Operating Executive
The Operating Executive comprises the Executive Directors and key members of our senior management team.
The Operating Executive is responsible for supporting the Chief Executive with implementation of Group strategy, monitoring the detailed operational performance of all aspects of the business and ensuring the Group achieves its financial and non-financial targets.
Alison Cooper, BSC, ACA
Chief Executive
Skills and experience
Since being appointed as Chief Executive Alison has led the development and implementation of the Group’s sustainable sales growth strategy. Alison joined the Group in 1999 and, through a number of senior roles, has contributed significantly to the international expansion of the Group including leading the Altadis acquisition team.
Appointment
Appointed Director in July 2007. Appointed Chief Executive in May 2010.
External appointments
Non-Executive Director, Inchcape plc since July 2009.
Half Year results
30 April 2013
CAGE Conference, London
19 March 2013
Robert Dyrbus, BSC, FCA
Finance Director
Skills and experience
Robert draws on over 25 years of financial experience in listed companies and has been instrumental in the Group’s international expansion. He has overall responsibility for the financial management and control of the Group, including its treasury, tax, information services, corporate assurance and investor relations functions.
Appointment
Appointed Finance Director on demerger in 1996.
External appointments
No external Director appointments.
Half Year results
30 April 2013
Investor Day
26 February 2013
Matthew Phillips, LLB
Corporate Affairs Director
Skills and experience
Matthew has held a number of senior roles including Company Secretary, General Counsel and Group Corporate and Legal Affairs Director prior to his appointment to the Board as Corporate Affairs Director in June 2012. He played a key role in the acquisitions of Altadis and Reemtsma and has been closely involved in developing and supporting the Group's sales growth strategy.
Appointment
Appointed Corporate Affairs Director, June 2012.
External appointments
No external Director appointments.
Investor Day presentations
12 July 2011
Helen Clatworthy
Group Supply Chain Director
Appointment
Appointed Group Supply Chain Director in 2009.
Skills and experience
Helen was appointed to the Operating Executive in October 2010 and is responsible for supply chain activities across the Group. She has held a number of senior positions in the Group including Commercial Director Western Europe and Head of Commercial Affairs. Prior to taking up her current position, Helen headed the team responsible for the integration of the Altadis business into Imperial Tobacco.
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Fernando Domínguez
Premium Cigar Director
Appointment
Appointed Chief Operating Officer Cigar Business Unit in June 2008 and subsequently as Premium Cigar Director in January 2011.
Skills and experience
Fernando is responsible for the Group's Premium Cigar business and has an industrial engineering background. He joined Tabacalera in 1985 and held numerous senior positions, mainly in the cigar divisions, within both Tabacalera and subsequently the Altadis Group. He was Co-Chairman at Corporación Habanos, S.A. before his appointment as Chief Operating Officer of Altadis' Cigar Business Unit in 2005.
Investor Day
26 February 2013
Andy Newall
Group HR Director
Appointment
Appointed Group HR Director in October 2012
Skills and experience
Andy is responsible for human resources across the Group including leadership development and supporting our 37,000 employees worldwide to further build their skills and experiences. Prior to joining Imperial, he was Group HR Director for leading FMCG company United Biscuits. Andy has considerable international HR experience having held a number of senior roles with Beam Global Spirits & Wine and Allied Domecq, as well as British Steel and Laura Ashley.
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Walter Prinz
Group Manufacturing, Research & Development Director
Appointment
Appointed Group Manufacturing, Research & Development Director in October 2010.
Skills and experience
Walter has overall responsibility for all manufacturing operations, engineering, leaf purchasing, quality management, product science and stewardship and product and technical development. He joined Reemtsma in 1987 and has held a number of senior roles. Prior to taking up his current position in the Group, Walter was Director Product Development and Purchasing.
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Presentations and interviews
Deutsche Bank Conference, Paris
11 June 2013
Arthur van Benthem
Group Sales Director
Appointment
Appointed Group Sales Director in March 2011.
Skills and experience
Arthur leads the Group's global sales and commercial activities and has a wealth of international FMCG sales experience. Prior to joining Imperial he was Customer Management Director of the Metro Group, and spent three years with Royal FrieslandCampina as Chief Operating Officer for the Consumer Products Group and Chief Strategy Officer. He has also held a number of Managing Director roles with the Coca-Cola Company in the Asia-Pacific region.
