Kingsley Wheaton

Kingsley Wheaton was appointed chief marketing officer of BAT in January 2019. In 2022 his role was re-designated as chief growth officer, maintaining responsibility for marketing, corporate affairs and ESG, which is front and centre of the Group strategy.  In this role he is responsible for overseeing BAT’s marketing efforts to drive value from combustibles while ensuring a step-change in their New Categories performance.

Prior to this, in 2018, Wheaton became the regional director for BAT in the Americas and sub-Saharan Africa, having previously held the position of managing director for Next Generation Products from January 2015. He joined the BAT Management Board in January 2012, when he became director of corporate and regulatory affairs.

Returning to the UK in June 2010 after 14 years overseas, Wheaton led the brand group responsible for Kent, Vogue and Kool from June 2010 to December 2011.

Starting his BAT career in Dubai in 1996 with Rothmans International as group brand manager for the Middle East, Wheaton moved to the Ivory Coast in 1999 and served as marketing development manager across 25 West African countries. This was followed, in early 2001, by joining BAT Nigeria as marketing director. During nearly four years in Nigeria, BAT successfully established a new business there, building a state-of-the-art factory in Ibadan. Following his eight years in the Middle East and Africa, Wheaton transferred to Moscow, Russia. Initially for a three-year role as marketing director for Russia, this was followed by a further three years as general manager.

Born in Manchester, England, Wheaton hold sa Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of London. His interests and passions include his family, rugby, Formula One racing, cookery, wine, travel and music.

‍