BT Group simplifies its strategy and innovation work to accelerate digital transformation

BT Group (‘the Company’) has announced a number of changes to its Strategy and Change (S&C) and Digital teams this morning that will integrate our strategy and innovation teams and enable the acceleration of our digital transformation.

Strategy & Change
Tom Meakin, who joined the Company in April as interim Chief Strategy and Change Officer, will be appointed to the role permanently from 1 November. Tom joined BT Group from McKinsey & Company where he was a senior partner leading its Consumer Tech and Media industry practice.

The new S&C team has integrated all strategy work across BT Group and it has responsibility for driving our large transformation projects that will deliver improved customer experience and connectivity. In addition, BT Group’s product innovation and technology partnerships capability will move under the remit of the S&C team so that it sits at the centre of our strategy.

Digital
Earlier in the summer, responsibility for digital product development moved from Digital to our Consumer and Business units so that it sits as close to our customers as possible. Following this, and the product innovation and technology partnerships move into S&C, BT Group’s Digital unit will now focus exclusively on our digital transformation. It will play a critical role in the relentless modernisation of our platforms and as a catalyst for digital thinking, platforms and architecture. Our deep experience in data and AI will ensure that our customers and colleagues have consistently seamless and brilliant interactions with our company and each other.

Following these important changes, Harmeen Mehta, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, has decided the time is right to make the next move in her career, outside of BT Group. Howard Watson, Chief Networks and Security Officer, will lead Digital in the interim alongside his current role while we recruit a permanent Chief Digital Officer.

Allison Kirkby, BT Group Chief Executive, said:
“These changes are important steps towards simplifying BT Group and accelerating our digital transformation. Tom has been a hugely valued member of my team since he joined earlier this year, and I am thrilled that he’s joining us permanently.

“Harmeen was instrumental in creating and running Digital and has built some great digital foundations which will continue to serve us for a long time to come. I’d like to thank Harmeen for her energy and passion as leader of our Digital unit over the last three and a half years. I wish her every future success in her next digital chapter.”

Harmeen Mehta commented “Building Digital at BT has been an inspirational journey and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I wish the incredible team here continued success in their digital journey at BT Group”.