British American Tobacco is proposing to reduce the number of Regions in its management structure from five to four with effect from 1st January 2018. As a result, a new region will be formed, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa (EEMEA). The Group’s Asia-Pacific and Americas Regions will remain unchanged, as will the Western Europe Region (WE) apart from the inclusion of the South Eastern Europe (SEE) Area with effect from 1st January 2018 as described below.
It is proposed that EEMEA will be formed from all the previous Africa & Middle East (AME) Business Units plus Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Caucasus and Central Asia. Andrew Gray currently Regional Director AME, will be the Regional Director. The WE Region will include all its current business units plus the South Eastern Europe Area, consisting of Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo. Jack Bowles, currently Regional Director WE, will continue as the Regional Director.
In addition, Peter Taylor, Group Operations Director, has decided to retire at the end of May 2018 and he will be succeeded by Des Naughton, currently Regional Director, Eastern Europe. Des will become Group Operations Director Designate on 1st January 2018 and work closely with Peter and the Global Operations and Research & Development teams.
Commenting on the proposed changes, Nicandro Durante, Chief Executive Designate, said: “This is an important step in our plans to reduce complexity in our management structures and achieve a better balance in the scale of the resulting four Regions.
“I would like to wish Andrew and Des the very best of luck and thank Peter for his outstanding contribution to the productivity savings we have achieved since he took on his current role in 2003. Peter has also led the revitalisation of Group Research & Development, which will help us respond to the challenges that lie ahead. I wish Peter a long and happy retirement after his 30 years in the Group.”
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