Richard Burrows - - a survivor from the Irish banking wreckage.

Irish chartered accountant Richard Burrows has been appointed a non-executive director at British American Tobacco plc (BAT). from September 01, 2009. He will become chairman on November 01, 2009, when Jan du Plessis steps down following his own appointment as chairman of Rio Tinto plc from 20 April 2009. Burrows, who began his career at Stokes Kennedy Crowley now KPMG and his business career in Irish whiskey, resigned this year as governor of Bank of Ireland because of mismanagement during the boomtime years.

Burrows moved from SKC/KPMG to Irish Distillers, where he was chief executive from 1978 – 2000, and at Pernod Ricard SA, where he was co-chief executive from 2000 – 2005, based in Paris.

His current non-executive roles include Rentokil Initial plc and Carlsberg A/S, while he was governor of the Bank of Ireland from 2005 until July 03, 2009.

He was a director of Bank of Ireland from 2000 when former SKC/KPMG partner Laurence Crowley was governor.

BAT said Burrows is a member of the Trilateral Commission which fosters closer co-operation among democratic industrialised nations.

Commenting on the appointment, Sir Nick Scheele, the senior independent director at British American Tobacco, said: “Richard’s executive career in the worldwide FMCG sector makes him an excellent choice, as does his proven ability to work with a team from various cultures and countries. He is also an experienced non-executive director and the board of British American Tobacco looks forward to the additional perspective he will be able to bring.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to wish Jan every success as chairman of Rio Tinto. In his five years as chairman, British American Tobacco has performed consistently well, made two major acquisitions and delivered outstanding returns to shareholders.”

Richard Burrows who is 63, said:“I am delighted to have been given such an exciting opportunity at such a world class company. I look forward to working with my new colleagues on the board and getting to know the rest of the executive team led by Paul Adams.”