Our LEADERSHIP TEAM

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Our leadership team

The Board is responsible to shareholders and other stakeholders for the strategy, activities and financial performance of the Group. The Board delegates responsibility for day-to-day management of the business to the Chief Executive, who is supported by the Executive Leadership Team.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Imperial Brands PLC, which meets at least five times a year, currently comprises a Non-Executive Chair, seven Non-Executive Directors, and two Executive Directors. 

Our Chair and Chief Executive have clearly defined and separate responsibilities divided between the leadership and effectiveness of the Board and the running of the business respectively.


  • Thérèse Esperdy

    Chair

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Thérèse has significant international investment banking experience having held a number of roles at JP Morgan including Global Chair of JP Morgan’s Financial Institutions Group, Co-Head of Asia-Pacific Corporate & Investment Banking, Global Head of Debt Capital Markets, and Head of US Debt Capital Markets. She began her career at Lehman Brothers and joined Chase Securities in 1997 prior to the firm's merger with JP Morgan in 2000.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Chair in January 2020 having previously served as Senior Independent Director since May 2019. Thérèse joined the Board in July 2016.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Chair of the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    Non-Executive Director of Moody's Corporation.

  • Stefan Bomhard

    Chief Executive Officer

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Stefan joined Imperial in July 2020 from Inchcape plc, a global distribution and retail leader in the premium and luxury automotive sectors, where he delivered successful transformational change during a five-year tenure as Chief Executive.

    Prior to his role at Inchcape, Stefan was President of Bacardi Limited's European region and was also responsible for Bacardi's Global commercial organisation and Global Travel Retail.

    Stefan has a PhD in marketing and has accrued significant experience in the consumer and retail sectors during his career. Previous roles have included Chief Commercial Officer of Cadbury plc and Chief Operating Officer of Unilever Food Solutions Europe. This followed senior management and sales and marketing positions at Diageo (Burger King) and Procter & Gamble.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed to the Board as Chief Executive Officer on 1 July 2020.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    Non-Executive Director of Compass Group PLC.

  • Lukas Paravicini

    Chief Financial Officer

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Lukas has a proven track record in international consumer goods companies. Beyond his finance credentials, he has considerable operational experience as well as expertise in driving transformational change including in global shared services in large international organisations. Lukas joined Imperial from agricultural commodities and brokerage group ED&F Man Holdings, where he was Chief Financial Officer. He has also held senior positions at Fonterra, a New Zealand and Australia listed co-operative and the world’s largest dairy exporter, with sales in 130 countries. He was Chief Financial Officer from 2013-2017 and Chief Operating Officer, Global Consumer and Foodservice Business from 2017-2018. Prior to that, he spent 22 years with Nestlé in various senior finance and general management roles.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed in May 2021.

  • Sue Clark

    Senior Independent Non-Executive Director

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Sue has strong international business credentials with over 20 years’ Executive Committee and Board level experience in the FMCG, regulated transport and utility sectors. Sue held the role of Managing Director of SABMiller Europe and was an Executive Committee member of SABMiller plc. She joined SABMiller in 2003 as Corporate Affairs Director and was part of the executive team that built the business into a top five FTSE company. Sue was, until March 2024, a Non-Executive Director of Britvic plc.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Non-Executive Director in December 2018, Chair of the Remuneration Committee in February 2019 and Senior Independent Director in January 2020.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Chair of the Remuneration Committee and member of the Audit Committee and the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit, Nominations and Remuneration Committees of Mondi plc.
    Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and a member of the Audit, Nominations and Safety Committees of easyJet plc.

  • Diane de Saint Victor

    Non-Executive Director

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Diane has strong legal, regulatory and ESG experience, having held a number of General Counsel, Company Secretary and other key roles in an international career. Her 13-year tenure as General Counsel & Company Secretary for ABB, the global technology company based in Switzerland, and her General Counsel role at Airbus before that are reinforced by her prior listed UK Board experience as a Non-Executive Director at Barclays plc. Diane also previously served as Vice President Government Relations, Europe at Honeywell International Inc. and as part of the US Government Relations Team in Washington for General Electric Company.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Non-Executive Director in November 2021.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Member of the Remuneration Committee and the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    Non-Executive Director of C&A.
    Non-Executive Director of WNS (Holdings) Limited.
    Member of the Industry Leadership Europe Board (Global Centre for Risk and Innovation).

  • Ngozi Edozien

    Non-Executive Director

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Ngozi has over 30 years’ experience in general management, finance, consultancy, business development and transformation gained at multinational companies, including in consumer goods, in Europe, USA and Africa. She spent six years on the Board of PZ Cussons and four years on the Board of Vlisco PLC. During a nine-year career with Pfizer Inc., she led strategy and planning for Pharmaceuticals, based in New York, before taking up a Regional Director role in Africa.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Non-Executive Director in November 2021.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Member of the Remuneration Committee and the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    Non-Executive Director and member of the Finance and Risk Committee of Guinness Nigeria, a listed subsidiary of Diageo.

