British American Tobacco (BAT) has announced plans to cut around 9,000 jobs as part of its Fit2Win transformation programme.

The programme, which launched in 2025, is designed to make the group "more agile, cost disciplined and innovative" and aims to deliver £600m in annual cost savings by 2028.

Under the plans, the tobacco and new generation products firm is set to cut 5,500 roles globally, excluding the US, with a further 3,500 roles having already been moved to strategic partners

This follows a review of its manufacturing footprint over the last 18 to 24 months, with BAT adding that its strategic partnerships with firms such as Accenture are transforming operations.

Chief executive at BAT, Tadeu Marroco, said: “We are building a future-ready organisation that is more agile, cost disciplined and technology enabled.

“Fit2Win is central to this ambition, strengthening how we operate and our ability to compete in a rapidly evolving environment. These changes affect many of our colleagues, and we are focused on supporting them through this transition with care and respect, as we position the business for the future.

“Whether through strategic partnerships or a more focused operational footprint, we are creating a simpler, faster BAT.”

Investment director at AJ Bell, Russ Mould, said the update reflects wider changes within international markets.

He concluded: "BAT is the latest name to ramp up the use of technology to help its business run more smoothly and be able to launch new products faster.

"Unfortunately, that push is coming at the cost of 5,500 jobs which are going by the end of the year. A further 3,500 roles have already moved to strategic partners, implying significant change in the business.

"The scale of cutbacks is a sign of the times, and the trend is worrying for the state of the labour market."

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