Thomas COMPERNOLLE

Thomas Compernolle is a senior public and corporate affairs executive affiliated with British American Tobacco (BAT), a leading multi-category consumer goods company headquartered in the UK. He holds and has held key positions related to EU affairs, including Senior Global Engagement Manager and EU Affairs Director for BAT. Known for representing BAT in various Brussels-based federations, negotiating bodies, and industry networks, Compernolle plays a critical role in shaping regulatory dialogue and policy outcomes within the European Union. His involvement extends to addressing tobacco-related regulatory issues, illicit trade, excise duty, and intellectual property challenges. He has been actively engaged in promoting BAT’s strategic aim of transitioning smokers to smokeless alternatives and advocating for regulatory frameworks favorable to the tobacco industry. Compernolle is recognized for utilizing both formal lobbying activities and behind-the-scenes engagements to influence policymakers, making him a significant figure in the EU tobacco lobbying landscape

Thomas Compernolle’s lobbying efforts for British American Tobacco (BAT) are deeply focused on protecting and promoting the interests of the tobacco industry across the UK and EU markets. Through his work, Compernolle aims to shape EU regulations with a clear intention to support BAT’s business strategy, which revolves around becoming a predominantly smokeless business by 2035 and mitigating the impact of stringent tobacco regulations. The lobbying agenda he advances includes engagement on the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU), Tobacco Advertising Directive (2003/33/EC), excise duty frameworks, and the revision of the Union Customs Code, all critical regulatory files that directly affect BAT’s product marketability and profitability.

Compernolle’s true and often less overt objectives include promoting policies that allow BAT to sustain market access while navigating regulatory constraints creatively, including frameworks addressing illicit trade and intellectual property rights that protect brand assets against counterfeiting. Beyond formal legislative engagement, he actively represents BAT in various influential Brussels-based federations and negotiating bodies, highlighting a strategic approach to embed BAT’s interests within broader business coalitions such as Tobacco Europe, BusinessEurope, and the Kangaroo Group. The Kangaroo Group itself functions as a multi-national platform capable of shaping internal market policies behind the scenes, and BAT’s presence there through Compernolle indicates a sophisticated and coordinated lobbying apparatus designed to normalize and legitimize the tobacco industry’s stance within EU policy discussions

Thomas Compernolle’s lobbying activities are marked by high-level participation in EU meetings and forums that influence tobacco regulation and taxation policies. For example, Compernolle has been accredited as a lobbyist to the European Parliament multiple times, from at least 2016 through recent years, indicating sustained access to EU policymakers. His engagement includes attending formal meetings with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and European Commission officials, networking through groups such as the Kangaroo Group, which maintains close ties with industry and policymakers to push free trade and internal market completion agendas beneficial to corporate interests, including BAT.

Additionally, Compernolle has participated in international conferences such as the Crime Stoppers International conference, where he addressed illicit trade issues—an area critical to BAT’s interests in curbing contraband tobacco products and protecting revenue streams. These activities demonstrate his role in aligning EU policy with industry-supported solutions to trade and regulatory challenges. Compernolle’s presence in lobbying coalitions and consultative networks facilitates information-sharing and coordinated advocacy strategies that have affected legislative outcomes related to the Tobacco Products Directive, advertising restrictions, and excise duties. His influence is also evidenced in BAT’s reported lobbying expenditures reaching up to nearly €4 million, reflecting extensive behind-the-scenes efforts that include corporate gatherings and information campaigns to shape public and specialist opinion on tobacco regulation.

Through these comprehensive activities, Compernolle promotes BAT’s agenda in influencing excise taxation levels, advertising bans, and product approvals, leveraging opportunities to engage directly and indirectly with policymakers and regulators in Brussels and beyond. The strategic coordination of these efforts underscores Compernolle’s key role in protecting BAT’s market position while navigating evolving EU tobacco control policies.

LinkedIn Profile: Thomas Compernolle – Senior Public/Corporate Affairs Executive (LinkedIn URL: linkedin.com/in/thomas-compernolle-b60b632)
Office (BAT EU): Aarlenstraat 80, Rue d’Arlon, Brussels 1050, Belgium
BAT Head Office: Globe House, Temple Place, 4 London WC2R 2PG, United Kingdom
Website: britishamericantobacco.com
Email/Phone: Not publicly disclosed due to GDPR regulations related to EU lobbying transparency