Management
Organigram Announces Appointment of Chief Executive Officer

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Executive Summary
- Organigram Global Inc. announced the appointment of James Yamanaka, former Global Head of Strategy at British American Tobacco, as its new CEO effective around January 15 2026.
- Yamanaka will also join the Board of Directors upon assuming the CEO role; interim executive chair Peter Amirault will oversee day‑to‑day management until then.
- The appointment is positioned to support Organigram’s strategy of expanding its international presence and accelerating growth in the global cannabis market.
Key Details
- New CEO: James Yamanaka, previously Global Head of Strategy at BAT; over 20 years of experience in strategy and general management across Europe and Asia.
- Effective Date: On or about January 15 2026 (subject to immigration and security clearance procedures).
- Board Membership: Yamanaka will become a member of Organigram’s Board of Directors when he assumes the CEO role.
- Interim Management:
- Peter Amirault, current Board chairman, appointed Executive Chair effective December 1 2025 to oversee daily operations until Yamanaka starts.
- Geoff Machum, chair of the Governance, Nominating and Sustainability Committee, will serve as Independent Lead Director during the interim period.
- Strategic Rationale: Management highlighted Yamanaka’s track record in driving international growth, building high‑performing teams, and delivering results—key to Organigram’s ambition to become a global leader in cannabis.
- CEO Quote: “I am thrilled to take on this new challenge… I look forward to building an international presence on Organigram’s strong foundation of high‑quality products, trusted brands, and a commitment to industry‑leading innovation.” – James Yamanaka.
- Chair Quote: “James’ history of driving strong international growth aligns perfectly with Organigram’s global aspirations.” – Peter Amirault.
Notable Quotes
- “We are excited to have James join the Organigram team,” said Peter Amirault, Board Chairman and interim Executive Chair.
- “I have watched Organigram evolve into Canada’s number one recreational cannabis company by market share and believe it is well positioned to become a global leader in the cannabis industry.” – James Yamanaka.
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May 14, 2026 · 08:45