British American Tobacco - News and features

BAT has marked International Women's Day with a focus on our individual responsibility to build a gender equal world.

The theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) – a global initiative that happens annually on 8 March – is #EachforEqual. It calls on people to value different perspectives, challenge stereotypes, recognise unconscious bias and broaden perceptions to ensure we create a gender-equal world.

We have participated in the IWD campaign to raise awareness among our people around gender diversity, share our progress, celebrate women’s achievements, launch new initiatives and make new commitments.

Last week, IWD was marked by our people around the world. At our head office in London, we held an event featuring a panel discussion and talks from senior female leaders at BAT, including Hae In Kim – Director, Talent and Culture; Simi Dubb – Group Head of Talent Development and D&I; and Dr. Lisa Smith – MD, Ventures.

They shared their personal stories, bringing to life their experiences throughout the years of professional growth. Some of their tips included: strive to be the best in what you do while staying true to yourself; celebrate each other’s contributions and achievements; connect and support the women around us; and call out and signpost the positive behaviours that help to foster inclusivity and diversity.

Simi Dubb said: “Diversity and inclusion is critical to our organisational growth. Valuing different perspectives requires us to examine our individual actions, behaviours and mindsets and how this impacts on our ability to make others feel valued and make informed business decisions.”

Increasing the level of senior female representation in our business is a long-standing priority for BAT and we’ve come a long way in driving gender diversity across the company. We more than doubled the representation of women in our senior management roles from 11% in 2012 to 23% in 2019. Last year also saw increased female representation on our Management Board with two new female members.

Our commitment to marking IWD is evident in our second-time recognition by the organisers as one of the best private sector companies in terms of impact and innovation in IWD celebrations. We were also recognised as a diversity leader in 2019 by the UK’s Financial Times in its inaugural Diversity Leaders report.

On International Mother Language Day, we celebrate our differences and what brings us together. The video above features a range of our people, based at our London headquarters, saying “We are BAT” in a variety of languages which reflect our diverse make-up.

Simi Dubb, BAT’s Group Head of Talent Development and Inclusion, said: “As we continue to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, it is imperative that we take the opportunity to celebrate what makes us different. At BAT, while we have many different mother tongues, we all speak the same language.”

In the video above, our R&D experts – from a range of areas including toxicology, chemistry and product safety – share their professional journeys and explore what motivates them.

From pursuing a childhood passion to carving out a career in global research, our scientists explain what they do, why they love it and how they have further developed their skills at BAT.

Principal Science Manager, Dr Summer Hanna, said working alongside curious scientists was one of the most enjoyable parts of her role.

“You’re surrounded by scientists who want to go to the next level, who are passionate about their jobs and are passionate about building a culture that empowers our scientists to learn and explore,” Summer said.

Linsey Haswell, a scientist in the Pre-clinical team, explains how working with a diverse team of scientists pushes her to be her best. Linsey said: “R&D is such a diverse community and it’s great to work here. I have learned so much over the years and we have lovely people here who are always willing to spend their time and learn with you. I think this has really shaped my career not just as a scientist, but also as a woman in business.”

Dr David O’Reilly, Director, Scientific Research, said: “Our industry is changing rapidly, and we are at the forefront of this momentous change. I’m pleased we are marking this important day by shining the spotlight on some of our incredibly talented scientists who are accelerating our transformation and pushing our company forward.”

We aim to attract the brightest and best to BAT, offering world-class development and training to grads as they set off on their career journeys.

Whether joining the BAT graduate programme in Operations, Marketing, Finance or any of our functions, grads can expect a fast-paced, exciting journey that will stretch and test them. The ultimate aim is for them to be propelled into a management role within 12 months.

To spread the word about how their Operations graduates can succeed, the team at the Augustow factory in Poland put together a fantastic video, which you can watch above.

Malgorzata Lewandowska Zywna, Manufacturing Development Manager at Augustow, said: “With this video we wanted to show what a great place Augustow is to work and offer encouragement to our next generation of leaders as we help support BAT’s transformation journey.”

