Imperial Tobacco Group appoints Karen Witts as independent Non-Executive Director

– UK, London – Imperial Tobacco today announces a number of changes to its Board.

As previously announced, Iain Napier will retire as Non-Executive Chairman and Berge Setrakian will retire as a Non-Executive Director at the conclusion of the Company’s 2014 AGM today.

Upon Deputy Chairman Mark Williamson becoming Chairman, Michael Herlihy will succeed Mark as Senior Independent Director. Michael will step down as chairman of the Remuneration Committee and will be succeeded by David Haines.

We are also pleased to announce, with effect from 6 February 2014, the appointment of Karen Witts as an independent Non-Executive Director of the Company. Karen will also join the Audit, Remuneration and Nominations Committees of the Board.

Karen is Group Finance Director and Executive Director of Kingfisher plc. She joined Kingfisher in 2012 from Vodafone Group PLC where she was Chief Finance Officer of the Africa, Middle East, Asia and Asia Pacific Region, sitting on the Boards of Vodacom and Safaricom. Karen has extensive management and finance expertise and previously worked at BT, Paribas, Grand Metropolitan PLC (now Diageo) and Ernst & Whinney (now EY). She is a former Non-Executive Director of Wolseley PLC.

Mark Williamson said: “I’m delighted to welcome Karen to the Board. Her skills and expertise will be of tremendous benefit to the business. I would also like to thank Iain and Berge for their significant contributions to the Board and wish them both well for the future.”

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