World-class sailor Ellen MacArthur has become BT’s global ambassador for its worldwide corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme Better World.
It is part of a 3 year global agreement with the Offshore Challenge Sailing Team that will see the company become title sponsor of BT Team Ellen.
The agreement includes the lead sponsorship of two boats in addition to Ellen becoming a Better World ambassador. BT says this new partnership is designed not just to win races, but also to raise awareness of how enhanced communications and technology can help create a better world.
BT Team Ellen will bring together Ellen (representing Great Britain) with sailors Sébastien Josse (France) and Nick Moloney (Australia), alongside other sailing talent.
These sailors will race a BT sponsored boat in the IMOCA World Ocean Racing Championship 2008-10 – including Sébastien’s challenge for the solo 2008 Vendée Globe, and an Extreme 40 in the European Sailing Series 2007-08.
Ellen said: “I am really looking forward to leading the way with BT Team Ellen. First and foremost I’m a sailor – and have a clear goal for our sailing team to be successful on the water as well as to grow the team of sailors and help younger talent emerge.
“There’s only one way to win top-tier racing events and that’s to work with the best the world has to offer, so it’s fantastic to have BT on board.
“This new partnership with BT perfectly complements my own personal – and the team’s – objectives for the future. I also know how valuable IT and communications can be as a means of achieving your goals. By working as an ambassador for BT’s CSR projects, we’ll be able to draw much more attention to those issues that affect people across the globe.”
BT will be working in partnership with Cisco on BT Team Ellen.