Jean-Pierre Cussac
CIO
BAT
Jean-Pierre (JP) Cussac is the Group CIO of BAT, a leading Global Consumer Goods company operating across 175+ countries. BAT is no longer just a tobacco company. BAT is building A Better Tomorrow™ through a multi-category portfolio of non-combustible products, backed by science, that provide adult smokers with less risky alternatives. Digital transformation, technology, and innovation is driving that transition.
JP has a broad IT experience, starting his career in France in the Public Sector, then in Manufacturing and Mining (Alcan and Rio Tinto), Healthcare and Retail (Walgreens Boots Alliance) and joined BAT in 2015.
JP has a broad international experience with international assignments in France, Canada, Malaysia and UK
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Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.
I joined BAT in 2015 as Group Head of IDT Services and Technology Delivery, leading large programmes to stabilise the IT landscape. BAT was running one of the largest single instance/single templates of SAP, and I led large transformational programmes to drive efficiencies and effectiveness of the IT landscape.
Over the years, I have been highly involved in embracing and driving BAT’s digital transformation. I also had the opportunity to lead our largest TechHub in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia for 2.5 years. All of these experiences gave me the opportunity to have a deep understanding of the business, create a strong network across the organisation and prepare me nicely for the CIO role.
What is one of your guiding leadership principles?
Empower your team. Alone you can't win; trust your team for faster success and impact.
With disruption being a key theme of recent years, where do you see the CIO role going in the next 1-2 years?
From data to generative AI excitements, the role is to bring dreams to reality, leveraging technology to unlock true commercial value for BAT. Digital transformation is at the heart of the company transformation, and it is important to stay aware, embrace and help change management where it matters to create positive and tangible impacts.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a CIO?
Be curious, an active listener and stay focused. It is easy to get lost in a too ambitious agenda, so think large but start small, progress step by step.
Tell us 3 fun facts about yourself.
- My first job was as a ski instructor in France while I was at university.
- Fine wines are my hobby. I have a large collection of great wines, not only French but a lot of Bordeaux wine where I am from.
- I play guitar and have a collection of 10 guitars.
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