The Smokeless Word

Episode 11 - Mike Scudamore

In this episode of The Smokeless Word, Kingsley is joined by Mike Scudamore, Team Principal of Team BRIT - the world’s only competitive team of all-disabled racing drivers.  
 
From karting charity beginnings to leading a championship-winning team with ambitions to compete at Le Mans, this episode explores the innovative technologies that level the playing field for disabled drivers, the challenges of navigating regulation in motorsport, and the resilience and teamwork that drive Team Brit forward. 
 
Join Kingsley and Mike for an inspiring conversation that blends racing ambition with life-changing impact. 
 
DISCLAIMER   
Intended Audience: This podcast is intended for regulators, scientists, policymakers, investors, media and public health bodies only. This material is not intended for US audiences.   
Personal Views: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of the speaker only.   
No Product Promotion: Nothing in this podcast is intended to promote or endorse the consumption of the product referred to.   
Risk and Harm Statements: Nicotine products are addictive and not risk free. Any references to products having a reduced risk or reduced harm are based on the weight of the evidence and assume no continued smoking.   
Content Warning: This podcast contains some swearing that may not be suitable for all listeners.   
The podcast guest was not paid for their appearance.  
BAT Investments is the copyright holder of this podcast.   

Episode 12 - Gavin Esler

From Dolly Parton’s Nashville mansion to the hallowed halls of the White House…to The Smokeless Word studio. 
Kingsley sits down with veteran Newsnight journalist and bestselling author Gavin Esler to explore how narrative defines our leaders, our politics, and our reality. Drawing on forty years at the heart of journalism, Gavin shares behind-the-scenes insights into the power of story. 
Kingsley and Gavin combine to deliver a masterclass in storytelling. You’ll hear about the "boy from Hope" narrative that propelled Clinton to power, the terrifying brilliance of Thatcher’s public persona, and the modern phenomenon of "truth decay".  
Join Kingsley and Gavin for an eye-opening conversation on why Gavin believes "Britain is better than this", the importance of becoming your own editor, and why a dessert of stewed plums proved to be his undoing on MasterChef. 

Episode 13 - Mauricio Cantisani

BAT’s global transformation is a root and branch affair, starting with how we grow our Leaf. 
 
Kingsley sits down with Mauricio, BAT’s very own VP Agribusiness LATAM South & Global Head of Agronomy Development, to discuss how we are navigating the regulatory environment while future-proofing our most vital supply chain.  
 
From Brazil’s role as a major tobacco exporter to efforts to combat illicit trade and the ongoing challenge of advocating for Tobacco Harm Reduction, this episode is packed with invaluable insights into the digital future of the field and the strategic patience required to lead change. 
 
Join Kingsley and Mauricio for an essential conversation on why, despite the hurdles, Brazil’s future remains bright. 
 
DISCLAIMER   
Intended Audience: This podcast is intended for regulators, scientists, policymakers, investors, media and public health bodies only. This material is not intended for US audiences.   
Personal Views: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of the speaker only.   
No Product Promotion: Nothing in this podcast is intended to promote or endorse the consumption of the product referred to.   
Risk and Harm Statements: Nicotine products are addictive and not risk free. Any references to products having a reduced risk or reduced harm are based on the weight of the evidence and assume no continued smoking.   
Content Warning: This podcast contains some swearing that may not be suitable for all listeners.   
The podcast guest was not paid for their appearance.  
BAT Investments is the copyright holder of this podcast.   

Episode 14 - Will Greenwood

Knockouts. Trophies. Paranoia. 
  
In this episode, Kingsley sits down with Rugby World Cup winner and former British & Irish Lion, Will Greenwood, for a raw look behind the medals. 
 
From a career that nearly unravelled at Leicester Tigers to the 17-minute knockout that left doctors fearing the worst, Will reflects on injury, doubt, and why he still remembers the losses more than the wins. 
 
Join Kingsley and Will as they unpack the culture behind England’s golden era under Clive Woodward and Martin Johnson. 
 
It’s a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and what it really takes to win. 
 
DISCLAIMER   
Intended Audience: This podcast is intended for regulators, scientists, policymakers, investors, media and public health bodies only. This material is not intended for US audiences.   
Personal Views: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of the speaker only.   
No Product Promotion: Nothing in this podcast is intended to promote or endorse the consumption of the product referred to.   
Risk and Harm Statements: Nicotine products are addictive and not risk free. Any references to products having a reduced risk or reduced harm are based on the weight of the evidence and assume no continued smoking.   
Content Warning: This podcast contains some swearing that may not be suitable for all listeners.   
The podcast guest was not paid for their appearance.  
BAT Investments is the copyright holder of this podcast.   

Episode 15 - Boris Johnson

City Hall. Westminster. Number 10. 
 
This one’s going deep into the corridors of power. Boris Johnson joins Kingsley in the studio for an unfiltered journey from formative sibling rivalries to the zenith of British political power.
 
Pulling no punches, Boris breaks down the reality of the premiership and the roadblocks that have stalled the promises of Brexit, the pandemic recovery, and the Levelling Up mission.
 
Join Kingsley and Boris for a wide-ranging conversation on his "Napoleon of Notting Hill" years, the sabotage of the backbenches, and why Boris remains a staunch believer in Britain’s potential.
 
