---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-414956"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SYK"
cik: "0000310764"
company_name: "STRYKER CORP"
filed_at: "2026-10-06T12:08:46+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-10-12T16:33:00.958408+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.65
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Stryker names COO Spencer Stiles CEO effective Jan. 1, 2027; Kevin Lobo moves to Executive Chair

## Summary
- Spencer Stiles, President and COO since January 2026, becomes CEO and a Board member on January 1, 2027; Kevin Lobo, CEO since October 2012, becomes Executive Chair.
- Stiles's CEO base salary rises to $1,320,000 with annual bonus target at 150% of salary; February 2027 equity award targeted at $14,200,000 fair value (40% options, 60% PSUs).
- Lobo's salary, bonus target and benefit eligibility stay unchanged as Executive Chair, but he gets no new stock awards; Transition Agreement signed October 5, 2026.
- Lobo's tenure: net sales tripled from $8.7B in 2012 to more than $26B in 2026, with 60+ acquisitions including Mako, Wright Medical, Vocera and Inari; organic growth 4% to 10%.
- Board expanded from 10 to 11 members with Stiles's appointment; Lead Independent Director Sheri McCoy calls it the culmination of long-term succession planning.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-414956
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SYK
- cik: 0000310764
- company_name: STRYKER CORP
- filed_at: 2026-10-06T12:08:46+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.65
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.65
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/310764/000119312526414956/0001193125-26-414956-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/310764/000119312526414956/d84795d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-414956
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-414956.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-414956.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Spencer S. Stiles was appointed as Director at STRYKER CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Director
  source text: In connection with Mr. Stiles’s appointment as CEO, the Board also increased the size of the Board from 10 to 11 and appointed Mr. Stiles to serve as a member of the Board, effective January 1, 2027.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/310764/000119312526414956/0001193125-26-414956-index.htm
- Executive change
  Spencer S. Stiles was appointed as Chief Executive Officer at STRYKER CORP.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: and that Spencer S. Stiles, who currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, has been appointed CEO of the Company, effective January 1, 2027.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/310764/000119312526414956/0001193125-26-414956-index.htm
- Executive change
  Kevin A. Lobo resigned as Chief Executive Officer at STRYKER CORP.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Executive Officer
  source text: Stryker Corporation (the “Company”) announced on October 6, 2026 that Kevin A. Lobo will resign from his role as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company on December 31, 2026 and transition to the role of Executive Chair of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), effective January 1, 2027 (the “CEO Transition”)
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/310764/000119312526414956/0001193125-26-414956-index.htm
- Executive change
  Kevin A. Lobo changed role as Executive Chair of the Board at STRYKER CORP.
  - Action: transitioned
  - Role: Executive Chair of the Board
  source text: On October 5, 2026, the Company entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Lobo (the “Transition Agreement”), pursuant to which (1) he will continue to serve as CEO of the Company through December 31, 2026, and (2) as of January 1, 2027, he will begin serving as Executive Chair of the Board.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/310764/000119312526414956/0001193125-26-414956-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.