 December 2020, costs primarily relate to the acquisitions of Tusker and prior year acquisitions, partially offset 
by credits relating to remeasurement of contingent consideration from prior year acquisitions.

2.4 Restructuring and rationalisation costs
For the year ended 31 December 2022, these costs include efficiency and productivity elements of the 12-point plan.

For the years ended 31 December 2022, 2021 and 2020, these costs also relate to the Operations and Commercial 
Excellence programme. 

For the years ended 31 December 2021 and 2020, the costs also include the implementation of the Accelerating Performance 
and Execution (APEX) programme that was announced in February 2018. 

174

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
2.5 Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles
For the years ended 31 December 2022, 2021 and 2020, these costs relate to the amortisation and impairment of intangible assets 
acquired in material business combinations. 

2.6 Legal and other
For the year ended 31 December 2022, charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims and an increase 
of $19m in the provision that reflects the present value of the estimated costs to resolve all other known and anticipated metal-on-metal 
hip claims. These charges in the year to 31 December 2022 were partially offset by a credit of $7m relating to insurance recoveries for 
ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims.

For the year ended 31 December 2021, charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims. These charges 
in the year to 31 December 2021 were partially offset by a credit of $35m relating to insurance recoveries for ongoing metal-on-metal 
hip claims.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims and an increase 
of $17m 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 years ended 31 December 2022, 2021 and 2020 also include costs for implementing the requirements of the EU Medical Device 
Regulation which came into effect in May 2021 with a transition period to May 2024.

2.7 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 exclude retirement benefit assets and deferred tax assets.

3 Operating profit

2022
$ million     
 487 
 3,918 
 1,387 
 5,792 

2021
$ million     
 541 
 4,125 
 1,447 
 6,113 

2020
$ million  
 403 
 4,093 
 1,517 
 6,013 

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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

175

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

3 Operating profit continued

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

2022
$ million     
 5,215 
 (1,540)
 3,675 
 (345)

 (2,066)
 (814)
 (2,880)
 450 

2021
$ million     
 5,212 
 (1,543)
 3,669 
 (356)

 (2,013)
 (707)
 (2,720)
 593 

2020
$ million  
 4,560 
 (1,396)
 3,164 
 (307)

 (1,773)
 (789)
 (2,562)
 295 

1  2022 includes $4m charge relating to legal and other items, $20m charge relating to restructuring and rationalisation expenses and $5m charges relating to acquisition and disposal-related 
items (2021: $7m charge relating to legal and other items and $29m charge relating to restructuring and rationalisation expenses, 2020: $6m charge relating to legal and other items and 
$15m charge relating to restructuring and rationalisation expenses).

2  2022 includes $35m charge relating to legal and other items (2021: $39m, 2020: $28m), $5m charge relating to acquisition and disposal-related items (2021: $7m, 2020: $nil) and $5m charge 

relating to restructuring and rationalisation expenses (2021: $nil, 2020: $nil).

3  2022 includes $56m of amortisation of software and other intangible assets (2021: $65m, 2020: $63m).
4  2022 includes $205m of amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles and $142m of restructuring and rationalisation expenses (2021: $172m of amortisation and impairment 
of acquisition intangibles and $84m of restructuring and rationalisation expenses, 2020: $171m of amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles and $109m of restructuring 
and rationalisation expenses).

5  2022 includes $36m charge relating to legal and other items (2021: $5m charge, 2020: $55m charge).
6  2022 includes $6m credit relating to acquisition and disposal-related items (2021: $nil, 2020: $4m charge).

Note that items detailed in 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 are excluded from the calculation of trading profit, the segments’ profit measure.

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
Advertising costs

1  The 2022 depreciation charge includes $56m (2021: $56m, 2020: $51m, ) related to right-of-use assets.

2022
$ million     

 (7)
 229 
 39 
 30 
 – 
 319 
 11 
 92 

2021
$ million     
 (35)
 237 
 2 
 1 
 1 
 326 
 14 
 81 

2020
$ million  
 – 
 234 
 12 
 5 
 – 
 311 
 34 
 66 

In 2022, other operating income comprises insurance recoveries for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims of $7m (2021: $35m, 2020: $nil).  
In 2022, $7m (2021: $35m, 2020: $nil) of other operating income was included with legal and other items, as explained in Note 2.6, 
and does not form part of trading profit, the segments’ profit measure.

176

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
    
    
    
    
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 
 22 

2022
$ million     
 1,565 
 215 
 88 
 40 
 1,908 

2021
$ million     
 1,562 
 223 
 93 
 41 
 1,919 

2020
$ million  
 1,392 
 190 
 78 
 26 
 1,686 

During the year ended 31 December 2022, the average number of employees was 19,094 (2021: 18,976, 2020: 18,581).

3.2 Audit Fees – information about the nature and cost of services provided by the auditor

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million     

2020
$ million  

Audit services: 

Group accounts
Local statutory audit pursuant to legislation

Other services: 

Audit-related services

Total auditor’s remuneration
Arising:

In the UK
Outside the UK

4 Interest and other finance costs
4.1 Interest income/(expense)

Interest income
Interest expense:

Bank borrowings
Private placement notes
Lease liabilities
Corporate bond
Other

Net interest expense

4.2 Other finance costs

Retirement benefit net interest expense
Unwinding of discount
Other
Other finance costs

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 7.2 
 2.2 

 0.4 
 9.8 

 5.3 
 4.5 
 9.8 

 5.5 
 2.0 

 0.1 
 7.6 

 3.5 
 4.1 
 7.6 

2022
$ million     
 14 

 (3)
 (39)
 (6)
 (27)
 (5)
 (80)
 (66)

2021
$ million     

 6 

 (3)
 (46)
 (7)
 (21)
 (3)
 (80)
 (74)

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million     

 (2)
 (9)
 3 
 (8)

 (3)
 (10)
 (4)
 (17)

Notes     
 18 

 5.0 
 2.0 

 0.4 
 7.4 

 3.6 
 3.8 
 7.4 

2020
$ million  
 6 

 (4)
 (42)
 (6)
 (5)
 (5)
 (62)
 (56)

2020
$ million  
 (2)
 (11)
 6 
 (7)

177

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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. 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 where considered appropriate. 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 future profitability over a reasonably 
foreseeable time period, depending on the circumstances and typically a minimum of five years. Any material unrecognised deferred 
tax assets are disclosed in Note 5.2.

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.

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 charge/(credit) attributable to the Group

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million     

2020
$ million  

 17 
 104 
 121 
 (10)
 111 

 (77)
 (5)
 (17)
 (99)
 12 
 5 
 3 
 20 

 14 
 126 
 140 
 (33)
 107 

 (35)
 (14)
 4 
 (45)
 62 
 27 
 1 
 90 

 16 
 40 
 56 
 (191)
 (135)

 (49)
 (12)
 (6)
 (67)
 (202)
 – 
 4 
 (198)

178

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
The 2022 and 2021 net prior period adjustments of $27m and $29m respectively relate principally to provision releases following the 
resolution of tax audits and other uncertain tax matters, and other one-off items. The 2020 net prior period adjustment of $197m 
is explained predominantly by a $100m prior year current tax credit due to the successful outcome of UK tax litigation, releases 
of provisions following the conclusion of tax audits, and loss carry-backs to prior periods. 

The total taxation charge of $12m as per the income statement includes a $127m net credit (2021: $85m net credit, 2020: $274m net 
credit) as a consequence of restructuring and rationalisation-related costs, acquisition and disposal-related items, amortisation and 
impairment of acquisition intangibles, legal and other items. The 2020 net credit was significantly higher predominantly as a result of 
refunds and future recoverable amounts recognised following the successful outcome of the UK tax litigation disclosed in the 2020 
Annual Report ($142m), and also a one-off carry-back of losses attributable to non-trading costs to prior periods taxable at a higher rate.

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 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. Total tax liabilities 
include $150m (2021: $152m) in relation to uncertain tax positions which relate to multiple issues across the jurisdictions in which 
the Group operates. Other payables include $10m (2021: $14m) of interest on these provisions. There are $37m (2021: $106m) of tax 
receivables relating to payments on account and repayments due in a number of jurisdictions, principally relating to the US. 

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. Depending on the final outcome of tax audits which are currently in progress, statute of limitations expiry, and 
other factors, an impact on the tax charge could arise. Whilst such an impact can vary from year to year, these releases depend on 
factors which are uncertain, both as to outcome and timing. However, at the current time, we believe the possibility of a material impact 
on the tax charge for 2023 is unlikely.

OECD BEPS 2.0 – Pillar Two 
The OECD Pillar Two Globe Rules introduce a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% applicable to multinational enterprise (MNE) 
groups with global revenue over €750m. All participating OECD members are required to incorporate these rules into national legislation. 
On 2 February 2023, the OECD published its Agreed Administrative Guidance for the Pillar Two Globe Rules providing greater detail on 
the application of the rules. The Group will be subject to the Pillar Two Model Rules which is likely to result in an increase in our Group tax 
rate from 2024 onwards. The Group does not meet the threshold for application of the Pillar One transfer pricing rules.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

179

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONGroup financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

5 Taxation continued
The UK standard rate of corporation tax for 2022 is 19.0% (2021: 19.0%, 2020: 19.0%). 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.

The UK Government announced on 14 October 2022 that the UK corporation tax rate will increase to 25% from 1 April 2023 as already 
enacted in the UK Finance Act 2021. The impact of this rate change is reflected in the calculation of the taxation charge, and in the tax 
reconciliation below.

Profit before taxation
Expected taxation at UK statutory rate of 19.0% (2021: 19.0%, 2020: 19%)
Differences in overseas taxation rates
Innovation reliefs
Tax losses and other deferred tax assets not recognised
Recognition of previously unrecognised tax losses
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes1
Change in tax rates2
Withholding tax on unremitted earnings
Adjustments in respect of prior years³
Total taxation charge/(credit) as per the income statement

2022
$ million     
 235 
 45 
 (19)
 (10)
 – 
 (4)
 31 
 (5)
 1 
 (27)
 12 

2021
$ million     
 586 
 111 
 (17)
 (12)
 7 
 (2)
 22 
 (14)
 (4)
 (29)
 62 

2020
$ million  
 246 
 47 
 (37)
 (9)
 15 
 (45)
 29 
 (12)
 7 
 (197)
 (202)

1 
2 

In 2022, this includes a $7m impact of non-tax deductible impairment on UK owned investments (2021: $17m impact of non-taxable accounting gains recognised on UK-owned investments).
In 2022, the tax rate changes primarily relate to an increase in deferred tax resulting from the increase in the UK corporation tax rate due to come into effect on 1 April 2023. In 2021, the net 
impact to deferred tax assets and liabilities was $6m which comprised $14m in the income statement and $8m in other comprehensive income as shown in the table below.

3  The adjustments in respect of prior years are explained on page 179.

5.2 Deferred taxation
Movements in the main components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

At 31 December 2020
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 2021
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 2022

Represented by:

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Net position at 31 December

180

Accelerated
tax
depreciation

Intangibles

$ million     
 (61)
 – 
 16 
 (2)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 (45)
 – 
 (28)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (2)
 (75)

$ million     
 (209)
 – 
 24 
 10 
 – 
 – 
 (2)
 (22)
 (199)
 1 
 15 
 4 
 – 
 – 
 (2)
 (181)

Retirement
benefit
obligations

$ million     

 5 
 (1)
 1 
 – 
 (15)
 – 
 (8)
 – 
 (18)
 2 
 1 
 1 
 (7)
 – 
 – 
 (21)

Losses
and other 
tax attributes

Inventory,
 provisions
 and other
differences

Total

$ million     
 123 
 – 
 4 
 (10)
 – 
 – 
 10 
 3 
 130 
 – 
 1 
 9 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 140 

$ million      $ million  
 61 
 (8)
 35 
 (4)
 (20)
 (1)
 6 
 (12)
 57 
 (7)
 77 
 17 
 (5)
 (3)
 5 
 141 

 203 
 (7)
 (10)
 (2)
 (5)
 (1)
 6 
 5 
 189 
 (10)
 88 
 3 
 2 
 (3)
 9 
 278 

2022
$ million     
 177 
 (36)
 141 

2021
$ million  
 201 
 (144)
 57 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
    
    
The deferred tax asset of $278m (2021: $189m) relating to inventory, provisions and other differences comprises deferred tax relating 
to inventory of $117m (2021: $116m), provisions and other short-term temporary differences of $153m (2021: $65m) and bad debt 
provisions of $8m (2021: $8m).

The Group has gross unused trading and non-trading tax losses of $839m (2021: $841m), gross unused research and development 
tax credits of $24m (2021: $21m) and gross unused capital losses of $97m (2021: $108m), available for offset against future profits. 
None of these amounts are due to expire within five years from the balance sheet date if not utilised.

A deferred tax asset of $140m (2021: $130m) has been recognised in respect of $541m (2021: $508m) of the trading and non-trading 
tax losses and $12m (2021: $21m) of research and development tax credits. No deferred tax asset has been recognised on the remaining 
unused tax losses as it is not probable that future taxable profits will be available against which they can be utilised.

Management will reassess the recoverability of deferred tax assets at each balance sheet date by taking into account all relevant and 
available information. The Group assesses the likelihood of these being recovered within a reasonably foreseeable timeframe, being 
typically a minimum of five years, taking into account the future expected profit profile and business model of each relevant company 
or country, and any potential legislative restrictions on use. Short-term timing differences are generally recognised ahead of losses 
and other tax attributes as being likely to reverse more quickly. 

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 (or adjusted basic earnings per share) is a trend measure which presents the long-term profitability 
of the Group excluding the impact of specific transactions that management considers affects the Group’s short-term profitability. 
The Group presents this measure to assist investors in their understanding of trends. Adjusted attributable profit is the numerator 
used for this measure. The Group has identified the following items as those to be excluded when arriving at adjusted attributable 
profit: 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 UK tax litigation) 
and taxation thereon. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the adjusted 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

181

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONGroup financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

6 Earnings per ordinary share continued
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 costs2
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles3
Legal and other4
UK tax litigation
Taxation on excluded items
Adjusted attributable profit

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million     

2020
$ million  

 223 
 713 

 524 
 710 

 448 
 564 

Notes     

 3 
 9 

 5 
 5 

2022
$ million     
 223 
 162 
 168 
 205 
 82 
 – 
 (127)
 713 

2021
$ million     
 524 
 (73)
 113 
 172 
 59 
 – 
 (85)
 710 

2020
$ million  
 448 
 4 
 124 
 171 
 91 
 (142)
 (132)
 564 

1  Acquisition and disposal-related items includes a $4m charge within operating profit (2021: $7m charge, 2020: $4m charge) and a $158m charge within share of result of associates  

(2021: $5m credit, 2020: $nil) and a $nil gain on disposal of interest in associate (2021: $75m gain, 2020: $nil). See details in Note 11.

2  Restructuring and rationalisation costs include a $167m charge within operating profit (2021: $113m, 2020: $124m) and a $1m charge within share of result of associates (2021: $nil, 2020: $nil).
3 

In 2022, amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles includes a $205m charge within operating profit (2021: $172m charge with operating profit, 2020: $171m charge within 
operating profit).

4  Legal and other charge in 2022 includes $75m (2021: $51m charge, 2020: $89m charge) within operating profit (refer to Note 2.6) and a $7m charge (2021: $8m charge, 2020: $8m charge) 

within other finance costs for unwinding of the discount on the provision for known, anticipated and settled metal-on-metal hip claims globally. In 2020, other finance costs includes a credit 
of $6m for interest on a tax refund relating to the UK tax litigation case (see Note 5).

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
Adjusted:
Basic
Diluted

2022     

2021     

2020  

 872 
 1 
 873 

 25.5¢ 
 25.5¢ 

 81.8¢ 
 81.6¢ 

 877 
 1 
 878 

 59.8¢ 
 59.7¢ 

 80.9¢ 
 80.8¢ 

 875 
 2 
 877 

 51.3¢ 
 51.2¢ 

 64.6¢ 
 64.4¢ 

182

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
    
    
7 Property, plant and equipment

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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

183

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONGroup financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

7 Property, plant and equipment continued

Cost
At 1 January 2021
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
Impairment
Transfers
At 31 December 2021
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
Impairment
Transfers
At 31 December 2022
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2021
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Transfers
At 31 December 2021
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
Transfers
At 31 December 2022
Net book amounts
At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2021

Plant and equipment

Land and 
buildings
$ million     

    Notes     

Instruments

$ million     

Other
$ million     

Assets in
course of
construction

$ million     

Total
$ million  

 21 

 21 

 616 
 (9)
 9 
 53 
 (10)
 – 
 29 
 688 
 (18)
 – 
 51 
 (45)
 – 
 50 
 726 

 199 
 (4)
 62 
 – 
 (10)
 2 
 249 
 (8)
 62 
 18 
 (37)
 – 
 284 

 442 
 439 

 1,676 
 (53)
 9 
 151 
 (88)
 – 
 (1)
 1,694 
 (66)
 2 
 129 
 (58)
 – 
 9 
 1,710 

 1,233 
 (43)
 178 
 – 
 (75)
 (1)
 1,292 
 (52)
 172 
 8 
 (58)
 4 
 1,366 

 344 
 402 

 1,244 
 (16)
 2 
 40 
 (28)
 (6)
 46 
 1,282 
 (39)
 – 
 24 
 (49)
 – 
 114 
 1,332 

 871 
 (13)
 86 
 (5)
 (25)
 (1)
 913 
 (29)
 85 
 1 
 (47)
 (4)
 919 

 413 
 369 

 216 
 (1)
 2 
 161 
 2 
 – 
 (77)
 303 
 (6)
 – 
 136 
 (1)
 (3)
 (173)
 256 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 3,752 
 (79)
 22 
 405 
 (124)
 (6)
 (3)
 3,967 
 (129)
 2 
 340 
 (153)
 (3)
 – 
 4,024 

 2,303 
 (60)
 326 
 (5)
 (110)
 – 
 2,454 
 (89)
 319 
 27 
 (142)
 – 
 2,569 

 256 
 303 

 1,455 
 1,513 

Land and buildings includes land with a cost of $22m (2021: $23m) that is not subject to depreciation. Transfers from assets in course of 
construction includes $nil (2021: $3m) of software. Assets under construction in 2022 reflect that the Group is undergoing investment in 
its manufacturing facilities including expanding facilities in Malaysia and Costa Rica, and the development of new manufacturing facility 
in Hull, UK. Group capital expenditure relating to property, plant and equipment contracted but not provided for amounted to $20m 
(2021: $52m). The amount of borrowing costs capitalised in 2022 and 2021 was minimal.

Information about the Group’s right-of-use assets is outlined below:

2022
Additions
Depreciation charge in the year
Net book value at 31 December

184

Land and 
buildings
$ million     
 49 
 44 
 160 

Plant and 
equipment
$ million
 10 
 12 
 27 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
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     

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million  

 21 

 2,989 
 (42)
 84 
 3,031 

 2,928 
 (35)
 96 
 2,989 

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.

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

2022
$ million     
 953 
 1,455 
 623 
 3,031 

2021
$ million  
 897 
 1,457 
 635 
 2,989 

Impairment reviews were performed as of September 2022 and September 2021 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.

The current challenging economic environment, including inflation, was considered in the goodwill impairment reviews and recoverable 
amounts were based on cash flow projections using the Group’s base case scenario in its going concern models. Additionally, severe 
downside sensitivity analyses have been undertaken on the base case scenario. Although the headroom for the Orthopaedics CGU has 
decreased and is sensitive to a reasonably possible change in assumptions, no impairment was identified as a result of the impairment 
reviews and sensitivity analyses undertaken.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

185

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION 
    
    
    
 
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

8 Goodwill continued
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 were extrapolated for a further two years to reflect expected growth in the CGUs above the terminal 
growth rate which is based on long term GDP growth. The initial 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.

The discount rates used in the value-in-use calculations reflect management’s assessment of risks specific to the assets of each CGU. 
The discount rates are calculated using the weighted average cost of capital which includes a risk-free rate, based on government 
bond yields, and an equity risk premium specifically adjusted to the medical technology industry.

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.

The headroom for the Orthopaedics CGU has decreased from $1.1bn in the prior year to $0.6bn in the current year, primarily due to 
higher input inflation and supply chain challenges. Revenue is expected to grow above market growth rates due to new product launches 
and improved commercial execution. The trading profit margin is expected to grow over the five-year period as a result of revenue 
growth as well as productivity and efficiency improvements related to the 12-point plan. The average growth rate used to extrapolate 
the cash flows beyond the five-year period (2021: three-year period) in calculating the terminal value is 2.0% (2021: 2.0%). The pre-tax 
discount rate used in the Orthopaedics CGU value-in-use calculation reflects the geographical mix and is 10.1% (2021: 9.5%).

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.

The weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate the cash flows beyond the five-year period (2021: three-year period) in 
calculating the terminal value is 2.0% (2021: 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 10.1% (2021: 9.5%).

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.

The weighted average growth rate used to extrapolate the cash flows beyond the five-year period (2021: three-year period) in 
calculating the terminal value is 2.0.% (2021: 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 10.1% (2021: 9.5%).

8.4 Sensitivity to changes in assumptions used in value-in-use calculations
Management have performed a sensitivity analysis of the value-in-use calculations for the identified CGUs and there was no impact 
on the reported amounts of goodwill as a result of this review for the Sports Medicine & ENT and Advanced Wound Management CGUs. 
The calculation of value-in-use for the Orthopaedics CGU is sensitive to reasonably possible changes in assumptions. Management’s 
consideration of these sensitivities is set out below:

Revenue and trading profit margin – management has considered the impact of a decrease in the trading profit margin. This sensitivity 
analysis shows that for the recoverable amount of the Orthopaedics CGU to be less than its carrying value, the trading profit margin 
would have to decrease by more than 330 basis points.

