BT chief stengthening links with public sector
BT has appointed a new senior executive, Jon Reynolds, to head up its public sector business in Wales and implement a new strategic direction to increase local focus nationwide.
He will lead a sales team of 21, with a strategic focus on building local relationships and driving business with Welsh agencies such as local authorities, NHS boards, universities and housing associations.
Having lived and worked in Wales and the south west of England for more than 30 years Jon has worked in a variety of roles for BT for 28 years. Jon has been the regional director for BT in the South West Since 2009, is a regional CBI Council member and already sits on the BT Wales Board.
BT has more than 400 public sector customers across Wales and the South West and Jon will be focused on increasing its market share across both.
Mr Reynolds said: “The public sector remains under enormous pressure to reduce costs and be more efficient, against a backdrop of increasing demand for digital social care and other essential services.
“Technology is a huge enabler and BT’s IT services and expertise, backed by high-speed, secure, global networks, can help our customers meet these seemingly conflicting goals.
“We’re making massive investments in technologies and innovations, customer service and, not least, fixed and mobile networks, which gives us a great opportunity to combine services for our public sector customers, current and future.”
He added: “The way the public sector procures IT business has changed dramatically in recent years, with an end to large, centralised contracts, and more localised decisions and sharing of services. Our strategic direction reflects that.
“I’m very pleased to be taking on this new role to revitalise and strengthen BT’s relationships with our colleagues in the public sector in Wales.”
As director of public sector in Wales, Mr Reynolds will work closely with BT Cymru Wales director Alwen Williams and will continue to sit on BT’s Welsh board.
Ms Williams said: “Jon’s appointment marks a new strategic direction for our Public Sector division, with significant investment and focus at a local level, at a time when many of our competitors are pulling back.
“I’m sure our public sector customers will welcome this renewed focus and commitment from BT as they negotiate the major IT infrastructure and digital transformation programmes that will be necessary in the years ahead.
“With such a strong presence and unrivalled capabilities in Wales, we are ideally placed to support them.”