Alison Cooper

Like so many players in the tobacco industry, Cooper is steering Imperial Brands away from traditional cigarettes toward “New Generation Products.” Under her leadership, the $21 billion company has expanded its blu vaping brand into new markets—Spain, Portugal, Ireland, and New Zealand—and in July announced its biggest investment yet in cannabis. The research and development deal saw Imperial give listed Canadian company Auxly Cannabis Group a roughly $100 million investment and a global license to its vaping technology in exchange for a 20% stake and a board seat. But Imperial’s focus on the new technologies comes as vaping attracts intense government scrutiny, with the U.S. considering a ban of flavored products that appeal to young consumers.

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