186

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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 software ranges between three 
and seven years. The estimated useful economic life of technology assets ranges between 6–20 years, product-related assets ranges 
between 2–20 years, and customer and distribution assets ranges between 2–14 years. 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

187

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONGroup financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

9 Intangible assets continued

Cost
At 1 January 2021
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
Impairment
Transfers
At 31 December 2021
Exchange adjustment
Acquisitions
Additions
Disposals
Impairment
Transfers
At 31 December 2022
Amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2021
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
At 31 December 2021
Exchange adjustment
Charge for the year
Impairment
Disposals
At 31 December 2022
Net book amounts
At 31 December 2022
At 31 December 2021

Technology

Notes     

$ million     

Product-
related
$ million     

Customer and
distribution-
related
$ million     

Assets 
in course of
construction

$ million     

Software
$ million     

Total
$ million  

21

 495 
 (8)
 101 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 588 
 (6)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 582 

 142 
 (3)
 41 
 – 
 – 
 180 
 (2)
 46 
 4 
 – 
 228 

 354 
 408 

 2,236 
 (26)
 – 
 1 
 (1)
 (4)
 – 
 2,206 
 (21)
 44 
 3 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 2,232 

 1,373 
 (20)
 131 
 (2)
 – 
 1,482 
 (19)
 123 
 28 
 – 
 1,614 

 618 
 724 

 226 
 (6)
 11 
 4 
 (4)
 – 
 – 
 231 
 (2)
 – 
 7 
 (1)
 – 
 – 
 235 

 126 
 (4)
 23 
 – 
 – 
 145 
 (2)
 17 
 – 
 – 
 160 

 75 
 86 

 477 
 (7)
 – 
 27 
 (17)
 – 
 11 
 491 
 (14)
 – 
 32 
 (5)
 – 
 4 
 508 

 361 
 (7)
 42 
 – 
 (17)
 379 
 (8)
 43 
 6 
 (5)
 415 

 93 
 112 

 54 
 (2)
 – 
 24 
 – 
 – 
 (8)
 68 
 (2)
 – 
 35 
 – 
 (1)
 (4)
 96 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 3,488 
 (49)
 112 
 56 
 (22)
 (4)
 3 
 3,584 
 (45)
 44 
 77 
 (6)
 (1)
 – 
 3,653 

 2,002 
 (34)
 237 
 (2)
 (17)
 2,186 
 (31)
 229 
 38 
 (5)
 2,417 

 96 
 68 

 1,236 
 1,398 

Transfers into software and assets in course of construction includes $nil (2021: $3m) of software transferred from property,  
plant and equipment. Group capital expenditure relating to software contracted but not provided for amounted to $7m (2021: $10m).

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles is set out below:

Technology
Product-related
Customer and distribution-related
Total

2022
$ million     
 51 
 142 
 12 
 205 

2021
$ million  
 41 
 118 
 13 
 172 

188

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
    
 
    
Management have assessed the acquisition intangible assets held by the Group to identify any indicators of impairment as of 
September 2022. These were updated during December to take into account any significant events that occurred between September 
and December. Where an impairment indicator has arisen, impairment reviews have been undertaken by comparing the expected 
recoverable value of assets to the carrying value of assets. In 2022, the Group booked $32m (2021: $nil) of impairment charge in 
relation to immaterial product assets in acquisition intangibles.

The table below provides further detail on the largest intangible assets and their remaining amortisation period:

Intangibles acquired as part of the ArthroCare acquisition
Intangibles acquired as part of the Osiris acquisition
Intangibles acquired as part of the Healthpoint acquisition

10 Investments

Carrying value

$ million     
 306 
 204 
 179 

Remaining
amortisation
period
 1–11 years 
 2–6 years 
 5 years 

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; 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
Additions
Fair value remeasurement
At 31 December

11 Investments in associates

2022
$ million     
 10 
 2 
 – 
 12 

2021
$ million  
 9 
 2 
 (1)
 10 

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.

The carrying amounts of investments in associates are reviewed for impairment as at the balance sheet date. For the purposes of 
impairment testing, the recoverable amounts of these investments would be based on their observable market value. Any impairment 
loss is subsequently reversed only to the extent that the recoverable amounts of the investments increase.

At 31 December 2022, the Group holds 28.3% (2021: 29.2%) of Bioventus Inc. (Bioventus) which is the holding company of Bioventus LLC. 
The decrease in the Group’s holding between 2022 and 2021 was because of the exercise of Bioventus employee share options. 
The company’s headquarters is located in Durham, North Carolina, US, and its medical product development is focused 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 loss after taxation recognised in the income statement relating to Bioventus was $141m (2021: $84m profit) which comprises 
the Group’s share of loss of $32m (2021: $9m profit), $nil gain (2021: $75m gain) on disposal of interest in associate, and an impairment 
loss of $109m (2021: $nil). The balance sheet carrying value relating to Bioventus is $46m (2021: $186m). The Group’s ability to recover 
the value of its investment is dependent upon the ongoing clinical and commercial success of these products.

On 11 February 2021, Bioventus commenced trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market via its holding company, Bioventus Inc., 
under the symbol ‘BVS’. Since its IPO in February 2021, Bioventus’s trading share price has decreased significantly and the company 
has disclosed a substantial doubt about their ability to continue as a going concern. Given these impairment indicators, management 
performed an impairment review by comparing the fair value of Bioventus using its market share price of $2.61 as at 30 December 2022 
less costs of disposal to its carrying amount and concluded that an impairment loss of $109m should be charged (2021: $nil).

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

189

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION 
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

11 Investments in associates continued 
The amounts recognised in the balance sheet and income statement for associates are as follows:

Balance sheet
Income statement (loss)/profit
Impairment of interest in associate
Gain on disposal of interest in associate

2022
$ million     
 46 
 (32)
 (109)
 – 

2021
$ million  
 188 
 9 
 – 
 75 

Summarised financial information for significant associates
Set out below is the summarised financial information for Bioventus, adjusted for differences with Group accounting policies. For the 
2022 financial year, full-year information for Bioventus has not been released at the date of approval of these financial statements and 
is market sensitive given Bioventus is a publicly traded company. Accordingly, the summary financial information for 2022 is presented 
for a nine-month period, with adjustments made for any significant transactions or events which occur in the fourth quarter.

Summarised statement of comprehensive income
Revenue
Attributable (loss)/profit for the year
Group adjustments1
Total comprehensive profit
Group share of profit for the year at 28.3% (2021: 29.2%)

Summarised balance sheet
Non-current assets
Current assets
Non-current liabilities 
Current liabilities
Net assets
Net equity attributable to owners
Group’s share of net assets at 28.3% (2021: 29.2%)
Group adjustments1
Impairment loss
Group’s carrying amount of investment at 28.3% (2021: 29.2%)

1  Group adjustments include adjustments to align with Group policy.

2022   
$ million     

2021  
$ million  

 386 
 (129)
 17 
 (112)
 (32)

 300 
 22 
 10 
 32 
 9 

2022   
$ million     

2021  
$ million  

 1,128 
 271 
 (730)
 (288)
 381 
 381 
 108 
 47 
 (109)
 46 

 1,021 
 229 
 (542)
 (191)
 517 
 517 
 151 
 35 
 — 
 186 

The investment in Bioventus had a fair value less costs of disposal of $46m as at 31 December 2022.

During the year, the Group received a $1m (2021: $4m) cash distribution from its associates.

At 31 December 2022, the Group held equity investments in two other associates (2021: two) with a carrying value of $nil (2021: $2m).

190

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 
    
 
 
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
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.

Raw materials and consumables
Work-in-progress
Finished goods and goods for resale

2022   
$ million     
 474 
 78 
 1,653 
 2,205 

2021  
$ million  
 424 
 79 
 1,341 
 1,844 

Management have not changed their policy for calculating the provision since 31 December 2021, nor is a change in the key assumptions 
underlying the methodology expected in the next 12 months. As a result of increased inventory levels, the provision has increased 
from $430m at 31 December 2021 to $504m at 31 December 2022. The provision, however, reduced as a result of foreign exchange 
movements of $15m. 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. The provision for excess and obsolete inventory is not considered 
to have a range of potential outcomes that is significantly different to the $504m at 31 December 2022 in the next 12 months. 
The provision has a high degree of estimation uncertainty given the range of products and sizes, with a potential range of reasonable 
outcomes that could be material over the longer term. 

The cost of inventories recognised as an expense and included in cost of goods sold amounted to $1,302m (2021: $1,407m, 2020: $1,129m). 
No adverse manufacturing variances generated by factory specific shutdowns or reductions in scheduled production due to Covid 
were directly expensed to cost of goods sold in 2022 (2021: $nil, 2020: $85m). In addition, $117m was recognised as an expense within 
cost of goods sold resulting from inventory write-offs and provision increases (2021: $105m, 2020: $144m).

Notwithstanding inventory acquired within acquisitions, no inventory is carried at fair value less costs to sell in any year.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

191

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
 
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

13 Trade and other receivables

Accounting policy
Trade and other receivables are carried at amortised cost, less any allowances for uncollectable amounts. They are included 
in current assets, except for maturities greater than 12 months after the balance sheet date when they are classified as  
non-current assets.

The Group manages credit risk through credit limits which require authorisation commensurate with the size of the limit and 
which are regularly reviewed. Credit limit decisions are made based on available financial information and the business case. 
Significant receivables are regularly reviewed and monitored at Group level. The Group has no significant concentration of credit risk, 
with exposure spread over a large number of customers and geographies. Furthermore, the Group’s principal customers are backed 
by government and public or private medical insurance funding, which historically represent a lower risk of default. The maximum 
exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the fair value of each class of receivable. The Group does not hold any collateral as 
security. 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
Prepayments

Due after more than one year
Other non-current assets

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million  

 1,076 
 (49)
 1,027 
 47 
 114 
 76 
 1,264 

 12 
 1,276 

 1,028 
 (57)
 971 
 39 
 95 
 79 
 1,184 

 15 
 1,199 

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 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 relating to other receivables is de minimis. 

The loss allowance expense for the year was $4m (2021: $3m, 2020: $25m).

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 more than 3 months
Past due more than 6 months

Loss allowance
Trade receivables – net

2022 Weighted 
average loss 
rate

2022 Loss 
allowance

%     

$ million     

-0.3%
-0.4%
-1.0%
-31.9%

 (2)
 (1)
 (1)
 (45)
 (49)

2022 Gross 
carrying 
amount
$ million     
 610 
 228 
 97 
 141 
 1,076 
 (49)
 1,027 

2021 Gross 
carrying 
amount  
$ million  
 595 
 217 
 88 
 128 
 1,028 
 (57)
 971 

192

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
    
    
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 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:

At 1 January
Exchange adjustment
Net receivables provided during the year
Utilisation of provision
At 31 December

Trade receivables include amounts denominated in the following major currencies:

US Dollar
Sterling
Euro
Other
Trade receivables – net

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
Derivatives – forward foreign exchange, currency swaps and interest rate contracts
Other payables

2022   
$ million     
 57    
 (3)   
 4    
 (9)   
 49    

2022   
$ million     
 465  
 37  
 215  
 310  
 1,027  

2021  
$ million  
 71 
 (3)
 3 
 (14)
 57 

2021  
$ million  
 429 
 34 
 201 
 307 
 971 

2022
$ million     

2021  

$ million

 1,029 
 43 
 26 
 1,098 

 66 
 13 
 11 
 90 

 1,043 
 19 
 34 
 1,096 

 57 
 – 
 10 
 67 

The acquisition consideration includes $78m (2021: $84m) contingent upon future events.

The acquisition consideration due after more than one year is expected to be payable as follows: $29m in 2024, $35m in 2025 
and $2m in 2026 (2021: $18m in 2023, $15m in 2024, $21m in 2025 and $3m due in over five years).

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

193

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
    
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
  
 
    
    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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
Corporate bond
Private placement notes
Borrowings
Cash at bank
Credit balance on derivatives – interest rate swaps
Net debt
Non-current lease liabilities
Current lease liabilities
Net debt including lease liabilities

Borrowings are repayable as follows:

2022
$ million     
 111 
 – 
 1,510 
 1,055 
 2,676 
 (350)
 13 
 2,339 
 147 
 49 
 2,535 

2021  
$ million  
 435 
 554 
 993 
 1,160 
 3,142 
 (1,290)
 – 
 1,852 
 141 
 56 
 2,049 

At 31 December 2022
Bank overdrafts
Corporate bond
Private placement notes
Lease liabilities1

At 31 December 2021
Bank loans
Bank overdrafts
Corporate bond
Private placement notes
Lease liabilities1

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 
 – 
 105 
 49 
 160 

 305 
 5 
 – 
 125 
 56 
 491 

 – 
 – 
 430 
 42 
 472 

 554 
 – 
 – 
 105 
 33 
 692 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 32 
 32 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 430 
 33 
 463 

 – 
 – 
 75 
 24 
 99 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 23 
 23 

 – 
 – 
 140 
 18 
 158 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 75 
 18 
 93 

 – 
 1,510 
 410 
 45 
 1,965 

 – 
 – 
 993 
 550 
 47 
 1,590 

 6 
 1,510 
 1,160 
 210 
 2,886 

 859 
 5 
 993 
 1,285 
 210 
 3,352 

1  The lease liabilities presented above of $210m (2021: $210m) are on an undiscounted basis. The lease liabilities on a discounted basis, as outlined above, are $196m (2021: $197m).

194

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
 
    
  
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
15.2 Liquidity risk exposures
The Board has established a set of policies to manage funding and currency risks. The Group only uses derivative financial instruments 
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 $3.7bn 
(2021: $4.1bn). During 2022, the Group issued its debut EUR Corporate Bond, in the form of €500m (before expenses and underwriting 
discounts) of notes bearing an interest rate of 4.565% repayable in 2029. In addition, the Group repaid its €269m, €223m and €265m 
EUR term loan facilities, as well as $125m of private placement debt.

The interest payable on borrowings under committed facilities is either at fixed or floating rates. Euro floating rates are typically 
based on EURIBOR and US Dollar rates are typically based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). The Company is subject 
to financial covenants under its private placement 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 2022, 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 at 31 December 2022 are:

Facility
$105 million 3.26% Senior Notes
$100 million 3.89% Senior Notes
$305 million 3.36% Senior Notes
$25 million Floating Rate Senior Notes
$1.0 billion syndicated revolving credit facility
$75 million 3.99% Senior Notes
$140 million 2.83% Senior Notes
$60 million 2.90% Senior Notes
$100 million 2.97% Senior Notes
€500 million 4.565% EUR Corporate Bond
$95 million 2.99% Senior Notes
$1.0 billion 2.032% USD Corporate Bond
$155 million 3.09% Senior Notes

Date due
November 2023
January 2024
November 2024
November 2024
June 2025
January 2026
June 2027
June 2028
June 2029
October 2029
June 2030
October 2030
June 2032

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

195

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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 2022
Non-derivative financial liabilities:

Bank overdrafts and loans
Corporate bond
Trade and other payables
Private placement notes
Acquisition consideration

Derivative financial instruments:

Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – outflow  
Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – inflow  

At 31 December 2021
Non-derivative financial liabilities:

Bank overdrafts and loans
Corporate bond
Trade and other payables
Private placement notes
Acquisition consideration

Derivative financial instruments:

Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – outflow  
Currency swaps/forward foreign exchange contracts – inflow  

 6 
 37 
 1,029 
 143 
 26 

 2,598 
 (2,601)
 1,238 

 310 
 20 
 1,043 
 165 
 35 

 2,322 
 (2,342)
 1,553 

 – 
 37 
 – 
 461 
 31 

 – 
 – 
 529 

 554 
 20 
 – 
 142 
 19 

 – 
 – 
 735 

 – 
 111 
 – 
 265 
 39 

 – 
 – 
 415 

 – 
 61 
 – 
 574 
 42 

 – 
 – 
 677 

 – 
 1,620 
 – 
 444 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 2,064 

 – 
 1,077 
 – 
 599 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 1,676 

 6 
 1,805 
 1,029 
 1,313 
 96 

 2,598 
 (2,601)
 4,246 

 864 
 1,178 
 1,043 
 1,480 
 96 

 2,322 
 (2,342)
 4,641 

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 2022, the Group held $344m (2021: $1,285m, 2020: $1,751m) in cash net of bank overdrafts. The Group had committed 
facilities available of $3.7bn at 31 December 2022 of which $2.7bn 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 2023, 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 including leases increased from $2bn at the beginning of 2022 to $2.5bn at the end of 2022, 
representing an overall increase of $0.5bn.

196

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
 
 
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 to the income statement.

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 the 
Group’s 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 2022, the Group had contracted to exchange within one year the equivalent of $2.2bn (2021: $2.0bn). Based on 
the Group’s net borrowings as at 31 December 2022, if the US Dollar were to weaken against all currencies by 10%, the Group’s 
net borrowings would increase by $41m (2021: $75m) principally due to the Euro-denominated term loans.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

197

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONGroup financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

16 Financial instruments and risk management continued
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 2022 would have been $50m lower (2021: $44m 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 2022 would have been $35m higher 
(2021: $26m higher). Movements in the fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts would be recognised in other comprehensive 
income or in the income statement.

A 10% strengthening of the US Dollar or Euro against all other currencies at 31 December 2022 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.

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.

In 2022, the Group entered into a new €500m fixed to floating interest rate swap.

Based on the Group’s gross borrowings and cash as at 31 December 2022, if interest rates were to increase by 100 basis points in all 
currencies, then the annual net interest charge would increase by $4m (2021: $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 2022 was $47m (2021: $39m), 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 2022 
was $350m (2021: $1,290m). The Group’s exposure to credit risk on cash is mitigated as the amounts are held in a wide number 
of high credit quality financial institutions. Credit risk on trade receivables is detailed in Note 13.

198

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

The amounts relating to items designated as hedging instruments were as follows:

Nominal
amount

Carrying
amount
assets

    $ million     $ 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 2022
Foreign currency risk
Forward exchange contracts1
Interest rate risk
Interest rate swaps2
At 31 December 2021
Foreign currency risk
Forward exchange contracts1
Interest rate risk
Interest rate swaps2

 2,598 

 47 

 (43)

 (13)

 (500)

 – 

 (13)

 – 

 2,322 

 39 

 (19)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 41 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (37)

 Cash flow hedges 

 – 

 Fair value hedge 

 7 

 Cash flow hedges 

 – 

 N/A 

1   Presented in Trade and other receivables and Trade and other payables on the Balance Sheet.
2  Presented in Non-current 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 €500m ($533m equivalent) of our debut EUR Corporate Bond 
which mitigates the foreign currency risk arising from the subsidiaries’ net assets. The Bond is designated as a hedging instrument for 
the changes in the value of the net investment that is attributable to changes in the EUR/USD spot rate.

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 Corporate Bond exceeds the 
value of the Euro subsidiaries.

16.5 Currency and interest rate profile of interest bearing liabilities and assets
Short-term receivables and payables are excluded from the following disclosures.

Currency and interest rate profile of interest bearing liabilities:

Fixed rate liabilities  
Weighted  
average

Weighted
average
interest rate

%    

time  
for which  
rate is fixed  
Years  

 2.7 

 5.9 

Gross
borrowings

Currency
swaps

Interest
rate
swaps

$ million    

$ million     $ million    

Total
liabilities
$ million    

Floating
rate liabilities

$ million    

Fixed rate
liabilities
$ million    

At 31 December 2022
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing liabilities
At 31 December 2021
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing liabilities

 (2,159)
 (517)
 (2,676)

 (2,278)
 (864)
 (3,142)

 (163)
 (206)
 (369)

 (201)
 (136)
 (337)

 – 
 (13)
 (13)

 (2,322)
 (736)
 (3,058)

 (193)
 (220)
 (413)

 (2,129)
 (516)
 (2,645)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 (2,479)
 (1,000)
 (3,479)

 (226)
 (1,000)
 (1,226)

 (2,253)
 – 
 (2,253)

 2.7 
 – 

 6.5 
 – 

In 2022, the Group also had liabilities due for deferred and contingent acquisition consideration (denominated in US Dollars, Swiss Francs 
and Euros) totalling $92m (2021: $91m, 2020: $165m) on which no interest was payable (see Note 14). There were no other significant 
interest bearing or non-interest bearing financial liabilities. Euro floating rates are typically based on EURIBOR and US Dollar rates are 
typically based on SOFR. The weighted average interest rate on floating rate borrowings as at 31 December 2022 was over 3% (2021: 
less than 1%).

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

199

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

16 Financial instruments and risk management continued
Currency and interest rate profile of interest bearing assets:

At 31 December 2022
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing assets
At 31 December 2021
US Dollar
Other
Total interest bearing assets

Cash
at bank
$ million     

Currency 
swaps 
$ million     

Interest rate    

swaps 
$ million     

Total assets

Floating
rate assets

$ million     

$ million     

Fixed  
rate assets  
$ million  

 207 
 143 
 350 

 1,156 
 134 
 1,290 

 205 
 164 
 369 

 135 
 202 
 337 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 412 
 307 
 719 

 1,291 
 336 
 1,627 

 412 
 307 
 719 

 1,291 
 336 
 1,627 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

Floating rates on assets are typically based on the short-term deposit rates relevant to the currency concerned. 

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 2021.

