New General Manager appointed for British American Tobacco GCC operations

Paschalides, 45, who holds a Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, US, and has been with British American Tobacco for over six years, was the Head of the international brand group "Kent" in British American Tobacco's international headquarters in London.

"The Middle East is a key growth area for British American Tobacco. The GCC in particular holds many opportunities to organically increase our share of volume and value in the market. One of our key factors to success is our strong portfolio of brands for different groups of consumers, leveraged through strong distribution partners and close relationships with the community and key stakeholders across the GCC. A team of motivated and committed employees have made significant progress in our business results for the past years. I look forward to taking the business to the next level on our journey to market leadership in the GCC", said Mr. Alejandro Paschalides, General manager, British American Tobacco GCC.

Before joining British American Tobacco, Alejandro Paschalides has held significant senior executive positions in several blue chip companies including an eight-year stint with Unilever Venezuela and Unilever Netherlands. He was also with Cadbury Schweppes, in Spain and the US for over eight years.

Born in Venezuela, Paschalides is married with two children, and loves participating in a range of sports including outdoor games like tennis and golf. Music is his passion.

British American Tobacco is the world's most international tobacco company with a presence in more than 180 countries and an operating profit of 2,8 billion pounds Sterling in 2004. Some of the main brands of British American Tobacco's portfolio include Kent, Dunhill, Lucky Strike, Viceroy and Vogue.