Following a strategic review of its regions, business units and global functions, BAT will implement a number of senior management changes and a new regional structure to both streamline, and accelerate, the transformation of its business.
Jack Bowles, BAT Chief Executive commented: “As our transformation journey towards our strategic milestones gathers pace, we need to further sharpen our operating model, streamline our business to drive agility, and continue to enhance organisational capabilities. As part of our commitment to building A Better Tomorrow, the changes we have announced today will drive increased focus, accelerate our transformation and fuel growth as we strengthen the foundations of our future as a category-led enterprise.”
Following this strategic review, underpinned by distinct market-archetypes, the number of regions will be reduced from four to three, and the number of business units from 16 to 12, while also accelerating the company’s market exit plans.
BAT’s new structure will consist of three regions:
• USA (Reynolds American Inc.)
• Americas & Europe (AME)
• Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA)
In addition, two new Management Board roles will be created in order to ensure clarity of ownership, accountability and focus: Chief Transformation Officer and Director, Combustibles.
The Chief Transformation Officer will be responsible for driving faster transformation, accelerating greater capability build in key areas and enabling an even faster, simpler and more agile organisation. The role of Director, Combustibles will lead the focus on driving value from combustibles to fuel further investment in New Categories.
“These structural changes and the following appointments and other changes reflect the quality, depth and diversity of management within BAT” and will take effect from 1 April 2023:
• Johan Vandermeulen, currently Regional Director, Europe, will be appointed to the new role of Chief Transformation Officer
• Luciano Comin will be appointed to the new role of Director, Combustibles
• Frederico (Fred) Monteiro will be promoted to the Management Board as Regional Director, Americas & Europe Region (AME)
• Guy Meldrum will continue to lead BAT’s largest business in the USA as President, Reynolds American Inc.
• Michael Dijanosic will take on an expanded role as Regional Director, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa (APMEA)
• Javed Iqbal, Director, Digital and Information, will work with the Regional Directors and Chief Transformation Officer to ensure that the Digital & Information agenda is fully aligned with BAT’s corporate transformation
Further, Dr. David O’Reilly, Director, Research and Science, will step down from the Management Board on 28 February 2023 and leave BAT with effect from 31 May 2023 to pursue other interests. He will be succeeded by Dr. James Murphy, currently Executive Vice President of Scientific Research and Development at Reynolds American Inc.