Imperial Tobacco plans to change its name to Imperial Brands to better reflect its changing business, the company said.

The name change will go before shareholders at the annual general meeting in February. If approved, Imperial Tobacco would become a division of Imperial Brands Group, the company said. Imperial owns a logistics business and Fontem Ventures, an alternative products business that includes Blu e-cigarettes.
The Guardian newspaper, noting recent reports that Imperial is a takeover target, said the name change increases speculation the tobacco company founded in 1901 plans more diversification.
“Physical changes will be minimal and largely confined to our Bristol head office and corporate website,” Imperial said in a statement. “There will not be a global rebranding.”