Find out more about BAT’s Global Graduate Programme – and where you could fit in across our business – by visiting our dedicated careers website, careers.bat.com .

The Grand Prix coincided with our announcement that we have signed an enhanced partnership deal with McLaren, which will see BAT become a Principal Partner of the world-famous Formula 1 team from the start of the 2020 season.

Kingsley appeared live on Sky News from Abu Dhabi to discuss the McLaren deal and our three New Category global brands, as well as matters including the U.S. vapour market, BAT’s investment in New Categories and the science behind our products.

Talking to Sky News Business Presenter, Ian King, Kingsley said: “We need to build big, powerful global brands that consumers can trust which are quality assured. We are really are committed to this transformation journey and are committed to delivering a better tomorrow.

On the subject of the McLaren partnership, he added: “It’s been a tremendous year for our partnership with McLaren, we couldn’t be happier. We have an accelerated transformation story, powered by big global brands, which can be enabled with platforms and partnerships [such as this].”

• VUSE for vapour products
• VELO for modern oral products
• GLO for tobacco heating products

In the video above, our Chief Marketing Officer, Kingsley Wheaton, explains that, as BAT focuses on becoming a stronger, simpler, faster organisation, now is the right time to make this move.

He says: “We want to lead the industry across all our New Category products and believe the time is now right to simplify our brand portfolio, creating three strong, recognisable and trusted global brands.”

We told you in June how B United was going from strength to strength as it celebrated its first anniversary since being rebranded from its predecessor, Lucky Tribe. Since then, the network’s members and allies have been busy spreading the word about diversity and inclusion at BAT.

In July we lit up our London headquarters in rainbow colours and flew a rainbow flag to celebrate Pride month. This was followed by B United members attending Pride parades in London and Mexico – for the first time ever under the B United banner. Our short video above recaps on these events and more, as well as giving a general overview of the great work that B United does all year round.

As B United President, Damian De Conno, says in the video: “At B United we want to make sure that everyone who works for BAT is able to openly and honestly be themselves. When you walk into a BAT office, you should feel as proud about yourself as you do about working for BAT. It’s about making BAT the best place to work.”

Find out more about B United and diversity at BAT.

Following recent appearances on CNBC and BBC Radio 4, Kingsley visited CNN's London studio to talk to journalist Richard Quest, host of the globally-broadcast Quest Means Business.

On the show, Kingsley discussed our company's transformation, underpinned by our focus on New Category products. He also addressed recent reports from the U.S. in relation to vaping, as well as BAT’s commitment to responsible marketing and youth access prevention.

He said: "It is really important for consumers that we responsibly market these products, that we have sound regulation. We've invested nearly four billion dollars on this journey. We have 130 PhDs across our R&D superhubs, we have 50 toxicologists in Southampton ensuring only the right ingredients get to consumers."

2019 marks the 10th anniversary of BAT Bangladesh’s Probaho clean water initiative.

Launched in 2009, Probaho now provides 400,000 litres of water daily through 78 filtration plants in some of the many rural areas of Bangladesh which are affected by arsenic-contaminated water. The initiative touches the lives of 200,000 beneficiaries every day.

The initiative is in keeping with our Group’s commitment to working towards enabling prosperous livelihoods for all farmers who supply our tobacco leaf. It also supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

One Probaho beneficiary said: “My children, my family, they all drink Probaho water. We drink it, cook it, wash with it.”

Another added: “Before Probaho we would spend a lot on healthcare. That’s changed now. Fewer illnesses, fewer trips to the doctor.”

Probaho was featured in our original ‘We are BAT company video’ and in a subsequent follow-up production, from 2017, which you can watch above.

Shehzad Munim, General Manager, BAT Bangladesh, said: “Probaho is a project that we are very proud of at BAT Bangladesh and demonstrates our commitment to improving the lives of people and communities where we operate. When the small actions of people add up to make something bigger than themselves, it creates a ripple effect – which makes projects like Probaho possible.”

