BT on Tuesday announced the creation of a new technology unit – Digital – to lead its digital innovation agenda, effective from 1 April 2021.
The new unit will focus on the development and rapid delivery of innovative products, platforms and services in key areas such as healthcare and data.
To lead the new unit, BT has appointed Harmeen Mehta as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, reporting directly to Chief Executive Philip Jansen and as a member of the Executive Committee. Harmeen Mehta will work closely with Philip, the Board, the Chief Technology Officer and BT’s customer facing units to drive the company’s digital transformation. The new Digital unit will include accountability for IT, digital innovation, BT-wide business transformation and data and product strategy.
Harmeen Mehta joins from global telecommunications provider Bharti Airtel, where she’s spent the last seven years as Group CIO, as well as leading their cloud and security businesses. She has 24 years’ experience leading digital, engineering, IT and innovation transformation. Before Bharti Airtel, Harmeen held CIO positions at BBVA, HSBC and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Howard Watson will become Chief Technology Officer, leading the team accountable for network strategy, networks transformation and service platforms, as well as retaining accountability for cyber and information security. The continued focus on network leadership and partnership with customer facing units on converged services and experiences will leverage the strength of BT’s superior networks to differentiate its services for its customers.
Supporting the acceleration of BT’s technology transformation, BT also announced a non-executive Technology Advisory Board (“TAB”) to provide insight, provocation and external perspective to the Executive Committee on emerging technologies, market and societal trends.
Philip Jansen, Chief Executive, BT
The creation of BT Digital will enable us to focus on the areas where we can have the greatest impact, delivering digital platforms that bring together best-in-class services for our customers, and fully embracing new technologies such as AI and machine learning.
Harmeen Mehta, In-coming Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, BT
BT is an institution with deep roots and a rich and fabulous past of serving customers and multinationals in the UK and globally. I am really excited to be part of the future of BT as we build a customer centric digital organisation bringing new products and services to delight our customers and create new opportunities of digital growth in the business.
