Gallaher Group Plc.

Mr Tardif was appointed to his current positions in 2002. He is a member of the management committee and chairs the sales and marketing committee.

Gallaher's founder, Tom Gallaher, was a farmer's son born on 27 April 1840, at Templemoyle near Londonderry, Northern Ireland. In 1857, he started a one-man business in Londonderry making and selling Irish roll pipe tobaccos, so laying the foundations of Gallaher Limited. The business prospered, and in 1870 Tom Gallaher took over large premises in York Street, Belfast. In the late 1870s, he made his first trip to the United States of America to buy leaf, and quickly established himself as a notable figure in the tobacco trade on both side of the Atlantic. The first London premises were opened in 1888 at 60 Holborn Viaduct and the same year he organised a large display of Gallaher products at the Irish Exhibition in London. Tom Gallaher was a strong individualist - forceful and vigorous and always carried his blackthorn stick. Yet, in spite of this image, he took a great interest in the welfare of his employees and pioneered many improvements in working conditions within the industry. He was also very involved in civic affairs, and was a Governor of the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

Nigel Dunlop (aged 42) joined Gallaher as a management trainee in 1980. Following time spent in production, sales, marketing and distribution, he held a series of production and factory management posts (from 1982 to 1991) before being appointed Head of Cigar Division in 1991. Mr Dunlop was appointed Head of Manufacturing in 1997. Claire Jenkins (aged 36) joined Gallaher in 1997, following a career in stockbroking and investor relations consultancy. She was appointed to instigate and develop the Group's investor relations' function on Gallaher's demerger from Fortune Brands, Inc.

Alison Carnwath was appointed a Board director in September 2004 and serves as an independent member of both the Audit and Remuneration committees. A chartered accountant by training, Alison is currently a non-executive Director of Gallaher Group plc, Friends Provident plc, Man Group plc and Welsh Water.

Barry runs his own business consultancy, having enjoyed a successful career with Gallaher Group Plc. His most recent role there was Director of global human resources. Prior to this he was Managing Director of the UK division of Gallaher (2000-2006) managing the sales, marketing, trade marketing and distribution functions. Barry joined Gallaher as a management trainee in 1979 and held a series of sales positions until entering brand management/marketing in 1985. He was appointed trade marketing manager in 1987, before assuming responsibility for the flagship brand Benson & Hedges in 1988. Barry was appointed head of cigarette marketing in 1991, before becoming marketing director, UK in 1994.

John Gildersleeve was appointed to the board as a non-executive director in May 1997. In March 2004 he was appointed non-executive chairman. He chairs the nomination committee.

Sir Graham Hearne was appointed Chairman of Catlin in February 2003. He was Chairman of Enterprise Oil plc from 1991 until 2002, having joined as Chief Executive in 1984. He practised as a lawyer at Pinsent & Co, Herbert Smith & Co and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson in New York. He served with the Industrial Reorganisation Corporation before joining NM Rothschild & Sons Ltd., where he remains a Non-Executive Director. He has also served as Finance Director of Courtaulds Limited, Chief Executive of Tricentrol plc and Group Managing Director of Carless, Capel & Leonard plc. He is currently Non-Executive Chairman of Braemar Seascope Group plc and Deputy Chairman of Gallaher Group plc. He was High Sheriff of Greater London in 1995 and 1996. He is chairman of the Nomination Committee.

Nigel Simon aged 47, who is based in Vienna, was appointed commercial director - Continental Europe, with effect from 1 January 2003. He is a member of the group executive and management committees. He joined Gallaher in 1984.