Regional management changes at BAT

JSE-listed cigarette manufacturer British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced changes to its management board.

Michael Dijanosic, regional director of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (Apmea), will step down from his role and the management board on 31 December 2025 to dedicate more time to family and friends.

Read: BAT says SA losing R28bn to illicit cigarettes

Pascale Meulemeester will join BAT with effect from 1 September 2025 initially as regional director designate of Apmea. From 1 January 2026 he will become regional director of Apmea and a member of the management board.

Meulemeester is currently president of Western Europe at Barry Callebaut group, a global chocolate and cocoa organisation, where she is a member of the executive leadership team responsible for leading its largest business segment.

She held several senior roles at Barry Callebaut in different geographies, including the Asia-Pacific region. Before joining Barry Callebaut, she spent seven years with Mars Inc and worked at Sara Lee earlier in her career.

Read: BAT to sell $1.36bn stake in Indian tobacco firm ITC

BAT CEO Tadeu Marroco thanked Dijanosic for his work and long-standing service at BAT, adding that Meulemeester’s appointment is expected to bring useful external insight to the Apmea region.

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