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BT puts new head on 10-year-old network arm Openreach

One-time state monopoly promotes internal candidate

Clive Selley is to become the new chief executive of BT Openreach, replacing incumbent Joe Garner, who is set to become chief exec of the Nationwide Building Society.

Selley is currently CEO of BT Technology, Service and Operations and will assume his role at Openreach in the first quarter of this year.

Garner has only been at the telco for two years, having previously headed HSBC’s British banking operation. He handed in his notice back in November last year.

Openreach was created 10 years ago today. However, the outfit's future within BT remains uncertain as regulator Ofcom ponders whether to break up BT's broadband monopoly by spinning off the division.

Selley said: "I am honoured to have been asked to lead Openreach at this important point in its history. The huge investment it has made over the past decade has made the UK a broadband leader, and we need to build on those foundations by deploying fibre to further communities and by rolling out ultrafast broadband."

He added: "Customer service is a top priority of mine and I am committed to delivering further improvements by working closely with all industry partners who rely on our network to serve their customers."

Gavin Patterson, BT Group CEO, said: "Clive is a hugely talented individual and I am delighted he has agreed to lead Openreach. He has an unrivalled knowledge of networks and engineering and is ideally suited to take the UK from a superfast nation to an ultrafast one. He supports our vision for the UK's digital future and will play a key role in ensuring that businesses, consumers and communities receive the services they need and deserve."

Selley is currently responsible for twelve thousand staff, eight thousand contractors and a multi-billion pound budget. He also chairs BT's cyber security council. ®

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