James was appointed to the Management Board of the BAT Group on 1 March 2023. He joined the BAT in 2005 after completing Postdoctoral studies on building drug delivery vehicles using Synthetic Organic Polymer Chemistry at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan.

Prior to his current role, James was the Executive Vice President for R&D and Scientific Regulatory Affairs at Reynolds America, having previously served as the BAT Group’s Head of Potentially Reduced Risk Product (PRRP) Science. He was the product lead for BAT’s first vapour product, Vype, which was launched in 2013.  As the BAT Group’s Head of Reduced Risk Substantiation, James published a scientific assessment framework to assess the risk profile of BAT’s smokeless products.

Chris is responsible for leading for leading BAT’s extensive research and development programmes, which support the company’s commitment to reducing the health impact of its business by offering adult consumers a range of alternative smokeless products. He joined BAT from Reynolds American, a wholly owned subsidiary of BAT, where he held the role of Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. Chris joined Reynolds in 2011 as a scientist and received his PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from Wake Forest University and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Catawba College.

Danni leads the Scientific & Regulatory Affairs team at BAT. The role of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs within BAT is paramount in delivering the product portfolio that is legally compliant in over 150 markets in the world. Previously, Danni led the e-liquids Discovery & Development programme for vapour products, and the BAT Flavour Centre of Excellence which delivers flavour innovation across product categories.

Allen is Group Head of Science Discovery, with responsibility for evaluating emerging science and technology – this includes identifying business opportunities and threats. He joined BAT in 2016 as Head of the Plant Biotechnology Group in Cambridge, followed by 4 years leading Science Capabilities in Modified Risk Tobacco Product Science. Prior to joining BAT, Allen spent 17 years with Unilever R&D including working in the Global Beverages Category, leading product innovation and science and technology deployment. Allen is a champion for establishing external partnerships, including running R&D Accelerators and developing eco-systems in areas of deep tech and data analytics.

Hugo leads the Post Market Surveillance and Product Vigilance Team and provides medical oversight across projects. He joined BAT in February 2022 and is a trained medical physician who holds an active annual practicing license from the Malaysia Medical Council. After practicing in both major public and private hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, he spent 14 years in medical affairs for multinational pharmaceutical companies. He has worked with leading researchers in early and late phase clinical trials and partnered with biotech start-ups to bring innovative medicine from early development to commercialisation. Hugo also completed an MBA from the Manchester Business School.

Tim became Executive Vice President, Scientific Research and Development within the Reynolds American group in March of 2024. In his role, he oversees the Reynolds American organisation’s scientific research and product development efforts on Tobacco Harm Reduction and Beyond Nicotine as well as regulatory strategies and advocacy efforts, accelerating the delivery of the global BAT Group’s A Better Tomorrow™ corporate purpose in the US.
During his more than 30-year career with Reynolds American, Tim has held a range of leadership roles. Including leading the development of VUSE Solo and the organisation’s first vapor product launched in the US.
Tim received his B.S. in Physics from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.