Directorate Change

British American Tobacco PLC
28 February 2006





                     Appointment of Non-Executive Director


British American Tobacco said today that Anthony Ruys, the recently retired
Chairman of Heineken, will join the Board as Non-Executive Director from 1 March
2006.

Mr Ruys, 58, joined Heineken N.V. in 1993 as a member of its Executive Board,
became Vice-Chairman in 1996 and Chairman in 2002.  For nearly 20 years he
worked at Unilever in the Netherlands, Colombia and Italy, holding various
marketing and general management positions.  He is currently a member of the
Supervisory Boards of ABN AMRO Bank, Gtech Holdings Corporation (USA) and Sara
Lee International B.V.

Jan du Plessis, Chairman of British American Tobacco, said: "Thony's extensive
experience in international consumer goods will be extremely beneficial and I
have no hesitation in welcoming him to the Board."


                                   ENQUIRIES



British American Tobacco Press Office                Investor Relations
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[phone] (24 hours)                      [phone] / 1519





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