BAT commits to inclusion, appoints female marketing deployment director

In a demonstration of its commitment to talent development and its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda, British American Tobacco Nigeria (BAT Nigeria) has announced the elevation of Kikelomo Fisayo-Okusanya from her former role as the Area Head of 360 Activation and Marketing Operations to the position of Marketing Deployment Director for the West and Central Africa Cluster (WCA).

The appointment aligns with Fisayo-Okusanya’s induction onto BAT’s West and Central Africa leadership team, making her the second woman to join the cadre.

A seasoned marketing strategist with over two decades of experience in the ever-evolving marketing landscape, Fisayo-Okusanya joined BAT Nigeria in 2003 as a Trade Marketing Representative. Since then, she has built a stellar marketing career honing her valuable expertise in trade marketing, brands, and activation throughout West and Central Africa.

In 2016, she assumed the role of Area Head for Activation and Shopper Marketing, and her career trajectory within the company continued to soar.

By 2021, she had ascended to the position of Area Head for 360 Activation and Marketing Operations. In this capacity, she left an indelible mark by pioneering an immersive virtual reality market experience and orchestrating a major overhaul of the marketing skills and development unit.

BAT, a multinational organisation operating in more than 180 markets, acknowledges that DEI constitutes a pivotal organisational asset. The elements empower the company to attract and retain top-tier talent while delivering exceptional products and services to its global consumer base.

The recent addition of a second female executive to the WCA leadership team demonstrates BAT’s commitment to achieving 40 per cent female representation in senior leadership and 45 per cent in management roles by 2025, promoting inclusivity and gender equality at the management level.

Speaking on her appointment, the Managing Director of BAT, Yarub Al-Bahrani, said: “BAT Nigeria is committed to a better tomorrow and fostering an inclusive work environment that encourages different perspectives and ideas, ultimately leading to better decision-making and business outcomes. We are thrilled to welcome to the leadership team, our new Marketing Deployment Director and we look forward to the experience she will bring.”