Alison Cooper, Imperial Tobacco regional director Western Europe, has been appointed to the board as corporate development ­director .

Cooper's promotion comes after the surprise resignation of corporate affairs director Frank Rogerson for personal and private ­reasons.

She will assume

responsibilities for strategic planning and business ­development.

The tobacco giant has also announced the appointments of Mark Williamson and Michael Herlihy as

independent non-executive directors to ensure the

continued appropriate balance of the board.