Category: People

Cronos Group Hires U.S. Regulatory Expert

Photo: tadamichi
Cronos Group, a Canadian cannabis producer partially owned by cigarette maker Altria Group, has hired Thomas Cohn as head of regulatory and product, reports Bloomberg Law.
Cohn is a U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expert who spent the past year as general counsel for privately held consumer products company Avon Co. in New York.
Cronos sought FTC and Food and Drug Administration expertise for “building disruptive intellectual property by advancing cannabis research, technology and product development,” according to an online job posting by the Toronto-based company for a head of regulatory affairs.
In 2018, Cronos became the first Canadian pot producer to be listed on the Nasdaq. Since then, the marijuana market has continued to grow, with Canadian cannabis companies looking to the United States and other cigarette giants like Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco evaluating their legal weed investments.
May 19, 2021
Altria Elects Kathryn McQuade as Board Chair

Photo: Jakub Jirsák | Dreamstime.com
Altria Group’s board of directors has elected Kathryn B. McQuade to serve as the independent chair of the board effective upon the conclusion of Altria’s 2021 annual meeting of shareholders on May 20, 2021.
“I am thrilled with Kathryn’s selection to be Altria’s next independent board chair,” said Billy Gifford, Altria’s CEO, in a statement. “I believe that her significant expertise, including in finance, business strategy and working within regulated industries, will help advance our focus on moving beyond smoking.”
McQuade, who joined the board in 2012, will be the first woman to serve as Altria’s chair of the board and will oversee a board on which more than 72 percent of its members are women or racially or ethnically diverse.
“I am honored to take on the role of independent board chair for Altria,” said McQuade. “I look forward to continuing to work with the board and Altria’s dedicated leadership team in pursuit of its vision.”
McQuade served as senior advisor of Canadian Pacific Railway, a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States, from November 2012 to May 2013, after previously serving as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Canadian Pacific from September 2008 until her retirement in November 2012.
McQuade joined Canadian Pacific in June 2007 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Prior to joining Canadian Pacific, McQuade served as executive vice president-planning and chief information officer at Norfolk Southern Corp. where she spent 27 years in key information technology, strategic planning and finance leadership positions.
McQuade serves as chair of the nominating, corporate governance and social responsibility committee and is a member of the audit, compensation and talent development and executive committees.
Altria’s former independent board chairman, Thomas F. Farrell II, passed away in April 2021. He had planned to retire following completion of his current term and was not standing for reelection to the board at the 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.
May 12, 2021
Kim Reed to Lead ITG Brands

Photo: ITG Brands
ITG Brands has named Kim Reed president and CEO effective June 1. As president and CEO, Reed will oversee all U.S. employees and operations, reporting to Dominic Brisby, division director for the Americas, Africa, Asia and Australasia for Imperial Brands. Reed will succeed Oliver Kutz, who will assume the role of cluster general manager for Central Europe and Ukraine for Imperial Brands as part of a planned transition.
“I would like to thank Oliver for his leadership in recent years and am thrilled to announce that Kim Reed will serve as the next president and CEO of ITG Brands. Kim has a wealth of experience in the consumer goods sector and a demonstrated record of success in both sales and executive leadership,” said Brisby in a statement. “Kim has expertly led the largest sales transformation in ITG Brands’ history and is the perfect steward for the continued success of Imperial’s largest market.”
Reed has served as a member of the ITG Brands leadership team for two years in her capacity as executive vice president of sales. According to ITG Brands, Reed has consistently delivered exceptional results during her tenure, including establishing ITG Brands as a market leader in sales of factory manufactured cigarettes and mass market cigars while leading a sales organization of more than 1,000 employees responsible for $3 billion in net revenue.
Reed designed and oversaw a comprehensive sales transformation strategy that encompassed ITG Brands’ largest-ever external recruitment for field sales while prioritizing a diverse and inclusive culture.
“I am honored to accept the role of chief executive officer of ITG Brands,” said Reed.
“I want to thank Oliver for his leadership and his partnership in creating such a fantastic and talented team. I am excited to engage across all aspects of the business and build upon our existing momentum to further accelerate growth.”

