Mike McTighe to be first ever Openreach Chairman
As part of Ofcom’s Digital Communications Review (DCR), we announced in July we had volunteered to make governance changes to further enhance the independence, autonomy and transparency of Openreach.
There are many areas of alignment between BT and Ofcom about the DCR, including the creation of an Openreach Chairman and Board with a majority of independent members. This will establish a more independent Openreach to serve the needs of industry. The Board will be accountable for setting the strategy and overseeing and managing the performance of Openreach, working with Clive Selley and his leadership team. It will also ensure Openreach continues to treat all customers equally.
Today we’re delighted to announce that Mike McTighe has been appointed Chairman of Openreach from January. Mike will oversee the new Openreach Board which will operate from early 2017 and he will be instrumental in selecting further independent members to join the Board. Mike is an experienced telecoms executive and regulator who spent eight years on the Board of Ofcom. Openreach will benefit from his detailed industry and regulatory knowledge.
We know for colleagues, particularly those in Openreach, Ofcom’s review has been unsettling. However, we’ve said all along that we believe the changes we’ve proposed are the right thing to do to improve customer service and how Openreach works with industry.
We remain in discussion with Ofcom to reach a voluntary agreement which we believe is the best way forward. Further updates on this and the structure of the Openreach Board will follow as soon as details become available. We’re hopeful that this significant move can help underpin a sustainable, proportionate and fair regulatory settlement that is in the interests of all concerned.
Gavin
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