Courts boss to head BT broadband arm

Courts deputy managing director and former marketer Gary Tubb is leaving the company to become chief executive of British Telecom’s home communications division.

Tubb will be responsible for developing the consumer hardware offers, including digital phones and broadband, that are supplied through BT’s retail network, including Dixons Group. He will also be chairman of BT’s home computing business. Tubb will report to BT consumer and ventures group managing director Gavin Patterson.

Tubb joined Courts as sales and marketing director nearly two years ago, after quitting as sales and marketing director at London Electricity Group (MW November 7, 2002). Prior to that, he was marketing director at Dixons-owned The Link.

Courts is looking for a marketing director to replace Tubb. Marketing consultant Mike Ryan, a former group marketing chief for First Choice, is taking charge of marketing in the meantime.

At Courts, Tubb was involved in developing a new strategy for the furniture retailer, moving it away from a ” cheap and cheerful” positioning. The aim is to establish the store as one-stop shop for home furnishings, including furniture, flooring, bedding and upholstery.