Oliver Kutz
Prior to joining ITG Brands, Reed led several large sales organizations for major consumer brands. She held various positions at the Kellogg Co., culminating in a role as general manager of U.S. sales, and served in numerous roles at the Pepsi Bottling Group over the course of over 17 years. Reed also serves as the chair of the Manufacturer’s Convenience Distributor Association and a member of the executive leadership council and previously served as a member of the board of CALIBR. She has been recognized as a 2021 top woman in convenience by Convenience Store News and twice as a top woman executive by Progressive Grocer.
May 11, 2021
PMI appoints Jacek Olczak as CEO

Jacek Olczak (Photo: PMI)
Philip Morris International (PMI) appointed Jacek Olczak as CEO following the company’s 2021 annual shareholders meeting on May 5. Most recently the company’s chief operating officer, Olczak was also elected to the board of directors. Andre Calantzopoulos, who served as PMI’s CEO from 2013, was appointed executive chairman of the board prior to the meeting. Lucio Noto stepped down from his role as interim chairman of the board and was reelected to the board of directors.
In accepting his appointment as CEO, Olczak committed to accelerating PMI’s smoke-free transformation, announced in 2016. The company says it is focused on developing, scientifically substantiating and responsibly commercializing smoke-free products that are less harmful than smoking, with the aim of replacing cigarettes as soon as possible.
“I am humbled and excited to lead PMI as we accelerate our transformation into a smoke-free company,” said Olczak in a statement. “PMI is an industry leader in scientific innovation, and our ambition is that more than half of our net revenues will come from smoke-free products in 2025. Our evolving portfolio will drive our long-term future. We will lean into our scientific research and expertise, using our collective skills and imagination to innovate beyond our existing portfolio and explore new areas of business development.”
We will lean into our scientific research and expertise, using our collective skills and imagination to innovate beyond our existing portfolio.
Jacek Olczak, CEO, PMI
Olczak began his career with PMI in 1993. He started in finance and general management positions across Europe, including as managing director of PMI’s markets in Poland and Germany and as president of the European Union region, before being appointed chief financial officer in 2012. He held that position until 2018, when he became PMI’s chief operating officer. He holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of Lodz, Poland.
Olczak has been a vital driver of PMI’s smoke-free transformation, which moved into its commercialization phase with the launch of IQOS in Nagoya, Japan, in 2014. Under his oversight as chief operating officer, PMI increased the portion of its net revenues derived from smoke-free products to 28 percent in the first quarter of 2021. Further, the company grew the geographical coverage of its smoke-free products from zero to 66 markets in key cities or nationwide as of March 31, 2021. And Olczak led PMI’s commercial transformation, successfully developing it from a primarily business-to-business company to an increasingly business-to-consumer company.

Jacek is ideally placed to deliver PMI’s smoke-free vision in his new role as CEO.
Andre Calantzopoulos, executive chairman, PMI
“Jacek is ideally placed to deliver PMI’s smoke-free vision in his new role as CEO,” said Calantzopoulos. “His passion for the company and our employees underpins his drive for results, as does his deep knowledge of our products, systems, values and investors. I believe he is the ideal leader to ensure our business’ continued growth and deliver shareholder value. I look forward to continuing to work with him in my new capacity as executive chairman of the board.”
Approximately 85 percent of the shares entitled to vote were represented at the meeting in person or by proxy. The shareholders elected 13 nominees for director; approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation of named executive officers; and ratified the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers as independent auditors.
May 6, 2021
Paul Hardman to Lead BNS Scientific Affairs
Broughton Nicotine Services (BNS) has appointed Paul Hardman as head of scientific affairs, the latest in a series of senior level appointments, as it continues to expand its services.
The business, which has helped electronic nicotine device companies bring noncombustible products to market, is currently expanding its full-service regulatory consultancy into modern oral nicotine products, heated-tobacco products and cannabidiol products.

