English Version | BAT: A company in constant evolution

British American Tobacco (BAT), a world leading multicategory company, is in a true journey of transformation to build a better tomorrow, and science and innovation are some of the main forces that boost it. The diversity of its employees, the inclusion and importance of being a sustainable company are also some of the values that maintain this constant evolution.

BAT's goal is simple: reducing the impact of its business in health to build a better tomorrow and, at the same time, promote an inspiring workplace for its more than 52,000 employees around the world. BAT's DNA is that of a constantly evolving company. BAT is highly committed to its journey of transformation - people are the strength that moves it. To create a prosperous environment, both for them and the company itself, the values of diversity and inclusion are highly esteemed. Only they can encourage innovation and creativity within BAT.

Science and innovation are the goals to achieve and, for this, BAT experts, endowed with recognized talent and diverse backgrounds, constantly seek new approaches regarding the development and marketing of products from New Categories, products without combustion, available to adult consumers looking for new alternatives - all are analyzed rigorously and externally. The company has more than 40 toxicologists, 600 scientists and engineers and 200 in-house partners who have invested in technology, methodology and trends to develop this segment. BAT's ambition is to reach the 50 million consumers for these products by 2030 and accelerate the growth of the New Categories and the growth of their revenues.

The challenge to the status quo arises, of course, with the transformation of the organization, with a constant concern to find ways of acting that reflect, at all times, the values and mission of BAT. This is where the concept of diversity echoes, a central element of the organization's business culture.

For the implementation of this view effectively, BAT has led numerous efforts. The company celebrates the National Inclusion Week, Pride Month, and promotes several initiatives related to female empowerment. In this sense, BAT has been betting on a series of actions that support women in their workplace - and which, simultaneously, highlight their importance for the company. BAT values women's innovative view and believes they can have a huge impact on the organization's present and future. Thus, it is looking for and has innovative thinking collaborators, especially with regard to New Categories within the industry. The Women in STEM project (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) promotes learning and partnerships that aim not only to maintain more collaborators, but also support and train all those that are already part of the company. The Women in Leadership program, for its part, aims to increase the proportion of women in senior leadership teams to 40% and management positions to 25% by 2025.

These initiatives have helped increase the number of promotions among women in the last 3 years, and in 2021, 47% of external management hires were women. Currently, women represent 39% of all global management functions.

Knowing that A Better Tomorrow starts within, Strength From Diversity training workshops help employees understand unconscious, conscious and organizational prejudice. In addition to this training being within reach of any employee, it is now mandatory for all new BAT hires and managers. There are also guides dedicated to support the LGBTQ+ community that provide practical information to help demystify wrong myths or concepts against this community. The guides also provide tips on how to proactively create an inclusive environment that supports all employees of the company in a minority situation. In addition, there are more than 140 nationalities represented in leadership positions, as BAT believes this heterogeneity feeds (and stimulates) innovation and creativity, two central pillars of the company.

BAT has been accelerating its journey of transformation by creating a long-term sustainable business in the process, as environmental concerns are inseparable from a project whose common goal is to build A Better Tomorrow. Eliminate unnecessary single-use plastic and make all reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic packaging by 2025; reduce water consumption; achieve carbon neutrality in its own business activities and its value chain by 2050*; and using 100% renewable electricity in its operations by 2030 are some of the environmental goals that BAT has set to achieve.

Sustainability has been a central aspect of BAT ethos for decades - which is based on being bold, trained, responsible and diverse to create a culture of cohesive and effective future. The company continues to show signs of environmental, social and corporate progress - aspects encompassed in HESG (health, environment, social and governance) priorities - creating a sustainable enterprise for the future. In 2022, BAT was recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for the 21st consecutive year. Also the organization's good relationship with suppliers, farmers and customers contributes to its success and the construction of a prosperous future.

Thanks to this inclusive, diverse and sustainable view, BAT was highlighted for the sixth consecutive year in February 2023 as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute - global authority that recognizes prominent organizational practices - after being named Best Rmployer in 33 markets. By forming the next generation of leaders according to these values, BAT ensures that it is aware of a world that is increasingly diverse, competitive and, above all, in permanent change. This is precisely what it is to create A Better Tomorrow.

* https://sciencebasedtargets.org/business-ambition-for-1-5c/

Translated from the original on The Good Luck Issue, published march 2023.Full stories and credits on the print issue.