Zimmer Biomet Names Ivan Tornos as New CEO, Elevating COO in Leadership Transition

Medical device giant Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (ZBH) has officially elevated Ivan Tornos from Chief Operating Officer to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, marking a significant leadership transition within the organization. Tornos has simultaneously been elected to the Board of Directors.

This promotion follows the departure of Bryan Hanson, who will step down from his dual roles as President, CEO, and Chairman—positions he has held since late 2017 and 2021 respectively—to pursue an external CEO opportunity elsewhere.

Career Trajectory and Operational Expertise

Tornos brings substantial operational experience to the executive helm. Since joining Zimmer Biomet in November 2018, he has progressively taken on greater responsibilities. His initial appointment as Group President of Orthopedics was followed by promotion to Group President of Global Businesses and the Americas, before being named Chief Operating Officer in March 2021.

Prior to his tenure at Zimmer Biomet, Tornos held the position of Worldwide President for the Global Urology, Medical and Critical Care Division at Becton, Dickinson and Company. His career has been marked by leadership roles across multiple healthcare organizations, including C.R. Bard (where he served as President, EMEA), Covidien International (as Vice President and General Manager of Americas Pharmaceutical and Medical/Imaging segments), Baxter International Inc., and Johnson & Johnson, where he spent over a decade in international leadership assignments.

Expanded Executive Responsibilities

Concurrent with Tornos’s elevation, Suketu Upadhyay, who has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2019, will expand his portfolio to assume direct oversight of the company’s global Operations and Supply Chain divisions—a consolidation aimed at strengthening operational synergies.

Additionally, Christopher Begley, the company’s Lead Independent Director, assumes the role of Chairman of the Board effective immediately, reinforcing the governance structure during this transition period.

Financial Guidance Maintained

Zimmer Biomet has reaffirmed its full-year 2023 financial guidance as previously outlined in its second quarter earnings report, signaling management confidence despite the leadership changes.