Stryker will change its top executive leadership on January 1, 2027, with President and COO Spencer Stiles succeeding Kevin Lobo as CEO. Lobo will become Executive Chair of the Board, while Stiles will join the board as part of a planned succession process developed by the medical technology company.
Key Takeaways
- Spencer Stiles will become Stryker CEO on January 1, 2027.
- Kevin Lobo will transition from CEO to Executive Chair of the Board.
- Stiles will also join Stryker’s Board of Directors.
- Lobo has led Stryker as CEO since October 2012.
- Stryker said the transition follows a comprehensive, long-term succession planning process.
Stryker CEO Succession Takes Effect January 1, 2027
Stryker’s leadership transition will take effect January 1, 2027, when Spencer Stiles assumes the CEO position and Kevin Lobo moves from chief executive to Executive Chair of the Board. Stiles will also join Stryker’s Board of Directors as part of the transition.
The company said the change follows a comprehensive, long-term succession planning process. Stryker’s Board of Directors worked with Lobo on the succession plan before selecting Stiles as his successor.
The announcement establishes a defined handoff between the company’s current and incoming chief executives. Lobo will remain connected to Stryker through the Executive Chair role, while Stiles will take responsibility for leading the company as CEO.
Lobo said the Board and he had worked closely on the succession plan and that the timing was appropriate for the leadership transition. He also said he would continue supporting Stryker as Executive Chair.
The structure resembles other recent corporate succession arrangements in which an outgoing chief executive remains involved after transferring day-to-day leadership. For example, Kadant’s staged CEO transition also pairs a new chief executive with continued involvement from the outgoing CEO.
Spencer Stiles Appointed Chief Executive Officer
Stiles has been with Stryker since 1999, when he joined the company’s Endoscopy business. His career has included leadership positions across Orthopaedics, MedSurg and Neurotechnology.
He became Stryker’s President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2026. Before that, he served as Group President of Orthopaedics, where he led the company’s Joint Replacement and Trauma & Extremities businesses.
Stiles also led Stryker’s Digital, Robotics and Enabling Technologies organization in that role. His responsibilities included international regions and the company’s enterprise mergers and acquisitions strategy.
His previous work included significant portfolio initiatives at Stryker. Among them was the acquisition of Wright Medical, which expanded the company’s position in trauma and extremities, as well as the separation of its spinal implants business.
Stryker described Stiles as a strategic, growth-oriented and people-focused leader with a record of execution across the company. His appointment puts an executive with extensive internal operating experience into the CEO position.
Stiles said he was honored by the appointment and expressed his intention to build on the company’s existing foundation. He also cited his familiarity with Stryker’s people, culture and customer relationships.
Kevin Lobo Transitions to Executive Chair
Lobo joined Stryker in 2011 as Group President and became CEO in October 2012. He was appointed Chair of the Board in July 2014.
During his 14-year tenure as CEO, Stryker’s annual net sales increased from $8.7 billion in 2012 to more than $26 billion in 2026, according to the company.
Stryker also completed more than 60 acquisitions during Lobo’s tenure. One of those transactions was the acquisition of Mako, which combined robotic-arm-assisted technology with Stryker’s joint-reconstruction expertise.
Lobo said his tenure as CEO had been an honor and credited Stryker teams with the company’s accomplishments on behalf of customers and patients.
He will remain involved with the company after leaving the CEO position. As Executive Chair, Lobo will continue to support Stryker while Stiles assumes responsibility for the chief executive role.
The transition therefore does not involve Lobo leaving Stryker. Instead, his responsibilities will shift from leading the company’s executive operations to serving in a senior board position.
Stryker’s arrangement also differs from transitions in which outgoing executives leave the organization entirely
Lobo’s 14-Year Tenure as CEO
Lobo’s tenure included expansion of Stryker’s portfolio and global presence. The company said its annual net sales more than tripled during the period from 2012 through 2026.
The company also completed more than 60 acquisitions under his leadership. The Mako transaction was among the acquisitions Stryker identified as contributing to its medical technology portfolio.
