British American Tobacco Kenya - The Leadership team

Managing Director

Crispin joined BAT Kenya in 1999 where he remained until 2017, holding various senior roles within BAT Kenya and the Group, including, Managing Director Mozambique, Cluster General Manager- Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe & Malawi, and Managing Director, Sudan. Subsequently, he joined the Kimberly-Clarke Corporation where he held the position of General Manager; West, East & Central Africa (WECA) and Managing Director Nigeria. Crispin returned to BAT in 2021 in his current role. He is also the Cluster Head of BAT East & Southern Africa, based in Nairobi.

Head of Legal & Compliance

Waeni rejoined BAT in July 2023 as Head of Legal & Compliance, East & Southern Africa Markets, after three years at Bamburi Cement plc where she held the role of Head of Legal & Compliance and Company Secretary. Prior to that, she had worked with BAT for six years from 2014 as Head of Legal, East & Central Africa & Company Secretary, BAT Kenya. She also previously worked with Unilever Kenya Limited as Legal Counsel, supporting the East Africa region. Waeni is also the Head of Legal for BAT East & Southern Africa, based in Nairobi.

Head of Talent, Culture & Inclusion

Wendilene joined BAT in 2014, as Area HR Shared Services Manager for BAT South Africa, subsequently holding various roles within Human Resources the Business. In October 2023, Wendilene was appointed Cluster Head of Talent, Culture, and Inclusion for BAT Kenya. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business, with a focus in accounting and specialisation in Tax from California State University - East Bay. She is also a certified Global Remuneration Profession (GRP) with the South African Reward Association. Wendilene continues to be instrumental in delivering business transformation and ensuring BAT remains fit for purpose. Prior to joining BAT, she worked as a Tax Consultant with Deloitte as well as Ernst and Young. Wendilene is also Head of Talent, Culture and Inclusion for BAT East and Southern Africa Markets (ESA), based in Nairobi.

Head of Marketing Deployment

Rumbidzai has over 15 years of experience in trade marketing & distribution, route to- market & channel Management and Shopper Marketing in the FMCG and service Industries. She joined BAT Zimbabwe in 2012 and has subsequently held various roles including leading a strategic business unit in BAT South Africa and her immediate former role as Head of Marketing for Southern African Markets based in Mozambique. Rumbidzai is an associate member of the Institute of Marketing Management of South Africa and the Marketing Association of Zimbabwe. She is also the Head of Marketing Deployment for BAT East & Southern Africa, based in Nairobi.

Head of Manufacturing

Judith is a seasoned international supply chain leader with 15+ years of success in overseeing the entire life cycle of logistics and supply chain in the health, consumer goods and tobacco industries. She first joined BAT in 2006, serving in various pivotal roles until 2022.

In 2023, she rejoined the business as a Senior Projects Manager for BAT East & Southern Africa Markets (ESA). She recently completed a short-term International Assignment at BAT Bangladesh where she honed her Manufacturing leadership skills & capabilities. Notably, she obtained a qualification on critical pillars of the Integrated Work System (IWS), further enhancing her proficiency. This assignment not only bolstered her manufacturing prowess but also fortified her commercial acumen and business insights. Judith returned to Kenya in 2023 to her current role as Head of Manufacturing.