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Tributes to departing Ben
Thursday May 15th 2008. Posted: 15:10
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Recorded tributes to Ben Verwaayen were screened at today's results presentation
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Leading corporate customers and heads of competitor organisations to BT have been paying tribute today (Thursday) to Ben Verwaayen as he presented his final set of BT results before retiring as chief executive.
The tributes were screened before an audience of analysts and financial journalists at a presentation of BT’s fourth quarter and full year results in the auditorium at BT Centre in London. Tom Glocer, chief executive of Thomson Reuters - one of BT’s biggest customers - said: “It’s a pleasure for me to salute my friend Ben Verwaayen. I think he’s done a truly remarkable job at BT over the years.” Tom said inevitable snags cropped up in putting together a huge telecoms outsourcing deal but, on several occasions, he received a call from Ben who suggested meeting for a coffee to resolve the issues. “He’d come around, we’d have a short coffee, we’d hit exactly what the issue was and he’d leave and the team would get over the roadblock,” said Tom. “That happened two or three times and, for me, it really came to symbolise Ben’s personal commitment and a very ‘can do’ customer-focused attitude. So for that, and everything you’ve done for BT and for UK industry, thanks Ben.” Vodafone chief executive Arun Sarin said: “The telecoms industry is going through a lot of change and you require good leaders to change large, complicated companies. “And I think Ben has done that. Whether it’s in the area of broadband or in the area of global enterprises, we will, as an industry, miss your leadership.” The Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone said: “I’ve tried to make your life as much of a misery as I could but I don’t think I’ve totally succeeded and you’ve had a fantastic reign at BT. “I’d just like to personally pay you tribute and say, whilst we always competed very hard, I think it was always done in good spirit and both sides always played fair - and that’s really a great tribute to you. The very best of luck in whatever you do next.”
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Last updated:
14:55