A scientist with extensive experience in inhaled product development across pharmaceutical and consumer products, Hardman will have the task of growing the scientific affairs team to enable the business to grow and offer a premium consultancy experience for clients in the industry.
“We’re delighted to have welcomed someone of his caliber into this new role,” said Nveed Chaudhary, chief regulatory officer of Broughton Nicotine Services. “His addition to the Broughton team will strengthen the business further as we look to expand our full-service regulatory consultancy. Paul will take responsibility for delivering product development and optimization activities, drawing on his years of industry leadership and experience.”
Prior to joining Broughton, Hardman was scientific lead with Imperial Brands, where he was responsible for designing the testing strategy for the chemistry of inhaled and oral next-generation nicotine products, from assessing a variety of prototypes at the early stages of development through to characterization of products for submission through the U.S. premarket tobacco product application process.
He began his career working at a specialist pharmaceutical company where he gained experience of dry powder and metered dose inhaler development, including for the treatment of local lung conditions and systemic absorption. Hardman also has experience leading the quality control department in a multinational pharmaceutical company involved in the production of generic nicotine lozenges.
Paul’s addition to the Broughton team will strengthen the business further as we look to expand our full-service regulatory consultancy.
Nveed Chaudhary, chief regulatory officer, BNS
“I am passionate about the opportunity to work with multiple clients and really get to the heart of their products so that Broughton Nicotine Services can best serve these businesses by championing those points in their regulatory submissions,” said Hardman.
“My role will involve growing the team to enable us to deliver a highly effective offering as Broughton moves into new areas, and I am eager to build on the success the business has already achieved.”
May 5, 2021
New Director and GM for Parkside Asia

Paula Birch
Parkside has appointed Paula Birch director and general manager of the company’s Asian operations. Effective immediately, Birch will take up the new position alongside her current global sales director role—a position she has held for the last two years.
Birch will relocate to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to drive new business opportunities in key packaging markets, including tobacco and food, across the Asian region.
“At Parkside, we pride ourselves on being industry-leading innovators across the print and packaging sectors,” said Birch. “I am delighted to take up this new role in a significant growth period in the Asian market and show just what our business is capable of. With emergent technologies and process efficiencies being implemented at our Malaysian site, coupled with increasing demands for compostable, recyclable and lightweight, flexible packaging solutions, I’m excited about what the future holds for us as a business.”
I am delighted to take up this new role in a significant growth period in the Asian market and show just what our business is capable of.
Paula Birch, director and GM, Parkside Asia
Over recent years, Parkside has repositioned its brand and service offering, gaining a strong foothold in the European food packaging sector.
The business is renowned for its focus on sustainable, flexible packaging solutions. Birch will implement this strategy in the Asian packaging market while building on its reputation for tobacco packaging in the region.
“We are delighted to see Paula progress into her new role,” said Robert Adamson, managing director of Parkside. “Her extensive experience is invaluable in supporting the company’s growth and innovation strategy across Europe and Asia. Paula is a shining example of our values at Parkside being committed, innovative, hardworking and never afraid to challenge the norm. She represents the quality of personnel we aim to attract at Parkside, and we are excited by her potential to propel the business forward.”
April 28, 2021
New Chairman at British American Tobacco

Luc Jobin (Photo: BAT)
Luc Jobin succeeds Richard Burrows as chairman of BAT today. Jobin joined the BAT board in 2017 as an independent nonexecutive director. His previous positions include president and CEO of Canadian National Railway Co., executive vice president of Power Corp. of Canada and CEO of Imperial Tobacco Canada.
Speaking at BAT’s annual general meeting, Burrows said his successor would inherit “a strong business that is transforming, has excellent momentum and is well placed to deliver sustainable growth for many years.”
BAT delivered constant currency revenue growth of 3.3 percent, above its revised 1 percent to 3 percent guidance range. On a constant currency adjusted basis, profit from operations grew by 4.8 percent. Operating margin grew by 100 basis points to 44.1 percent including the impact of currencies.

