British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced that Ricardo Oberlander will step down as President of Reynolds American and be succeeded by Guy Meldrum from 1 September.

Ricardo Oberlander will step down as President of Reynolds American and from the Management Board on 31 August 2020 and will leave the Group at the end of the year. Ricardo has been with the Group for almost three decades, over seven years of which as a member of the Management Board, firstly as Regional Director Americas and then latterly leading Reynolds American. Ricardo steps down in order to pursue other opportunities, BAT said.
Guy Meldrum, currently Regional Director, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, will succeed Oberlander as President of Reynolds American effective 1 September 2020. Michael (Mihovil) Dijanosic, currently Area Director Asia-Pacific Area, will be appointed Regional Director, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, replacing Meldrum.
"I am grateful for the drive and leadership that Ricardo has brought to the Group throughout his career and for leaving the Reynolds American business in such robust shape. I would like to thank Ricardo for his significant contribution over the last three decades, including over seven years as a member of the Management Board. We all wish him the very best for the future,” BAT Chief Executive Jack Bowles said.