Imperial Brands has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Alison Cooper, will be stepping down, according to a company press release.

Imperial Brands has recently announced that Cooper will be stepping down from her role as company CEO once a successor has been found. Cooper has been with the company for 20 years, nine of which she worked as CEO.
Speaking on behalf of the Board of Imperial Brands, Chairman Mark Williamson was quoted as saying, “During her tenure as CEO the business has been significantly simplified and reshaped to strengthen its long-term growth potential, and more than USD 12 billion in dividends has been returned to shareholders. I am pleased that Alison has committed to continue to lead the business until a successor is appointed, ensuring an orderly transition of responsibilities.”
According to the press release, during her time as CEO, Cooper has pushed company focus towards Imperial’s strongest brands and markets, cutting the number of cigarette brands in order to ensure a higher quality of growth. For example, Asset Brands now accounts for two thirds of Imperial Brands’ tobacco net revenue. Cooper has also successfully driven the company’s US presence forwards, in 2014 acquiring USD 7 billion worth of brands and assets. Further announcements on the Chairman and CEO will be made when their successors have been appointed.