BT has hired Worldpay’s Co-Chief Executive, Philip Jansen, as its new Group CEO following news that Gavin Patterson is to leave the telecoms firm next year.
Jansen has been has been Chief Executive of Worldpay since 2013 and led the firm through its flotation in 2015 and subsequent merger with Vantiv earlier this year.
Previous posts include CEO and Chairman of Brakes Group, Chief Operating Officer and CEO, Europe, South Africa and India, and Managing Director of Telewest Communications PLC’s Consumer Division.
Patterson will remain with the firm until the end of January, with Jansen taking up his post on February 1st.
Jan du Plessis, Chairman of BT Group said: “The Board is delighted to have appointed Philip as our new Chief Executive. He is a proven leader with outstanding experience in managing large complex businesses.
“Philip’s strong leadership has inspired his teams, successfully transformed businesses across multiple industries and created significant value for shareholders.
“His most recent success at Worldpay, a technology-led business, means he is well suited to build on the solid foundations that are in place at BT.
“I look forward to working with him to position BT at the heart of the UK’s digital economy.”
Jansen said: “I’m honoured to be appointed as the next Chief Executive of BT Group. BT is a special company with a wonderful history and a very exciting future.
“It has built a leading position across fixed and mobile networks, creating an opportunity to deliver increasing benefits for our customers, the UK economy and our shareholders.
“In a competitive market we will need to be absolutely focused on our customers’ needs and pursue the right technology investments to help grow the business.
“I’m excited to get to know all the people at BT and work together to take the business forward.”