Re Directorate

Smith & Nephew Plc
12 October 2000


     SMITH & NEPHEW APPOINTS TWO NEW INTERNATIONAL NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

Smith  &  Nephew  plc,  the  global  medical devices  company,  announces  the
appointment of two North American non-executive Directors to the Board.

Mr Richard U. De Schutter, Chairman of the Board of the Dupont Pharmaceuticals
Company,  will join the Board of Smith & Nephew on 1 January 2001.   Based  in
Illinois  and  aged  59, Mr De Schutter was, until August of  this  year,  the
Senior  Vice  President  of  Pharmacia  Corporation,  having  previously  been
Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer of G.D.  Searle,  the  pharmaceutical
subsidiary  of the Monsanto Company.  He is also a non-executive  Director  of
General Binding Corporation and ING Americas.

Mr  Warren  Knowlton, Chief Executive, North America and President, Automotive
and  Aerospace Worldwide for Pilkington plc, will join the board  of  Smith  &
Nephew  on  1  November,  2000.  Mr Knowlton, 53, is one  of  three  Executive
Directors  of  Pilkington  plc and is based in Toledo,  Ohio.   He  previously
worked with and held senior positions at Owens Corning.

The  vacancies have arisen through the retirement of two members of the Board.
Dr  Nancy  J  Lane, a non-executive Director since 1991, and  Mr  Alan  Fryer,
Deputy Chief Executive of Smith & Nephew and a member of the Board since 1987,
will both retire from the Board after the 26 October Board meeting.

Dudley  Eustace, Chairman of Smith & Nephew, said today: 'Alan and Nancy  have
made significant contributions to the development of  Smith & Nephew, and have
been highly supportive of the steps taken to achieve the transformation of the
company in the last 18 months. We wish them continuing good fortune and future
success.

'Richard and Warren have substantial and global business experience, and  will
provide  valuable  support  to the Board as Smith & Nephew  continues  growing
internationally in its chosen markets.'

There are no disclosures to be made under 6F.2 (b) to (g).



Enquiries:

Chris O'Donnell, Chief Executive                   Tel: [phone]
Smith & Nephew plc                                 Fax: [phone]

David Yates                                        Tel: [phone]
Financial Dynamics                                 Fax: [phone]