Earlier this year, BAT Bangladesh launched a media campaign to drive further awareness of Probaho, all in keeping with the World Water Day 2019 theme of “leaving no-one behind”.

You can read more about Probaho and watch a video celebrating the 10 years of the initiative on its dedicated Facebook page .

Download our latest Sustainability Report to read about our work and progress across our three strategic focus areas: harm reduction, sustainable agriculture and farmer livelihoods, and corporate behaviour.

That’s why we are launching our Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) initiative. Using external partnerships and internal learning and development platforms, the initiative aims to attract develop and retain more women in our Research & Development, Operations and Information & Digital Technology (IDT) functions.

In our video above, we hear from some of the women in ‘STEM’ roles who talk about the importance of this initiative and why it is the right time to work for BAT as a STEM professional.

We currently employ more than 21,000 people in ‘STEM’ roles around the world. We have range of scientists, engineers and technicians at all levels in our largest R&D centres in the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brazil. Our engineers work in factories across the world on our cutting-edge and innovative products while our IDT hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Poland and Mexico are leading our digital transformation.

Marina Bellini, our Director, Digital and Information, says: “We are constantly looking for new solutions and to create a new future. We need people who can come up with different ways of looking at solutions, people who can approach innovation programmes with a slightly different touch. We need a diverse workforce to enable us to achieve some of these goals.”

In the UK, we have joined WISE , an organisation that enables people in business, industry and education to increase the participation, contribution and success of women in STEM by organising knowledge sharing and networking events, training and webinars. These types of partnerships, which we are looking to implement in key hubs across the business, will also provide female employees the opportunity to widen their network and interact with peers from other companies.

If you are interested in a career at BAT, visit careers.bat.com .

• Read more about diversity initiatives at BAT.

The updated bat-science.com is intended for a broad audience, including public health communities, journalists, scientists, and consumers with an interest in science. It offers clear scientific information around vapour, tobacco heating and modern oral products, as well as a deep dive into scientific studies and product development.

It also features a range of videos and animations which bring to life how our products work, how they are tested and much more besides.

Among the new videos is one featuring our Scientific Research Director, Dr David O’Reilly, who talks about how science is powering innovation at BAT and plays a fundamental role in building trust in our products.

He says: “Our products go through robust scientific assessment to make sure they are as safe and satisfying as possible. We are building a strong scientific foundation behind each category and product.”

Watch David’s video above and visit the new-look bat-science website .

Kingsley and Marina were interviewed by CNBC’s James Wright on the channel’s flagship programme, Marketing.Media.Money , which focuses on business leaders, brands and trends.

As well as discussing Transforming Tobacco, Kingsley also spoke about our potentially reduced-risk products and our global Formula One partnership with McLaren.

“It is probably the most exciting juncture for the tobacco business worldwide, and this is true of BAT as it is the industry”, said Kingsley. “We are on a pathway to transforming tobacco, the opportunity to move consumers from the combustible products… and market a whole new range of alternative tobacco and nicotine products which are potentially safer for consumers.”

Marina highlighted the world-class science behind our products as well as our journey to drive tobacco harm reduction. She explained the importance of technology and innovation, how we approach our portfolio and the need for quality and standards based on robust science.

“I believe R&D is the most important part of marketing because in these New Categories, the product is front and centre. It is our number one job to have a product that works well”, said Marina.

The short video showcases the strengths of our diverse, driven and dynamic organisation, emphasising our variety of backgrounds and skills and how this gives us the edge to be a global leader.

It was made with the aim of showing pride in our heritage while at the same time making our employees excited about the future and the transformation currently underway at BAT.

The graduates spent two weeks finding out more about our business, undertaking a variety of sessions across areas including finance, supply chain, operations, regulation and marketing.

There were also sessions focusing on personal development, as well as lessons in leadership and Q&As with senior leaders including our Group Financial Controller, James Barrett and Group Head of Manufacturing, Corinne Burrows.

The grads’ main task was a business simulation competition where they had to ‘run’ their own business and present their strategy to senior BAT management.

