British American Tobacco PLC on Dec. 14 announced a slew of changes to its management board, including the removal of two posts and the addition of two new ones.

The tobacco company said it is removing the COO role and the group business development director post. It said all four of its regional operations — U.S., Europe and North Africa, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, and Americas and sub-Saharan Africa — will report directly to the CEO.

CEO Jack Bowles was the group's COO for international operations before he was named chief executive in September.

Meanwhile, Group Business Development Director Naresh Sethi will step down at the end of the second quarter of 2019, according to the announcement.

The company said it is also creating two new management board roles, the director for new categories and director for digital and information, effective Jan. 1, 2019. It appointed Paul Lageweg as director for new categories and Marina Bellini as director for digital and information.

Lageweg is the company's current regional marketing manager for Asia-Pacific and Middle East, while Bellini is chief information officer. Guy Meldrum will succeed Johan Vandermeulen as regional director for Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. The cigarette maker did not identify Bellini's replacement.

British American Tobacco also appointed Tadeu Marocco, regional director for Europe and North Africa, as director for group transformation, effective Jan. 1, 2019. The company said this role will work closely with the CEO to simplify structure and processes.

Vandermeulen will take over Marocco's post, according to the release.

Meanwhile, Hae In Kim will be named director for talent and culture Jan. 1, 2019. She will also replace Giovanni Giordano, group human resources director, on April 1, 2019.