GC Influencers
Most Influential GCs - Global-wide
Jerome Abelman of British American Tobacco PLC
Jerome Abelman was appointed as general counsel and director of legal and external affairs to British American Tobacco in 2015, having joined the company in 2002 and steadily risen up the legal ladder in a number of international positions across Europe, Asia and Australia. His role has seen him advise on a slew of significant legal challenges for the tobacco manufacturer, including 2016’s landmark USD49 billion acquisition of shares in Reynolds American which it did not already own, an investigation by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office into alleged misconduct in Africa and coordinating its response to global efforts to introduce plain cigarette packaging.
Legal commentators describe Abelman as “one to watch” as a leader in the in-house community, while also commending his “very sensible and level-headed” approach to resolving BAT’s legal issues. Sources add: “He’s a very good example of the breadth of skills you need as a modern general counsel.”