BT promotes Petter to consumer division head

BT has promoted John Petter to run its consumer division, as predicted in Marketing Week this week. The news follows the announcement that consumer managing director Gavin Patterson is moving up to head BT Retail, of which the consumer division is a part.

Petter, who is currently chief operating officer of BT Retail, will take up his new role on May 1. He will not be replaced as chief operating officer.

Petter, who joined BT from Telewest in 2004, has worked closely with Patterson in the past, at both Telewest and Procter & Gamble as well as BT. The two have overall responsibility for BT’s marketing strategy.

Patterson says: “It’s great news that we’ve been able to make this appointment from within the business and John’s wealth of experience, together with a deep understanding of the marketplace, will continue to drive and deliver the consumer strategy moving forward.”

Patterson will replace Ian Livingston as chief executive of BT Retail. Livingston has been promoted to succeed Ben Verwaayen as group chief executive.

Petter and Patterson are behind BT’s series of consumer ads featuring thirty-something character Adam – played by Kris Marshall – and his partner’s family.