  • Andrew Gilchrist

    Non-Executive Director

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Andrew has a proven track record of business development, strategic planning and business integration following two decades of operational and financial experience in the tobacco sector. He was Chief Financial Officer of Reynolds American Inc until its acquisition by British American Tobacco (BAT) in 2017. Prior to this, Andrew held a range of leadership positions at Reynolds, including Chief Information Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and Business Development Director. Earlier in his career, he worked for BAT in marketing and planning roles.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Non-Executive Director in March 2023.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Member of the Audit Committee and the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    None.

  • Julie Hamilton

    Non-Executive Director

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Julie is an experienced global leader with a career spanning over 30 years in marketing, strategy and digital transformation. She was Chief Commercial and Global Sales Officer at Diageo until August 2023 and previously spent 25 years at the Coca-Cola Company where she held a range of leadership positions including Chief Customer and Commercial Leadership Officer.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Non-Executive Director on 31 January 2024.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Member of the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    None.

  • Alan Johnson CMG

    Non-Executive Director

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Alan has a strong financial background in consumer goods and retail, having held a number of senior finance positions at Unilever during a 30-year career, including Chief Audit Executive and Chief Financial Officer of the Global Foods Division. He was previously Chief Financial Officer and then a Non-Executive Director at food retailer Jerónimo Martins, SGPS, SA until April 2016.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Non-Executive Director in January 2021.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Member of the Audit Committee and the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    President and Chair of the Board of the International Federation of Accountants.
    Member of the Board and Chair of the Audit Committee of the International Valuation Standards Council.
    Non-Executive Director of William Grant & Sons Ltd.
    Non-Executive Director of DS Smith plc.

  • Bob Kunze-Concewitz

    Non-Executive Director

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Bob is an experienced marketing professional and has held a number of senior roles at leading FMCG companies. He was Chief Executive Officer at Campari Group, a major player in the global spirits industry, between May 2007 and April 2024. Upon his retirement as Chief Executive Officer, he became a Non-Executive Director at Campari. Prior to joining Campari in 2005 as Group Marketing Director, Bob held positions of increasing responsibility at Procter & Gamble, including Global Prestige Products Corporate Marketing Director.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Non-Executive Director in November 2020.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Member of the Remuneration Committee and the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    Non-Executive Director of Campari Group.
    Non-Executive Director of Luigi Lavazza S.p.A.
    Non-Executive Director on the Supervisory Board of Carlsberg A/S.

  • Jon Stanton

    Non-Executive Director

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Jon has a wide range of international leadership experience, encompassing transformation, M&A, and all aspects of finance, principally in the B2B sector.

    In 2016 he was appointed Chief Executive of The Weir Group PLC, one of the world’s leading engineering businesses, having previously been CFO from 2010. Prior to that he spent 22 years at Ernst & Young, LLP, the last nine years of which were as a partner in its London office. Jon is a Chartered Accountant and member of the ICAEW.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Non-Executive Director in May 2019 and Chairman of the Audit Committee in June 2020.

    COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

    Chairman of the Audit Committee and member of the Remuneration Committee and the People & Governance Committee.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    Chief Executive of The Weir Group PLC.

  • Emily Carey

    Company Secretary

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Emily, a chartered accountant and company secretary, has significant experience in the oil and gas and betting industries. She also has a successful track record spread over 25 years in finance, regulatory affairs, compliance, governance and company secretarial matters.

    Prior to joining Imperial, Emily held a number of roles of increasing seniority including 14 years at BP plc and three years at Entain plc where she was Group Company Secretary.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed Company Secretary in May 2023.

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Board delegates responsibility for developing and implementing strategy and for day-to-day management to our Chief Executive, who is supported by the Chief Financial Officer and by the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), which he chairs. The ELT comprises senior executives from across the business, and oversees operational execution and implementation of our strategic and financial plans.


  • Stefan Bomhard

    Chief Executive Officer

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Stefan joined Imperial in July 2020 from Inchcape plc, a global distribution and retail leader in the premium and luxury automotive sectors, where he delivered successful transformational change during a five-year tenure as Chief Executive.

    Prior to his role at Inchcape, Stefan was President of Bacardi Limited's European region and was also responsible for Bacardi's Global commercial organisation and Global Travel Retail.

    Stefan has a PhD in marketing and has accrued significant experience in the consumer and retail sectors during his career. Previous roles have included Chief Commercial Officer of Cadbury plc and Chief Operating Officer of Unilever Food Solutions Europe. This followed senior management and sales and marketing positions at Diageo (Burger King) and Procter & Gamble.

    APPOINTMENT

    Appointed to the Board as Chief Executive Officer on 1 July 2020.

