James Yamanaka

James Yamanaka currently serves as the Global Head of Strategy at British American Tobacco (BAT), a position held since June 2014, where responsibilities include group transformation and strategic oversight. Previous roles within BAT encompass leadership in strategy and planning, as well as area director positions across Greater North Asia and Northern Europe. Yamanaka's extensive experience includes serving as Managing Director and CEO of Ceylon Tobacco Company, driving significant profit growth. Prior to BAT, Yamanaka held strategic roles at DiamondCluster International and Deloitte Consulting, and worked as a Technology/Trade Policy Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce. Yamanaka holds an MBA with Distinction from London Business School, a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/Economics from UC San Diego.