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 2022 and 2021. 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. The corporate bonds issued in October 2020 and October 
2022 are publicly listed and a market price is available. The Group’s other long-term borrowings are not quoted publicly, 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.

200

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
  
    
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.

Carrying 
amount

Fair value

At 31 December 2022
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
Interest rate swaps
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

Corporate bond not in a hedge 
relationship

Corporate bond in a hedge 
relationship
Private placement debt not in a 
hedge relationship
Trade and other payables

Fair value – 
hedging 
instruments

Amortised 
cost

Fair value 
through 
OCI

Fair value 
through 
profit 
or loss

Other 
financial 
liabilities

$ million    

$ million     $ million     $ million     $ million    

Total

Total
$ million     $ million     $ million     $ million

Level 2

Level 3

 46 
 – 
 – 
 1 

 – 
 12 
 18 
 – 

 – 
 (42)
 (13)
 (1)

 (78)
 – 
 – 
 – 

 46 
 12 
 18 
 1 

 (78)
 (42)
 (13)
 (1)

 46 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 46 

 – 
 (42)
 (13)
 – 
 (55)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 1,123 
 – 
 1,123 

 – 
 350 
 350 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 1 
 1 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 (1)
 (1)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 12 
 18 
 – 
 30 

 (78)
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (78)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 46 
 12 
 18 
 1 
 77 

 (78)
 (42)
 (13)
 (1)
 (134)

 1,123 
 350 
 1,473 

 (14)
 (6)

 (14)
 (6)

 (994)

 (994)

 (516)

 (516)

 (1,160)
 (1,040)
 (3,730)

 (1,160)
 (1,040)
 (3,730)

At 31 December 2022, the book value and market value of the USD corporate bond were $994m and $783m respectively (2021: $993m 
and $962m), the book value and market value of the EUR Corporate bond were $516m and $531m respectively. The book value and fair 
value of the private placement debt were $1,160m and $987m respectively (2021: $1,285m and $1,316m).

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

201

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

16 Financial instruments and risk management continued
During the year ended 31 December 2022, acquisition consideration increased by $1m due to $42m increase for acquisitions being 
partially offset $24m of payments for acquisitions made in the current and prior years, and $17m of remeasurement and discount 
unwind. 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.

Carrying 
amount

Fair value

At 31 December 2021
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
Corporate bond
Private placement debt not in a 
hedge relationship
Trade and other payables

Fair value – 
hedging 
instruments

$ million    

Fair value 
through 
profit 
or loss
$ million     $ million     $ million

Fair value 
through 
OCI

Amortised 
cost

Other 
financial 
Total
Level 2
liabilities
$ million     $ million     $ million     $ million     $ million

Level 3

Total

 37 
 – 
 – 
 2 

 – 
 10 
 20 
 – 

 – 
 (17)
 (2)

 (84)
 – 
 – 

 37 
 10 
 20 
 2 

 (84)
 (17)
 (2)

 37 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 37 

 – 
 (17)
 – 
 (17)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 1,046 
 – 
 1,046 

 – 
 1,290 
 1,290 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 2 
 2 

 – 
 – 
 (2)
 (2)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 10 
 20 
 – 
 30 

 (84)
 – 
 – 
 (84)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 (7)
 (5)
 (859)
 (993)

 37 
 10 
 20 
 2 
 69 

 (84)
 (17)
 (2)
 (103)

 1,046 
 1,290 
 2,336 

 (7)
 (5)
 (859)
 (993)

 (1,285)
 (1,053)
 (4,202)

 (1,285)
 (1,053)
 (4,202)

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.

202

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
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 2022 and 2021 for financial instruments measured using Level 3 valuation methods are presented below:

Investments
At 1 January
Additions
Fair value remeasurement
At 31 December

Contingent consideration receivable
At 1 January
Remeasurements
Receipts
At 31 December

Acquisition consideration liability
At 1 January
Arising on acquisitions
Payments
Remeasurements
Discount unwind
At 31 December

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million

 10 
 2 
 – 
 12 

 20 
 – 
 (2)
 18 

 (84)
 (32)
 20 
 19 
 (1)
 (78)

 9 
 2 
 (1)
 10 

 37 
 1 
 (18)
 20 

 (128)
 – 
 23 
 21 
 – 
 (84)

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

203

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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. Insurance recoveries are recognised when the 
inflow of benefits is virtually certain and are presented within other receivables.

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. 

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 2021
Charge to income statement
Release to income statement
Unwinding of discount
Utilised
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2021
Charge to income statement
Release to income statement
Unwinding of discount
Utilised
Exchange adjustment
At 31 December 2022
Provisions – due within one year
Provisions – due after one year
At 31 December 2022
Provisions – due within one year
Provisions – due after one year
At 31 December 2021

 Rationalisation    

 provisions 

 Metal-on-metal 

 $ million      

 29 
 115 
 (2)
 – 
 (124)
 – 
 18 
 169 
 (2)
 – 
 (154)
 (1)
 30 
 30 
 – 
 30 
 18 
 – 
 18 

 $ million      
 336 
 – 
 – 
 8 
 (55)
 – 
 289 
 19 
 – 
 7 
 (76)
 – 
 239 
 165 
 74 
 239 
 263 
 26 
 289 

 Legal and other    

 provisions 

 $ million      

 52 
 13 
 (1)
 – 
 (13)
 (1)
 50 
 19 
 (5)
 – 
 (6)
 – 
 58 
 48 
 10 
 58 
 41 
 9 
 50 

 Total 
 $ million 
 417 
 128 
 (3)
 8 
 (192)
 (1)
 357 
 207 
 (7)
 7 
 (236)
 (1)
 327 
 243 
 84 
 327 
 322 
 35 
 357 

The principal elements within rationalisation provisions relate to the Operations and Commercial Excellence programme announced 
in February 2020 and the efficiency and productivity elements of the 12-point plan.

204

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
  
 
    
    
The Group has estimated a provision of $239m (2021: $289m) relating to the present value at 31 December 2022 of the estimated costs 
to resolve all other known and anticipated metal-on-metal hip claims globally. 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 60th and 
85th 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 ($121m) would be required in 2023 or thereafter. 
The provision does not include any possible further insurance recoveries on these claims or legal fees associated with defending claims. 

Management considered whether there had been any changes to the number and value of claims due to Covid and to date 
have not identified any changes in trends. If the experience changes in the future the value of provisions may require adjustment.

The legal and other provisions mainly relate to various other product liability and intellectual property litigation matters. The Group 
carries considerable product liability insurance, and will continue to defend claims vigorously.

All provisions are expected to be substantially utilised within five years of 31 December 2022 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.

This includes matters raising concerns about possible adverse effects of hip implant products with metal-on-metal (MoM) bearing 
surfaces for which the Group has incurred and will continue to incur expenses to defend claims in this area.

As of December 2022, approximately 1,160 such claims were pending with the Group around the world. This includes approximately 
720 cases associated with a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) pending in Baltimore, Maryland due to a 5 April 2017 court order consolidating 
Smith+Nephew Birmingham Hip◊ Resurfacing (BHR◊) cases pending or later filed in US federal court for pre-trial proceedings. Most claims 
relate to the Group’s BHR product, including 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.

Through the end of 2022, entities of the Group have entered into several group, as well as individual, MoM related settlements without 
admitting liability. The Group requested indemnity from its product liability insurers for most of these MoM hip implant settlements 
and insurers have indemnified the Group to the limits of their respective applicable policies.

Litigation outcomes are difficult to predict and defence costs can be significant. The Group takes care to monitor the clinical evidence 
relating to its products, including its metal hip implant products, to help ensure that its product offerings are designed to serve 
patients’ interests.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

205

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONGroup financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

17 Provisions and contingencies continued
Intellectual property disputes
The Group engages, 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 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. 

Arthrex asserted suture anchor patents against Smith+Nephew in 2014 and 2015 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of 
Texas. In February 2017, the parties reached a settlement resulting in the dismissal of all patent litigation. Smith+Nephew agreed to pay 
additional payments contingent on the outcome of patent validity proceedings pending at the US Patent & Trademark Office. In August 
2019, the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed 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. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari. The Supreme Court ruling allowed Arthrex 
to petition the Director of the US Patent & Trademark Office to review the decision invalidating the second asserted Arthrex patent. 
The US Patent & Trademark Office declined Arthrex’s rehearing request in October 2021. In May 2022, the Court of Appeals for the 
Federal Circuit affirmed the US Patent & Trademark Office’s invalidity ruling and its denial of Arthrex’s rehearing request. Arthrex has 
petitioned the United States Supreme Court to review the US Patent & Trademark Office’s denial of Arthrex’s rehearing request.

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 takes 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.

206

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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

2022   
$ million     

2021  

$ million

 114 
 24 
 (5)
 133 

 (52)
 (10)
 71 
 (70)
 141 

 137 
 40 
 (18)
 159 

 (91)
 (13)
 55 
 (127)
 182 

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 and 2020 court cases in relation to Guaranteed Minimum Pensions do not impact the UK Plan as members were not 
contracted out of the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) between 1990 and 1997.

The US Plan is governed by a US Pension Committee which comprises 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. 

In October 2022, US Pension plan members were notified that Smith & Nephew Inc. would begin the termination process for the plan. 
This process is expected to be finalised by late 2023 or early 2024 with no impact in 2022.

There is no legislative minimum funding requirement in the UK. 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 Board of Trustees and US Pension 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

207

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
 
    
    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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
Settlements
Interest (expense)/income
Administration costs and taxes 
Costs recognised in income statement
Remeasurements:
Actuarial (loss)/gain due to liability experience  
Actuarial gain due to financial assumptions 
change
Actuarial gain due to demographic assumptions  
Return on plan assets (less)/greater than 
discount rate
Remeasurements 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

Exchange movements
Amount recognised on the balance sheet
Amount recognised on the balance sheet – 
liability
Amount recognised on the balance sheet – 
asset

Represented by:

UK Plan
US Plan
Other Plans
Total

Obligation   
$ million     

Asset   
$ million     

Total   
$ million     

Obligation

$ million     

Asset
$ million     

2022

2021  
Total  
$ million  

 (1,582) 

 1,637  

 55  

 (1,714) 

 1,684  

 (9)
 – 
 4 
 (29)
 (3)
 (37)   

 (43)

 503 
 1 

 – 
 461    

 – 
 (3)
 2 

 81 
 80    

 – 
 – 
 (4)
 30 
 – 
 26    

 – 

 – 
 – 

 (431)
 (431)   

 6 
 3 
 – 

 (83)
 (74)   

 (9)   
 –    
 – 
 1    
 (3)   
 (11)   

 (43)   

 503    
 1    

 (431)   
 30    

 6    
 –    
 2    

 (2)   
 6    

 (12)
 (1)
 1 
 (25)
 (3)
 (40)   

 2 

 43 
 25 

 – 
 70    

 – 
 (3)
 2 

 79 
 78    

 –    
 –    
 (1)
 25    
 –    
 24    

 –    

 –    
 –    

 9    
 9    

 14    
 3    
 –    

 (79)   
 (62)   

 94 
 (984)   

 (103)
 1,055    

 (9)   
 71    

 24 
 (1,582)   

 (18)   
 1,637    

 (30)

 (12)
 (1)
 – 
 – 
 (3)
 (16)

 2 

 43 
 25 

 9 
 79 

 14 
 – 
 2 

 – 
 16 

 6 
 55 

 (194)

 (790)

 124 

 931 

 (70)   

 (271)

 144    

 (127)

 141    

 (1,311)

 1,493    

 182 

Obligation   
$ million     
 (438)
 (336)
 (210)
 (984)

Asset   
$ million     
 552 
 360 
 143 
 1,055 

2022

Total   
$ million     
 114 
 24 
 (67)
 71 

Obligation   
$ million     
 (819)
 (463)
 (300)
 (1,582)

Asset   
$ million     
 956 
 503 
 178 
 1,637 

2021  
Total   
$ million  
 137 
 40 
 (122)
 55 

The actuarial gain on obligation of $461m primarily relates to the increase in discount rates in 2022, which is partially offset by an 
actuarial loss from the return on plan assets of $431m, which is due to investment returns being less than the discount rates.

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 14 years and 9 years for the UK and US Plans respectively.

208

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
     
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
        
        
    
   
    
   
    
 
 
 
 
        
        
        
    
   
    
   
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
18.3 Plan assets
The market value of the US, UK and Other Plans assets are as follows: 

2022   
$ million     

2021   
$ million     

2020  
$ million  

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:

Cash and cash equivalents
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

 2 
 3 
 30 
 81 
 225 
 55 
 396 

 156 
 552 

 120 
 – 
 43 
 197 
 360 

 7 
 49 
 7 
 – 
 10 
 21 
 22 
 5 
 121 

 4 
 84 
 50 
 126 
 370 
 89 
 723 

 233 
 956 

 6 
 50 
 201 
 246 
 503 

 5 
 55 
 5 
 4 
 11 
 33 
 23 
 8 
 144 

 10 
 91 
 49 
 127 
 347 
 89 
 713 

 250 
 963 

 2 
 60 
 163 
 316 
 541 

 5 
 51 
 9 
 4 
 10 
 37 
 23 
 5 
 144 

 22 
 143 
 1,055 

 34 
 178 
 1,637 

 36 
 180 
 1,684 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

209

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION 
  
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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 predominantly 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.

There has been no material change in the Pension Plans’ investment strategies.

18.4 Expenses recognised in the income statement
The total expense relating to retirement benefits recognised for the year is $88m (2021: $93m, 2020: $78m). Of this cost recognised 
for the year, $77m (2021: $77m, 2020: $69m) relates to defined contribution plans and $11m (2021: $16m, 2020: $9m) 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 2022 due to be paid 
over to the plans (2021: $nil, 2020: $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 $nil (2021: $nil, 2020: $nil).

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.

2020  
     % per annum      % per annum      % per annum  

2022

2021

UK Plan:

Discount rate
Future salary increases
Future pension increases
Inflation (RPI)
Inflation (CPI)

US Plan:

Discount rate
Future salary increases
Inflation

 4.8 
 n/a 
 3.3 
 3.3 
 2.3 

 5.3 
 n/a 
 n/a 

 1.9 
 n/a 
 3.4 
 3.4 
 2.7 

 2.7 
 n/a 
 n/a 

 1.3 
 n/a 
 2.9 
 2.9 
 2.1 

 2.4 
 n/a 
 n/a 

210

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
 
    
    
    
Actuarial assumptions regarding future mortality are based on mortality tables. The UK uses the S3NA with projections in line with 
the CMI 2021 table and the US uses the PRI-2012 table with MP-2021 scale. The Directors have considered the impact of the Covid 
pandemic and, at the present time, do not believe that there is sufficient evidence to require a change in the long-term mortality 
assumptions. The Directors will continue to monitor any potential future impact on the mortality assumptions used. 

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

2022
years     

2021
years     

2020  
years  

 27.4 
 30.1 

 24.9 
 27.1 

 28.9 
 31.5 

 24.9 
 27.6 

 27.6 
 30.1 

 24.7 
 26.8 

 29.1 
 31.5 

 24.6 
 27.3 

 27.6 
 30.1 

 24.7 
 26.8 

 29.1 
 31.5 

 24.6 
 27.3 

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.

$ million
UK Plan:

Discount rate
Inflation
Mortality

US Plan:

Discount rate
Mortality

Increase in pension obligation

     +50bps/+1yr     

-50bps/-1yr      +50bps/+1 yr     

Increase in pension cost  
-50bps/-1yr  

 (29.0)
 29.0 
 16.0 

 (14.0)
 8.0 

 32.0 
 (27.0)
 (17.0)

 14.0 
 (8.0)

 (1.0)
 2.0 
 1.0 

 – 
 – 

 2.0 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

211

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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/Pension Committee of each plan to determine the level of funding required. 
Employer contribution rates, based on these full valuations, are agreed between the Trustees/Pension Committee 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 2020. Future accruals to the UK Plan ceased 
as at 31 December 2016. Contributions to the UK Plan in 2022 were $nil (2021: $7m, 2020: $nil). This included supplementary payments 
of $nil (2021: $7m, 2020: $nil).

Following the completion of the 30 September 2020 valuation, a dynamic contribution mechanism was agreed. Under that dynamic 
contribution mechanism, no further contributions were required in 2021 or 2022.

US Plan
The most recent full actuarial valuation of the US Plan was undertaken as at 1 January 2022. The next full actuarial valuation will 
take place as at 1 January 2023. Future accruals to the US Plan ceased as at 31 March 2014. Contributions to the US Plan were $nil 
(2021: $nil, 2020: $nil) which represented supplementary payments of $nil (2021: $nil, 2020: $nil).

There are no planned supplementary contributions to the US Plan for 2023. 

212

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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 2020
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2022
Allotted, issued and fully paid
At 1 January 2020
Share options
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2020
Share options
At 31 December 2021
Share options
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2022

Ordinary shares (20¢)

Deferred shares (£1.00)

Thousand     

$ million     

Thousand     

$ million     

Total  
$ million  

 1,223,591 
 1,223,591 
 1,223,591 

 885,207 
 327 
 (649)
 884,885 
 306 
 885,191 
 229 
 (7,770)
 877,650 

 245 
 245 
 245 

 177 
 – 
 – 
 177 
 – 
 177 
 – 
 (2)
 175 

 50 
 50 
 50 

 50 
 – 
 – 
 50 
 – 
 50 
 – 
 – 
 50 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 245 
 245 
 245 

 177 
 – 
 – 
 177 
 – 
 177 
 – 
 (2)
 175 

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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

213

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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

2022
$ million     
 175 
 615 
 20 
 (118)
 4,567 
 5,259 

2021
$ million     
 177 
 614 
 18 
 (120)
 4,879 
 5,568 

2020  
$ million  
 177 
 612 
 18 
 (157)
 4,629 
 5,279 

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 2022, the Group purchased a total of 10.1m shares (2021: nil shares)  
for a cost of $158m (2021: $nil).

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 2021
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
At 31 December 2021
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2022

At 1 January 2021
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
At 31 December 2021
Shares purchased
Shares transferred from treasury
Shares transferred to Group beneficiaries
Shares cancelled
At 31 December 2022

Treasury
$ million     
 136 
 (30)
 (13)
 93 
 150 
 (41)
 (6)
 (129)
 67 

Employees’
Share Trust

$ million     
 21 
 30 
 (24)
 27 
 8 
 41 
 (25)
 – 
 51 

Treasury

Number
of shares

Employees’
Share Trust

Number
of shares

million     
 7.9 
 (1.7)
 (0.8)
 5.4 
 9.7 
 (2.6)
 (0.4)
 (7.8)
 4.3 

million     
 1.2 
 1.7 
 (1.3)
 1.6 
 0.4 
 2.6 
 (1.4)
 – 
 3.2 

Total  
$ million  
 157 
 – 
 (37)
 120 
 158 
 – 
 (31)
 (129)
 118 

Total

Number
of shares  
million  
 9.1 
 – 
 (2.1)
 7.0 
 10.1 
 – 
 (1.8)
 (7.8)
 7.5 

214

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
 
    
  
  
 
 
    
  
  
 
 
    
19.3 Dividends

The following dividends were declared and paid in the year:
Ordinary final of 23.1¢ for 2021 (2020: 23.1¢, 2019: 23.1¢) paid 11 May 2022 
Ordinary interim of 14.4¢ for 2022 (2021: 14.4¢, 2020: 14.4¢) paid 26 October 2022

2022
$ million     

2021
$ million     

2020  
$ million  

 202 
 125 
 327 

 203 
 126 
 329 

 202 
 126 
 328 

A final dividend for 2022 of 23.1 US cents per ordinary share was proposed by the Board on 21 February 2023 and will be paid, subject 
to shareholder approval, on 17 May 2023 to shareholders on the Register of Members on 31 March 2023. The estimated amount of this 
dividend is $201m. 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. 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 2022 amounted to $3,563m.

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

Borrowings

At 1 January 2020
IFRS 16 lease liabilities
Net debt including lease 
liabilities at 1 January 2020
Net cash flow/debt movement
Exchange adjustment
Corporate bond issuance expense
IFRS 16 lease liabilities movement
At 31 December 2020
Net cash flow/debt movement
Exchange adjustment
Corporate bond issuance expense
IFRS 16 lease liabilities movement
At 31 December 2021
Net cash flow/debt movement
Exchange adjustment
Corporate bond issuance expense
IFRS 16 lease liabilities movement
Net debt including lease 
liabilities at 31 December 2022

Due within 
one year

Due after 
one year

Net 
currency 
swaps

Net 
interest 
swaps

Cash Overdrafts

Total  
     $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million      $ million  
 (1,600)
 (170)

 (1,851) 
 (124)

 277  
 – 

 (20) 
 – 

 (6) 
 (46)

 –  
 – 

 –  
 – 

 277 
 1,484 
 1 
 – 
 – 
 1,762  
 (466)
 (6)
 – 
 – 
 1,290  
 (931)
 (9)
 – 
 – 

 (20)
 9 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (11) 
 7 
 (1)
 – 
 – 
 (5) 
 1 
 (2)
 – 
 – 

 (52)
 (260)
 (2)
 – 
 (12)
 (326) 
 (162)
 – 
 – 
 2 
 (486) 
 302 
 23 
 – 
 7 

 (1,975)
 (1,285)
 (79)
 8 
 (22)
 (3,353) 
 429 
 72 
 (1)
 5 
 (2,848) 
 94 
 45 
 3 
 (6)

 – 
 (7)
 7 
 – 
 – 
 –  
 4 
 (4)
 – 
 – 
 –  
 (3)
 3 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 –  
 2  
 – 
 – 
 2  
 –  
 (2)
 – 
 –  
 –  
 –  
 (13) 
 – 
 – 

 (1,770)
 (59)
 (71)
 8 
 (34)
 (1,926)
 (188)
 59 
 (1)
 7 
 (2,049)
 (537)
 47 
 3 
 1 

 350  

 (6) 

 (154) 

 (2,712) 

 –  

 (13) 

 (2,535)

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

215

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
 
    
    
    
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

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
Exchange adjustment
Corporate bond issuance expense
Change in net debt in the year
Opening net debt
Closing net debt

2022
$ million     
 (930)
 (3)
 396 
 (537)
 1 
 47 
 3 
 (486)
 (2,049)
 (2,535)

2021
$ million     
 (459)
 4 
 267 
 (188)
 7 
 59 
 (1)
 (123)
 (1,926)
 (2,049)

2020  
$ million  
 1,493 
 (7)
 (1,545)
 (59)
 (34)
 (71)
 8 
 (156)
 (1,770)
 (1,926)

Cash and cash equivalents
For the purposes of the Group cash flow statement, cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 2022 comprise cash at bank net 
of bank overdrafts.

