Non-Executive Director appointment

Dr. Gerard (Gerry) Murphy has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director at British American Tobacco p.l.c. with immediate effect.  He will stand for re-election at the Group’s Annual General Meeting on 30 April 2009. 

Gerry Murphy, an Irish national living in the UK, is a Senior Management Director at The Blackstone Group, having previously been Chief Executive at Kingfisher plc, Carlton Communications plc, Excel plc (formerly NFC plc) and Greencore Group plc.  His earlier career included various management roles at Grand Metropolitan plc (now Diageo plc) in Ireland, the UK and the US.

His previous non-executive appointments have included Reckitt Benckiser plc, Abbey National plc, Novar plc and PJ Carroll plc, which is now British American Tobacco’s subsidiary in the Republic of Ireland.

Jan du Plessis, Chairman, British American Tobacco, said:  “I am delighted to welcome Gerry to the Board.  Given his extensive experience as both a Chief Executive and as a Non-Executive Director on various Boards, I am sure he will be able to make a valuable contribution.”