SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA–Chris Smith, who has been head of operations in North America for Cochlear for more than a decade will become CEO of the Australian-based parent company, Cochlear announced on May 25. He will succeed Chris Roberts, who has been CEO of Cochlear, the world’s largest manufacturer of cochlear implants, since 2003.
Chris Smith
Smith, who will receive a base salary of nearly $1.5 million a year plus performance incentives, joined Cochlear in August 2004. A graduate of Texas A&M, Smith has more than 20 years’ experience in the medical device industry. He previously assisted Warburg Pincus, a major U.S. investment company, in identifying investment opportunities and before that was group president for Gyrus Group (ENT and Surgical Divisions).
Smith, who will relocate from Denver to Sydney, will spend two months as deputy CEO under Roberts before taking over as CEO in August.
Chris Smith
Roberts, who is also president of Cochlear Limited, has worked in the medical device industry for more than 35 years in a number of senior management positions.
