Imperial Brands PLC has announced that Abbe Luersman has been appointed to the board as a non-executive director, with effect from 12 January 2026. She will become a member of the remuneration and the people, governance & sustainability committees at the same time.

Luersman, chief HR officer of US pharmacy chain Walgreens Inc, has had a career as an HR leader in global listed businesses including Otis Worldwide Corporation, Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV, Unilever plc and Whirlpool Corporation. She is also a non-executive director and remuneration committee chair at Just Eat Takeaway NV and co-chair of the Gartner CHRO Global Leadership Board.

Thérèse Esperdy, chair of Imperial Brands, said “On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Abbe to Imperial. Abbe has a proven track record in organisational design, integration and cultural change—both as a chief people officer and a non-executive director. She has transferred her skills across different sectors, including consumer goods, retail, manufacturing and industrial technology.

“Abbe brings deep and wide-ranging experience in transformation programmes, an area of strategic importance for Imperial Brands. The board will benefit greatly from her insights and experience, and we look forward to working with her.”