One of the City’s leading institutional investors has queried the appointment of Richard Burrows, the former Bank of Ireland governor, as the next chairman of British American Tobacco.

Guy Jubb, head of corporate governance at Standard Life Investments, a top 10 BAT shareholder with a 1.4 per cent stake, said: “At a time when stewardship is in sharp focus, it is questionable whether this appointment will enjoy unanimous support.”