DISCLAIMER  
Intended Audience: This podcast is intended for regulators, scientists, policymakers, investors, media and public health bodies only. This material is not intended for US audiences.  
Personal Views: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of the speaker only. Any views expressed by guests are independent of the views or positions of BAT. 
No Product Promotion: Nothing in this podcast is intended to promote or endorse the consumption of the product referred to.  
Risk and Harm Statements: Nicotine products are addictive and not risk free. Any references to products having a reduced risk or reduced harm are based on the weight of the evidence and assume no continued smoking.  
Content Warning: This podcast contains some swearing that may not be suitable for all listeners.  
BAT Investments is the copyright holder of this podcast.  

Episode 16 - Tony Abbott

The Smokeless Word goes down under with Tony Abbott, former prime minister and a colossus of Australian politics.  
 
Tony recounts a storied career that saw him trade the boxing ring for the seminary only to pivot into politics and eventually ascend to The Lodge. 
 
From ideological excess to the illicit trade crisis, Tony delivers a statesman’s perspective on the Australia of today and why, in his opinion, the country is currently not at its best.  
 
Join Kingsley and Tony for an unflinching look at Australia’s past and present, and the possibilities still ahead. 
 
DISCLAIMER   
Intended Audience: This podcast is intended for regulators, scientists, policymakers, investors, media and public health bodies only. This material is not intended for US audiences.   
Personal Views: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of the speaker only. Any views expressed by guests are independent of the views or positions of BAT.  
No Product Promotion: Nothing in this podcast is intended to promote or endorse the consumption of the product referred to.   
Risk and Harm Statements: Nicotine products are addictive and not risk free. Any references to products having a reduced risk or reduced harm are based on the weight of the evidence and assume no continued smoking.   
Content Warning: This podcast contains some swearing that may not be suitable for all listeners.   
BAT Investments is the copyright holder of this podcast.   

Episode 17 - Donato Raponi

The Smokeless Word heads into the heart of the EU tax machine with Donato Raponi.  
 
After 37 years shaping EU tax policy, Donato knows Brussels from the inside out. In this episode, he provides a rare insider’s perspective on the EU tax system and the technical world of tobacco excise.  
 
From using differentiated tax rates to put the EU on course to achieve Smoke Free 2040 to the unintended (criminal) consequences of high taxation, Donato provides an expert diagnosis on the upcoming revisions to the EU’s Tobacco Excise Directive. 
 
Join Kingsley and Donato for a Brussels deep dive - grounded in experience and hard-earned insight.  
 
DISCLAIMER   
Intended Audience: This podcast is intended for regulators, scientists, policymakers, investors, media and public health bodies only. This material is not intended for US audiences.   
Personal Views: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of the speaker only. Any views expressed by guests are independent of the views or positions of BAT.  
No Product Promotion: Nothing in this podcast is intended to promote or endorse the consumption of the product referred to.   
Risk and Harm Statements: Nicotine products are addictive and not risk free. Any references to products having a reduced risk or reduced harm are based on the weight of the evidence and assume no continued smoking.   
Content Warning: This podcast contains some swearing that may not be suitable for all listeners.   
BAT Investments is the copyright holder of this podcast.   

Episode 18 - Pascale Meulemeester

Different speeds. Different maturities. Different rules. 
 
That’s the reality of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) - a region that houses 78% of the global population and 25/33 of the world's megacities.  
 
In this episode, Kingsley is joined by BAT's new Regional Director APMEA, Pascale Meulemeester, for a fascinating deep dive into one of the world's most complex regions.  
 
Drawing on over 20 years in confectionery, Pascale reflects on the surprising similarities between cocoa and tobacco supply chains and why she chose to switch to the latter industry at a pivotal, transformational moment in its history. 
 
From natural disasters to regulatory complexity, this is a masterclass in leading through volatility. 
 
DISCLAIMER   
Intended Audience: This podcast is intended for regulators, scientists, policymakers, investors, media and public health bodies only. This material is not intended for US audiences.   
Personal Views: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of the speaker only. Any views expressed by guests are independent of the views or positions of BAT.  
No Product Promotion: Nothing in this podcast is intended to promote or endorse the consumption of the product referred to.   
Risk and Harm Statements: Nicotine products are addictive and not risk free. Any references to products having a reduced risk or reduced harm are based on the weight of the evidence and assume no continued smoking.   
Content Warning: This podcast contains some swearing that may not be suitable for all listeners.   
BAT Investments is the copyright holder of this podcast.   

Episode 19 - Christian Sandström

Kingsley’s back in Sweden, and this time he’s chatting with Christian Sandström - academic, author, editorial writer for Affärsvärlden and an expert on disruptive innovation. 
 
This episode is packed with hard-hitting analysis. You'll hear about the biggest corporate scandal in modern Swedish history: the Northvolt collapse, the dangers of top-down policymaking and Sandström's concept of "green bubbles" - projects that are sold as "too good to be true" and ultimately prove to be just that.  
 
Join Kingsley and Christian for an eye-opening conversation on what makes an innovation succeed, what makes one fail, and the critical lessons Sweden has for the rest of the world. 
 
DISCLAIMER   
Intended Audience: This podcast is intended for regulators, scientists, policymakers, investors, media and public health bodies only. This material is not intended for US audiences.   
Personal Views: The views expressed in this podcast are the personal opinions of the speaker only. Any views expressed by guests are independent of the views or positions of BAT.  
No Product Promotion: Nothing in this podcast is intended to promote or endorse the consumption of the product referred to.   
Risk and Harm Statements: Nicotine products are addictive and not risk free. Any references to products having a reduced risk or reduced harm are based on the weight of the evidence and assume no continued smoking.   
Content Warning: This podcast contains some swearing that may not be suitable for all listeners.   
BAT Investments is the copyright holder of this podcast.