Jon James appointed CEO of BT’s Business Division

BT Group plc announces that Jon James has been appointed CEO of BT Business, as it becomes focused on the UK, and a member of its Executive Committee. He will start in his new role on 3 March 2025.

Jon joins BT Group from the leading Danish telecoms provider, Nuuday, where he has been CEO since 2021, leading its transformation and return to growth.

Allison Kirkby, CEO of BT Group, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Jon to BT, and to be working with him again. Jon’s considerable experience from the UK and European telecoms markets, together with his track record in leading businesses through transformation, will be hugely valuable as we fully focus BT Business on the UK.”

Jon James said: “I am excited and honoured to join BT as CEO of BT Business, the UK’s leader in B2B telecoms. BT Business has an unbeatable combination of deep customer relationships and world-class technology expertise, and I am looking forward to working with Allison, Bas and the BT Business team as we build an even stronger asset for our customers, our shareholders and for the UK.”

At the start of this financial year BT announced that it would look to optimise its international operations, including via potential partnerships, to enable it to become a UK-centric business. With the addition of Jon to the executive team, Bas Burger, current CEO of Business, will be able to devote all of his time to the optimisation of BT’s international operations and explore options for the unit.

Allison Kirkby said: “I’d like to thank Bas for his leadership of BT Business. His extensive knowledge of the telecoms market for multinational corporations and deep relationships with key partners, vendors and customers will be invaluable as we progress with options for our international business.”

Jon has nearly 30 years’ experience in the European TMT sector, including the UK and Scandinavia. He has a track record in business turnarounds, most recently leading the transformation and return to growth of the leading Danish telecoms provider, Nuuday, where he was CEO from 2021 until the end of 2024.

Jon has previously worked with leading private equity houses (2019-2021), as the CEO of Tele2 Netherlands (2017-19), and Chief Operating Officer at Swedish cable operator, Com Hem (2014-2016), and previously held senior roles at Virgin Media (2007-2013).

Jon, a UK national, is married with two children and, together with his wife, is the co-founder of Space2Grow, an award-winning charity offering support for local families.

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