Cash at bank
Bank overdrafts
Cash and cash equivalents

2022
$ million     
 350 
 (6)
 344 

2021
$ million     
 1,290 
 (5)
 1,285 

2020  
$ million  
 1,762 
 (11)
 1,751 

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

Borrowing

Proceeds from

Repayment

Cash outflow/

Proceeds from own

of bank   
loans1
$ million
 881 
 – 
 881  

of bank   
loans1
$ million
 – 
 – 
 –  

Corporate   
Bond issue
$ million
 (485)
 – 
 (485) 

of lease   

liabilities
$ million
 54 
 – 
 54  

(inflow)   

from other
$ million
 (3)
 – 
 (3) 

Dividends
$ million
 – 
 327 
 327  

Purchase of   
own shares
$ million
 – 
 158 
 158  

shares/issue of   
ordinary shares
$ million
 – 
 (6) 
 (6) 

Total
$ million
 447 
 479 
 926 

 267 
 – 
 267 

 405 
 – 
 405 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 (950)
 – 
 (950)

 – 
 – 
 – 

 (1,000)
 – 
 (1,000)

 59 
 – 
 59 

 55 
 – 
 55 

 4 
 – 
 4 

 (7)
 – 
 (7)

 – 
 329 
 329 

 – 
 328 
 328 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 16 
 16 

 – 
 (14)   
 (14)   

 330 
 315 
 645 

 – 
 (11)
 (11)

 (1,497)
 333 
 (1,164)

2022
Debt
Equity
Total

2021
Debt
Equity
Total

2020
Debt
Equity
Total

1  This includes drawdown and repayment of the syndicated revolving credit facility.

216

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
 
    
  
 
     
  
  
 
 
  
                
  
              
  
                
  
                
  
                
  
              
  
                  
                                 
  
            
  
                
  
              
  
                
  
                
  
                
  
              
  
                   
                                  
  
            
 
 
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 2022
On 18 January 2022, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Engage Uni, LLC (doing business as Engage 
Surgical), owner of the only cementless unicompartmental (partial) knee system commercially available in the US. This acquisition 
strongly supports Smith+Nephew’s Strategy for Growth by transforming our business through innovation and acquisition, while also 
providing differentiation for our customers.

The maximum consideration, all payable in cash, is $135 million and the provisional fair value consideration is $131 million and includes 
$32 million of contingent consideration. The goodwill represents the control premium, the acquired workforce and the synergies 
expected from integrating Engage Surgical into the Group’s existing business. The majority of the consideration is expected to be 
deductible for tax purposes.

The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set out below:

Intangible assets – Product-related
Property, plant and equipment
Inventory
Trade and other payables
Net assets
Goodwill
Consideration (net of $nil cash acquired)

Engage 
Surgical
$ million
 44 
 2 
 2 
 (1)
 47 
 84 
 131 

The product-related intangible assets were valued using a relief-from-royalty methodology with the key inputs being revenue, 
profit and discount rate. The cash outflow from acquisitions of $113m (2021: $285m) comprises payments of consideration of 
$89m (2021: $236m) relating to acquisitions in the current year and payments of deferred and contingent consideration of $24m 
(2021: $49m) relating to acquisitions completed in prior years.

The carrying value of goodwill increased from $2,989m at 31 December 2021 to $3,031m at 31 December 2022. The acquisition in 
the year ended 31 December 2022 increased goodwill by $84m, this was partially offset by foreign exchange movements of $42m.

For the year ended 31 December 2022, the contribution from Engage Surgical to revenue and to profit was immaterial. If the business 
combination had occurred at the beginning of the year the contribution to revenue and profit would not have been materially different.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

217

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION 
    
 
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

21 Acquisitions continued
Year ended 31 December 2021
On 4 January 2021, the Group completed the acquisition of the Extremity Orthopaedics business of Integra LifeSciences Holdings 
Corporation (‘Extremity Orthopaedics’). The acquisition significantly strengthens the Group’s extremities business by adding a 
combination of a focused sales channel, complementary shoulder replacement and upper and lower extremities portfolio, and a new 
product pipeline. The transaction comprised the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of two wholly owned US subsidiaries 
of Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation group and certain assets of the Extremity Orthopaedics business held both in and 
outside the US. The maximum consideration is $240m and the fair value of consideration is $236m and includes no deferred 
or contingent consideration.

The goodwill represents the control premium, the acquired workforce and the synergies expected from integrating Extremity 
Orthopaedics into the Group’s existing business, and is expected to be partly deductible for tax purposes.

The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set out below: 

Intangible assets – Product-related
Intangible assets – Customer-related
Property, plant and equipment
Inventory
Other payables
Net deferred tax asset
Net assets
Goodwill
Consideration (net of $nil cash acquired)

Extremity 
Orthopaedics
$ million
 101 
 11 
 22 
 41 
 (23)
 (12)
 140 
 96 
 236 

The product-related intangible assets were valued using an excess earnings methodology with the key inputs being revenue, profit 
and discount rate. The cash outflow from acquisitions of $285m (2020: $170m) comprises payments of consideration of $236m 
(2020: $117m) relating to the acquisition which completed in the current year and payments of deferred and contingent consideration 
of $49m (2020: $53m) relating to acquisitions completed in prior years. 

The carrying value of goodwill increased from $2,928m at 31 December 2020 to $2,989m at 31 December 2021. The acquisition in 
the year ended 31 December 2021 increased goodwill by $96m, this was partially offset by foreign exchange movements of $35m. 
For the year ended 31 December 2021, the contribution from Extremity Orthopaedics to revenue was $82m and to profit was 
immaterial. If the business combination had occurred at the beginning of the year the contribution to revenue and profit would not 
have been materially different.

Year ended 31 December 2020 
On 23 January 2020, the Group completed the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of Tusker Medical Inc. (‘Tusker’), a developer 
of an innovative in-office solution for tympanostomy (ear tubes) called Tula. The acquisition was deemed to be a business combination 
within the scope of IFRS 3 Business Combinations. The acquisition supports the Group’s strategy to invest in innovative technologies that 
address unmet clinical needs. The maximum consideration is $140m and the fair value of consideration is $139m and includes $6m of 
deferred consideration and $35m of contingent consideration. The goodwill represents the control premium, the acquired workforce and 
the synergies expected from integrating Tusker into the Group’s existing business, and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. 
The acquisition accounting was completed in 2021 with no adjustments to the fair value disclosed in the Group’s 2020 Annual Report.

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the contribution to revenue and profit from Tusker was immaterial. If the business combination 
had occurred at the beginning of the year, the contribution to revenue and profit would also have been immaterial.

218

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 
    
The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are set out below:

Intangible assets – Product-related
Property, plant and equipment
Other receivables
Trade and other payables
Non-current liabilities
Net deferred tax asset
Net assets
Goodwill
Consideration (net of $nil cash acquired)

Tusker
$ million
 53 
 6 
 1 
 (6)
 (3)
 5 
 56 
 83 
 139 

During the year ended 31 December 2020, the Group also completed two other smaller acquisitions in the spheres of remote physical 
therapy and arthroscopic enabling technology. The maximum aggregated consideration is $41m and the fair value of consideration is 
$26m and includes $3m of deferred consideration and $17m of contingent consideration. The fair value of aggregate assets acquired is: 
intangible assets of $8m, property and other net assets of $2m. The goodwill arising on these acquisitions is $16m, which is not expected 
to be deductible for tax purposes, and is attributable to future iterations of the technologies and the synergies that can be expected 
from integrating these acquisitions into the Group’s existing business. 

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the contribution to revenue and profit from the business combinations was immaterial. If the 
business combinations had occurred at the beginning of the year, the contribution to revenue and profit would have been immaterial.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

219

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION 
 
    
Group financial statements continued
Notes to the Group accounts continued

22 Other notes to the accounts
22.1 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 Global Share Plan 2020, Smith & Nephew ShareSave Plan (2012) and Smith & Nephew International ShareSave 
Plan (2012). At 31 December 2022, 5,202,000 options (2021: 4,472,000, 2020: 4,582,000) were outstanding with a range of 
exercise prices from 843 to 1,541 pence.

At 31 December 2022, the maximum number of shares that could be awarded under the Group’s long-term incentive plans was 
7,371,000 (2021: 5,997,000, 2020: 4,704,000). 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 and Global Share Plan 2020. 

The expense charged to the income statement for share-based payments for the year is $40m (2021: $41m, 2020: $26m).

22.2 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 (2021: $nil, 2020: $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

Directors’ remuneration disclosures are included on pages 116–145.

Retirement benefit schemes
Details of the Group’s retirement benefit schemes are set out in Note 18.

2022   
$ million     
 17 
 10 
 2 
 29 

2021   
$ million     
 16 
 7 
 1 
 24 

2020   
$ million  
 12 
 5 
 2 
 19 

23 Post balance sheet events
There have been no events between the balance sheet date, and the date on which the financial statements were approved by the 
Board, which would require adjustment to the financial statements or any additional disclosures.

220

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
    
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 assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year
Borrowings
Other creditors

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   
2021  
$ million  

2022
$ million     

Notes     

 2  

 3  
 5  

 5  
 4  

 5  
 4  

 7,092  

 7,092 

 2,991  
 190  
 3,181  

 (109) 
 (947) 
 (1,056) 
 2,125  
 9,217  

 (2,565) 
 (13) 
 (2,578) 
 6,639  

 175  
 615  
 20  
 2,266  
 (118) 
 (52) 
 3,733  
 6,639  

 2,852 
 1,142 
 3,994 

 (432)
 (949)
 (1,381)
 2,613 
 9,705 

 (2,707)
 – 
 (2,707)
 6,998 

 177 
 614 
 18 
 2,266 
 (120)
 (52)
 4,095 
 6,998 

The accounts were approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 21 February 2023 and signed on its behalf by:

Roberto Quarta 
Chair  

Deepak Nath, PhD 
Chief Executive Officer 

Anne-Françoise Nesmes
Chief Financial Officer

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 
221–228 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
221

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
Company financial statements continued

Statement of changes in equity

Share
capital

Share
premium

At 1 January 2021
Attributable profit for the year
Equity dividends paid in the year
Share-based payments recognised1
Cost of shares transferred to beneficiaries
New shares issued on exercise of share options  
At 31 December 2021
Attributable profit for the year
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 2022

    $ million      $ million     
 612    
 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 2    
 614    
 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 1    
 –    
 –    
 615    

 177    
 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 177    
 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 (2)   
 –    
 175    

 2,266    

Capital
reserve

Treasury
shares

Exchange
reserve

 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 2,266    

Capital
redemption
reserve
$ million     $ million      $ million      $ million     
 (52)   
 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 (52)   
 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 (52)   

 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 20      2,266    

 (157)   
 – 
 –    
 –    
 37    
 –    
 (120)   
 – 
 –    
 –    
 31    
 –    
 129    
 (158)   
 (118)   

 18    
 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 18    
 – 
 –    
 –    
 –    
 –    
 2    
 –    

Profit and
loss account

$ million     
 2,414    
 1,994    
 (329)   
 41    
 (25)   
 –    
 4,095    
 80    
 (327)   
 40    
 (26)   
 –    
 (129)   
 –    
 3,733    

Total

shareholders’  
funds  
$ million  
 5,278 
 1,994 
 (329)
 41 
 12 
 2 
 6,998  
 80 
 (327)
 40 
 5 
 1 
 – 
 (158)
 6,639 

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 22.1 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 $3,563m (2021: $3,923m). 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 $80m (2021: $1,994m). The decrease in attributable profit from the prior 
year is primarily due to lower dividends received from subsidiaries.

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.

222

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 
221–228 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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.

Accounting standards issued but not yet effective: A number of new standards and amendments to standards are effective for periods 
beginning after 1 January 2022 and earlier application is permitted; however, the Company has not early adopted them in preparing 
these financial statements. 

2 Investments

Accounting policy
Investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less provision for impairment.

At 1 January and 31 December

2022   
$ million     
 7,092  

2021   
$ 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

2022   
$ million     

2021   
$ million  

 2,896  
 6  
 46  
 42  
 1  
 2,991  

 2,795 
 – 
 37 
 18 
 2 
 2,852 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 
221–228 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
223

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
 
    
 
  
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company financial statements continued
Notes to the Company accounts continued

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 de minimis (2021: de minimis).

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

Amounts falling due after one year:

Non-current liability derivatives – interest rate swaps

5 Cash and borrowings

2022   
$ million     

2021   
$ million  

 837  
 21  
 42  
 46  
 1  
 947  

 13  
 13  

 881 
 12 
 17 
 37 
 2 
 949 

 – 
 – 

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 – interest rate swaps
Net debt

2022   
$ million     
 109 
 2,565 
 2,674 
 (190)
 13 
 2,497 

2021   
$ million  
 432 
 2,707 
 3,139 
 (1,142)
 – 
 1,997 

All currency swaps are stated at fair value. Gross US Dollar equivalents of $369m (2021: $337m) receivable and $369m (2021: $337m) 
payable have been netted. Currency swaps comprise foreign exchange swaps and were used in 2022 and 2021 to hedge intra-group loans.

6 Contingencies

Guarantees in respect of subsidiary undertakings

2022   
$ million     
 –  

2021   
$ 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 $75m (2021: $84m) 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.

224

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 
221–228 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
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 as at 31 December 
2022, 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
Rest of Europe
Smith & Nephew GmbH
Smith & Nephew S.A.-N.V
Smith & Nephew A/S
Smith & Nephew Oy
Smith & Nephew France SAS1

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

England & Wales

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales

England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales

Company name
UK
Michelson Diagnostic Limited3 (6.4%)
Neotherix Limited3 (24.9%)
Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Limited1,5
Smith & Nephew Beta Limited2
Smith & Nephew China Holdings  
UK Limited1
Smith & Nephew Employees  
Trustees Limited2
Smith & Nephew ESN Limited2
Smith & Nephew Extruded Films Limited2
Smith & Nephew Finance2
Smith & Nephew Finance Oratec2
Smith & Nephew Group Services Limited
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 Pharmaceuticals Limited2 England & Wales
Smith & Nephew Raisegrade Limited1,2
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew Rareletter Limited2
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew Trading Group Limited1
England & Wales
England & Wales
Smith & Nephew UK Executive Pension 
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

Registered 
Office

Smith & Nephew S.A.S.

Kent
York
Watford
Watford
Watford

Watford

Watford
Hull
Watford
Watford
Watford
Hull
Watford

Watford
Watford
Hull
Watford

Watford
Watford
Hull
Watford
Watford
Watford
Watford

Watford
Watford

Watford
Watford
Hull
Watford
Edinburgh

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 Robotics GmbH
Smith & Nephew (Ireland) Trading Limited
Smith & Nephew S.r.l.
Smith & Nephew International S.A.1
Smith & Nephew (Europe) B.V.1

Smith & Nephew B.V.

Smith & Nephew Nederland CV

Smith & Nephew Operations B.V.

Serda B.V.3 (48.32%)

Smith & Nephew AS
Smith & Nephew sp. z.o.o.
Smith & Nephew Lda
S&N ORION PRIME, S.A.
DC LLC

Smith & Nephew LLC

Smith & Nephew S.A.U
Smith & Nephew Aktiebolag
Lumina Adhesives AB3 (3.04%)
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

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Registered 
Office

Vienna
Austria
Zaventem
Belgium
Kobenhavn
Denmark
Helsinki
Finland
France Neuilly-sur-
Seine 
France Neuilly-sur-
Seine
Hamburg

Germany

Germany

Hamburg

Germany

Hamburg

Norway
Poland

Germany
Germany
Germany
Ireland
Italy

Hamburg
Tuttlingen
Munich
Dublin 
Milan
Luxembourg Luxembourg 
Netherlands Amsterdam, 
2132NP
Netherlands Amsterdam, 
2132NP 
Netherlands Amsterdam, 
2132NP
Netherlands Amsterdam, 
2132NP
Netherlands Amsterdam, 
1105BP
Oslo
Warsaw
Portugal Forte da Casa
Coimbra
Portugal
Puschino
Russian 
Federation
Russian 
Federation
Barcelona
Spain
Sweden
Molndal
Sweden Gothenburg
Puidoux
Zug
Aarau
Zug
Zug
Zug
Aarau

Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland

Moscow 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 
221–228 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
225

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONCompany financial statements continued
Notes to the Company accounts continued

8 Group companies continued

Company name
US
Arthrocare Corporation
Ascension Orthopedics, Inc.

Austin Miller Trauma LLC 
Bioventus Inc.3,7 (28.32%)
Bioventus LLC3,8 (20.31%)
Blue Belt Technologies, Inc.
Ceterix Orthopaedics, Inc.
Engage Uni LLC

Integrated Shoulder Collaboration, Inc.

Leaf Healthcare Inc.
Miach Orthopaedics, Inc3 (10.09%)
Orthopaedic Biosystems Ltd., Inc.
Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.
Rotation Medical, Inc.

Sinopsys Surgical, Inc.3 (1.44%)
Smith & Nephew Consolidated, Inc.1
Smith & Nephew, Inc.1
Surgical Frontiers Series I, LLC3 (42.16%)
Trice Medical Inc.3 (2.8%)

Tusker Medical, Inc.

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation

Registered 
Office

United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington 
Centreville
United States Wilmington 
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States Philadelphia 
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington 
19808
United States Wilmington 
19808
United States Wilmington
Dover GD
United States
Phoenix 
United States
United States
Columbia
United States Wilmington 
1908
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States Wilmington
United States
Dover GD
United States Wilmington 
19808
United States Wilmington 
19808

Africa, Asia, Australasia and Other Americas
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 Comercio de Produtos 
Medicos LTDA, Diadema Branch6
Smith & Nephew Comercio de Produtos 
Medicos LTDA, Rio de Janeiro Branch6
Smith & Nephew Comercio de Produtos 
Medicos LTDA, São José dos Campos Branch6
Smith & Nephew (Alberta) Inc.2
Smith & Nephew Inc.1
Tenet Medical Engineering, Inc.
Smith & Nephew Finance Holdings Limited5

TEAMfund, LP3 (6.765%)

Australia

Argentina Buenos Aires
Macquarie 
Australia
park
Macquarie 
park
Macquarie 
park
São Paulo

Australia

Brazil

Brazil

Diadema

Brazil

Brazil

Rio de  
Janeiro 
São José 

Canada
Canada
Canada

Calgary 
Toronto
Calgary
Cayman Islands George Town 
1104
Cayman Islands George Town 
9008

Company name

Smith & Nephew Chile SpA
ArthoCare Medical Devices (Beijing)  
Co. Limited4

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.2
Smith & Nephew Beijing Holdings Limited1
Smith & Nephew Limited
Smith & Nephew Suzhou Holdings Limited1
Smith & Nephew GBS Private Limited
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
Smith & Nephew S.A. de C.V.
Smith & Nephew Limited1
Smith & Nephew Superannuation  
Scheme Limited
Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Limited 
Philippines Branch2,6
Smith & Nephew, Inc.
Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited1
Smith & Nephew Pte Limited
Smith & Nephew (Pty) Limited1
Smith & Nephew Pharmaceuticals 
(Proprietary) Limited2

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation
Chile
China

Registered 
Office
Chile
Chao Yang 
District, 
Beijing
Shunyi 
District, 
Beijing
Shanghai 
Ao Na Rd
China Dong Cheng

China

China

China

Wu Hou

China

Yue Xiu

China

Jing’an

China

China
China

Colombia
Colombia
Costa Rica

Shanghai  
Xin Jin Qiao 
Rd
Suzhou City
Kechuang 
Dongliujie
Bogota
Bogota
Alajuela
Curaçao Willemstad
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Pune
Mumbai
Tokyo
Seoul

Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
India
India
Japan
Korea,  
Republic of

Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Kuala Lumpur
Mexico Mexico City
Auckland
Auckland

New Zealand
New Zealand

Philippines

Manila

Puerto Rico
Singapore
Singapore
South Africa
South Africa

San Juan
Singapore 
Singapore 
Westville
Westville

226

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 
221–228 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Company name

Smith & Nephew (Overseas) Limited  
Taiwan Branch6
Smith & Nephew Limited

Smith ve Nephew Medikal Cihazlar Ticaret 
Limited Sirketi
Smith & Nephew FZE

Smith & Nephew FZE (DHCC Branch)6

The Representative Office Of Smith &
Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited

Country of  
operation and 
incorporation
Taiwan

Registered 
Office
Taipei

Thailand Huai Khwang 
District, 
Bangkok
 Istanbul

Turkey

Jebel Ali, 
United Arab 
Dubai
Emirates
HealthCare 
United Arab 
Emirates
City, Dubai
Vietnam Ho Chi Minh 
City

In liquidation.

