Smith & Nephew names new audit committee lead

Smith & Nephew has announced that non-executive director Rick Medlock has decided to step down after three years at the medical technology group.

Medlock, who joined in April 2020 and later became the chair of the audit committee, will not submit himself for re-election at the company's next annual general meeting.

He will be replaced by non-executive director Jez Maiden, who will be appointed chair of the audit committee from March 2024.

"The board would like to thank Rick for his commitment and contribution to the board and the company and to congratulate Jez on his new appointment," Smith & Nephew said in a statement.

Maiden, who currently also serves on the boards of Travis Perkins and Intertek, joined Smith & Nephew in 2023 after retiring as finance director at Croda International. He has previously headed up the audit committees of other life sciences and healthcare groups such as Synthomer and PZ Cussons.