Lobo also helped shape Stryker’s stated mission of making healthcare better together with its customers. The company connected that mission with a specialized business operating model that it said supported its performance and growth.
Lobo said Stiles has the experience, judgment and understanding of Stryker needed to lead the company after the transition. He also said Stiles has demonstrated an ability to set direction, inspire people and execute strategy.
Stiles Brings Nearly Three Decades of Stryker Experience
Stiles’ career at Stryker has included leadership positions across several of the company’s operating businesses. His experience spans Orthopaedics, MedSurg and Neurotechnology.
As Group President of Orthopaedics, Stiles led Joint Replacement and Trauma & Extremities. He also had responsibility for Digital, Robotics and Enabling Technologies, along with international regions.
His responsibilities included Stryker’s enterprise mergers and acquisitions strategy before he became President and COO. His portfolio work included the Wright Medical acquisition and the separation of Stryker’s spinal implants business.
Stiles became President and COO in January 2026, placing him in the company’s senior operating leadership before his scheduled appointment as CEO.
His transition gives Stryker an incoming chief executive who has already held responsibility for major business groups and corporate initiatives. It also gives Stiles direct experience with the company’s operating structure before assuming the top executive position.
Stiles said his priorities include continuing to execute Stryker’s strategy, driving growth and advancing the company’s mission. He also credited Lobo with establishing a strong foundation for the future.
The leadership path from operating executive to CEO is similar to other internal succession arrangements. In one recent example, Pavion’s CEO transition plan placed a new chief executive in charge while retaining the outgoing leader in an advisory role.
Stryker Details Long-Term Leadership Succession Process
Stryker’s Board described the appointment as the result of a comprehensive, long-term succession planning process. Lead Independent Director Sheri McCoy said the Board considers Stiles a proven leader with strategic perspective and the ability to unite teams around shared priorities.
McCoy also recognized Lobo’s leadership during his tenure as CEO and said he had positioned Stryker to enter the transition from a strong foundation.
The Board will continue to have Lobo’s experience available after he becomes Executive Chair. Stiles will simultaneously assume the CEO position and join the Board.
The succession plan therefore involves changes to both executive and board responsibilities. Lobo will move into the Executive Chair role, while Stiles will combine the CEO position with membership on the Board.
Stryker said its mission-driven culture, strategic direction and leadership team form part of the foundation for the transition. The company also said its succession process was developed over the long term rather than initiated as an immediate response to an unexpected vacancy.
The scheduled handoff leaves Lobo as CEO through December 31, 2026. Stiles will assume the chief executive position on January 1, 2027.
Board Support for the Leadership Transition
McCoy said the Board has confidence in Stiles’ ability to build on Stryker’s existing strategy and guide the company after the leadership change.
The Board’s role in the succession process establishes a defined governance structure for the transition. Stiles will join the Board when he becomes CEO, while Lobo will serve as Executive Chair.
Lobo and Stiles have also worked together before the scheduled handoff. Lobo said his experience working alongside Stiles gave him an opportunity to assess the incoming CEO’s leadership and operating capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Spencer Stiles become Stryker CEO?
Spencer Stiles will become Stryker’s CEO on January 1, 2027. He will also join the company’s Board of Directors on that date.
Who is Spencer Stiles?
Spencer Stiles is Stryker’s current President and Chief Operating Officer. He joined the company in 1999 and has held leadership positions across Orthopaedics, MedSurg and Neurotechnology.
What role will Kevin Lobo hold at Stryker?
Kevin Lobo will become Executive Chair of Stryker’s Board of Directors on January 1, 2027. He will transition from his current position as CEO.
How long has Kevin Lobo served as Stryker CEO?
Kevin Lobo has served as Stryker CEO since October 2012. He became Chair of the Board in July 2014.
Will Spencer Stiles join Stryker’s Board of Directors?
Yes. Stiles will join Stryker’s Board of Directors when he becomes CEO on January 1, 2027.