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.
7  Represents 28.32% voting rights and 8.01% economic interest.
8  Represents 20.31% economic interest.

Registered Office addresses
UK
Watford

Kent

York
Hull
Edinburgh
Rest of Europe
Vienna

Zaventem
Kobenhavn
Helsinki
Neuilly-sur-Seine

Hamburg
Munich
Tuttlingen
Dublin 
Milan

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

Concorde Business Park, 1/C/3 2320,  
Schwechat, Austria
Ikaroslaan 45, Gebouw D, 1930 Zaventem, Belgium
Kay Fiskers Plads 9,1. 2300. Kobenhavn S, Denmark
Ayritie 12 C, 01510, Vantaa, Finland
40-52, Boulevard du Parc, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, 
France
Friesenweg 4, Haus 21, 22763, Hamburg, Germany
Konrad-Zuse-Platz 8, 81829, Munich, Germany
Alemannenstrasse 14, 78532, Tuttlingen, Germany
13-18 City Quay, Dublin 2, D02 ED70, Ireland
Sesto San Giovanni (MI) Viale T. Edison 110 CAP 20099 
Italy
1A, rue Jean Piret, L-2350, Luxembourg, Luxembourg

Luxembourg
Amsterdam 2132NP Bloemlaan 2, 2132NP, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
Amsterdam 1105BP Paasheuvelweg 25, 1105BP, Amsterdam, 

Oslo
Warsaw

The Netherlands
Snaroyveien 36, FORNEBU, 1364, Norway
Ul Osmanska 12, 02-823, Warsaw, Poland

Registered Office addresses

Forte da Casa

Coimbra

Moscow

Puschino

Barcelona

Molndal
Gothenburg
Puidoux
Zug
Aarau
US
Wilmington

Wilmington 
Centreville
Philadelphia

Rua do Parque Tejo, numbers 7, 7-A and 7-B 2625-437 
Forte da Casa, Povoa de Santa Iria and Forte da Casa, 
Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal
Rua Pedro Nunes, Instituto Pedro Nunes, Edificio IPN-D, 
3030-199, Coimbra, 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
Krokslatts fabriker 39 431 37 Molndal, Sverige, Sweden
Varbergsgatan 2A/412 65 Göteborg, Sweden
Route du Verney 20, 1070, Puidoux, Switzerland
Theilerstrasse 1A, 6300, Zug, Switzerland
Schachenallee 29, 5000, Aarau, Switzerland

CT Corporation, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington  
DE 19801, USA
Corporation Services Company, Suite 400, 2711, 
Centreville Road, Wilmington DE, USA
CT Corporation 1515 Market Street, Philadelphia,  
PA 19102, USA

Wilmington 19808 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington DE 19808, USA
Dover GD
Pennsylvania

160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101, Dover, DE, 19904, USA
63 Burke Road, Cranberry Township, Butler County 
PA 16066, USA
CT Corporation System, 3800 North Central Avenue, 
Phoenix AZ 85012, USA
7015 Albert Einstein Dr., Columbia, Howard County  
MD 21046 USA

Phoenix

Columbia

Africa, Asia, Australasia and Other Americas
Buenos Aires
Macquarie park

São Paulo

Diadema

Rio de Janeiro

São José

Calgary
Toronto

Georgetown 1104

Maipu 1300, 13th Floor, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Suite 1.01, Level 1, Building B, Pinnacle Office Park, 
4 Drake Avenue, Macquarie park
Av. das Nações Unidas, 14171- 23º andar – Torre 
C-Crystal, Vila Gertrudes, São Paulo, CEP 043794-000, 
Brazil
Avenida Fagundes de Oliveira, 538, Piraporinha, 
Mbigucci Diadema Business Park, Module B21 and B22, 
City of Diadema São Paulo CEP 09950-300 Brazil
Rua Francisco de Sousa e Melo, 1590, Galpao 3 
Armazem 103 parte, Bairro Cordovil, Rio de Janeiro, 
CEP 21010-900, Brazil
Rua Dionizio Chinelato Nr. 100 – Complemento 
Galpão 01 – Sala o1 CEP 12.238-578 Bairro – Eldorado, 
Municipio São José dos Campos SP
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

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 
221–228 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.
227

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONCompany financial statements continued
Notes to the Company accounts continued

8 Group companies continued
Registered Office addresses

Registered Office addresses

Georgetown 9008 Walkers Corporate Limited, Cayman Corporate Centre, 

Mumbai

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

Chao Yang District, 
Beijing
Shunyi District, 
Beijing
Shanghai Ao Na Rd  Part B, 4th Floor, Tong Yong Building, No 188 Ao Na Rd, 

Tokyo
Seoul

Kuala Lumpur

Dong Cheng District Unit B1, 2/F, Tower A, East Gate Plaza No.9,  

Shanghai Free Trade Test Zone, Shanghai, China

Mexico City

Jing’an District

Yue Xiu District

Wu Hou District

Dongshong 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
Kechuang Dongliujie  No. 98 Kechuang Dongliujie, Beijing Economic  

Shanghai Xin Jin 
Qiao Rd

Suzhou City

Bogota
Alajuela 

Willemstad
Hong Kong

Pune

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
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

Auckland

Manila

San Juan

Singapore

Westville

Taipei

Huai Khwang 
District, Bangkok

Istanbul

Jebel Ali, Dubai

HealthCare City, 
Dubai 
Ho Chi Minh City

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
621 Rosebank Road, Avondale, Auckland, 1026, 
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
29 Media Circle, #06-05, Alice@Mediapolis, 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
Mahmutbey Mahallesi, 2538. Sokak, Kısık Plaza Apt. 
No:6/Z1, Istanbul, Bağcılar, Turkey
PO Box 16993 LB02016, Jebel Ali, Dubai, 
United Arab Emirates
Floor 1, Building 52, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, 
United Arab Emirates
Room 02, 18th floor, TNR building, 180-192, Nguyen 
Cong Tru street, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, 
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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 2022:
 – 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)

228

Excluding Note 8 ‘Group Companies’, the Parent Company financial statements of Smith & Nephew plc on pages 
221–228 do not form part of the Smith & Nephew plc Annual Report on Form 20-F as filed with the SEC.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Group information

Business overview and Group history
Since 2019, Smith+Nephew’s operations 
have been 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 more 
than 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.

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.

Related party transactions
Except for transactions with associates 
(see Note 22.2 of Notes to the Group 
accounts), no other related party had 
material transactions or loans with 
Smith+Nephew over the last three 
financial years.

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
Surgical training and office facilities in Memphis, Tennessee, US
Manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China
Manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia
Manufacturing facility in Alajuela, Costa Rica
Manufacturing facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
Manufacturing, Office facilities and laboratory space in Fort Worth, Texas, US
Research & development and office facility in Austin, Texas, US
Manufacturing facility in Aarau, Switzerland
Logistic facility in Lawrenceville, US
Office facilities in Andover, Massachusetts, US
Manufacturing facility in Beijing, China
Manufacturing facility in Mansfield, Massachusetts, US
Business services centre in Pune, India
Research & development facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Manufacturing, Office facility in Tuttlingen, Germany
Manufacturing facility in Columbia, Maryland, US

Approximate area   
(square feet 000’s)  
 60 
 923 
 473 
 292 
 288 
 277 
 270 
 155 
 139 
125
 116 
 115 
 112 
 109 
 98 
 74 
 65 
64
 61 

The Group Global Operations strategy includes ongoing assessment of the optimal facility footprint. The Orthopaedics manufacturing 
facilities in Memphis 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

229

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other information

Risk factors

There are known and unknown risks and 
uncertainties relating to Smith+Nephew’s 
business. The factors listed on pages 
230–235 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.

Global supply chain
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, Penang 
in Malaysia and Alajuela in Costa Rica. 
If major physical disruption or unavailability 
of critical system infrastructure and 
applications took place at any of these 
sites, it could adversely affect the results 
of operations. Further, disruptions which 
have taken place at these sites as a result 
of localised lockdowns in China and the 
impact of geopolitical events such as the 
war in Ukraine on the access to and cost 
of supply channels and supply constraints 
on raw materials and components 
have had and may continue to have an 
adverse effect on the Group’s results of 
operations. Physical loss and consequential 
loss insurance is carried to cover major 
physical disruption to these sites but 
is subject to limits and deductibles, 
generally does not cover pandemic or 
war related disruptions, 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. Further, as the Group continues 
to move and operationalise its warehouse 
and distribution functions externally, there 
is a risk that, if the transition and ongoing 
operations do not go as planned, the 
supply of products to its markets may be 
disrupted and impact its performance. 

230

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. 
Disruptions in the supply chains and 
operations of the Group’s suppliers, 
increased freight costs and cycle times 
and increased sanctions and import and 
export controls resulting from geopolitical 
events such as the war in Ukraine 
could result in a continued increase in 
the Group’s costs of production and 
distribution. These suppliers must provide 
the materials in compliance with legal 
and regulatory requirements and perform 
the activities to the Group’s standard 
of quality requirements. A supplier’s 
failure to comply with legal or regulatory 
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 and/or to sterilize 
its products, which it may not be able to 
pass on to its customers in the form of 
increased prices for its finished products. 
This risk is particularly relevant in the 
medical devices sector due to complex 
supply chains and the potential for 
healthcare budgets globally to be reduced. 
In addition, some of the raw materials 
used may become unavailable and/or 
capacity for sterilization services may 
become constrained, in particular due to 
post-pandemic manufacturing and supply 
challenges and increased regulation, 
and there can be no assurance that the 
Group will be able to obtain suitable and 
cost-effective substitutes. Interruption of 
supply caused by these or other factors has 
had and may continue to have a negative 
impact on Smith+Nephew’s revenue 
and operating profit.

The Group will, from time to time, including 
as part of the Operations and Commercial 
Excellence 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.

Natural disasters, weather and climate 
change related events and unavailability 
of critical system infrastructure and 
applications can also lead to manufacturing 
and supply delays, product shortages, 
excess inventory, unanticipated costs, 
lost revenues and damage to reputation. 
In addition, the pace of development 
and expansion of environmental and 
sustainability regulations globally, coupled 
with more aggressive enforcement 
of regulations can impact the Group’s 
ability to manufacture, sterilise and 
supply product. In addition, the Group’s 
physical assets and supply chains are also 
vulnerable to weather and climate change 
(e.g. sea level rise, increased frequency 
and severity of extreme weather events, 
and stress on water resources). Where such 
events impact a manufacturing facility, 
the Group may be unable to manufacture 
products. In this case, if there is no 
manufacturing alternative for the relevant 
products, the Group may not be able to 
supply those products to its customers.

The Group is exposed to increasing salary 
and wage costs for its employees and 
contractors due to global inflation and the 
cost of living crisis. This, combined with 
labour attrition and longer cycle times to 
backfill roles, may adversely impact the 
Group’s performance. Requirements of 
global regulatory agencies have become 
more stringent in recent years and 
the Group expects this to continue. 
The Group’s Quality and Regulatory 
Affairs team is leading a cross functional 
Group-wide programme to implement 
and transition to the EU Medical Devices 
Regulation (MDR) regulatory regime. 
MDR includes new requirements for 
the manufacture, supply and sale of all 
CE marked products sold in Europe (i.e. 
those products that conform with health, 
safety and environmental protection 
standards within the European Economic 
Area) and requires the re-registration of 
all medical devices, regardless of where 
they are manufactured. Smith+Nephew 
continues to make substantial progress 
towards Group compliance to the new 
regulation, however expects that there 
will continue to be significant capacity 
constraints in implementing MDR given 
the small number of notified bodies 
certified under MDR. This could continue 
to cause delays for medical device 
approvals for the industry more broadly 
and may result in delays for patients.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

The European Commission has taken some 
important steps to aid implementation, 
including delaying the EU database 
(EUDAMED) and passing a Corrigendum 
to give a longer implementation 
timeline for certain Class lR devices 
(i.e. reusable surgical instruments). 
More recently the EU Commission has 
proposed draft revisions to transitional 
requirements which if approved should 
support products to continue to be made 
available. This supports both the Group as 
well as supporting capacity constraints 
within the Notified Bodies.

The Group operates with a global remit 
and the speed of technological change 
in an already complex manufacturing 
process leads to greater potential for 
disruption. Additional risks to supply 
include inadequate sales and operational 
planning and inadequate supply chain 
or manufacturing capacity to support 
customer demand and growth.

Business continuity and business change
Widespread outbreaks of infectious 
diseases, including new Covid variants 
and restrictions and lockdowns arising 
therefrom, can create uncertainty and 
challenges for the Group. These include, 
but are not limited to, declines in and 
cancellations of elective procedures at 
medical facilities, reduction in staffing and 
other support within institutions, disruptions 
at manufacturing facilities and disruptions 
in supply and other commercial activities 
due to travel restrictions and government 
restrictions on exports.

The Group’s business requires continuous 
improvement and depends on its ability 
to execute business change programmes 
such as the 12-point plan at pace, whilst 
continuing to operate business as usual. 
The pace and scope of the Group’s business 
change initiatives may increase execution 
risk for the change programmes as well 
as for the Group’s business-as-usual 
activities. The Group’s business depends on 
its ability to plan for and be resilient in the 
face of events that threaten one or more 
of its key locations. Damage caused by 
environmental and climate change factors, 
including natural disasters and severe 
weather can and do threaten the Group’s 
critical sites and supply chains.

Commercial execution
Strong commercial execution requires 
effective cross functional alignment, 
accountability, engagement and 
communication across the Group within 
embedded governance structures and 
frameworks. Effective engagement 
with customers, suppliers and other 
stakeholders is also a crucial factor to 
ensure strong commercial execution. 
Failure to effectively implement the 
Group’s programmes within appropriate 
governance frameworks or failure to 
understand or take into account customer, 
supplier and stakeholder needs and 
requirements could adversely affect 
the Group’s performance.

Highly competitive markets
The Group competes across a diverse 
range of geographic and product 
markets. Each market in which the Group 
operates contains a number of different 
competitors, including specialised and 
international corporations.

Significant product innovations, technical 
advances or the intensification of price 
competition by competitors could 
adversely affect the Group’s operating 
results. Some of these competitors may 
have greater financial, marketing and 
other resources than Smith+Nephew. 
These competitors may be able to initiate 
technological advances in the field, deliver 
products on more attractive terms, more 
aggressively market their products or 
invest larger amounts of capital and 
research and development (R&D) into 
their businesses.

There is a possibility of further 
consolidation of competitors, which 
could adversely affect the Group’s ability 
to compete with larger companies due 
to insufficient financial resources. If any 
of the Group’s businesses were to lose 
market share or achieve lower than 
expected revenue growth, there could 
be a disproportionate adverse impact on 
the Group’s share price and its strategic 
options. Competition exists among 
healthcare providers to gain patients 
on the basis of quality, service and price. 
There has been some consolidation in the 
Group’s customer base and this trend is 
expected to continue. Some customers 
have joined group purchasing organisations 
or introduced other cost containment 
measures that could lead to downward 

pressure on prices or limit the number of 
suppliers in certain business areas, which 
could adversely affect Smith+Nephew‘s 
results of operations and hinder its 
growth potential.

Additional commercial execution risks 
include medical facilities stopping or 
severely restricting sales representative 
access due to increased post-pandemic 
pressure on these facilities and their staff.

Relationships with healthcare professionals
The Group seeks to maintain effective 
and ethical working relationships with 
physicians and medical personnel who 
assist in the development of new products 
or improvements to its existing product 
range or in product training and medical 
education. lf the Group is unable to 
maintain these relationships its ability 
to meet the demands of its customers 
could be diminished and the Group’s 
revenue and profit could be materially 
adversely affected.

Customer and other stakeholder 
sustainability expectations
The Group’s customers have developed 
or are developing more stringent 
sustainability requirements that they 
request or expect Smith+Nephew to 
implement or adhere to. A failure to 
meet customer’s expectations may 
adversely impact upon the Group’s 
financial performance.

Acquisitions
Challenges in integration of new acquisitions 
may arise following completion of the deal. 
This may lead to the Group not achieving 
the planned synergies and results from 
the acquisition.

Pricing and reimbursement
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 and healthcare systems. 
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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

231

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONOther information continued
Risk factors continued

Pricing of the Group’s products is 
largely governed in most markets by 
governmental reimbursement authorities. 
Initiatives sponsored by government 
agencies, legislative bodies and the private 
sector to limit the growth of healthcare 
costs, including price regulation, excise 
taxes and competitive pricing, are 
ongoing in markets where the Group has 
operations. This control may be exercised 
by determining prices for an individual 
product or for an entire procedure. 
The Group is exposed to government 
policies favouring locally sourced products.

The Group is also exposed to changes 
in reimbursement policy, tax policy and 
pricing, including as a result of financial 
pressure on governments and hospitals 
caused by recession and inflation in its 
markets, which may have an adverse 
impact on revenue and operating profit. 
During 2021 and 2022, reimbursement 
codes were more widely interpreted to 
provide for remote delivery of healthcare 
services which indicates a proposed 
shift in site of care and management of 
related healthcare budgets away from 
traditional inpatient focused treatment. 
There may also be an increased risk of 
adverse changes to government funding 
policies arising from deterioration in 
macroeconomic 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, reputational 
damage and/or loss of future funding.

Procurement processes
Global recessionary and inflationary 
pressures and the commoditisation of 
entire product groups have led to more 
price driven approaches to customer 
procurement processes and tenders, 
such as the value-based procurement 
programme in China and further 
consolidation of customer buying groups. 
Further, non-clinical staff are often key 
decision  makers in customer’s procurement 
processes, with access to these 
decision-makers being limited with some 
customers. These changes are occurring 
at a time when the input cost to the 
Group’s products is continuing to increase. 
The effect of these procurement changes 
can adversely impact the pricing that the 
Group achieves for its products in parallel 

232

with a continued increase in the cost 
of production of those products.

New product innovation,  
design & development, including  
intellectual property
Continual development and introduction 
of new products
The medical devices industry has a 
high level of new product introduction. 
In order to remain competitive, the Group 
must continue to develop innovative 
products that satisfy customer needs and 
preferences and/or provide cost or other 
advantages. Developing new products is 
a costly, lengthy and uncertain process. 
The Group may fail to innovate due to 
insufficient 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. Although most countries have 
eased Covid restrictions, during 2022 
localised Covid lockdowns and restrictions 
resulted in limitations on ability to conduct 
live product trials. Furthermore, there has 
been an adverse impact on relationships 
with healthcare professionals involved 
in R&D, marketing and sale of products 
and services, due to limited access to 
such professionals as a result of restricted 
hospital access in these markets.

The Group’s products and technologies 
are also subject to marketing challenge 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.

All new products that the Group develops 
need to be designed and manufactured in a 
sustainable manner. A failure in this aspect 
may impact the willingness of customers to 
purchase the new products and adversely 
impact the Group’s ability to continue 
selling the product.

Where the Group has critical gaps in its 
product portfolio that are not filled by new 
products there is a risk that the Group will 
lose market share to competitors that 
can offer a broader product portfolio.

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 engage in dispute resolution 
and if unsuccessful, 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 protects its intellectual 
property and opposes third-party 
patents and trademarks where it deems 
appropriate. If Smith+Nephew fails 
to protect and enforce its intellectual 
property rights effectively, 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.

Cybersecurity
Reliance on sophisticated information 
technology and cybersecurity
The Group uses a wide variety of 
information systems, programmes and 
technology to manage its business. 
The Group also develops and sells certain 
products that are or will be digitally 
enabled including connection to networks 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

and/or the internet. The Group’s systems 
and the systems of the entities it acquires 
are vulnerable to a cyber-attack, theft of 
intellectual property, malicious intrusion, 
loss of data privacy or other significant 
disruption. The Group’s systems have been 
and will continue to be the target of such 
threats, including as a result of remote 
working. There is increasing government 
focus on cybersecurity including changes 
in the regulatory environment.

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. 
The Group has 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 its 
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 
business operations could be disrupted 
and the performance of the Group could 
be materially adversely affected.

Legal and compliance risks including 
international regulation, product liability 
claims and loss of reputation
International regulation
The Group operates across the world 
and is subject to extensive complex 
legislation and regulation, including with 
respect to anti-bribery and corruption 
and data protection, in each country in 
which the Group operates. The Group’s 
international operations are governed by 
the UK Bribery Act and the US Foreign 
Corrupt Practices Act which prohibit 
the Group or its representatives from 
making or offering improper payments to 
government officials and other persons 
or accepting payments for the purpose 
of obtaining or maintaining business. 
The Group’s international operations which 
operate through distributors increase our 
Group exposure to these risks. The Group 
undertakes investigations into allegations of 
possible violations of laws and regulations, 
supported by external counsel where 
appropriate. It is not possible to predict the 
nature, scope or outcome of investigations, 
including the extent to which, if at all, this 
could result in any liability to the Group.

The Group is also required to comply with 
the requirements of data privacy laws 
and regulations in the markets in which 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

it operates which impose additional 
obligations regarding the handling of 
personal data. As privacy and data 
protection have become more sensitive 
issues for regulators and consumers, new 
and enhanced privacy and data protection 
laws and regulations and enforcement 
frameworks, continue to develop at pace 
globally. Ensuring compliance with evolving 
privacy and data protection laws and 
regulations on a global basis may require 
the Group to change or develop its current 
business models and practices and 
may increase its cost of doing business. 
Despite those efforts, there is a risk that 
the Group may be subject to fines and 
penalties, litigation and reputational 
harm in connection with its 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, could adversely affect 
the Group’s business, reputation, financial 
condition or results of operations. 

