Ex-AstraZeneca finance exec named Smith & Nephew’s next CFO

FORMER AstraZeneca finance executive Graham Baker has been named as the next chief financial officer at FTSE 100 business Smith & Nephew.

Baker will take up his new position with the global medical technology business on 1 March 2017 when he will also join the board as an executive director.

The chartered accountant and tax adviser has held a number of divisional FD roles for pharma giant AstraZeneca, and is a veteran finance executive of the industry.

He joins from Alvogen, a fast-growing generic pharmaceuticals company, where he is currently CFO. Owned by the founder and private equity firms CVC and Temasek, Alvogen has 35 offices globally across US, Europe and Asia.

Before joining Alvogen, Baker worked for AstraZeneca for 20 years where he served as vice president of finance, international from 2013 to 2015 with responsibility for all emerging markets. From 2010 to 2013 he was vice president of global financial services and he served as vice president of finance CFO in North America from 200810).

Smith & Nephew CEO Olivier Bohuon said: “Graham’s blue-chip experience, deep sector knowledge and extensive exposure to established and emerging markets set him apart as the ideal next CFO for Smith & Nephew.”

Bohuon said Baker had a strong track record of delivering operational excellence and relevant experience across major finance roles and geographic markets, leading large teams responsible for significant budgets.

Baker said: “It took a compelling opportunity to tempt me from Alvogen, but I could not ignore the potential of this role and the business at Smith & Nephew.”