John Rogers Chief Financial Officer Baxter International

Laura Matz Chief Innovation and Technology Officer Philips

JOB FROM: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT SMITH + NEPHEW

JOB TO: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT BAXTER INTERNATIONAL

From October 2026, John will lead a new chapter in Baxter International’ s finance leadership. John succeeds Joel Grade, who left in April 2026. Before Smith + Nephew, he was CFO of WPP, leading the creative services company’ s global transformation programme. He has also held leadership roles at J Sainsbury, including CEO of Argos and CFO of the wider Sainsbury’ s organisation.

JOB FROM: CHIEF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER AT MERCK KGAA

JOB TO: CHIEF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY OFFICER AT PHILIPS

Laura joins Philips having spent 19 years at Merck KGaA, including at its affiliated companies Air Products, Versum Materials and Athinia. Laura’ s role was announced at the same time that Shez Partovi was announced as Philips’ first Chief AI Officer, with CEO Roy Jakobs describing the appointments as sharpening“ our focus on creating more value through innovation and AI.”

18 October 2026