ICAEW-qualified Cooper is new Imperial Tobacco boss

ICAEW-qualified
Alison Cooper is set to take on the chief executive role at FTSE 100 cigarette
business
Imperial
Tobacco.

Cooper joined the business in 1999 from
PricewaterhouseCoopers,
serving in senior roles including director of finance and planning, regional
director western Europe and corporate development director.

She also integrated
Altadis
into the business.

“Alison has an exemplary track record in our business and has played a key
role in driving our international expansion,” said chairman Iain Napier.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of leading Imperial Tobacco and
building on our track record of delivering superior shareholder returns,” said
Alison Cooper.

“Our focus on effective cost and cash management has underpinned our success
and will remain hallmarks of our business, whilst our enhanced focus on sales
and consumers will ensure that we continue to leverage our portfolio and drive
growth across our international footprint.”

Gareth Davis steps down as CEO on 12 May, after more than 37 years at
Imperial Tobacco.

Serving as CEO since 1996, he led the company through its demerger from
Hanson
and listing onto the stock exchange, and developed the business internationally.

“Gareth has made an outstanding contribution over the years, transforming
Imperial Tobacco into a global tobacco business and one of the UK’s strongest
companies,” said Napier.

Davis and Cooper will work together over the next six months in a handover
process

“I’m delighted that the board has decided that Alison should succeed me as
chief
executive,” said Davis. “She has the skills and expertise to drive the future
growth of the business and I know she will do a first class job.”

Further reading:

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with tax evasion