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Luis 'Alvarez to become CEO of BT Global Services


Johannesburg, 18 Sep 2012

BT today announced that Luis 'Alvarez is to become CEO, BT Global Services, from 1 October 2012. Alvarez has been with BT for 12 years in a variety of roles, most recently President of BT Global Services Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. He brings a wealth of global experience and knowledge with him.

'Alvarez will take over from Jeff Kelly, who has decided to return to the US following almost three years as CEO, BT Global Services. Under Kelly's leadership, BT Global Services has firmly established itself as a global leader in the provision of managed networked IT services to global corporations and governments around the world. The financial performance of the business has substantially improved in that period and its risk profile and delivery capabilities have been transformed.

When Kelly returns to the US, he will continue to be part of the BT team, as a senior executive advisor to BT in the US in a part-time capacity. His deep experience of the US market and relationships with key customers will help the team to further build the business in that region.

BT Global Services has been transformed in recent years and Alvarez will lead the team to ensure the very high levels of support received by its customers continue to improve. The business has won industry recognition and numerous awards during the past three years, including the Best Global Operator at the World Communications Awards two years in a row.

'Alvarez said: "I am passionate about BT Global Services and see great opportunities for us in the marketplace. I have a deep understanding of what our customers want and I also know what we can do to build an even better and more efficient business. The global economy is going through a period of rapid change and the BT Global Services team is well placed to support companies through that period of uncertainty and opportunity. We have a strong business in the UK, mature operations in key economies, and are expanding our presence in the fastest growing parts of the world. These are strong foundations that we will build on."

Ian Livingston, chief executive, BT Group, said: "Jeff has transformed BT Global Services and I would like to thank him for his contribution. BT Global Services is in a much better place than it was when Jeff joined us, and I am delighted that he is staying on to advise us in his home market."

Enquiries about this news release should be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: (020) 7356 5369. From outside the UK, dial (+44) 20 7356 5369. E-mail: newsroom@bt.com.

All BT news releases can be accessed at: http://www.btplc.com/News.

Biography: Luis 'Alvarez

Luis 'Alvarez was appointed CEO of BT Global Services with effect from 1 October 2012.

Prior to his appointment, 'Alvarez had been president of the European, Middle East, Africa and Latin American operations of BT from 2007. In this role, he led an organisation of around 15 000 people, serving some of BT's most significant European and global customers, including BMW, Media Saturn, Mediaset, Repsol, Caixa Galicia, NATO, the European Parliament, Ecopetrol, Compartel, Correios and many others. He also led BT's Global Telecom Markets (GTM), in charge of business with carriers and operators outside the UK, and BT Advise, the professional services division, delivering consulting, systems integration and managed services around the world. He directed BT's growth acceleration programmes for Latin America, announced in October 2011, and for the Middle East and Africa, announced in February 2012.

'Alvarez joined BT in April 1999 as multimedia and Internet director, responsible for the scoping and development of BT's Internet services. From January 2001, 'Alvarez managed BT's Spanish and Portuguese, and later Latin American operations as country manager, where he oversaw a period of significant business growth.

Prior to joining BT, 'Alvarez started his professional career at Ericsson and later moved to IBM. In 1987, 'Alvarez joined Grupo Santander, where he held several management positions in IT, including data processing and systems development. 'Alvarez then became director of Electronic Banking at Banesto.

'Alvarez was born in 1961 and holds a telecommunications engineering degree from UPM, Madrid. He complemented his education at ESADE, IMD and Tuck University.

'Alvarez has received several awards, including one from ComputerWorld in recognition of his international career, the "Manager of the Year" award, from Directivo Plus, and "Engineer of the Year" from the Spanish Association of Telecommunications Engineers (AEIT) in 2009. He was recently presented with an award by ESIC, Spain's leading business school, in recognition of his career and professional achievements.

He is a member of various business associations and is frequently called upon to speak at ICT sector international conferences and forums, including the World Economic Forum, in Davos.

'Alvarez is passionate about BT's work in the area of sustainability and has sponsored a number of highly regarded corporate social responsibility initiatives in Spain, Brazil and Colombia.

'Alvarez is married and has four children.

'Alvarez quotes

"There are great opportunities for UK companies seeking to grow in economies around the world. BT Global Services can play a key role in linking them with new customers, new markets and new suppliers."

"BT Global Services already leads the pack in its industry on a global scale, and I'll make sure we increase that leadership through innovative products and high quality of service, made available wherever business opportunities exist."

"Most of the world's top brands are our customers, in all sectors of activity. I will make sure they get the best possible service from us, and benefit from our investments in innovative portfolio, professional services and geographical reach."

"My passion is to help businesses and government organisations be successful in a fast-moving economy. We offer them fantastic technology and great expertise, and it is available all over the world, wherever business opportunities exist."

"I've recently spoken with business and government leaders across Latin America, the Middle-East and Africa, and found the same energy and appetite for innovation we had already found in the Asia-Pacific region when we decided to accelerate our growth strategy in those countries."

"There are many opportunities out there for well-established companies headquartered in Europe or the US, as well as for those emerging giants headquartered in the growing countries. Global Services is what brings it all together."

"Two weeks ago, I was in Bogota talking with Colombian ministers and business people, and they all expressed enthusiasm for the way we invest to help global companies grow in their country, and how we help Colombian corporations and government organisations be successful locally and globally."

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BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and Internet products and services; and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2012, BT Group's revenue was lb18.897 million with profit before taxation of lb2.445 million.

British Telecommunications (BT) is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

For more information, visit www.btplc.com.

Editorial contacts

Gary Scallan
Scallan Communications
(+27) 11 425 0398
scallan@worldonline.co.za