Operating in multiple jurisdictions 
also subjects the Group to local laws 
and regulations related to tax, pricing, 
reimbursement, regulatory requirements, 
trade policy, product safety, sustainability 
compliance and reporting requirements 
and varying levels of protection of 
intellectual property. This exposes 
the Group to additional risks and 
potential costs.

Product liability claims and loss of reputation
The development, manufacture and sale 
of medical devices entails 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 2022, a provision of 
$239m 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.

Financial reporting, compliance and control
The Group’s financial results depend on its 
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 
(the risk of which has been heightened 
post-pandemic). Failure to comply with the 
Group’s 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.

Political and economic
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 
macroeconomic conditions. The impact 
of geopolitical conditions such as the war 
in Ukraine and the continuing impacts of 
the Covid pandemic on global economies 
and financial markets may trigger a 
recession or slowdown in various markets 
in which the Group operate which would 
significantly reduce customer capital 
spending and customer financial strength. 
Economic conditions worldwide continue 
to create several challenges for the Group, 
including the US Administration’s approach 

233

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONOther information continued
Risk factors continued

to trade policy, increased global sanctions 
and countersanctions in response to local 
or global conflicts, heightened inflation and 
pricing pressure (arising across the costs 
of raw materials, freight and employee 
salaries and wages), increasing tax rates, 
significant declines in capital equipment 
expenditures at hospitals and increased 
uncertainty over the collectability of 
government debt. These factors could 
have an increased impact on growth 
in the future. 

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 may be restricted.

The Group is increasingly seeing 
sustainability targets and public policies 
being promulgated in the markets in 
which the Group operates as well as 
by its customers, suppliers and other 
stakeholders. A failure to meet these 
targets and policies could impact the 
Group’s sales and growth in those markets.

Political uncertainties
The Group operates on a worldwide basis 
and has distribution channels, agents and 
purchasing 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 whether in 
terms of increased compliance resources 
and cost to serve, market exit, disruption 
to operations and/or reputational damage. 
There remains a level of political and 
regulatory uncertainty in the UK following 
the exit from the European Union and the 
introduction of new legislation in the UK.

Quality and regulatory
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 

234

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 
National Medical Products 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 with an initial expected three-year 
transition period until May 2020. Due to the 
Covid pandemic, the European Commission 
published a formal proposal in early 
April 2020, announcing the delay to the 
implementation by 12 months, to 26 May 
2021. The increase in the time required 
by Notified Bodies to review product 
submissions and site quality systems’ 
certification time has had and may 

continue to have an adverse impact on the 
Group’s ability to meet customer demand.

The trend is towards more stringent 
regulation and higher standards of 
technical appraisal and there are 
increasingly stringent local requirements 
for clinical data across many of the 
markets globally in which the Group 
operates. Such controls have become 
increasingly demanding to comply with and 
management believes that this trend will 
continue. Privacy laws and environmental 
regulations have also become more 
stringent, supported by enhanced 
enforcement frameworks and resources.

There is also an increase in regulation 
relating to labelling and reporting in the 
markets in which the Group operates 
which results in increased resourcing and 
cost to the Group. Regulatory requirements 
may also entail inspections for compliance 
with appropriate standards, including those 
relating to Quality Management Systems or 
Good Manufacturing Practices regulations. 
All manufacturing and other significant 
facilities within the Group are subject to 
regular internal and external audit for 
compliance with national 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.

Mergers and acquisitions
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 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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 and increased interest rates 
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.

Talent management
The Group’s continued development 
depends on its ability to hire, successfully 
engage and retain highly skilled 
personnel with particular expertise. 
This is critical, particularly in general 
management, research, new product 
development and in the sales force. 
The Covid pandemic has increased the 
risk to the health and wellbeing of the 
Group’s personnel. Uncertainty, threat 
of illness and restricted travel, work and 
personal activities have affected people 
globally. Employee priorities have shifted 
in terms of work life equilibrium resulting 
in increased global movement of talent. 
Increased salaries in particular sectors 
(such as Cybersecurity, Digital, IT and 
ESG) have also impacted businesses 
globally lf Smith+Nephew is unable to 
attract and 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 fails to engage 
in and implement effective succession 
planning, it may not be able to meet its 
strategic business objectives, may lose 
competitive advantage and intellectual 
capital due to retention failure.

Environment and sustainability
Climate change and sustainability related 
risks have the potential to impact the 
Group’s business model and performance. 
The impacts of climate change on 
the Group’s business may arise from 
new regulations and requirements to 
obtain certain sustainability standards, 
international sustainability accords and 
agreements, and changing business 
practices and trends to accommodate 
climate-change risks. Further, the Group 
will be exposed to the physical impacts 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

of climate change, which may impact 
the manufacture of its products and the 
supply chain to deliver them to its markets. 
The Group may need to adapt its business 
model and processes to accommodate 
the changes brought about by climate-
related issues and increased focus and 
regulation of sustainability requirements 
by governments, regulators, customers, 
investors and other stakeholders. If the 
Group does not achieve the climate 
change and sustainability targets and 
objectives set by the Group, or set by 
the governments and regulators in the 
markets where it operates, or by its 
customers, there may be an impact on the 
Group’s performance and ability to grow.

Taxation and Foreign Exchange
The Group operates a global business and 
is therefore required to comply with tax 
legislation in multiple jurisdictions and is 
also exposed to exchange rate volatility. 
There is the potential for an adverse impact 
on the Group’s financial performance 
due to significant tax rate changes, 
or broadening of the tax base, in key 
jurisdictions in which the Group operates. 
These include OECD Pillar Two (as outlined 
on page 179) and US tax reform proposals. 
These external factors may require the 
Group to adjust its operating model.

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, Malaysia 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, Malaysian 
Ringgit 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 operating 
profit by a policy of transacting forward 
foreign currency contracts when firm 
commitments exist. 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 still 
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 196.

Factors affecting 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 ‘Serving 
healthcare customers’ on pages 24–45, 
the ‘Manufacturing and quality’ on 
pages 46–47, the ‘Financial review’ 
on pages 18–21 and ‘Taxation information 
for shareholders’ on pages 243–245.

235

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONOther information continued

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, trading profit 
before tax, adjusted attributable profit, 
tax rate on trading results (trading tax 
expressed as a percentage of trading profit 
before tax), EPSA, ROIC, trading cash flow, 
free cash flow, trading profit to trading 
cash conversion ratio, leverage ratio, and 
underlying revenue 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.

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.

Payments of lease liabilities are included  
in trading cash flow. IFRS 16 right-of-use  
assets and IFRS 16 lease liabilities are 
included in net operating assets in  
arriving at ROIC.

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.

Underlying revenue growth is considered 
by the Group to be an important measure 
of performance as 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.

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.

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.

236

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Reported revenue growth, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with IFRS, reconciles to underlying 
revenue growth as follows:

2022

Consolidated revenue by franchise
Knee Implants
Hip Implants
Other Reconstruction
Trauma & Extremities
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

2021
Consolidated revenue by franchise
Knee Implants
Hip Implants
Other Reconstruction
Trauma & Extremities
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   
%     

 2.5 
 (4.4)
 (5.6)
 (5.7)
 (2.0)
 3.6 
 (3.8)
 17.1 
 1.9 
 (2.6)
 4.9 
 4.3 
 1.1 
 0.1 

 6.8 
 (0.2)
 (1.8)
 (2.6)
 1.9 
 8.7 
 0.9 
 20.4 
 6.7 
 5.2 
 5.4 
 11.6 
 6.4 
 4.7 

Reported growth   
%     

Underlying growth   
%     

 6.6 
 7.8 
 34.1 
 25.4 
 12.5 
 18.2 
 14.1 
 23.3 
 17.0 
 12.9 
 15.1 
 16.0 
 14.2 
 14.3 

 5.1 
 5.8 
 32.2 
 5.6 
 6.4 
 15.9 
 11.7 
 20.6 
 14.6 
 9.5 
 14.8 
 13.0 
 11.8 
 10.3 

Acquisitions/disposals   
%     
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

Acquisitions/disposals   
%     
 – 
 – 
 – 
 18.0 
 4.3 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 1.9 

Reconciling items  
Currency impact   
%  
 (4.3)
 (4.2)
 (3.8)
 (3.1)
 (3.9)
 (5.1)
 (4.7)
 (3.3)
 (4.8)
 (7.8)
 (0.5)
 (7.3)
 (5.3)
 (4.6)

Reconciling items  

Currency impact   
%  
 1.5 
 2.0 
 1.9 
 1.8 
 1.8 
 2.3 
 2.4 
 2.7 
 2.4 
 3.4 
 0.3 
 3.0 
 2.4 
 2.1 

Trading profit, trading profit margin, trading cash flow and trading profit to trading cash conversion ratio
Trading profit, trading profit margin (trading profit expressed as a percentage of revenue), trading cash flow and trading profit to trading 
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, the most directly comparable IFRS measures, 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 contributions to fund defined benefit pension schemes that are closed to future 
accrual are excluded from cash generated from operations when arriving at trading cash flow. Payment of lease liabilities is included 
within trading cash flow.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

237

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other information continued
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).

2022 Reported 
Acquisition and disposal-related items
Restructuring and rationalisation costs 
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition 
intangibles 
Legal and other7
Lease liability payments
Capital expenditure 
2022 Adjusted

Revenue

Operating
profit1

Profit before
 tax2

Taxation3

     $ million      $ million     
 450  
 4 
 167 

 5,215  
 –  
 –  

$ million      $ million     
 (12) 
 (31)
 (30)

 235  
 162 
 168 

Attributable
profit4
$ million     
 223  
 131 
 138 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 5,215  

 205 
 75 
 – 
 – 
 901  

 205 
 82 
 – 
 – 
 852  

 (45)
 (21)
 – 
 – 
 (139) 

 160 
 61 
 – 
 – 
 713  

Cash generated
from operations5

$ million     
 581  
 22 
 120 

 – 
 133 
 (54)
 (358)
 444  

Earnings  
per share6 
¢  
 25.5 
 15.1 
 15.8 

 18.4 
 7.0 
 – 
 – 
 81.8 

Acquisition and disposal-related items: For the year to 31 December 2022, costs primarily relate to the acquisition of Engage and 
prior year acquisitions, partially offset by credits relating to remeasurement of deferred and contingent consideration for prior year 
acquisitions. Adjusted profit before tax additionally excludes losses of $158m related to the Group’s shareholding in Bioventus. 
This primarily includes an impairment charge of $109m and the Group’s share of impairment recognised by Bioventus in its 
financial statements. 

Restructuring and rationalisation costs: For the year to 31 December 2022, these costs relate to the implementation of the Operations 
and Commercial Excellence programme announced in February 2020 and also includes efficiency and productivity elements of the 12-point 
plan. Adjusted profit before tax additionally excludes $1m of restructuring costs related to the Group’s share of results of associates. 

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles: For the year to 31 December 2022, charges relate to the amortisation and 
impairment of intangible assets acquired in material business combinations.

Legal and other: For the year ended 31 December 2022, charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims 
and an increase of $19m in the provision that reflects the present value of the estimated cost to resolve all other known and anticipated 
metal-on-metal hip claims. Charges also include the costs for implementing the requirements of the EU Medical Device Regulation that 
was effective from May 2021 with a transition period to May 2024. These charges in the year to 31 December 2022 were partially offset 
by a credit of $7m relating to insurance recoveries for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims.

2021 Reported 
Acquisition and disposal-related items
Restructuring and rationalisation costs 
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition 
intangibles 
Legal and other7
Lease liability payments
Capital expenditure 
2021 Adjusted

Revenue

Operating
profit1

Profit before
tax2

Taxation3

     $ million      $ million     
 593  
 7 
 113 

 5,212  
 –  
 –  

$ million      $ million     
 (62) 
 (3)
 (22)

 586  
 (73)
 113 

Attributable
profit4
$ million     
 524  
 (76)
 91 

 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  
 5,212  

 172 
 51 
 – 
 – 
 936  

 172 
 59 
 – 
 – 
 857  

 (38)
 (22)
 – 
 – 
 (147) 

 134 
 37 
 – 
 – 
 710  

Cash generated
from operations5

$ million     
 1,048  
 28 
 108 

 – 
 111 
 (59)
 (408)
 828  

Earnings  
per share6 
¢  
 59.8 
 (8.8)
 10.3 

 15.4 
 4.2 
 – 
 – 
 80.9 

Acquisition and disposal-related items: For the year to 31 December 2021, costs primarily relate to the acquisition of Extremity 
Orthopaedics and prior year acquisitions, partially offset by credits relating to remeasurement of deferred and contingent consideration 
for prior year acquisitions. Adjusted profit before tax additionally excludes gains of $75m associated with the two transactions resulting 
in the dilution of the Group’s shareholding in Bioventus and $5m of other gains relating to the Bioventus IPO.

Restructuring and rationalisation costs: For the year to 31 December 2021, these costs relate to the implementation of the Accelerating 
Performance and Execution (APEX) programme that was announced in February 2018 and the Operations and Commercial Excellence 
programme announced in February 2020.

238

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles: For the year to 31 December 2021, charges relate to the amortisation 
and impairment of intangible assets acquired in material business combinations.

Legal and other: For the year ended 31 December 2021, charges primarily relate to legal expenses for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims 
and also includes costs for implementing the requirements of the EU Medical Device Regulation that was effective from May 2021 
with a transition period to May 2024. These charges in the year to 31 December 2021, were partially offset by a credit of $35m relating 
to insurance recoveries for ongoing metal-on-metal hip claims.

Trading cash flow additionally excludes $7m of cash funding to closed defined benefit schemes. Taxation also includes the effect of 
an increase in deferred tax assets on non trading items resulting from the prospective UK tax rate increase from 19% to 25% effective 
from 1 April 2023.

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  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 operations1
Capital expenditure
Interest received
Interest paid
Payment of lease liabilities
Income taxes (paid)/refunded
Free cash flow

1  See Group cash flow statement on page 166.

2022   
$ million     
 581  
 (358) 
 7  
 (73) 
 (54)
 (47)
 56 

2021   
$ million     
 1,048  
 (408) 
 6  
 (80) 
 (59)
 (97) 
 410 

2020
$ million
 972 
 (443)
 2 
 (61)
 (55)
 22 
 437 

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 and impairment of property, plant and equipment and amortisation 
and impairment 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
Impairment of property, plant and equipment1

Impairment of other intangible assets1

Adjustment for items already excluded from trading profit
Adjusted EBITDA
Leverage ratio (x)

1 Impairments in 2021 were immaterial and did not impact the leverage ratio.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

2022   
$ million     
 2,535  

2021
$ million
 2,049 

 901  
 319  
 56 

 30 

 7 

 (31)
 1,282 
 2.0 

 936 
 326 
 65 

 – 

 – 

 (11)
 1,316 
 1.6 

239

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION  
 
    
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
Other information continued
Non-IFRS financial information – Adjusted measures continued

Return on invested capital
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 (before amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles) less Adjusted Taxes/
((Opening Net Operating Assets + Closing Net Operating Assets)/2). The ROIC calculation has been updated to reflect the definition 
of ROIC used in the Performance Share Programme 2020.

Operating profit

Amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles

Operating profit before amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles

Taxation
Taxation adjustment1
Operating profit before amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles less adjusted 
taxes

Total equity

Accumulated amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles net of associated tax

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 assets2
Return on invested capital

2022
$ million     
 450    

2021   
$ million     
 593  

2020
$ million
 295 

 205 

 655 
 (12) 
 (86) 

 557  

 5,259 

 1,175 

 (141)
 (12)
 (46)
 (187)
 (350)
 2,712 
 70 
 160 
 8,640 
 8,424 
6.6%

 172 

 765 

 (62) 
 (55) 

 648  

 5,568 

 1,035 

 (182)
 (10)
 (188)
 (191)
 (1,290)
 2,848 
 127 
 491 
 8,208 
 8,029 
8.1%

 171 

 466 

 202 
 (57)

 611 

 5,279 

 926 

 (133)
 (9)
 (108)
 (196)
 (1,762)
 3,353 
 163 
 337 
 7,850 
 7,681 
8.0%

1  Being the taxation on amortisation and impairment of acquisition intangibles, interest income, interest expense, other finance costs and share of results of associates.
2  (Opening Net Operating Assets + Closing Net Operating Assets)/2

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.

240

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.

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. The Company regularly 
responds to letters from shareholders 
on a range of issues.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

  
  
 
    
 
 
 
 
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 Group’s 
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.

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’.

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 Group’s 
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 2022 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Persons depositing or  
withdrawing shares must pay
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs
(or portion of 100 ADSs)
$0.05 (or less) per ADS

$0.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year 
Registration or transfer fees

Taxes and other governmental charges 
the depositary or the custodian have 
to pay on any ADS or share underlying an 
ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, 
stamp duty or withholding taxes

Any charges incurred by the depositary  
or its agents for servicing the 
deposited securities

For
 – Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting 

from a distribution of shares or rights or 
other property

 – Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose 

of withdrawal, including if the deposit  
agreement terminates

 – Any cash distribution to ADS registered holders, 

including payment of dividend

 – Depositary services
 – Transfer and registration of shares on 

our share register to or from the name of 
the depositary or its agent when shares 
are deposited or withdrawn

 – As necessary

 – As necessary

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.

During 2022, a fee of 1 US cent per ADS 
was collected by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank 
N.A. on the 2021 final dividend paid in May 
2022 and a fee of 1 US cent per ADS was 
collected on the 2022 interim dividend paid 
in October. In the period 1 January 2022 
to 10 February 2023, the total programme 
payments made by J.P. Morgan Chase 
Bank N.A. was $815,663.15.

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, 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. 

241

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONShareholder information continued

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.

Dividends below £2,000 per tax year are 
tax free for UK income tax purposes and 
dividends above £2,000 per tax year are 
subject to UK personal income tax at 
the rate of 8.75% for basic rate taxpayers, 
33.75% for higher rate taxpayers and 
39.35% for additional rate taxpayers. If you 
need to pay UK tax, how you pay depends 
upon the amount of dividend income 
you receive in a year. For the tax year 
2023–2024, the £2,000 dividend nil rate 
will be reduced to £1,000, falling to £500 
for the tax year 2024–25 and subsequent 
tax years. 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.

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 2022 
of 23.1 US cents per ordinary share, the 
record date will be 31 March 2023 and 
the payment date will be 17 May 2023. 
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 
24 April 2023. The ordinary shares will 
trade ex-dividend on both the London 
and New York Stock Exchanges from 
30 March 2023. 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 2022 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 Bank 
N.A. 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 

Dividends per share

Pence per share:

Interim
Final

Total

US cents per share:

Interim
Final

Total

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

Years ended 31 December

12.91
19.071 

31.98

14.40
23.10

37.50

10.50
18.40

28.90

14.40
23.10

37.50

11.07
16.62

27.69

14.40
23.10

37.50

11.19
18.66

29.85

14.40
23.10

37.50

10.67
16.99

27.66

14.00
22.00

36.00

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 Company Secretary, although the 
Board reserves the right to transfer them 
to a member of the Board should it so wish.

Shareholdings
As at 10 February 2023, to the knowledge 
of the Group, there were 12,079 registered 
holders of ordinary shares, of whom 
94 had registered addresses in the US 
and held a total of 156,389 ordinary 
shares (0.017% 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 10 February 2023, 45,620,821 ADSs 
equivalent to 91,241,642 ordinary shares 
or approximately 10.45% of the total 
ordinary shares in issue, were outstanding 
and were held by 84 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 10 February 2023, 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 on page 243, 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 on page 243 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.

1  Translated at the Bank of England rate on 10 February 2023.

242

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Purchase of ordinary shares on behalf of the Company

23 February – 13 April 2022

9–12 August 2022

Total shares 
purchased  
000’s
7,770,113

Average price  
paid per share  
pence
1,224.5255

Approximate value  
of shares purchased
$ million 
125

1,923,363

1,068.6719

25

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 December 2021, 
we announced an updated capital 
allocation policy to prioritise the use of 
cash. The 2022 share buyback programme 
commenced on 23 February 2022 and 
$150 million was completed by 12 August 
2022. As macroeconomic conditions 
continued to be uncertain, including higher 
input cost inflation, the Board decided it 
was prudent to delay further buybacks 
until conditions improved. We remain 
committed to returning surplus cash to 
shareholders over time.

From 1 January 2022 to 10 February 2023, 
in the months listed below, the Company 
has purchased 9,693,476 ordinary shares 
at a cost of $150,174,989.80.

The shares were purchased in the open 
market by Merrill Lynch International 
and J.P. Morgan Securities plc on behalf 
of the Company.

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 His 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. 

Major shareholders

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 US (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 all tax consequences 

BlackRock, Inc.

BlackRock, Inc.

10 February 2023
%*
5.2

10 February 2023
’000
46,427

2022
%*
5.2

2022
’000
46,427

*  Percentage of ordinary shares in issue, excluding Treasury shares.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

As at 31 December

2020
%*
5.2

As at 31 December

2020
’000
46,427

2021
%*
5.2

2021
’000
46,427

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 US Holders who directly, 
indirectly or constructively own 10% or 
more of the Company’s issued ordinary 
shares. This discussion does not apply to 
(i) US Holders 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) US Holders whose registered 
address is inside the UK. This discussion 
does not apply to certain US Holders 
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 US 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 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 2022.

This discussion 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.

243

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONShareholder information continued

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.

