UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 
FORM 6-K
 
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934
 
February 28, 2019
 
Commission File Number: 001-38159

 
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO P.L.C.
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 
Globe House
4 Temple Place
London WC2R 2PG
United Kingdom
(Address of principal executive office)

 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F ☒                  Form 40-F ☐
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ☐
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ☐
 
 

 


 
This report includes materials as exhibits that have been published and made available by British American Tobacco p.l.c. (the “Company”) to its shareholders, as of February 28, 2019.
 
The information contained in Exhibit 1 to this Form 6-K, is incorporated by reference into the Company’s Form S-8 Registration Statements File Nos. 333-223678 and 333-219440, and related Prospectuses, as such Registration Statements and Prospectuses may be amended from time to time.
 

EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
 
Description
   
Exhibit 1
  
Press Release entitled “British American Tobacco Announces Finance Director’s Retirement” dated February 28, 2019.
     

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
 
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Sophie Kerr  
    Name:  Sophie Kerr  
    Title:    Assistant Secretary  
       
 
Date:  February 28, 2019







Exhibit 1
 
28 February 2019

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO ANNOUNCES FINANCE DIRECTOR’S RETIREMENT

British American Tobacco p.l.c. (BAT) announces that, after 30 years with the Company and 11 years as   Finance Director,   Ben Stevens has informed the Company of his intention to step down as Finance Director on reaching the age of 60 and will retire from the Board on 5 August 2019. 

Ben will be succeeded as Finance Director by   Tadeu Marroco , currently Director, Group Transformation. Prior to his appointment on 5 August 2019, Tadeu will be appointed as Deputy Finance Director with effect from 1 March 2019, in addition to his current role.

Tadeu joined BAT in Brazil 26 years ago. Having been Regional Finance Controller, EEMEA, and Group Finance Controller, he was appointed to the Management Board in September 2014 as Director, Business Development. In December 2016 he was appointed Regional Director, Western Europe, becoming Regional Director, Europe and North Africa in January 2018, before taking up his current role in January 2019.

Richard Burrows, Chairman of BAT, said: “ Throughout his long and varied career at BAT, Ben contributed an enormous amount to making BAT the Company it is today. In particular, Ben has been an outstanding Finance Director who has been instrumental in ensuring that the Company has, over many years, delivered consistent earnings and dividend growth. I am confident that BAT is now well positioned to take advantage of today’s exciting future opportunities with its potentially reduced risk products.   On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Ben for his leadership and his invaluable contribution to the Company over the past 30 years .”

“I would also like to welcome Tadeu to the Board. His success as a Regional Director and the broad experience he has gained in other roles over his 26-year career with BAT makes him ideally placed to assist our CEO Jack Bowles as we accelerate our transformation agenda.”

Commenting on his decision to retire, Ben Stevens said: “ In my 30 years with BAT, I have lived through many changes and I am proud to have been part of the management team that has turned BAT into the dynamic and truly international multi category tobacco and nicotine company that it is today.
I am particularly pleased that the Board has decided to appoint Tadeu as my successor and am confident that he will play a key role in delivering our ambition to transform our Company and our industry.”


Notes to Editors

Ben Stevens – career at BAT

1990 : Takes up first role with BAT as Regional Finance Controller for East Africa and South Asia.
1992 : Becomes Regional Finance Controller for BAT’s Europe area.
1994 : Moves to BAT Switzerland where he takes up a variety of roles in the Marketing function.
1995 :  Becomes Chairman and Managing Director of Pakistan Tobacco Company.
1997 : Takes up the role of Chairman and Managing Director with BAT Russia.
1998 : Moves back to the UK to take up the role of Head of Corporate Affairs for BAT .
2000 : Becomes Head of Merger Integration, overseeing the £7bn integration between BAT and Rothmans.
2001 : Joins the BAT Management Board as Development Director, responsible for the Smoking Tobacco and Cigars division, Mergers & Acquisitions, IT, Corporate Strategy and e-business ventures.
2004 : Becomes Regional Director for BAT’s Europe area.
March 2008 : Takes a seat on the BAT Board before becoming Group Finance Director the following month.
August 2019: Retires as Finance Director.


About British American Tobacco
 
British American Tobacco is one of the world’s leading, multi-category consumer goods companies, that provides tobacco and nicotine products to millions of consumers around the world.
 
It employs over 55,000 people, with market leadership in over 55 countries and factories in 42. Its Strategic Portfolio is made up of its global cigarette brands and an increasing range of potentially reduced-risk products, comprising vapour and tobacco heating products, as well as oral tobacco and nicotine products such as modern white oral products and more traditional products such as moist snuff and snus.
 

Enquiries:

Press Office
Anna Vickerstaff / George Parker
+44 (0) 20 7845 2888 (24 hours)  | @BATPress  

Investor Relations
Mike Nightingale / Rachael Brierley / John Harney
+44 (0) 20 7845 1180 / 1519 / 1263