Paulina Nainggolan, from BAT Indonesia, said: “Thanks to the Grad Academy, I’ve gained more insight and knowledge, which will be very important for my future career.”

Mashroor Faiyaz Khan, from BAT Bangladesh, added: “This wasn’t just a training session, it was such an interactive, engaging experience.”

The grads also enjoyed a trip to our London HQ, as well as a visit to our research and development hub in Southampton, UK, to find out more about our potentially reduced-risk products and the science behind our tobacco leaf process.

In this video above you can hear from some of our women scientists based in our Southampton, UK, R&D hub as they talk about their careers in science, and how BAT is helping to support them achieve their full potential.

Jessica Mushonganono, Toxicologist, talks about how she was always interested in science at school and how BAT allows her to grow as a scientist by offering many different development opportunities.

She says: “For any girls considering a career in science, I’d say do it. There are no barriers holding you back and if you’re committed, you can do it.”

Jenni Hawke, Sensory Scientist, talks about how science was always her calling and how BAT is a great place to work if you are interested in science.

She adds: “I still have the opportunity to learn and to grow and for me that is really important. The heart of science for me is curiosity and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

David O’Reilly, Director, Scientific Research, comments:

“We are currently in the most dynamic period of change our industry has ever known. As part of our ambition to lead this change, we have been investing billions in R&D to design a transformational range of potentially reduced-risk alternatives to cigarettes. As we continue on our journey to transform our products, our company and our industry, it has never been a more exciting time to be a scientist at BAT.

“I’m delighted that we’re marking this day by showcasing some of the incredible talent and passion that is helping to fuel our transformation, and I hope that some of the work we are doing can inspire the next generation of women and girls in science.”

Gender diversity is one of the key focus areas of our Diversity & Inclusion agenda at BAT. Following a range of initiatives to improve gender diversity at all levels within the Group, representation of women in senior management has doubled since 2011, reaching 22% in 2018.

Stay tuned in the coming months to hear more about how BAT supports women in STEM – science, technology, engineering and maths.

The transformation, designed to embody the BAT East & Central Africa Area (ECAA) mantra of being “Energised, Collaborative and Agile”, has resulted in a modern workspace that is truly fit for the future.

The new offices, opened last year, house the manufacturing and commercial operations for all BAT’s East & Central Africa Area (ECAA) operation.

Area Director, Beverley Spencer-Obatoyinbo, said: “The project team have delivered a wonderful commercial office space which has taken ECAA and its work environment into a completely creative and innovative realm. I know that this ‘great place to work’ will deliver even more energy, collaboration and agility across the organisation. This is just the beginning of our transformational journey here in ECAA and I’m very excited for what the future holds.”

2018 saw BAT Kenya named as a national Employer of the Year for a second successive year, as well as again receiving Top Employer status from Top Employers Institute.

For the first time since last year’s acquisition, delegates from Reynolds American Inc joined the Academy, making it the largest and most international one we’ve ever hosted!

Among the activities the young men and women participated in included two business simulations which enhanced their overall view of the business. They also worked to develop their leadership capabilities, while networking with colleagues from around the world.

Stephen Filotas, BAT’s Group Head of Trade, Marketing & Distribution was one of the senior leaders who graduates were able to learn from. He said: “(At the Graduate Academy) you find very diverse cultures, very bright people. Everyone was extremely energetic, involved and engaged.”

Take a look at our video to hear from the graduates themselves as we introduce #NextGenBAT.

The initiative – called Parents@BAT – offers a minimum of 16 weeks’ fully paid maternity leave for new mothers and adoptive parents and a return-to-work guarantee. It also includes flexible working opportunities and an online advice service offering coaching support.

Parents@BAT, effective from 1 January 2019, offers significantly better terms than existing legal requirements in a number of our markets. The minimum 16 weeks’ fully paid maternity leave element of the initiative goes above and beyond local requirements in 26 countries, including: United States, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Nigeria, Argentina, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan.

While Parents@BAT provides minimum guidelines, BAT’s support for new parents already goes far beyond these, and local statutory requirements, in many countries. In the UK, for example, parents on maternity leave receive six months’ full pay and pro-rata bonus, statutory pay for three months and a return to work guarantee.

