KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 19): British American Tobacco (M) Bhd (BAT Malaysia) announced today Nadel Louay Salem’s appointment as managing director (MD) of the company effective Sept 1, 2021, replacing current MD Jonathan Darlow Reed.

In statements to Bursa Malaysia today, BAT Malaysia said Salem will be appointed as the non-independent executive director and MD of the company effective Sept 1, 2021, "subject to his work permit being approved by the Malaysia Immigration Department".

"Reed has opted to resign as MD of BAT Malaysia to take up a position with British American Tobacco plc (BAT plc Group),” BAT Malaysia said.

BAT Malaysia said today Reed was appointed as MD of the company in February 2020.

On Salem, BAT Malaysia said he is currently the MD and chief executive officer (CEO) of Sri-Lanka-based Ceylon Tobacco Company PLC (CTC), a member of the BAT plc Group.

BAT Malaysia said he has been the MD and CEO of CTC since May 2019.

"He has led CTC in one of its most challenging periods in the history of CTC with regards to the economy, delivering business and people results,” BAT Malaysia said.

During Salem's tenure, CTC achieved significant milestones in its corporate governance framework, talent strategy and environmental, social, and governance agenda, according to BAT Malaysia.

"Salem joined BAT in 1998 as country manager in Jordan and area group brand manager for the Middle East. He later held the positions of area head of strategy in BAT Middle East from 2006-2008, global senior brand manager in BAT UK from 2008-2011, director brand marketing in BAT South Korea from 2011-2015 and head of brand marketing in BAT Indonesia,” BAT Malaysia said.

At Bursa’s 12:30pm break today, BAT Malaysia’s share price settled down 14 sen or 0.99% at RM13.98 for a market capitalisation of about RM3.99 billion.

BAT Malaysia has 285.53 million issued shares.