For US federal income tax purposes, 
distributions paid by the Company will 
generally be 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 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 

244

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 US 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.

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. 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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 was not compatible with 
EU law. HMRC 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 and the 
expiry of the associated implementation 
period, unless the relevant UK legislation is 
amended. In HMRC’s view, the 1.5% SDRT 
or stamp duty charge continues 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.

Any UK stamp duty or SDRT imposed 
upon transfers of ADSs or ordinary shares 
will not be treated as a creditable foreign 
tax for US federal income tax purposes. 
US Holders should consult their tax 
advisers regarding whether any such UK 
stamp duty or SDRT may be deductible 
or reduce the amount of gain (or increase 
the amount of loss) recognized upon a 
sale or other disposition of the ADSs or 
ordinary shares.

Charitable and Political Donations
The Group made no political 
donations during the year (2021: $nil). 
Details of charitable donations can be 
found on page 59.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Suppliers’ Payment Policy
Terms of payment are agreed with 
individual suppliers prior to supply. 
The Group aims to pay its creditors 
promptly, in accordance with terms 
agreed for payment. Further information 
can be obtained from the government 
payment practice reporting portal.

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 2021 
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.

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 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 

245

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONShareholder information continued

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.

The Company’s Board of Directors may 
declare such interim dividends as appear 
to them to be justified by the Company’s 
financial position.

If authorised by an ordinary resolution 
of the shareholders, the Board may also 
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.

There were no material modifications 
to the rights of shareholders under 
the Company’s Articles of Association 
during 2022.

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 

246

than one-tenth of the total voting rights 
of all shareholders entitled to vote on 
the resolution; or Any shareholder or 
shareholders holding shares conferring 
a right to vote on the resolution on 
which there have been paid-up sums 
in aggregate equal to not less than one-
tenth of the total sum paid up on all the 
shares conferring that right.

A Form of Proxy will be treated as giving the 
proxy the authority to demand a poll, or  
to join others in demanding one, as above.

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 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.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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 entitled to repayment at nominal 
value only if all ordinary shareholders have 

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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.

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 2021 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 2022, Smith+Nephew’s gross revenues 
from sales to Iran were US$nil and net 
losses were approximately US$0.0m.
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.

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 
$5.2bn in 2022. 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 2022. 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 2022, 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 page 252.

The product names referred to in this 
document are identified by use of capital 
letters and the ◊ symbol (on first occurrence 
on a particular page) and are trademarks 
owned by or licensed to members of 
the Group.

247

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONShareholder information continued

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 10 February 2023, 
the latest practicable date for this Annual 
Report, the Bank of England rate was 
US$1.21 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.

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 in the 

248

‘Strategic Report’, 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: 
risks related to the impact of Covid, such 
as the depth and longevity of its impact, 
government actions and other restrictive 
measures taken in response, material 
delays and cancellations of elective 
procedures, reduced procedure capacity 
at medical facilities, restricted access for 
sales representatives to medical facilities, 
or our ability to execute business continuity 
plans as a result of Covid; economic and 
financial conditions in the markets we 
serve, especially those affecting healthcare 
providers, payers and customers (including, 
without limitation, as a result of Covid); 
price levels for established and innovative 
medical devices; developments in 
medical technology; regulatory approvals, 
reimbursement decisions or other 
government actions; product defects or 
recalls or other problems with quality 
management systems or failure to 
comply with related regulations; litigation 
relating to patent or other claims; legal 
and financial compliance risks and related 
investigative, remedial or enforcement 
actions; disruption to our supply chain 
or operations or those of our suppliers 
(including, without limitation, as a result 
of Covid); competition for qualified 
personnel; strategic actions, including 
acquisitions and dispositions, 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 organization to adapt to market 
developments; disruptions due to natural 
disasters, weather and climate change 
related events; changes in customer 
and other stakeholder sustainability 
expectations; changes in taxation 
regulations; effects of foreign exchange 
volatility; 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 230–235 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 on Form 20-F and 
some of the other information submitted 
by the Group to the SEC may be accessed 
through the SEC website.

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,  
United Kingdom.

Registered in England and Wales  
No. 324357.

Tel. +44 (0)1923 477 100 
www.smith-nephew.com

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

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
A  – (Reserved)
B  –  Capitalization and Indebtedness
C  –  Reason for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
D  –  Risk Factors

Item 4 Information on the Company

A  –   History and Development 

of the Company
B  –  Business Overview
C  –  Organizational Structure
D  –  Property, Plants and Equipment

10–11, 17, 20, 32, 164–220, 
238, 240–241, 247–248, IBC
IFC–81, 171–175, 229–235
189–190, 225–228
183–184, 229 
None

Item 4A Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 5 Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

Page

Part I

n/a

n/a

n/a
n/a
n/a
230–235

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

A  –  Operating Results
B  –  Liquidity and Capital Resources
C  –   Research and Development, Patents  

and Licences, etc.
D  –  Trend Information
E  –  Critical Accounting Estimates

IFC, 14, 16–21, 230–235
21, 194–196, 215–216
IFC, 10, 14–15, 17, 75, 
175, 232
21, 28–47, 62–63, 229–235
169–171

Item 6 Directors, Senior Management and Employees
A  –  Directors and Senior Management
B  –  Compensation
C  –  Board Practices
D  –  Employees
E  –  Share Ownership

86–91
116–145, 206–212
84–115
48–53, 177
117, 119, 122–123, 125, 127, 135–138,  
140, 144–145, 213–214, 220
n/a

F  –   Disclosure of a Registrant’s 

Action to Recover Erroneously 
Awarded Compensation

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

Item 9 The Offer and Listing

A  –  Offer and Listing Details
B  –  Plan of Distribution
C  –  Markets

242–243
220, 229
n/a

148–220

205–206
241–242
None

214, 240–243
n/a
84, 229, 240–242, 247

A  –  Debt Securities
B  –  Warrants and Rights
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
I  –   Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions  

that Prevent Inspections

Part III
Item 17 Financial Statements
Item 18 Financial Statements

Item 19 Exhibits

Page

n/a
n/a
n/a

n/a
245–247
None
243
243–245
n/a
n/a
248
225–228
197–203, 230–235

n/a
n/a
n/a
241

Page

None
None

101, 104–107, 148–163
n/a
88, 101
107
104, 177
n/a

214, 243

n/a

84
n/a
n/a

Page

n/a
147, 164–220, 
236–240

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

249

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONSASB reporting

Topic

Metric

2022 Reporting

Code

Affordability 
and pricing

Ratio of weighted average rate of 
net price increases (for all products) 
to the annual increase in the US 
Consumer Price Index.

Description of how price information 
for each product is disclosed to 
customers or to their agents.

Product safety

Number of recalls issued, 
total units recalled.

List of products listed in the 
FDA’s MedWatch Safety 
Alerts for Human Medical 
Products database.

Number of fatalities related to 
products as reported in the FDA 
Manufacturer and User Facility 
Device Experience (MAUDE).

Number of FDA enforcement 
actions taken in response 
to violations of current Good 
Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), 
by type.

Smith+Nephew considers pricing 
disclosures to be commercially sensitive. 
Smith+Nephew does not measure price 
increase relative to the US Consumer Price 
Index for our business purposes.

Smith+Nephew uses several methods 
to disseminate price information to 
customers, including quotes, agreements, 
responses to requests for proposal, 
tender bid submissions, discount 
and rebate reporting and through 
large group purchasing organisation/
integrated delivery network customers 
to their members.

In 2022, Smith+Nephew reported 7 recalls 
globally. A total of 6,339 units were 
impacted globally. All impacted products 
were either removed from the market or 
corrected per the applicable regulations 
and/or standards.

Smith+Nephew reports all data as required 
by FDA. The MedWatch database is 
available at https://www.fda.gov/safety/
medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-
adverse-event-reporting-program

Smith+Nephew reports all data as required  
by FDA. The FDA MAUDE database is  
available at https://www.accessdata.fda. 
gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfmaude/ 
search.cfm

In 2022, Smith+Nephew received:
 – 1 Form 483 (4 observations in total).
 – 0 Warning letters.
 – 0 Seizures.
 – 3 Recalls (FDA reportable events).
 – 0 Consent decrees.

HC-MS-240a.1

HC-MS-240a.2

HC-MS-250a.1

HC-MS-250a.2

HC-MS-250a.3

HC-MS-250a.4

Ethical 
marketing

Description of code of ethics 
governing promotion of off-label 
use of products.

See the Product Promotion and 
Scientific Disclosures section of our 
Code of Conduct and Business Principles 
(www.smith-nephew.com) and the Acting 
with Integrity section of our Sustainability 
Report for additional information.

HC-MS-270a.2

250

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Topic

Metric

2022 Reporting

Code

Product design 
and lifecycle 
management

Discussion of process to assess and 
manage environmental and human 
health considerations associated 
with chemicals in products, and meet 
demand for sustainable products.

Total amount of products accepted 
for takeback and reused, recycled, 
or donated, broken down by: 
(1) devices and equipment and 
(2) supplies.

Sustainability reviews are incorporated 
in New Product Development phase 
reviews for new products and acquisitions. 
Additionally, regulatory changes regarding 
chemicals in products are tracked and 
actioned, as appropriate.
See our Sustainability Report for 
more information.

Smith+Nephew operates takeback 
schemes where required by law. 
Smith+Nephew does not measure 
the amount of products reused or 
recycled for our business purposes.
See the People section of our 
Sustainability Report for information 
on product donations.

Supply chain 
management

Percentage of (1) entity’s facilities 
and (2) Tier 1 suppliers’ facilities 
participating in third-party audit 
programmes for manufacturing 
and product quality.

All Smith+Nephew direct and third-party 
manufacturing locations are certified 
to ISO13485. Additionally, all Tier 1  
material suppliers are compliant 
with ISO13485.

Description of efforts to 
maintain traceability within 
the distribution chain.

All Smith+Nephew products are labelled 
with either Unique Device Identifiers or 
HIBC barcodes to maintain traceability.

Description of the management 
of risks associated with the use 
of critical materials.

Supply chain risks are captured within 
Smith+Nephew’s Enterprise Risk 
Management process. Both Business 
continuity and business change and 
Global supply chain are identified as 
Principal Risks.
See our Risk Report on page 69 and our 
Conflict Minerals Disclosure Report on  
our website (www.smith-nephew.com)  
for additional information.

Business ethics

Total amount of monetary losses as a 
result of legal proceedings associated 
with bribery or corruption.

In 2022, Smith+Nephew did not have 
monetary losses due to legal proceedings 
associated with bribery or corruption.

Description of code of ethics 
governing interactions with health 
care professionals.

See our website 
(www.smith-nephew.com) for our Code 
of Conduct and Business Principles, our 
Anti-Bribery Policy, our Annual Report, 
and also the Acting with Integrity 
section of our Sustainability Report 
for additional information.

HC-MS-410a.1 

HC-MS-410a.2

HC-MS-430a.1

HC-MS-430a.2

HC-MS-430a.3

HC-MS-510a.1

HC-MS-510a.2

Activity metric

Number of units sold  
by product category.

Smith+Nephew considers the number 
of units sold by product category to be 
commercially sensitive.

HC-MS-000.A

You can learn more about our sustainability targets and strategy in our 
2022 Sustainability Report at www.smith-nephew.com/sustainability

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

251

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION Glossary

Unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms have 
the meanings shown below:

Meaning
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.
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.
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.
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.
Annual General Meeting of the Company.
Endoscopy of the joints is termed ‘arthroscopy’, with the 
principal applications including the knee and shoulder.
Ambulatory Surgery Center.
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.

Emerging Markets include Latin America, Asia (excluding Japan), 
Middle East, Africa and Russia.
Adjusted earnings per ordinary share as defined on page 238. 
Through a small incision, surgeons are able to see inside 
the body using a monitor and identify and repair defects.
Ear, Nose and Throat.
Established Markets are United States of America, Europe, 
Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Japan.
References to the common currency used in the majority 
of the countries of the European Union.
US Food and Drug Administration.
Refers to the consolidated Group Accounts  
of Smith & Nephew plc.
Index of the largest 100 listed companies on the London 
Stock Exchange by market capitalisation.
Used for convenience to refer to the Company and its 
consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.
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.
Inside Front Cover.
Inside Back Cover.

Term
ADR

ADS

Arthroscopic  
Enabling  
Technologies 
(AET)

Advanced  
Wound  
Bioactives 
(AWB)

Advanced  
Wound Care 
(AWC)
Advanced  
Wound Devices 
(AWD)

AGM
Arthroscopy

ASC
Basis Point
Chronic  
wounds
Company

Companies  
Act
Emerging  
Markets
EPSA
Endoscopy

ENT
Established  
Markets
Euro or €

FDA
Financial  
statements
FTSE 100

Group or  
Smith+Nephew
Health  
economics

Hip  
Implants
IFC
IBC

252

Term
IFRS

Knee  
implants
LSE
MDR
MHRA

Negative  
Pressure  
Wound  
Therapy (NPNT)
NHS
NYSE
Orthopaedic  
products

Other  
Reconstruction
OXINIUM

Parent  
Company
Pound Sterling, 
Sterling, £, 
pence or p
SEC
Sports  
Medicine  
Joint Repair
Trading  
results

Trauma & 
Extremities 

UK
Underlying  
growth

US

Meaning
International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board.
A product group which includes an innovative range of 
products for specialised knee replacement procedures.
London Stock Exchange.
Medical Device Regulation.
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.
A product group which includes robotics-assisted surgery, 
bone cement and accessory products.
OXINIUM material is an advanced load bearing technology. 
It is created through a proprietary manufacturing process 
that enables zirconium to absorb oxygen and transform to a 
ceramic on the surface, resulting in a material that incorporates 
the features of ceramic and metal. Management believes 
that OXINIUM material used in the production of components 
of knee and hip implants exhibits unique performance 
characteristics due to its hardness, low-friction and 
resistance to roughening and abrasion.
Smith & Nephew plc.

References to UK currency. 1p is equivalent to one hundredth 
of £1.

US Securities and Exchange Commission.
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 trading 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.  
Refer to page 237 for further information. 
A product group which includes internal and external devices 
used in the stabilisation of severe fractures and deformity 
correction procedures.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Growth after adjusting for the effects of currency translation 
and the inclusion of the comparative impact of acquisitions 
and exclusion of disposals.
United States of America.

US Dollars,  
$, or cents or ¢

References to US currency. 1 cent is equivalent to one hundredth 
of US$1.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

 Index

Accounting policies

Accounts presentation

Acquisitions

Acquisition and disposal related items

American Depositary Shares

Articles of Association

Audit fees

Board

Business overview

Business segment information

Cash and borrowings

Chair’s statement

Chief Executive Officer’s review

Company balance sheet

Company notes to the accounts

Contingencies

Critical judgements and estimates

Cross-reference to Form 20-F

Currency fluctuations

Currency translation

Deferred taxation

Directors’ Remuneration Report

Directors’ responsibility statement

Dividends

Earnings per share

Employee share plans

Executive team

Factors affecting results of operations

Financial instruments

Financial review

Free cash flow

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

Group statement of comprehensive income

Independent auditor’s report

Intangible assets

Intellectual property disputes

Interest and other finance costs

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

10, 15–17, 20, 74, 
217–219, 234–235

19, 174, 238–239

241

245–247

104, 177

86–89

4–5, 225–228

28–45, 171–175

194–196

6–7

8–11

165

223–228

204–206, 224

169–170

249

235

170–171

180–181

116–145

147

20, 215, 241–242

IFC, 19, 181–182

220

89

235

197–203

18–21

239

252

185–186

165

166

225–228

229

164

168–220

4–5, 229

167

164

148–163

187–189

206

177

168–220

Inventories

248

Investments

Investment in associates

Key Performance Indicators

Legal and other

Legal proceedings

Leverage ratio

Liquidity and capital resources

Manufacturing and quality

Medical education

Net debt

New accounting standards

Operating profit

Other finance costs

Our approach to stakeholders

Our global markets

191

189

189–190

16–17

175, 238–239

205–206

239

21, 195

46–47

26–27

194

168

175–176

177

81, 112–115

24–25

Outlook and trend information

24–25, 16–17, 18–21, 230–235

People/Employees

Post balance sheet events

Provisions

Property, plant and equipment

Regulation

Related party transactions

Research & development

59

220

204–206

183–184

47, 76

220, 229

75

Restructuring and rationalisation expenses

174, 238–239

Retirement benefit obligations

Return on invested capital (ROIC)

Risk factors

Risk report

SASB reporting

Share-based payments

Share capital

Shareholder information

Staff costs and employee numbers

Stakeholder statement

Statement of compliance

Strategy for Growth

Sustainability

Taxation

Taxation information for shareholders

TCFD reporting

Total shareholder return

Trade and other payables

Trade and other receivables

Treasury shares

206–212

21, 240

230–235

69–80

250–251

220

213–214

240–248

177

112–115

84

8–11

56–68

178–181

243–245

64–67

143

193

192–193

214

253

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATION References from Franchise areas

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radiological outcomes in intertrochanteric fractures treated 
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3  Smith+Nephew 2019. Technical Memo TM-19-067.
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by bone ingrowth. J Arthroplasty. 1999;14(3):355–368.
5  Bobyn J, Pilliar R, Cameron H, Weatherly G. The optimum 

pore size for the fixation of porous-surfaced metal 
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6  Williams M, Dodd J, Milner R, Hall M, Morrison ML. 
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7  Peters RM, Van Steenbergen LN, Stevens M, et al. The effect 
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8  Atrey A, Ancarani C, Fitch D, Bordini B. Impact of 

bearing couple on long-term component survivorship 
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21 Papannagari R, Hines G, Sprague J, Morrison M. Long-term 
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for TKA. Poster presented at: 2011 Annual Meeting of 
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22 National Joint Registry for England, Wales and Northern 
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23 Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint 

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24 Peters RM, Van Steenbergen LN, Stevens M, Rijk PC, 
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the outcome of total hip arthroplasty. Acta Orthop. 
2018:89;163–169.

25 Atrey A, Ancarani C, Fitch D, Bordini B. Impact of 

bearing couple on long-term component survivorship 
for primary cementless total hip replacement in a large 
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Orthopedic Association; June 20–23, 2018; Victoria, 
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26 Davis ET, Pagkalos J, Kopjar B. Bearing surface and 

survival of cementless and hybrid total hip arthroplasty 
in the National Joint Registry of England, Wales, 
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2020;5:e0075.

27 Data on file with Smith+Nephew and NAVIO technical 
specification comparison. March 2020. Internal Report 
ER0488 REVB.

9  Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint 

28 Smith+Nephew 2020. Comparison of operating room 

Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) Hip, Knee & Shoulder 
Arthroplasty: 2022 Annual Report. Figure HT40. Available 
at http://aoanjrr.sahmri.com/annual-reports-2022 
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10 The Orthopaedic Data Evaluation Panel (ODEP). 
www.odep.org.uk. Accessed June 1st, 2021.

11 Naudie D, et al. J Arthroplasty. 2013;28(8 Suppl):48–52.
12 Bourne R, et al. Orthopedics. 2008;31(12 Suppl 2).
13 Iriuchishima T, Ryu K. A Comparison of Rollback Ratio 

between Bicruciate Substituting Total Knee Arthroplasty 
and Oxford Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty.  
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14 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(2):650–654.

15 Carpenter RD, Brilhault J, Majumdar S, Ries MD. Magnetic 
resonance imaging of in vivo patellofemoral kinematics 
after total knee arthroplasty. Knee. 2009;16(5):332–336.
16 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.

17 Murakami K, Hamai S, Okazaki K, et al. In vivo kinematics 
of gait in posterior-stabilized and bicruciate-stabilized 
total knee arthroplasties using image-matching techniques. 
Int Orthop. 2018;42(11):2573–2581.

footprint for robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty systems. 
Internal Report. EO.REC.PCS015.002.v1.

29 Gregori A, Picard F, Bellemans J, Smith JR, Simone A. 

Handheld Precision Sculpting Tool for Unicondylar Knee 
Arthroplasty. A Clinical Review. Poster presented at: 
15th EFORT Congress; 4–6 June, 2014; London, UK.

30 Bollars P, Boeckxstaens A, Mievis J, Janssen D. 

The Learning Curve and Alignment Assessment of an 
Image-Free Handheld Robot in TKA: The First Patient Series 
in Europe. Poster presented at: 19th Annual Meeting of the 
International Society for Computer Assisted Orthopaedic 
Surgery 2019; New York, USA.

31 Kopjar B, Schwarzkopf R, Chow J, et al. NAVIO Robotic 
Assisted Surgical System for Total Knee Arthroplasty 
Using JOURNEY II Guided-Motion Total Knee System. 
Poster presented at: ISTA 2–5 October, 2019; Toronto, 
Canada.

32 Geller JA, Rossington A, Mitra R, Jaramaz B, Khare R, 
Netravali NA. Rate of learning curve and alignment 
accuracy of an image-free handheld robot for total 
Knee Arthroplasty. European Knee Society Arthroplasty 
Conference;2019; Valencia, Spain.

33 Gregori A, Picard F, Lonner JH, Smith JR, Jaramaz B. 

Accuracy of Imageless Robotically Assisted Unicondylar 
Knee Arthroplasty. International Society for Computer 
Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery (CAOS) 15th Annual 
Meeting; 2015; Vancouver, Canada.

18 Smith LA, Nachtrab J, LaCour M, et al. In Vivo Knee 

34 Ponzio DY, Lonner JH. Preoperative Mapping in 

Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty Using Computed 
Tomography Scans Is Associated with Radiation Exposure 
and Carries High Cost. J Arthroplasty. 2015;30(6):964–967.

