We’re a top employer in Africa

Only organisations that earned Top Employer certification in at least four countries in Africa received the 2019 Top Employers Africa recognition. We achieved it in seven countries – South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya and Nigeria – to receive the top accolade, which was presented at an awards dinner on 4 October.

And our business in South Africa had special reason to celebrate after gaining Top Employer certification for the tenth successive year.

The Top Employers Institute conducts independent research into how a company looks after and develops its people. Certified companies are those that meet high standards in providing excellent employee conditions; which nurture and develop talent at all levels of the organisation; and strive to continuously optimise employment practices for their staff.

“The Top Employer certification is a recognition of our commitment to our people and to providing them with a stimulating environment where they can and do thrive,” said BAT Southern Africa Area Managing Director, Soraya Benchikh.

“Our investment in attracting, retaining and developing a rich and diverse team of talented people ensures the sustainability of our business in Southern Africa. Our skills development and talent management programmes, our collaborative culture and our diversity and our dynamism are all essential elements of BAT’s success and our people’s well-being.” 

Area Director for BAT East and Central Africa Area, Beverley Spencer-Obatoyinbo, described receiving Top Employer certification in both Kenya and for the whole of Africa as a great achievement and an honour: “We are committed to providing an energised, collaborative and agile workplace culture that lets people grow within the organisation. As a result, we continue to recruit and retain the best and brightest talent.”

Razeeah Belath, Area Head of HR for BAT East and Central Africa Area, added: “Investing in our people is the foundation of our HR strategy, enabling our employees to develop a fulfilling career within BAT and to grow into future leaders.”

West Africa Area HR Director Temitope Akinsanya said: “We pride ourselves in our best-in-class talent management practices and unique organisational culture. The certification demonstrates that BAT Nigeria empowers employees to be their productive best.”

The Top Employers Institute assessed British American Tobacco’s employee offerings against these criteria:

•  Talent strategy
•  Workforce planning
•  On-boarding
•  Learning and development
•  Performance management
•  Leadership development
•  Career and succession management
•  Compensation and benefits
•  Culture