News
Watson also becomes chief executive of BT TSO as Clive Selley moves to Openreach.
BT on Tuesday named company insider Howard Watson as its new group CIO and chief executive of BT Technology, Service and Operations (TSO), replacing Clive Selley, who is due to take the helm at Openreach in the coming weeks.
Watson currently serves as BT’s chief architect and as managing director of its global IT platforms business.
He has been with the U.K. incumbent since 2011. His achievements at the company include leading the technical teams behind the launch of BT Sport two and a half years ago.
Watson was previously MD of telecoms software and consultancy firm Cartesian, prior to which he held the roles of chief technology and information officer at U.K. cable operator Telewest and chief of transformation and technology at Virgin Media.
"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," said BT chief executive Gavin Patterson.
"Fixed mobile convergence is an important trend and Howard will help consumers and businesses take advantage of it," he added.
In addition to managing the integration of EE’s network – BT got the green light from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) last week and plans to complete the acquisition of EE by the end of the month – Watson will be responsible for BT’s core networks and IT systems worldwide.
The TSO unit manages BT’s internal and external platforms, including its mobile, TV and conferencing platforms. It also oversees its R&D centre at Adastral Park.
"[TSO] has been my home since 2011 and we have achieved great things under its umbrella," Watson said. "The next few years promise to be transformational in terms of how people communicate and I look forward to making my contribution."
