Committee role and activities

The Committee’s terms of reference are available from the Company Secretary and are posted on our website at www.bt.com/committees The Nominating Committee ensures an appropriate balance of experience and abilities on the Board, using this evaluation to review the size and composition of the Board and to recommend any proposed changes to the Board.
     It keeps under review the need for appointments to the Board, prepares a description of the specific experience and skills needed for an appointment, considers candidates who are put forward by the directors and external consultants, and recommends to the Board the appointments of all directors after having met short-listed candidates. It also reviews the time required from the Deputy Chairman and other non-executive directors to carry out their duties and advises the Board on succession planning for the positions of the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Chief Executive and all other Board appointments. The process for the appointment of Sir Michael Rake as Chairman was detailed in last year’s Annual Report & Form 20-F.
     The Committee met six times during the 2008 financial year. It reviewed Board succession, the size, profile and composition of the Board, and the Board and Committee evaluation questionnaire and process. Under the leadership of the Chairman, the Committee, supported by the Committee’s appointed search consultants, MWM, conducted a thorough international search process to identify candidates for the position of Chief Executive and consequently of CEO BT Retail, and recommended to the Board the appointments of Ian Livingston and Gavin Patterson respectively.
     The Committee also reviewed and recommended to the Board, following rigorous review, the continued appointment of Carl Symon for a further three years, and the new appointments of Patricia Hewitt and Eric Daniels.
     The minutes of Nominating Committee meetings are sent, at their request, to directors who are not members of the Committee, where appropriate to do so.

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