Cigarette manufacturer BAT PLC on Monday announced the appointment of Rita Kavashe as its Chairperson following the retirement of George Maina who has served as Director and Chairperson of the company for nine years.
In a statement signed by Company Secretary Kathryne Maundu, the board announced that Ms. Kavashe’s appointment will be effective September 1, 2020.
Ms. Kavashe, MBS, is a Non-Executive Director of the Company and currently the Managing Director of Isuzu East Africa Limited, formerly General Motors East Africa, the largest motor vehicle assembler in East Africa.
She joined General Motors in 1995 and has held several key roles in Sales & Marketing, both in Kenya and
South Africa.
She is also the Chairperson of the Kenya Roads Board, a Non-Executive Director of Bamburi Cement Limited
(Lafarge Group), Vice-Chair of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and serves as a Member of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Education from Moi University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi (UoN).
She is also an executive coach certified by the Academy of Executive Coaches (AOEC) the UK.
In 2017, she was awarded the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) for exemplary service to the Country as a business leader.
“The Directors congratulate Ms. Kavashe on her appointment as the Chairperson of the Board,” the company said in a statement.
Mr Maina’s retirement took effect on Monday, August 31, 2020.
He was appointed to the company’s board as an independent non-executive director in November and thereafter as Chairperson of the Board in September 2013. A cumulative period of over nine years.
“During his tenure, the company has recorded significant growth evidenced in its strong performance, thereby delivering sustained value for its shareholders,” the company said in its statement.
“The board takes this opportunity to thank Mr. Maina for his visionary leadership and exemplary and distinguished service to the company and wishes him the very best for the future,” further read the statement.
