Geoff Martha

Geoff Martha
Born	Geoffrey S. Martha
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Ubl
Title	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Employer	Medtronic plc
Known for	Chairman and CEO of Medtronic

'Geoffrey S. "Geoff" Martha is an American corporate executive who serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medtronic plc, the world's largest medical device company by revenue. Martha assumed the role of CEO in April 2020 and was subsequently named Chairman of the Board, leading a global organization that operates in more than 150 countries and employs over 90,000 people. Under his leadership, Medtronic has pursued an aggressive strategy of investing in growth-driving technologies, including robotic-assisted surgery platforms, diabetes management systems, and cardiac rhythm management devices. Martha has been recognized for his influence in the healthcare sector, including being named number 24 on Modern Healthcares list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare in 2025. As head of a company with operational headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and legal and executive headquarters in Ireland, Martha oversees one of the most expansive portfolios in global healthcare technology, spanning cardiac devices, surgical robotics, neuroscience therapies, and diabetes care.

Career

Rise at Medtronic

Before becoming CEO, Geoff Martha held several senior leadership positions within Medtronic, advancing through the organization's management ranks. His career at the company involved overseeing various business segments, and he developed a reputation for focusing on strategic growth initiatives and portfolio management. Martha's ascent within Medtronic culminated in his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in April 2020, a transition that placed him at the helm of the company during a period of significant change in the global healthcare landscape.

CEO and Chairman of Medtronic

Martha became CEO of Medtronic in April 2020 and subsequently assumed the additional role of Chairman of the Board. Medtronic, which had redomiciled to Ireland following its acquisition of Irish-based Covidien in 2015, maintained its operational headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, under Martha's leadership.

As Chairman and CEO, Martha has led Medtronic through a period characterized by substantial investment in new product development and technology platforms. In public remarks at industry conferences, including the 44th annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, Martha has articulated a strategy centered on accelerating growth through increased investment in key technology areas. He has also represented the company at Bernstein's Strategic Decisions Conference, where he has discussed the company's portfolio strategy and growth outlook.

A central theme of Martha's tenure has been a focus on directing capital toward what he has described as "big growth drivers" within the Medtronic portfolio. In an August 2025 interview, Martha stated, "Are we investing enough behind these big growth drivers? We think no. We want to invest more," signaling his intent to increase research and development spending in priority areas.

Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery System

One of the most prominent strategic initiatives under Martha's leadership has been the development and commercialization of the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) system. The Hugo platform represents Medtronic's entry into the competitive surgical robotics market, an area long dominated by other medical technology companies. Martha has positioned Hugo as a key component of Medtronic's long-term growth strategy.

In early 2026, Medtronic completed the first Hugo robotic-assisted surgery case in the United States, marking a significant milestone for the platform's commercial rollout in the domestic market. Martha commented on the development, acknowledging that while Hugo may not yet "move the needle" for Medtronic's surgical business in terms of revenue, the system was growing "pretty fast." The first U.S. case represented the culmination of years of development and regulatory work, following earlier international deployments of the Hugo system.

Martha has provided regular updates on the Hugo system's progress at investor conferences and in media appearances, framing the platform as part of a broader strategy to build Medtronic's presence in robotics and data-driven surgical technologies.

Atrial Fibrillation Technology

Under Martha's leadership, Medtronic has also made significant investments in technologies for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib), one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias. The company has launched new AFib treatment technologies that have gained traction in the market. According to reporting by the Star Tribune in early 2026, Medtronic's new atrial fibrillation technology was described as "taking off," contributing to the company's top-line sales growth.

Diabetes Care and MiniMed

Medtronic's diabetes business, which includes the MiniMed insulin pump platform, has been another area of focus during Martha's tenure. Martha has provided public updates on the MiniMed product line and the company's competitive positioning in the diabetes care market, which has faced increased competition from rival device manufacturers and the emergence of new treatment approaches.

Activist Investor Engagement

Martha's tenure has also included engagement with activist investors. In 2025, Martha addressed changes prompted by activist investor involvement, including from Elliott Management. In public comments, Martha explained the strategic adjustments made in response to activist pressure, while maintaining that the company's core investment priorities remained focused on growth-driving technologies such as Hugo and the MiniMed platform.

Navigating Trade and Tariff Challenges

A significant operational challenge during Martha's leadership has been the impact of international trade tariffs on Medtronic's profitability. As a company with a global manufacturing and supply chain footprint, Medtronic has been affected by tariff policies that have increased costs. In early 2026, the Star Tribune reported that tariffs were "costing" Medtronic and remained a "hurdle" even as the company posted sales growth driven by new product launches. Despite rising revenue from technologies such as Hugo and its AFib platform, tariff-related costs weighed on the company's profit margins.

Executive Compensation

In fiscal year 2025, Martha received a double-digit pay increase, according to executive compensation disclosures filed by Medtronic. The pay hike was reported as part of a broader trend of increased compensation for Medtronic's top executives during the fiscal year.

Medtronic Under Martha's Leadership

Medtronic plc, the company Martha leads, is the largest medical device company in the world by revenue. The company reported revenue and operating income of approximately $5.955 billion in operating income and $4.662 billion in net income for fiscal year 2025, with total assets of approximately $91.68 billion.

The company develops and manufactures healthcare technologies and therapies across a broad portfolio that includes cardiac rhythm management devices, surgical instruments, neuroscience therapies, and diabetes management systems. Medtronic has historically been recognized for developing several world-first technologies, including wearable and implantable pacemakers, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD), remote monitoring systems, and miniaturized devices such as the world's smallest pacemaker and spinal cord stimulator.

Under Martha's leadership, the company has continued to expand its global presence, operating in more than 150 countries with a workforce exceeding 90,000 employees. The company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MDT, and it is a component of both the S&P 100 and S&P 500 indices.

Martha has spoken publicly about the need to balance investment in innovation with operational efficiency, particularly in the face of external pressures such as tariffs, competitive dynamics in key markets like diabetes care and surgical robotics, and the expectations of activist investors. His public statements have consistently emphasized the importance of scaling growth-driving technologies and increasing investment behind the company's most promising product platforms.

Recognition

Martha has received recognition from prominent healthcare industry publications for his leadership of Medtronic. In 2025, he was named number 24 on Modern Healthcare's annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare, a ranking that evaluates the impact and influence of leaders across the healthcare sector. The recognition reflected Martha's role in guiding the world's largest medical device company through a period of technological transformation and market expansion.

Martha has also been a regular presence at major healthcare industry conferences, serving as a keynote or featured speaker at events such as the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and Bernstein's Strategic Decisions Conference. These appearances have positioned him as a prominent voice in discussions about the future of medical technology, healthcare costs, and innovation in device development.