BAT is well positioned for future success with Luc as chairman and Jack Bowles as chief executive.
Richard Burrows
Reduced-risk “new category” products delivered £1.4 billion ($1.94 billion) in revenues in 2020, representing 15 percent growth at constant rates compared with 2019. The company is on track to meet its £5 billion new category revenue ambition by 2025.
Burrows expressed strong confidence in BAT’s future under Jobin’s leadership.
“Luc brings a wealth of experience, including significant financial, regulatory and consumer business acumen. Having worked closely with him in his role as a nonexecutive director over the last three years, I know that BAT is well positioned for future success with Luc as chairman and Jack Bowles as chief executive,” he said in a statement.
“I retire as chairman with many fond memories and the last year, in particular, has demonstrated the unwavering resolve of the people in BAT. From every level in the business, right through to our management board, ambition, talent, passion and enthusiasm are what drives BAT’s delivery. I look forward to the company’s continued success.”
April 28, 2021
New CFO of Imperial Brands to Start Earlier

Photo: Casimirokt | Dreamstime.com
Lukas Paravicini will join Imperial Brands’ board of directors on May 1 and become chief financial officer on May 19, the day after the company publishes its half-year results.
Oliver Tant will step down from the board on May 19 and will be available to work with Paravicini through the end of June to ensure a smooth and orderly handover.
The dates have been brought forward from those announced on Feb. 17, when Imperial Brands first revealed Paravicini’s appointment.
Before joining ED&F Man Holdings, Paravicini held senior positions at Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy exporter. He was chief financial officer from 2013–2017 and chief operating officer of global consumer and foodservice business from 2017–2018. Prior to that, he spent 22 years with Nestle in various senior finance and general management roles, working in South America and latterly in Switzerland for Nestle Professional, the food service arm of Nestle, first as chief financial officer and then as vice president and general manager of Europe.
As chief financial officer of Imperial Brands, Paravicini will receive an annual salary of £730,000 ($1 million) and a pension allowance.
April 12, 2021
John Pritchard Joins FDLI Committee

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22nd Century Group Vice President of Regulatory Science John Pritchard has joined the Food and Drug Law Institute’s (FDLI) Tobacco and Nicotine Products Committee.
The committee brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including public health researchers, leaders of nongovernmental organizations and members of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products, to discuss tobacco product regulation and policy.
“We are proud that John has been invited to serve on the highly regarded FDLI Tobacco and Nicotine Product Committee and to represent 22nd Century in this forum,” said James A. Mish, CEO of 22nd Century Group, in a statement.
“Our organization is fortunate to have a number of experts on our leadership team, and it is important that we play an active role in moving the tobacco industry forward to reduce the harm caused by smoking.”
“With respiratory health front and center in everyone’s minds, there has never been a more critical time to advance effective public health policy and regulation in the area of tobacco control,” said Pritchard.
“Cigarette addiction is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and having the opportunity for multi-stakeholder dialogue is an essential part of achieving this. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the FDLI, and I look forward to contributing my experience to the organization.”
With respiratory health front and center in everyone’s minds, there has never been a more critical time to advance effective public health policy and regulation in the area of tobacco control.
John Pritchard, vice president of regulatory science, 22nd Century Group
Pritchard started in his regulatory role at 22nd Century in 2019 and brings more than 20 years of scientific and regulatory experience in the tobacco and pharmaceutical industries as well as public health experience to the committee.
April 8, 2021
Hanske to Lead SWM’s Tobacco Division

Photo: SWM
SWM International has appointed Katrin Hanske as vice president and general manager of tobacco and alternative solutions (TAS) within its engineered papers division, effective May 1, 2021.
Hanske has more than 20 years of experience in the semiconductor, paper and chemicals industries, most recently as global senior vice president of supply chain operations at Orion Engineered Carbons in Luxembourg. She has worked in the U.S., Asia and Europe and holds a master’s degree in industrial engineering microelectronics from the Dresden University of Technology as well as a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wolverhampton Business School.
TAS is a new business unit focused on supporting the SWM’s tobacco industry customers with tobacco, paper and next-generation products.
Under Hanske’s leadership, the TAS business will work to strengthen SWM’s position in the tobacco industry while exploring opportunities in alternative markets.
We have a real opportunity to deliver excellence to our tobacco industry customers and to fuel growth opportunities in adjacent areas.
Katrin Hanske
“I am delighted to be joining SWM at an exciting time of transformation for engineered papers,” said Hanske in a statement. “We have a real opportunity to deliver excellence to our tobacco industry customers and to fuel growth opportunities in adjacent areas through innovation and sustainable product offerings. I look forward to being part of this next successful chapter for the company.”
April 7, 2021