Paul Adams, Chief Executive

Source from:  British American Tobacco (BAT) 08/05/2010

Paul Adams has been our Chief Executive since January 2004. He will retire at the end of February 2011 and will be suceeded by Nicando Durante. Paul joined British American Tobacco in 1991 as Regional Director, Asia-Pacific. In 1999, he was appointed Regional Director, Europe and, in March 2001, he became an Executive Director on the p.l.c. Board.　He was Managing Director from January 2002 until the end of 2003. Before joining British American Tobacco, Paul was European Vice-President of Marketing with Pepsi Cola International, based in London. During his time at Pepsi he had also been Managing Director of Pepsi Cola de France and Area Vice-President for Scandinavia. He began his business career with Shell UK before moving on to Colgate Palmolive and Beecham Products International. Paul notes: "British American Tobacco is very focused on consumers - understanding their current and future preferences and making sure we meet them in a superior way. Our global consumer research capability is truly extraordinary and we use it - a lot! Consumers will always determine our success as a business. Get that right, and you'll create a lot of shareholder value. "I love the international scope of the business and the variety and challenge it brings," adds Paul. "The people in this organisation are very special - excellent professionals who are committed, warm and humorous. If you could bottle and sell our culture, we'd make a fortune." Paul is also a member of the Executive Committee of the TransAtlantic Business Dialogue, a member of the Trilateral Commission, and a founding member of the Global Business Leaders Alliance Against Counterfeiting (GBLAAC). Paul is married with three children. His interests are his family, theatre, rugby and shooting. Enditem