BT CEO Ian Livingston is to step down from his role in September, having been asked to become the UK government’s Minister of State for Trade and Investment. Gavin Patterson, who’s currently chief executive of BT Retail, will take over as chief executive of BT Group plc.
Mr Patterson’s previous employers include Proctor & Gamble and Telewest, which later became Virgin Media.
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 to further 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.”
Ian Livingston will take up his new government post in December, succeeding Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint. Minister of State for Trade and Investment is an unpaid position that reports to the Secretary of State for Business and the Foreign Secretary.