Wameja Di Regulatory News (WJA)

24 Apr 2007 10:30

BT Group PLC24 April 2007 DC07-221 April 24, 2007 BT UNVEILS NEW STRUCTURE TO KEEP AHEAD OF THE GAME BT today announced a new structure that will deliver faster, more resilient andcost effective services to customers wherever they are. The move is designed toaccelerate BT's transformation into a networked IT services company, deliveringsoftware driven products over broadband. It builds on the success of the pastfive years, keeping BT ahead of the game. BT is bringing together its world class people from design, operations, IT andnetworks into a single reporting structure under Andy Green who moves from beingChief Executive of BT Global Services to become CEO of Group Strategy andOperations. Francois Barrault becomes Chief Executive of BT Global Services andjoins the BT Board. Francois moves from his current role of President of BTInternational where he has established a record of exceptional growth in BT'soperations outside the UK. Both appointments take immediate effect. Andy will lead two new business units that will design and operate servicesacross the world to meet the needs of BT Retail, BT Global Services, BTWholesale, Openreach and the wider communications industry. "BT Design" will beresponsible for the design and development of new services. "BT Operate" will beresponsible for their deployment and operation. Approximately 20,000 BTemployees will move into these new units from other parts of the business. The structure will benefit customers by bringing them new services quicker,making them more reliable, easy to buy and easy to use. In his new role Andywill also have responsibility for driving this transformational changethroughout BT. The lines of business, BT Retail, BT Global Services and BT Wholesale, retaintheir critical responsibility for marketing sales and customer service to theirconsumer, business and wholesale market segments. Openreach remains unchangedretaining its role of providing highly regulated products and services. Ben Verwaayen, BT chief executive, said today: "This is the second phase of BT'stransformation. The first phase saw BT shift its focus from narrowband tobroadband. This next stage is equally important. It will see BT advance from a20th century hardware-based company to a 21st century software-based servicescompany. In a software driven world, services will be available in real time andaround the globe, harnessing the potential of BT's 21st Century Network. Thechanges we are announcing today will drive new standards of excellence and shiftpower and choice decisively to customers." Commenting on his new role, Andy Green said: "BT has built a fantastic businessby being the first to recognize the growth potential for networked IT services.My challenge is to help keep BT ahead of the game. Bringing together our worldclass capabilities in IT networks and process skills will give us unrivalledagility and renewed focus on operational excellence." Francois Barrault said: "I am thrilled to be taking over one of the great growthengines of BT. BT Global Services is a tremendous success story which has onlyjust begun. The company's new structure brings improved levels of innovation andspeed to market within our reach. It will enable BT to extend its position ofworld leadership in helping customers get the most out of their globaloperations". Inquiries may also be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 0207356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369. All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre About BT BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions andservices operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include networkedIT services, local, national and international telecommunications services, andhigher-value broadband and internet products and services. BT consistsprincipally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retailand BT Wholesale. In the year ended 31 March 2006, BT Group plc's revenue was £19,514 million withprofit before taxation of £2,040 million. British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group andencompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc islisted on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange