BT TSO leadership shift complete as Watson replaces Selley in CEO slot

BT (NYSE: BT) has named Howard Watson as the CEO of its Technology, Service and Operations (BT TSO) unit. He will also serve as Group Chief Information Officer.

Howard Watson, BT TSO

Watson (Source: BT)

Watson, who is currently BT's chief architect and MD global IT platforms, replaces Clive Selley who was recently named as the CEO of Openreach.

BT TSO manages the service provider's internal and external platforms, including TV, mobile and conferencing, as well as BT's R&D unit at Adastral Park, Suffolk. The unit employs 12,000 staff and 8,000 contractors worldwide.

In his new role, Watson will oversee what BT calls its "engine room," which is core network and global IT systems.

Watson brings plenty of telecom and technical experience to his new role. In his first five years at BT, Watson managed the launch of BT Sport in August 2013 and oversaw BT's IT services in Bangalore.

Prior to joining BT in 2011, Watson served as the managing director of Cartesian, a telecom software and consultancy company. Earlier, he was CTO and CIO at Telewest and chief of transformation and technology at Virgin Media.

Among his many talents is his experience in integrating networks, something he gained from his time in the cable industry at Telewest and Virgin Media. His integration skills will come in handy as BT integrates its network with wireless operator EE, which it is in the final stages of acquiring.

On Friday, the service provider got approval from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to complete its $17.9 billion acquisition of EE.   

For more:
- see the release

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