Watson will also replace Clive Selley as CEO Of BT’s technology, service and operations division as Selley steps up to top job at infrastructure arm Openreach
BT has named managing director for architecture and global IT platforms Howard Watson as its new CEO of technology, service and operations.
Watson also take on the role as chief information officer when current CEO of BT TSO Clive Selley becomes CEO at Openreach, as announced last week.
His appointment comes as BT prepares to begin the integration of EE. The telecoms giant’s £12.5 billion buyout of the UK’s largest mobile provider was cleared by the Competition and Markets Authority last week.
BT Group CEO Gavin Patterson claimed Watson was the perfect candidate to oversee the integration.
Patterson said: “I am delighted to appoint Howard as CEO of BT Technology, Service and Operations. He has done a great job since joining BT in 2011 and is absolutely the right man to oversee the integration of our network with EE’s.
“Fixed mobile convergence is an important trend and Howard will help consumers and businesses take advantage of it.”
Watson has been at BT since 2011, when he joined as chief architect before adding on his current role of MD for global IT platforms in 2013.
Prior to joining the incumbent, he held positions at Virgin Media and Telewest.
BT TSO is the firm’s global core networks and IT arm, which currently employs 12,000 staff and 8,000 contractors across the globe.
Watson said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as CEO of BT Technology, Service and Operations. It has been my home since 2011 and we have achieved great things under its umbrella. The next few years promise to be transformational in terms of how people communicate and I look forward to making my contribution.”
