BAT achieves Global Top Employer certification, a distinction bestowed on only 15 companies worldwide in 2024

BAT is proud to announce the Top Employer certification in Romania, following a complex evaluation process that certifies employers with best practices in the human resources area. BAT is a strategic employer in Romania, with over 3,000 employees in the 3 economic entities present in the market and over 30,000 jobs generated on the distribution and supply chain. The number of BAT employees has increased with an average of 10% annually, in the over 25 years of presence in Romania. The number of employees has tripled in recent years: from 1,200 in 2013, to the over 3,000 in the present.

Since April 1st, 2023, BAT Romania became the coordination center of the newly formed South Eastern Europe Area in BAT, and the leadership team based at Bucharest coordinates the business in Romania and 12 other countries. Along BAT Romania, other 3 organizations in this Area received the Top Employer certification: Italy, Turkey and Serbia. This recognition confirms BAT’s commitment for an organizational culture focused on values, diversity and growth.

Jorge Araya, Director of South Eastern Europe Area in BAT, said: “BAT has undertaken a tremendous transformation journey, a unique moment in the company’s evolution, with technology, innovation and a complex portfolio that completely recalibrate the business. This incredible journey can only be completed with the extraordinary team of people in BAT, that continuously evolve, identify opportunities for growth and often go the extra mile in reaching their objectives.

BAT is committed to offering a safe and performant working environment, protecting our employees’ wellbeing and fostering a supportive culture, that enables future generations to be better that the current ones. We have over 7,000 colleagues in the South Eastern Europe Area, a team of bold, diverse and enthusiastic people, and the Top Employer certification received in Romania, Italy, Turkey and Serbia is their accomplishment.”

Read more about

BAT: Zero tolerance for selling tobacco products and e-cigarettes to minors

read more

BAT is one of the 15 companies recognized as Global Top Employer in 2024, based on an extensive assessment of employer practices across areas including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity and inclusion, and wellbeing. In addition to recognition as a Global Top Employer, BAT has also been named as a Top Employer in 36 countries across the world. The certification recognizes employers that provide best-in-class employment practices, allowing employees to develop themselves personally and professionally, while driving business results.

Cora Koppe-Stahrenberg, Chief People Officer at BAT, said: “Our talent is our most important asset, and receiving this award not only once, but seven times in a row, is a testament to our unwavering focus on building and driving an inclusive culture. We are committed to delivering an excellent experience for all our employees as we accelerate the transformation of our business.”

BAT is committed to ‘Building a Smokeless World’ by encouraging smokers to ‘Switch to Better’ nicotine products. Sustaining a culture where employees are encouraged to develop, grow and innovate in a diverse and inclusive environment has always been important to BAT and is playing an important role in accelerating this transformation.

The Top Employer certification process is conducted annually by the Top Employer Institute, an independent organization that studies the working conditions offered to employees by major companies around the world. The certification recognizes employers who offer the best employment practices, enabling employees to develop personally and professionally through excellent professional results.

Participating companies undergo a rigorous evaluation process that includes an extensive review of employer practices. Several validation sessions are held where evidence of these practices is provided and an independent audit of the findings is also conducted.