British American Tobacco Kenya picks Kavashe as chair
APPOINTMENT: British American Tobacco Kenya (BAT Kenya) has appointed Rita Kavashe as chair of the firm’s board.
Kavashe who is currently the managing director of Isuzu East Africa replaces outgoing Chair, George Maina, who served as chair of the board for nine years.
BAT Kenya Managing Director, Beverley Spencer-Obatoyinbo said the appointment comes at an ideal time, when the company is accelerating its transformation agenda.
“BAT’s evolved corporate strategy and purpose – to deliver A Better Tomorrow for our stakeholders – is underpinned by an ambition to reduce the health impacts of our business,” she said.
Rich experience
She said the firm’s new tobacco-free oral nicotine products are central to this ambition and Kavashe’s rich experience in the manufacturing and private sector would be invaluable as it seeks to localise manufacturing of the product through a Sh2.5 billion factory investment.
Kavashe’s appointment marks the first time in BAT Kenya’s history has had a woman chairing the board.
BAT now has 40 per cent female representation on the board – a significant step in furthering the company’s Gender diversity agenda, following BAT’s adoption of the UN Global Compact in 2019.
“As BAT focuses on building a modern company for a modern Kenya, we will continue to invest in the country in support of the government’s Big 4 agenda,” Obatoyinbo said.
She said the board is confident that under Kavashe’s stewardship, BAT Kenya is well poised to continue delivering sustained value to its shareholders and the larger economy.
