BAT ‘future chief’ Debra Crew quits after takeover
One of the top female executives in America is quitting her job months after her company was taken over by British American Tobacco.
Debra Crew was thought a front-runner to become a future chief executive of BAT after it bought out Reynolds American in a near-$50 billion (£38 billion) deal.
Six months ago BAT said Crew, a former Mars executive and United States Army captain, regarded as one of the smartest business people in the US, would stay on.
Today it said Ricardo Oberlander, regional director, Americas, will be appointed president and CEO of Reynolds American, replacing Crew. She has been on Fortune magazine’s list of the 50 most powerful women in business three times.
The company said she has “decided to leave BAT, with effect from 31 December 2017, to pursue other opportunities outside the company”.
BAT chief executive, Nicandro Durante, said: “We have appreciated the drive and leadership that Debra has brought to Reynolds American both during our 42% shareholding period before the acquisition and since, when she has been instrumental in helping to ensure a smooth transition post-completion.”
Kingsley Wheaton, previously managing director, next generation products, will replace Oberlander.