    EXTERNAL APPOINTMENTS

    Non-Executive Director on the Board of Compass PLC.

  • Lukas Paravicini

    Chief Financial Officer

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Lukas has a proven track record in international consumer goods companies. Beyond his finance credentials, he has considerable operational experience as well as expertise in driving transformational change including in global shared services in large international organisations. Lukas joined Imperial from agricultural commodities and brokerage group ED&F Man Holdings, where he was Chief Financial Officer. He has also held senior positions at Fonterra, a New Zealand and Australia listed co-operative and the world’s largest dairy exporter, with sales in 130 countries. He was Chief Financial Officer from 2013-2017 and Chief Operating Officer, Global Consumer and Foodservice Business from 2017-2018. Prior to that, he spent 22 years with Nestlé in various senior finance and general management roles.

    APPOINTMENT

    Joined the Board of Directors on 1 May 2021 and appointed Chief Financial Officer on 19 May 2021.

  • Alison Clarke

    Chief People and Culture Officer

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Prior to joining Imperial Alison was Chief Human Resource Officer at Inchcape plc, with responsibility for all aspects of people and culture strategies. She is a highly experienced global business leader, having held a number of senior positions at Whitbread, Hutchison and United Utilities. As well as leading a number of large HR functions, Alison has led teams responsible for business transformation, communications and sustainability. Her career also includes time consulting and working with the not-for-profit sector supporting organisational development. Alison is a qualified Executive coach and mentor.

    APPOINTMENT

    Alison joined Imperial in September 2020.

  • Javier Huerta

    Chief Supply Chain Officer

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Javier has extensive experience in supply chain, operations and consumer goods, and has overall responsibility for all tobacco and Next Generation Product manufacturing and supply chain operations at Imperial. Prior to joining the business, Javier held a number of senior roles in an 11-year career at Unilever, most latterly as Executive Vice President Supply Chain for Foods and Refreshment. He also held a number of roles over a 14-year period at Nestlé.

    APPOINTMENT

    Joined Imperial on 1 February 2021.

  • Murray McGowan

    Chief Strategy and Development Officer

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Murray has a strong background in strategy having worked in various strategic and operational leadership roles for a number of high profile businesses including Costa Coffee (Whitbread), Yum! Brands, Cadbury and The Restaurant Group. He also worked with a range of leading global FMCG and retail businesses during his time at McKinsey & Company.

    APPOINTMENT

    Murray joined Imperial in July 2020.

  • Paola Pocci

    Chief Consumer Officer and President, Africa, Asia, Australasia and Central & Eastern Europe Region

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Paola has extensive experience in brand building and in general and P&L management.

    In her 22 years at Procter & Gamble, she held several leadership positions across developed and developing territories, including Europe, the Middle East, the US and China, and across multiple FMCG categories. Paola has a strong understanding of geographically diverse consumers and of operations management across traditional and modern retail, including e-commerce.  

    Prior to joining Imperial she was Senior Vice President / General Manager, Personal Beauty Care Portfolio, Greater China for P&G.

    APPOINTMENT

    Paola joined Imperial and the Executive Leadership Team in September 2021, and was appointed Chief Consumer Officer in November 2023.

  • Kim Reed

    President and CEO, Americas Region

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Kim has a wealth of experience in the consumer goods sector and a successful track record of more than 30 years in sales and executive leadership roles. She joined our US business as Executive Vice President, Sales, in 2019 and designed and oversaw a comprehensive sales transformation strategy.

    Prior to joining ITG Brands Kim held various positions at The Kellogg Company, culminating in the role of General Manager of US Sales. She also served in multiple leadership roles during her 17 years at the Pepsi Bottling Group.

    APPOINTMENT

    Kim joined the Executive Leadership Team in September 2021 and has led our US business ITG Brands since June 2021.

  • Sean Roberts

    Chief Legal and Corporate Affairs Officer

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Sean has significant experience in the tobacco, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods sectors and a successful track record of more than 30 years in legal, compliance and executive leadership roles.

    Sean held a range of senior positions at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) over a 23-year period, culminating in the role of SVP and General Counsel of GSK Consumer Healthcare, a global joint venture between GSK and Pfizer. Earlier in his career, Sean was a commercial lawyer at the international law firm Simmons & Simmons, where he served a diverse client base including Gallaher Group, now part of JTI.

    APPOINTMENT

    Sean joined Imperial in April 2022. 

  • Aleš Struminský 

    President, Europe Region

    SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

    Joined the ELT in October 2022 upon his appointment as President, European Region.

    APPOINTMENT

    Aleš is responsible for our operations across Europe and has considerable experience of the tobacco industry having worked in a number of international roles for Imperial for more than 20 years.

    Prior to his current role he served as General Manager of the UK & Ireland business. Aleš has also led market cluster teams in Eastern and Central Europe as well as running our travel retail business in Spain.


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