*  Compared to NAVIO (trademark diamond) Surgical System.
**  With use of handpiece.

Kinematics: How Important Are the Roles of Femoral 
Geometry and the Cruciate Ligaments? J Arthroplasty. 
2021;36:1445–1454.

19 Catani F, Ensini A, Belvedere C, et al. In vivo kinematics 
and kinetics of a bi-cruciate substituting total knee 
arthroplasty: a combined fluoroscopic and gait analysis 
study. J Orthop Res. 2009;27(12):1569–1575.

20 Parikh A, Hill P, Pawar V, Sprague J. Long-term Simulator 
Wear Performance of an Advanced Bearing Technology 
for THA. Poster presented at: 2013 Annual Meeting 
of the Orthopaedic Research Society. Poster no. 1028.

254

References from Sports Medicine & ENT (pages 34–39)
1  Bokor DJ, Sonnabend D, Deady L, et al. Evidence of 

healing of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears following 
arthroscopic augmentation with a collagen implant: 
a 2-year MRI follow-up. Muscles, Ligaments Tendons J 
2016;6(1):16–25.

2  McIntyre LF, McMillan S, Trenhaile SW, Bishai SK, Bushnell 

BD. Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears Can Be Safely Treated 
With a Resorbable Bioinductive Bovine Collagen Implant: 
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3  Bushnell BD, Connor P, Harris HW, Ho CP, Trenhaile SW, 
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4  Micheloni GM, Salmaso G, Zecchinato G, Giaretta S, 

Barison E, Momoli A. Bio-inductive implant for rotator cuff 
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5  Thon SG, O’Malley L 2nd, O’Brien MJ, Savoie FH 3rd. 

Evaluation of Healing Rates and Safety With a Bioinductive 
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6  Arnoczky SP, Bishai SK, Schofield B, Sigman S, Bushnell BD, 

Hommen JP, Van Kampen C. Histologic Evaluation of Biopsy 
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With a Highly Porous Collagen Implant. Arthroscopy. 
2017 Feb;33(2):278–283.

7  Camacho-Chacon JA, Cuenca-Espierrez J, Roda-Rojo V, 

Martin-Martinez A, Calderon-Meza JM, Alvarez-Alegret R, 
Martin-Hernandez C. Bioinductive collagen implants 
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J Exp Orthop. 2022 Jun 8;9(1):53.

8  Bushnell BD, Bishai SK, Krupp RJ, McMillan S, Schofield BA, 
Trenhaile SW, McIntyre LF. Treatment of Partial-Thickness 
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9  Dai A, Campbell A, Bloom D, Baron S, Begly J, Meislin R. 
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of Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears. Bull Hosp Jt Dis 
(2013). 2020 Sep;78(3):195–201.

10 Schlegel TF, Abrams JS, Angelo RL, Getelman MH, Ho CP, 

Bushnell BD. Isolated bioinductive repair of partial-
thickness rotator cuff tears using a resorbable bovine 
collagen implant: two-year radiologic and clinical outcomes 
from a prospective multicenter study. J Shoulder Elbow 
Surg. 2021 Aug;30(8):1938–1948.

11 Yeazell S, Lutz A, Bohon H, Shanley E, Thigpen CA, 

Kissenberth MJ, Pill SG. Increased stiffness and reoperation 
rate in partial rotator cuff repairs treated with a bovine 
patch: a propensity-matched trial. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 
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12 Bokor DJ, Sonnabend D, Deady L et al. Preliminary 

investigation of a biological augmentation of rotator cuff 
repairs using a collagen implant: a 2-year MRI follow-up. 
MLTJ. 2015;5(3):144–150.

13 McIntyre L, Bishai SK, Brown PB, Bushnell BD, Trenhaile SW. 

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14 Bokor DJ, Sonnabend D, Deady L, et al. Evidence of 

healing of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears following 
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Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

15 Schlegel TF, Abrams JS, Bushnell BD, Brock JL, Ho CP. 
Radiologic and clinical evaluation of a bioabsorbable 
collagen implant to treat partial-thickness tears: a 
prospective multicenter study. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 
2018 27(2):242–251.

16 Bokor DJ, Sonnabend DH, Deady L, et al. Healing of 

partial-thickness rotator cuff tears following arthroscopic 
augmentation with a highly porous collagen implant: 
a 5-year clinical and MRI follow-up. Muscles, Ligaments.

17 Bokor DJ, Sonnabend D, Deady L et al. Preliminary 

investigation of a biological augmentation of rotator cuff 
repairs using a collagen implant: a 2-year MRI follow-up. 
MLTJ. 2015;5(3):144–150.

18 Smith+Nephew 2019. An overview of the outcomes 
associated with the standard of care for the surgical 
treatment of rotator cuff tears. Internal Report EO/SPM/
REGENETEN/005/v1.

19 Chahla J, Liu JN, Manderle B, et al. Bony ingrowth of 
coil-type open-architecture anchors compared with 
screw-type PEEK anchors for the medial row in rotator 
cuff repair: a randomized controlled trial. Arthroscopy. 
2019 Dec 3. Epub ahead of print.

20 Vonhoegen J, John D, Hägermann C. Osteoconductive 

resorption characteristics of a novel biocomposite suture 
anchor material in rotator cuff repair. Orthop Traumatol 
Surg Res. 2019;14(1):12.

21 Smith+Nephew 2010. Micro-CT and histological 

evaluation of specimens from resorbable screw study  
(RS-II/OM1-08) 24-month post-implantation. 
Internal Report WRP-TE045-700-08.

22 Smith+Nephew 2016. Healicoil Regenesorb Suture 
Anchor – a study to assess implant replacement by 
bone over a 2 year period. NCS248.

23 Konan S, Haddad F. Outcomes of Meniscal Preservation 
Using All-inside Meniscus Repair Devices. Clin Orthop 
Relat Res. 2010;468:1209–1213.

24 Smith+Nephew 2021.Validation, FAST-FIX FLEX. 

Internal Report. 15010267 Rev A.

25 Smith+Nephew 2021.Validation, FAST-FIX FLEX. 
Attachment B. Internal Report. 15010267 Rev A.

26 Smith+Nephew 2021. FAST-FIX FLEX-Surgeon Surveys. 

Internal Memo.

27 Saliman, JD. Circumferential Compression Stitch for 

Meniscus Repair. Arthroscopy Tech. 2013; V2(3); e257–262.

28 Van Kampen C, Arnoczky S, Parks P, et al. Tissue-

engineered augmentation of a rotator cuff tendon using 
a reconstituted collagen scaffold: a histological evaluation 
in sheep. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J. 2013;3(3):229–235.
29 McElvany MD, Mcgoldrick E, Gee AO, Neradilek MB, Matsen 
FA, 3rd. Rotator cuff repair: published evidence on factors 
associated with repair integrity and clinical outcome. 
Am J Sports Med. 2015;43(2):491–500.

30 Ruiz Iban MA, Navlet MG, Marco SM, et al. The Effect 

on healing rate of the addition of a bioinductive implant 
to a rotator cuff repair. Preliminary report presented at: 
The European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and 
Elbow (SECEC) Annual Congress; September 7–9, 
2022; Dublin, Ireland.

31 ArthroCare 2014.Comparative Performance of the 

FLOW 50 Wand and the Predicate Wands in Tissue Models. 
P/N 52918-01.

32 Spahn G, Kahl E, Muckley T, Hofmann GO, Klinger HM. 
Arthroscopic knee chondroplasty using a bipolar 
radiofrequency-based device compared to mechanical 
shaver: results of a prospective, randomized, controlled 
study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 
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33 Data on file at Smith+Nephew, report 15005165.

34 Smith+Nephew 2017. Coblation Dissection Versus 
Monopolar Dissection – A Systematic Review and 
Meta-analysis P/N 91999 Rev. A.

35 Temple RH, Timms MS. Paediatric coblation tonsillectomy. 

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2001;61(3):195–198.
36 Smith+Nephew 2019. HALO and PROCISE XP Peak 

Electrode Temperature, ENC053 P/N 108740 Rev. A.

37 Roje Z, Racic G, Dogas Z, Pesutić Pisac V, Timms M. 
Postoperative morbidity and histopathologic 
characteristics of tonsillar tissue following coblation 
tonsillectomy in children: A prospective randomized 
single-blind study. Coll Antropol. 2009;33:293–298.
38 ArthroCare 2014. EVAC 70 Xtra Comparative Thermal 
Measurement Bench-top Study P/N 60735-01 Rev. A.
39 ArthroCare 2014. PROCISE XP Comparative Thermal 
Measurement Bench-Top Study P/N 60736-01 Rev. A.
40 Magdy EA, Elwany S, El-Daly AS, Abdel-Hadi M, Morshedy 
MA. Coblation tonsillectomy: A prospective, double-blind, 
randomised, clinical and histopathological comparison 
with dissection-ligation, monopolar electrocautery and 
laser tonsillectomies. J Laryngol Otol. 2008;122:282–290.

41 EA/ENT/COBLATION/002/v4.
42 Lustig LR, Ingram A, Vidrine M, et. al. In-Office 

Tympanostomy Tube Placement in Children Using 
Iontophoresis and Automated Tube Delivery. 
Laryngoscope 130; S1-S9, 2020. Satisfaction results 
from parents of children who participated in the 
Tula pivotal clinical study, n=201.

*  Compared to predicate device.
**  The REGENETEN Implant is cleared for use on any tendon 
where there is not substantial loss of tendon tissue. 
REGENETEN Bone Anchors are only indicated for use 
in rotator cuff repair. Published clinical outcomes are 
for rotator cuff. The REGENETEN Implant is currently 
approved for use in treating Gluteus Medius and Achilles 
tears only in the U.S.

*** As compared to mechanical debridement for knee 

chondroplasty; n=60; p<0.001.

References from Advanced Wound Management  
(pages 40–45)
1  Smith+Nephew 2016.New ALLEVYN Life Gen2 wcl –  

Physical Testing. Internal Report. DS/15/025/R.

2  Rossington A, Drysdale K, Winter R. Clinical performance 
and positive impact on patient wellbeing of ALLEVYN Life. 
Wounds UK. 2013;9(4):91–95.

3  Smith+Nephew 2018. Use of Moisture Vapour Permeability* 
(MVP) and Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate** (MVTR) 
data to support product claims referring to moist wound 
healing. Internal Report. EO.AWM.PCSgen.001.v2.

4  Smith+Nephew 20 June 2016.A Randomised Cross-Over 

Clinical Evaluation to Compare Performance of ALLEVYN™ 
Life and Mepilex® Border Dressings on Patient Wellbeing-
Related Endpoints. Internal Report. CE/047/ALF.

5  Smith+Nephew 14 June 2012. Odour reducing properties 

of ALLEVYN Life. Internal Report. DS/12/127/DOF.

6  Smith+Nephew 2021. Internal Report. EA/AWM/

ALLEVYN/001v4.

7  Smith+Nephew Internal Report. 151008.
8  Nherera LM et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2017;25(4):707–721.
9  Smith+Nephew Internal Report. RR-WMP07330-10-03.
10 Skog E et al. British Journal of Dermatology. 1983;109:77–83.
11 Fitzgerald DJ et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2016;25(1):13–24.
12 Roche ED, Woodmansey EJ, Yang Q, et al. Cadexomer iodine 
effectively reduces bacterial biofilm in porcine wounds 
ex vivo and in vivo. Int Wound J. 2019;16(3):674–83.

13 Smith+Nephew 2007. Antimicrobial Activity of Allevyn Ag 
Non-Adhesive Dressing against a Broad Spectrum of 
Microorganisms. Internal Report. DOF 0703006.

14 Smith+Nephew 2007. Antimicrobial activity of ALLEVYN Ag 
dressings against a broad spectrum of wound pathogens 
using a dynamic shake flask method. Internal Report. 
DOF 0707052.

15 Smith+Nephew 2008. A multi-centre in-market evaluation 
of ALLEVYN Ag dressings. Internal Report. SR/CIME/009.

16 Smith+Nephew 2018. PMCF Research for Allevyn Ag 

Adhesive. Internal Report. PMS-273-01.

17 Smith+Nephew 2007. Antimicrobial Activity of ALLEVYN Ag 

Adhesive Dressing Against a Broad Spectrum of 
Microorganisms. Internal Report. DOF 0703007.

18 Moore Z et al. Wounds International. 2022;13(2):32–8.
19 USC University of Southern California. What Does Self-Care 
Mean for Individuals With Diabetes? Accessed May 19, 2022. 
https://nursing.usc.edu/blog/self-care-with-diabetes/
20 di Gesaro A. Self-care and patient empowerment in stoma 
management. Gastrointestinal Nursing. 2012;10(2):19–23.

21 Spinks J. Self care in urinary incontinence. SelfCare. 

2011;2(6):160–166.

22 Smith+Nephew 2016.Wound Model Testing of New 

ALLEVYN Life Gen2 wcl Dressing using Horse Serum at a 
Flow Rate Modelling that of a Moderately Exuding Wound. 
DS/14/303/R.

23 Smith+Nephew 2016. Product Performance of Next 
Generation ALLEVYN Life Internal Report. (HVT080) 
GMCA-DOF/08.

24 Lisco C. Evaluation of a new silicone gel-adhesive 

hydrocellular foam dressing as part of a pressure ulcer 
prevention plan for ICU patients. In: WOCN; 2013.

25 Rossington A, Drysdale K, Winter R. Clinical performance 
and positive impact on patient wellbeing of ALLEVYN Life. 
Wounds UK. 2013;9(4):91–95.

26 Stephen-Haynes J, Bielby A, Searle R. The clinical 

performance of a silicone foam in an NHS community trust. 
Journal of Community Nursing. 2013;27(5):50–59.
27 Simon D, Bielby A. A structured collaborative approach 
to appraise the clinical performance of a new product. 
Wounds UK. 2014;10(3):80–87.

28 Smith+Nephew 2012. Simulated Wound Model Testing 
of ALLEVYN Life and Mepilex Border. Internal Report. 
DS/12/130/DOF.

29 Smith+Nephew. Subjective comparison of masking ability 
of the New ALLEVYN LIFE versus Current ALLEVYN LIFE 
by Healthcare Professionals. Internal Report. 2016; 
DS/16/061/R.

30 Lavery et al. Int Wound J. 2014; 11(5): 554–560.
31 McGinness K, Kurtz Phelan DH. Wounds. 2018; 30(4): 

90–95.

32 Nherera et al. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2017;63(12):38–47.
33 Dowsett C, Hampton K, Myers D, Styche T. Use of PICO to 
improve clinical and economic outcomes in hard-to-heal 
wounds. Wounds International. 2017;8(2):52–58.

34 Kirsner R, Dove C, Reyzelman A, Vayser D, Jaimes H. A 

Prospective, Randomised, Controlled Clinical Trial on the 
Efficacy of a single-use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy 
System, compared to Traditional Negative Pressure Wound 
Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Ulcers of the Lower 
Extremities. Wound Repair Regen. 2019;27(5):519–529.
35 Saunders C, Nherera LM, Horner A, Trueman P. Single-Use 
negative-pressure wound therapy versus conventional 
dressings for closed surgical incisions: systematic literature 
review and meta-analysis. BJS Open. 2021;0(0):1–8.
36 Gilchrist B, Robinson M, Jaimes H. Performance, safety, 
and efficacy of a single use negative pressure wound 
therapy system for surgically closed incision sites and 
skin grafts: A prospective multi-centre follow-up study. 
Paper presented at: SAWC; 2020; Virtual.

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

255

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEACCOUNTSOTHER INFORMATIONReferences from Franchise areas continued

50 Segovia Gomez T, Bermejo Martinez M, Montero de la 
Pena MV, Arrontes Cabellero G, Segade Alvarez MJ, 
Munoz Garcia L. Protection and treatment of perilesional 
skin at risk from external contaminants or forces with 
a non-irritating skin protector in hospital patients. 
Poster presented at: XIII National Symposium on 
Pressure Ulcers and Wounds Heritage2010; Spain.
51 European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, National 

Pressure Injury Advisory Panel and Pan Pacific Pressure 
Injury Alliance. Prevention and Treatment of Pressure 
Ulcers/Injuries: Clinical Practice Guideline. Emily Haesler 
(Ed.) EPUAP/NPIAP/PPPIA: 2019.

52 Smith+Nephew 2021. Clinical Support App Pilot 

Survey Results. Internal Report. CSD. AWM.21.002.

Patient testimonials (pages 30, 36, 42)
These patient testimonials represent the individual patient’s 
own opinions, findings, beliefs and/or experiences. Individual 
results will vary. Not everyone who receives a product 
or treatment will experience the same or similar results; 
results may vary depending on a number of factors, including 
each patient’s specific circumstances and condition, and 
compliance with the applicable Instructions for Use. 
Smith+Nephew is not responsible for the selection of any 
treatment by a healthcare professional to be used on a 
particular patient. Smith+Nephew makes no representations, 
warranties, guarantees or assurances as to the availability, 
accuracy, currency or completeness of the information 
presented or its contents.

37 Hurd T, Trueman P, Rossington A. Use of a Portable, 

Single-use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Device 
in Home Care Patients with Low to Moderately Exuding 
Wounds: A Case Series. Ostomy Wound Manage. 
2014;60(3):30–36.

38 National Scorecard on Hospital-Acquired Conditions, 
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). 
January 2019 update. AHRQ National Scorecard on 
Hospital-Acquired Conditions Updated Baseline Rates 
and Preliminary Results 2014–2017.

39 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website. 
Preventing pressure ulcers in hospitals: a toolkit for 
improving quality of care. Updated October 2014. 
Accessed February 2021. https://www.ahrq.gov/
professionals/systems/hospital/pressureulcertoolkit/
putool1.html

40 Wassel C, Delhougne G, Gayle J et al. Risk of readmissions, 

mortality, and hospital-acquired conditions across 
hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) stages in a 
US National Hospital discharge database. Int Wound J. 
2020; 1–11.

41 Schutt SC, Tarver C, Pezzani M. Pilot study: Assessing 
the effect of continual position monitoring technology 
on compliance with patient turning protocols. Nurs Open. 
2017;5(1):21–28.

42 Pickham D, Berte N, Pihulic M, Valdez A, Mayer B, Desai M. 
Effect of a wearable patient sensor on care delivery for 
preventing pressure injuries in acutely ill adults: A pragmatic 
randomized clinical trial (LS-HAPI study). Int J Nurs Stud. 
2018;80:12–19.

43 Klaeb M, Krafft K, Walters B, Lowe J, Cooley A. The Influence 

of Wearable Technology on Nursing Attitudes and 
Adherence to Patient Turning and Repositioning. Poster 
presented at: Patient Handling and Mobility Annual 
Conference; March 5–March 7, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA.

44 Forni C, D’alessandro F, Gallerani P, et al. Effectiveness 
of using a new polyurethane foam multi-layer dressing 
in the sacral area to prevent the onset of pressure ulcer in 
the elderly with hip fractures: A pragmatic randomised 
controlled trial. Int Wound J. 2018;15(3):1–8.

45 Smith+Nephew 2018.Pressure Redistribution Testing of 

ALLEVYN Life vs Mepilex Border and Optifoam Gentle SA. 
Internal Report. DS/18/351/R

46 Smith+Nephew 2019. Properties of ALLEVYN LIFE 

advanced wound care dressing that can contribute to 
the effective use as part of a Pressure Injury Prevention 
protocol. Internal Report. RD/19/177.

47 Cunarro Alonso JM, Martinez Sanchez P, Puerta Morales G. 
Use of the non-irritating skin protector No Sting Skin Prep 
in a series of cases in the social health field. Poster presented 
at: XIII National Symposium on Pressure Ulcers and Wounds 
Heritage2010; Spain.

48 Francisco JGJ, Del Mar AGM, Maria PPJ, Enric TIBJ, 

Jesus MM, Javier EMF. Assessment of a new non-irritating 
skin protector for different skin disorders. Poster presented 
at: XIII National Symposium on Pressure Ulcers and Wounds 
Heritage2010; Spain.

49 Porras Pastor JM, Roman Manzano A, Jiminez Garcia JF, 

Estevez Ferron V, Segado Manzuco D, Galdeano Fernandez N. 
Effectiveness of a non-irritating skin protectant in a series 
of clinical cases in primary care. Poster presented at: 
XIII National Symposium on Pressure Ulcers and Wounds 
Heritage2010; Spain.

256

Smith+Nephew Annual Report 2022

Financial calendar

Annual General Meeting
The Company’s Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) will 
be held on Wednesday, 26 April 2023 at 12:00pm at 
Smith+Nephew Academy London, Building 5, Croxley 
Park, Hatters Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 8YE.

Please refer to the Notice of Meeting for detailed information on how to vote 
and submit your questions.

The meeting will commence at 12:00pm with doors opening from 11.00am. 
Registered shareholders have been sent either a Notice of Annual General 
Meeting or notification of availability of the Notice of Annual General Meeting.

2023

Annual General Meeting

First quarter Trading Report

Payment of 2022 final dividend

Half-year results announced

Third quarter Trading Report

26 April

26 April

17 May

3 August1

2 November

Payment of 2023 interim dividend

October/November

2024

Full year results announced

Annual Report available

Annual General Meeting

1  Dividend declaration dates.

February1

February/March

April

CBP017447

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Designed and Produced by Radley Yeldar.

Smith & Nephew plc  
Building 5, Croxley Park,  
Hatters Lane, Watford,  
Hertfordshire, WD18 8YE,  
United Kingdom. 

T +44 (0)1923 477100 

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