BT names new CEO

BT Retail’s Gavin Patterson

BT has announced that Gavin Patterson is to succeed Ian Livingston as CEO of BT Group.

Livingston, who has been given a role in government as minister of state for trade and investment, will continue as chief executive of BT until he steps down from his post and from BT’s Board in September. Livinston will join the House of Lords.

Patterson has served as chief executive of BT Retail and as a BT Board member since 2008, having joined the company as a senior executive four years prior to that. He will take over as chief executive of BT Group in September.

Sir Michael Rake, chairman of BT, said: “Ian has done a tremendous job in transforming BT. His decision to accept a government post demonstrates the sense of public service which many of us know to be characteristic. He leaves behind him a very capable team, one which will take forward the strategy that has served BT well and which lays out the path tofurther success. We have a fitting and experienced successor in Gavin Patterson. He has a detailed knowledge of all parts of our business and a track record of success. He was closely involved in creating our strategy and is the right person to take it forward. BT will make yet further progress under his leadership.”