Smith+Nephew in brief
- Rank: #64 of 100 in UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #5 of 5 in Healthcare & Pharma.
- WCRC Power Score: 64.28 out of 100.
- Founded: 1856, by Thomas James Smith (joined by his nephew Horatio Nelson Smith in 1896).
- Owner: Smith & Nephew plc, Watford, England.
- Leadership: Deepak Nath, Chief Executive Officer.
- Latest revenue: $6.2bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +6.1%), group revenue of Smith & Nephew plc, as per company filings.
What makes Smith+Nephew powerful
Smith+Nephew has completed a turnaround that has restored confidence in one of Britain's oldest healthcare brands. Revenue rose 6.1% to $6.16bn in 2025, with underlying growth of 5.3% and 7.0% outside China. Trading profit climbed 15.5% to $1.21bn, lifting the margin by 160 basis points to 19.7%, and free cash flow jumped 52.5% to $840m.
Its products sit at the heart of modern surgery: knee and hip implants, robotics-assisted orthopaedics, arthroscopy tools and advanced dressings. In the fourth quarter Orthopaedics grew 7.9% and Sports Medicine and ENT 7.3%. Chief executive Deepak Nath has moved from the completed 12-Point Plan to a new RISE strategy with 2028 targets, and the acquisition of Integrity Orthopaedics adds new shoulder technology.
Smith+Nephew's trading profit rose 15.5% to $1.21bn in 2025.
Why Smith+Nephew ranks #64
Smith+Nephew ranks 64th with a WCRC Power Score of 64.28, between Jet2 above and Dr. Martens below. Product and innovation (70) is its strongest pillar, reflecting orthopaedic, sports medicine and wound care technology used in hospitals worldwide. Digital and financial strength (66) has improved with a 15.5% rise in trading profit, and trust and governance score 64, but positioning and recall (60) holds it back, since few patients know the brand by name.
The Achilles' heel
Smith+Nephew still faces headwinds it cannot control. The company names tariffs, inventory revaluation, changes to US reimbursement for skin substitutes and volume-based procurement for ENT products in China, which cut about 100 basis points from fourth-quarter growth. Advanced Wound Management grew only 2.8% in the fourth quarter. Larger US rivals in orthopaedics also compete hard on robotics and pricing.
The 2026 story
In March 2026 Smith+Nephew reported 2025 revenue of $6.16bn and trading profit up 15.5%, completing its 12-Point Plan. It launched the RISE strategy with 2028 financial targets and guided to around 6% underlying revenue growth and about $1.3bn trading profit in 2026, including the Integrity Orthopaedics acquisition. It completed a $500m share buyback in the second half of 2025 and raised its dividend 4.3%.
Pillar profile
Provisional desk scores out of 100, for the WCRC Business Intelligence Unit to validate.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Smith+Nephew in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Smith+Nephew ranks #64 of 100 in WCRC's UK's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 64.28 out of 100.
What makes Smith+Nephew powerful?
Leading positions in joint replacement, sports medicine and wound care, sold to hospitals worldwide, with margins now rising after a turnaround.
What is Smith+Nephew's revenue?
$6.2bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +6.1%), group revenue of Smith & Nephew plc, as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Smith+Nephew?
Smith+Nephew was founded in 1856 by Thomas James Smith (joined by his nephew Horatio Nelson Smith in 1896). It is owned by Smith & Nephew plc and based in Watford, England.
Who leads Smith+Nephew?
Deepak Nath, Chief Executive Officer.
What is Smith+Nephew's biggest challenge?
Reimbursement changes, tariffs and Chinese price controls still weigh on parts of the business.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Healthcare & Pharma brands
- Iconic British Heritage Brands
- Most Innovative British Brands
- Most powerful brands in England
Key facts
| Brand | Smith+Nephew |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Smith & Nephew plc |
| Headquarters | Watford, England, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1856 |
| Founder(s) | Thomas James Smith (joined by his nephew Horatio Nelson Smith in 1896) |
| Leadership | Deepak Nath, Chief Executive Officer |
| Latest revenue | $6.2bn revenue (FY2025, year to Dec 2025, +6.1%), group revenue of Smith & Nephew plc, as per company filings |
| Sector | Healthcare & Pharma |
| Website | smith-nephew.com |
| Home country | United Kingdom |
Sources
- Annual report and published financial results of Smith & Nephew plc
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
