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Management board changes at British American Tobacco
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
Incorporated in England and Wales
(Registration number: 03407696)
Short name: BATS
Share code: BTI
ISIN number: GB0002875804
("British American Tobacco p.l.c." or "the Company")
Management Board Changes at British American Tobacco
Des Naughton, Managing Director – Nicoventures, has decided to leave the BAT Group in
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order to focus on new business opportunities. Des will leave BAT on 28 February 2015 after
nearly 20 years with the Group, four of which as part of the Management Board, including
Group Operations Director and Regional Director – Eastern Europe.
Chief Executive Officer, Nicandro Durante, commented, “We will miss Des’ passion for the
business, strategic thinking and warmth of personality. Des has built a strong foundation for
the Group for us to compete and win in Next Generation products. He, and the legacy he
leaves, will be long remembered by his colleagues and friends in the company. On behalf of
BAT, I thank Des for all he has done for the Group.”
Kingsley Wheaton, currently Group Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Director, will be
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appointed Managing Director – Next Generation Products with effect from 1 January
2015. This new role will include leadership of ‘tobacco heating products’ which will be
managed alongside our emerging nicotine businesses. Kingsley has been with the company
for 18 years and a member of the Management Board since 2012.
Kingsley Wheaton will be succeeded as Group Corporate & Regulatory Affairs Director by
Jerome (Jerry) Abelman, currently Assistant General Counsel – Corporate & Commercial,
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also with effect from 1 January 2015. Jerry has been with the BAT Group for 12 years. Prior
to his current role, Jerry was most recently Regional General Counsel – Asia Pacific.
We are also taking this opportunity to announce that Neil Withington, Group Legal Director
& General Counsel, has indicated his preference to retire from the Management Board and
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leave the Group, as of 30 April 2015. Neil has had an extensive senior leadership career
with BAT. Joining BAT Industries in 1993 as a senior mergers and acquisitions lawyer, Neil
was appointed to his current role on the Management Board in 2000. Neil has also been a
director of our associate business in the US, Reynolds American, for the last 10 years.
Following Neil’s departure from the business, the Group’s Legal and Corporate & Regulatory
Affairs functions will be integrated under Jerry Abelman’s leadership.
Paying tribute to Neil, Nicandro commented, “Neil’s farewell to the business comes after a
distinguished 21 years with Group. Leading the Legal function he has been an outstanding
General Counsel and a trusted advisor to the Board. Neil also leaves a very significant legacy
and, on behalf of the entire organisation, I would like to thank Neil for all that he has achieved
over his career with BAT.”
Further remarking on these moves, Nicandro added, “I am pleased to welcome Jerry to the
Management Board. He will enhance the team with his substantial experience of the business
and regulatory matters in particular. Furthermore, as Managing Director – Next Generation
Products, Kingsley will bring the combination of his energetic leadership, marketing
background and corporate affairs experience to this critical role.”
20th November 2014
Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd
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