BT consumer head steps up to take control of retail division
BTs consumer chief Gavin Patterson has been promoted to run BT Retail as part of a reshuffle triggered by the departure of group chief executive Ben Verwaayen.
BT’s consumer chief Gavin Patterson has been promoted to run BT Retail as part of a reshuffle triggered by the departure of group chief executive Ben Verwaayen.
Patterson, who has overall responsibility for BT’s marketing strategy as managing director of the consumer division, takes up his new role, which includes becoming a
board member, on June 1.
As chief executive of BT Retail, Patterson will be in charge of the company’s largest division with annual revenues of more than £8bn. The consumer unit is part of BT
Retail, which also includes BT Business, BT Ireland and BT Enterprises.
Patterson replaces Ian Livingston, who has been promoted to the group chief executive role, taking over from Verwaayen, who is stepping down after more than six years,
on June 1.
Patterson joined BT in 2004 (MW November 20, 2003) to replace Angus Porter, who left to join Abbey (MW June 12, 2003). Patterson was managing director of Telewest’s
consumer division and European marketing director for Procter & Gamble’s third-largest brand Pantene.
As managing director of BT’s consumer division, Patterson worked closely with John Petter – another former P&G marketer – who is chief operating officer. He could be in
line to replace Patterson.
They are behind BT’s long-running consumer advertising campaign featuring thirty-something character Adam – played by Kris Marshall – and his partner’s family (MW
October 20, 2005).
BT’s director of group marketing and brand Suzi Williams until recently reported to Patterson, although her 30-strong brand team is now part of the communications division. Williams reports to group director of communications Peter Morgan in the new structure.
Patterson is a fellow of the Marketing Society and a member of the Marketing Group of Great Britain.
