Cigarette producers change top management

BAT, the local market leader, with Kent, Pall Mall, Viceroy and Vogue brands, last month appointed British businessman David Waterfield as General Manager. He is replacing Bart Maas, who is currently working for BAT in London. Waterfield, who previously managed BAT operations in Dubai and Hungary, will be in charge of the company’s operations in Southeastern Europe - Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania.

Furthermore, BAT Romania’s former Corporate Affairs Director, Adrian Popa, was promoted Head of Corporate Affairs Director in Southeastern Europe.
Earlier this month, the company opened the British American Shared Service Europe in Romania, the main financial service center for the producer’s entities in Europe. This currently operates entities in 22 countries for BAT, but the number is set to increase to 36 by 2010.

JTI Romania also had its General Manager changed. The new head of the local subsidiary is Neil Coupland, who managed the sales and business development of security inks and systems provider SICPA Product Security SA’s Alcohol and Tobacco division. He will be in charge of JTI operations in Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia.

As for Philip Morris Romania, former PR Account Manager of Prais PR company, Simona Onuta, will become Corporate Affairs Manager of the cigarette producer.
The local cigarette market, including the black market, amounts to some €2.5 billion, according to market players.