BT appoints Olivia Garfield as its new Openreach chief

BT (NYSE: BT) did not have to look to far in finding a new CEO for its Openreach division. The service provider turned to Olivia Garfield, who currently serves as BT Director of Strategy and Regulatory Affairs.

Garfield takes the helm from Steve Robertson, who has overseen Openreach since its inception in 2005 is leaving the service provider to pursue other opportunities. Robertson will remain at BT to help transition the leadership to Garfield.

Founded as a mandate of the UK government to create a more competitive broadband marketplace, Openreach now serves about 500 competitive service providers. Garfield will be tasked with building the foundations that Robertson laid during his six year tenure, including the ongoing build out of its Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) and Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) networks.   

"Competition in UK telecommunications has led to low prices and innovative new services, and my aim is to ensure that continues," Garfield said, adding that "Fibre broadband is the future and I am determined to make it available to as many homes and businesses as possible via a wide range of providers."

Taking Garfield's place as Group Strategy Director will be Sean Williams, the current head of Strategy for BT Retail.  

For more:
- see the release

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