BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO PLC - Announces Audit Tender

Announces Audit Tender

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")



                British American Tobacco announces Audit Tender

British American Tobacco (BAT) has today announced that it has commenced a competitive tender
process to appoint new external auditors for 2015 onwards. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) have
been the Company’s auditors since it listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 1998.

PwC, having completed the audit of the Company’s 2014 financial statements, will not seek re-
appointment as the Group’s auditors at the 2015 AGM. A resolution at the AGM will ask shareholders to
confirm the appointment of the successful firm following the tender process.

This situation has arisen as a result of proposed litigation by a Group subsidiary against PwC. The
potential claims against PwC, which have been assigned to the Group, arose from work carried out by
PwC in relation to the audit of the accounts of a third party. These claims do not concern the audit of any
BAT Group company.


Given the scale and global footprint of the Company three firms have been invited to take part in the
tender process being, Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, and KPMG LLP.


ENQUIRIES

Press Office                                      Investor Relations
Will Hill / Anna Vickerstaff                      Mike Nightingale / Rachael Brierley
+44 (0) 20 7845 2888 (24 hours)                   + 44 (0) 20 7845 1180 / 1519


NOTES TO EDITORS

BAT is a global tobacco Group with brands sold in more than 200 markets. It employs more than 57,000
people worldwide and has over 200 brands in its portfolio, with its cigarettes chosen by one in eight of the
world’s one billion smokers. BAT has leadership in more than 60 markets around the world. The Group
generated £4.5 billion profit from operations in 2014.


For further information:

www.bat.com
www.bat.com/annualreport
www.bat.com/sustainability
www.flickr.com/photos/welcometobat
www.youtube.com/welcometobat
Twitter: @BATPress


2 March 2015

Sponsor: UBS South Africa (Pty) Ltd

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