BT consolidates its B2B business units under Gerry McQuade

UK telco BT is merging a bunch of B2B business units into one – called BT Enterprise – that will be run by the current head of BT’s Wholesale and Ventures unit.

Gerry McQuade has run the wholesale unit, which offers services mainly to UK communication providers and broadcaster, for a couple of years. He will effectively swallow up BT’s Business and Public Sector unit to create one big part of the company that focuses on business all the way from SMBs to the public sector. The former head of the latter unit – Graham Sutherland – has decided this is a good time to call it a day at BT.

“Having brought together our Consumer and EE businesses, this is the next step in the simplification of BT’s operating model,” said BT Chief Exec Gavin Patterson. “Combining our enterprise businesses will allow us to strengthen the services and products we offer to businesses and sharpen our focus on customer service, through clear accountabilities and by introducing efficiencies. Gerry McQuade has successfully led the Wholesale and Ventures business since its inception in 2016 and is the right person to drive the new organisation forward.

“I’d like to thank Graham for all he has done for BT over the past 12 years. During his time as CEO of the businesses in Ireland and MD of BT Business, he materially improved the profitability and performance of those divisions. Most recently as CEO of BT Business and Public Sector he has successfully led the integration of EE business into BT and the turnaround of our Public Sector division. I wish him all the very best for the future.”

McQuade came into BT from the EE acquisition and, with EE boss Mac Allera now heading up the consolidated consumer business unit, it’s interesting to note the increasing prominence of EE people at the BT top table. The two companies have very different business cultures and trying to combine a former state monopoly with a relatively fast moving MNO will inevitably have created friction. Patterson seems to be saying the whole company needs to modernise its attitudes with these appointments.

UPDATE – 10:00 19 Apr 2018: Further evidence of an internal coup of BT by EE comes from the appointment of Matt Stagg to the top mobile role at BT Sport. Here’s the full PR.

MATT STAGG APPOINTED TO TOP MOBILE ROLE AT BT SPORT

BT Sport has appointed EE’s Matt Stagg to the new role of Director of Mobile Strategy, highlighting the importance of mobile to the broadcaster’s ambitions.

In his new role, Matt will report to BT Sport Chief Operations Officer Jamie Hindhaugh. Matt will be responsible for developing BT Sport’s mobile capabilities, building on a heritage of innovation in the mobile space. 

BT Sport has seen huge growth in the popularity of its mobile platform in the last two years – accelerated by the close tie up with EE. The recent UEFA Champions League quarter final clashes saw BT Sport’s largest ever mobile audiences. Breakthrough broadcasts of the UEFA Champions League in 360 and HD HDR have reinforced the focus on mobile.

COO Jamie Hindhaugh said: “Mobile is hugely important to our future. Matt will ensure we continue to lead the way with mobile innovation and capitalise on this growing audience.”

Matt Stagg said: “I’ve been working closely with BT Sport since well before EE became part of BT – they are Europe’s most ambitious and innovative broadcaster, and they have a very clear focus on the mobile opportunity.”

Matt will continue to lead EE’s strategy for delivering 4G and 5G networks for the media and broadcast industries.

Matt has over 25 years’ experience in telecoms, media and entertainment and was recently voted in the top 50 most influential people in online TV for the fourth year running. In 2017, he was awarded the TV Connect People’s Choice award for the ‘Person who made the biggest impact on the connected entertainment industry’.

He is the Founder and Chairman of the Mobile Video Alliance and co-founder of the LTE-Broadcast Global Alliance.