Nicandro Durante, CEO at BAT, said: “We want to ensure no-one at BAT has to choose between their career and their family and that’s why this will be available to colleagues all over the world. We are proud to be offering this new range of parental benefits on a global scale and we are looking forward to seeing the changes this will hopefully make to the lives of both our current and future employees.”

You can read more about Parents@BAT here.

Titled ‘How do you want your day to be?’, the video focuses on Kristina, based in our office in Copenhagen, Denmark. It gives a ‘day in the life’ view of someone who has progressed in her BAT career from intern to global graduate to manager for one of our biggest brands in Northern Europe.

In the video, Kristina – since promoted to Head of Shopper Marketing in NEA – talks about her career progression, and the importance of having the support of her colleagues, both inside and outside of work, as they go through their BAT journeys together.

“I love being challenged”, Kristina says in the video. “But also to get the opportunity to go as far as I want. Together with my colleagues. My friends.”

A massive 44,000 employees responded to our 2017 survey, with the results showing that we are performing very well in many areas – often, much better than the norm for large global companies like ours.

Watch our video to find out more about our results and discover how we are performing against our comparators. And, if you would like to add your voice to those who are proud to work for British American Tobacco, visit bat-careers.com, where you can find out more about opportunities at our company and be directed to our latest vacancies.

In the original film, we heard from one of BAT’s contracted farmers, Abdul, about the benefits of the “Probaho” clean water initiative. We now go back to the same community and hear from Zunaeed, Regional Leaf Manager for BAT Bangladesh, who highlights the effect of the initiative on the people of Kushtia.

Launched in 2009, Probaho helps to ensure 170,000 people a day in Bangladesh benefit from better access to safe drinking water, thanks to 65 new water filtration plants we have installed.

“I am very much proud to be part of BAT Bangladesh,” says Zunaeed. “Having a legacy of more than 100 years, contributing to almost 33,000 farming families, to improve their livelihood and economic development.” He adds: “We are helping the farmers to build a better and safer world.”

The Probaho project has had a huge impact on those responsible for collecting the family’s water each day who no longer have to travel long distances. Shahanaj is a resident of Kushtia and teacher at the school she attended as a child. She says: “The people in my neighbourhood are happier now.”

The Probaho initiative also features in our brand-new Focus Report on Sustainable Agriculture and Farmer Livelihoods. Download it to learn more about how we support the 350,000+ farmers we work with in 34 countries to help them thrive.

You can see our first follow-up video, focusing on two members of our Trade Marketing and Distribution team in Johannesburg, South Africa, here.

One of the stories we heard in the original We Are BAT film was from a sales representative in South Africa, who told the cameras: “I feel like the sky’s the limit on what you can achieve.”

And in our follow-up video we hear from two fellow members of our Trade Marketing and Distribution team in Johannesburg, who talk about the opportunities for professional development that come with working for BAT.

Through their story, we hope you’ll get a sense of the incredible teamwork, camaraderie and passion that goes into making us a progressive company that’s proud of its heritage and excited about the future.

The video presents our business through the eyes of our employees and those we work with and support around the world.

We believe their stories show who we are: a progressive company that’s proud of its heritage and excited about the future

Produced during 2016, We are BAT was filmed in five locations in four continents. It features people living different lives in diverse countries but who share a common pride and commitment in what they do.

You’ll hear from BAT scientists in the UK involved in developing a next generation of potentially less harmful nicotine products; a sales representative supporting retailers in South Africa; and a farmer in Brazil whose family has been supplying us with tobacco for three generations.

Also featured is a community in Bangladesh which has access to clean drinking water thanks to a water purification plant provided by BAT, while we also hear the thoughts of a management trainee embarking on a career with our company.

We’re proud of the video and the people who took part in it. It’s through their words that we aim to show some of the ways we are contributing to the livelihoods of people around the world and meeting the evolving needs of our consumers with innovative Next Generation Products.