Freestone adds Smith & Nephew to burgeoning portfolio of NED roles

OUTGOING Pearson chief financial officer Robin Freestone is to join the board of medical technology group Smith & Nephew as he seeks to expand his portfolio of non-executive roles following his appointment to the board of moneysupermarket.com.

Freestone, who stepped down from his role at the former publisher of The Financial Times – sold to Nikkei last week in an £844m deal – to join the online financial services group, will also sit on Smith & Nephew’s audit committee.

He joins Smith & Nephew, Europe’s biggest maker of artificial hips and knees, from 1 September, one month after his appointment at moneysupermarket.com kicks in.
Pearson CFO since 2006, Freestone is a well-regarded FTSE 100 CFO and has chaired the influential Hundred Group of Finance Directors.

“Robin has been heavily involved with the transformation and diversification of Pearson. He also has many years of experience in the healthcare industry at Amersham. He will be a valuable addition to our board,” said Roberto Quarta, chairman of Smith & Nephew.