Directorate Change

Board Update

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC today announces that its Non-Executive Chairman, Iain Napier, will retire from the Board following the Company's annual general meeting (AGM) on 5 February 2014. He will be succeeded by Mark Williamson, currently Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director.

On behalf of the Nominations Committee, Michael Herlihy said:

"Mark's extensive experience has been a great asset to the Group since he became a Non-Executive Director in 2007 and we are delighted that he has agreed to succeed Iain as Chairman.

"I would also like to thank Iain for his tremendous leadership and guidance since becoming Chairman in 2007 and for his contribution to the development of the Company since his appointment as a Non-Executive Director in 2000.

"Under Iain's chairmanship Imperial Tobacco Group has continued to create sustainable shareholder value by growing its operations both organically and through acquisitions."

The Company also announces that, having served for nine years since his appointment to the Board of Altadis, Berge Setrakian will step down from the Board at the 2014 AGM and Susan Murray, who will also have served nine years at the 2014 AGM, will step down from the Board at the end of September 2014.

Following the AGM, the make-up of the Board will continue to be in compliance with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code. However, as part of the Board's continuous refreshing of its composition, an external search for an additional Non-Executive Director is underway.

On behalf of the Board, Iain said:

"Berge and Susan have made an outstanding contribution to the Company and I wish them well in the future.I'd like to thank all my Board colleagues for their friendship and support during almost 14 years with Imperial Tobacco.

"It's been a privilege to serve as Chairman for seven of those years and I'm confident that I am leaving a Board that is well equipped to provide the necessary leadership and direction to management to ensure that the Group's continued focus on the transition of the business and the drive for quality sales growth will reward shareholders with sustainable returns for many more years to come."

Enquiries

Tom Corran (Director of Investor Communications)Telephone: +44 (0) 7527 421951

Grant Edmunds (Investor Relations Manager)Telephone: +44 (0) 7854 521 732

Alex Parsons (Director of Group Communications)Telephone: +44 (0) 7967 467 241

Simon Evans (Group Press Officer)Telephone: +44 (0) 7967 467 684