Gavin Patterson, incoming chief executive of BT Group plc
The chief executive of BT Retail Gavin Patterson will step into the role of CEO of BT Group plc in September, when Ian Livingston leaves the post to take on the job of UK Minister for Trade and Investment.
Patterson has been chief executive of BT Retail since 2008, the same year he became a BT board member. He joined the telecoms company as a senior executive in 2004.
He said BT is in a strong place, has great opportunities ahead, and is well-placed to take advantage of them, in the UK and internationally.
“We have the people, the technology and the plans we need to build on our current successes. I look forward to leading a dynamic team to ensure we do just that,” Patterson said.
Sir Michael Rake, chairman of BT, paid tribute to both Livingston and Patterson.
“Ian has done a tremendous job in transforming BT,” Rake said. “His decision to accept a government post demonstrates the sense of public service which many of us know to be characteristic.
“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.”
Livingston will join the House of Lords prior to taking up his front-bench government post in December.
