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Press hails Ben’s BT reign
Friday May 16th 2008. Posted: 12:23
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The press has reported how Ben Verwaayen is leaving BT on a high note
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Press coverage today (Friday) of BT’s fourth quarter and full year financial results has highlighted how BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen is leaving the company on a high.
The Financial Times reports how video tributes from leading corporate customers and heads of competitor organisations to BT were played at yesterday’s results presentation at BT Centre in London - the last before Ben’s retirement. Further results coverage in the FT appears under the headline: BT’s Verwaayen will prove a hard act to follow. The Times reports that Ben is leaving BT “on a high note” and says his final public act as chief executive was to announce a pledge for further growth in sales and further cuts in costs. The Daily Telegraph’s coverage appears under the headline: It’s time to relax as Ben Verwaayen looks to the future. The paper says Ben has presented his last results as BT chief executive and says he suggested he could return as the chief executive of another FTSE 100 firm, although categorically not in direct competition with “his people” at BT. The Guardian reports: “Ben Verwaayen’s departure from BT is heralded by high spirits. He has transformed the former monopoly’s fortunes and has won the respect of people such as Carphone Warehouse’s Charles Dunstone and Arun Sarin, the chief executive of Vodafone. “Verwaayen's guiding hand has seen the telecoms firm shift decisively into services and broadband provision as a bulwark against falling core revenues.” The Daily Mail’s coverage is headlined: BT’s high flying Dutchman leaves challenges behind. The paper says Ben has left BT on forecast-beating revenue levels and a boosted share price. The Daily Express says Ben and former BT chairman Sir Christopher Bland are credited with the transformation of the service offering from BT, shifting into broadband and corporate service provision. The paper suggests that Ben’s successor Ian Livingston “has a tough act to follow”.
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Last updated:
09:55