JT has announced changes to its executive committee in a move designed to give the business ‘greater freedom to drive forward, transform and grow’.
As part of the changes, Katie Corbett takes on the new role of chief commercial officer, while Tom Noel becomes chief product officer, having spent two years as director of corporate affairs and sustainability.
Their appointments follow a review of the executive committee undertaken by JT group’s chief executive Daragh McDermott and the board, following his appointment in April.
Commenting on the moves, Mr McDermott said: ‘There are a lot of benefits to taking a step back and carrying out a thorough health check of the team that lead the execution of the company’s strategy and, with the support of the new chair, Meriel Lenfestey, and the JT board, this was the opportunity to do just that. Our strategy is the right one for our customers and our other wide set of stakeholders, and this has not changed. But we also have an ever-changing set of challenges to manage, as we transform and grow, and the appointments of Katie and Tom to these new roles will ensure greater freedom to drive our business forward with innovative new products and a focus on providing the very best service to our customers.’
With over 25 years’ experience in the telecommunications industry, Ms Corbett began her career at JT in 2010 in the corporate sales team. She will now manage the commercial activities for all JT client engagement globally.
She said: ‘The hundreds of people that make up JT have faced extraordinary challenges over the last couple of years and, along with so many other professionals, have worked extremely hard to overcome them. As a business, we are constantly reviewing how we manage our core activities and our people, and I believe the changes we are announcing will give many of them new opportunities to develop their careers and take this fantastic company forward.’
Mr Noel will lead the teams developing JT’s product range, and will also take on responsibility for growing JT’s Fraud Protection Services business. Having joined JT in 2015, he oversaw the newly formed JT International division and built up the IoT business, which sold last year at a valuation of £200m.
He added: ‘Our strategy to serve and give back to our communities hasn’t changed, but our leadership needs the tools to improve and progress.
‘JT has seen many changes throughout its long history and while we are moving through these challenging times, customers expect us to adapt to changing economic and political landscapes, and to do so quickly.
‘The plans we put in place over the coming months, will ensure we continue to serve our customers, our people and our business well into the future.’
