BAT is committed to maintain its position as a sustainability pioneer.
British American Tobacco (BAT) appointed Mike Nightingale as its first chief sustainability officer to lead its sustainability and ESG agenda. Nightingale was BAT’s group head of investor relations for the past 10 years. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions in sustainability, regulation, and marketing.
Additionally, to reflect BAT’s corporate intent and the increasing strategic importance of both ESG and sustainability for the Group, the role of Kingsley Wheaton as chief marketing officer with responsibility for corporate affairs will be redesignated as chief growth officer.
Beyond overseeing the marketing efforts to drive value from combustibles while ensuring a step-change in New Categories performance, Wheaton also led the initiatives to place ESG front and center of the Group’s strategy.
Victoria Buxton, senior investor relations manager, was promoted to the role of group head of investor relations and will report to the finance and transformation director, Tadeu Marroco.
Commenting on the appointments, c.e.o. Jack Bowles said, ““I am delighted that Mike has been appointed as our first chief sustainability officer. Sustainability and ESG have evolved substantially over recent years, and at pace. It’s clear that the regulatory requirements of ESG – notably in reporting – have grown tremendously. BAT has always been a sustainability pioneer – we published our first, industry-leading sustainability report in 2001 - and I am absolutely committed to that remaining the case. Mike will lead us into a new era of sustainability ‘thought leadership’. With his extensive experience of the business, most recently as group head of investor relations, he is uniquely suited to this challenge.
“Likewise, Victoria has an excellent track record, both as a consumer sector equity analyst and, more recently, as a senior member of Mike’s team. Her promotion is testament to her energy, commitment and drive. “