Appointment
British Telecommunications PLC
7 September 2001
September 7, 2001
mmO2 APPOINTS DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, HEAD OF INVESTOR
RELATIONS AND HEAD OF FINANCE
mmO2, the mobile media business due to be demerged from BT, today announced
three further appointments - a Director of Corporate Communications, a Head of
Investor Relations and a Head of Finance. Richard Poston takes on the role of
Director of Communications effective from 10th September, 2001, reporting to
mmO2 Chief Executive Officer, Peter Erskine. David Boyd, will take on the role
of Head of Investor Relations, starting later this month, reporting to Chief
Finance Officer, David Finch. Ronan Dunne is also joining as Head of Finance
for mmO2 effective immediately. He will also report to David Finch.
Richard Poston, was formerly the Director of Communications for TI Group plc.
He was a member of TI Group's executive board reporting to the Chairman and
Chief Executive and was responsible for increasing the awareness and
reputation of the company on an international basis. Prior to this role,
Richard was Director of Corporate Communications at Racal Electronics plc from
1994 to 1999. Over this period Richard was responsible for managing an
in-house team to deliver effective communications during the successful growth
of Racal Telecom and the foundation and launch of Camelot, the National
Lottery operator. Richard has 15 years experience in the communications
industry, with particular expertise in investor relations, financial public
relations and public affairs.
David Boyd, was formerly Head of Investor Relations at J.Sainsbury plc. Prior
to this, he held a senior commercial role at BG Group plc. He was previously
Head of Investor Relations at BG Group for three years following the British
Gas demerger in 1997, and was responsible for developing and implementing the
new company's investor communication programme. David has significant
experience working with both the UK and the international investment
communities.
Ronan Dunne will have specific responsibility for the Treasury and Financial
Planning and Analysis functions. Ronan, joins mmO2 from Exel plc where he was
Head of Strategic Finance and Integration, having previously held the position
of Director of Treasury. Previously, he held senior management positions at
Waste Management International plc and Banque Nationale de Paris. Ronan brings
broad-based financial experience gained from both the corporate and financial
sectors.
Peter Erskine, Chief Executive Officer, mmO2, said: 'I am very pleased to
welcome Richard Poston and David Boyd to mmO2. Richard and David both have
substantial experience in communications to media and investors and will be
invaluable to us as we move forward as a demerged company and continue with
our aim to be a leading player in the international mobile media market.'
David Finch, Chief Finance Officer for mmO2, said: ' I am happy to welcome
Ronan to the finance department. He brings with him a wealth of experience
that will help to set a strong strategic financial framework for the
business.'
Notes to Editors
Following the planned demerger from BT, mmO2 will have wholly owned operations
in the UK (BT Cellnet), Germany (VIAG Interkom), The Netherlands (Telfort),
the Republic of Ireland (Esat Digifone) and the Isle of Man (Manx Telecom) and
will also include Genie, which is one of Europe's leading mobile internet
businesses.
Following its proposed demerger from BT, mmO2 will own third generation
licences to operate 3G mobile services in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands
- all territories where its operating companies have already launched GPRS
services. mmO2 expects to apply for a 3G licence in Ireland when the
application process commences.
mmO2 plc applies to the holding company and O2 will be the brand of the
customer facing businesses of mmO2 plc.
This press announcement, which has been prepared by and is the sole
responsibility of mmO2 limited, has been approved solely for the purposes of
section 57 of the Financial Services Act 1986 by Merrill Lynch International,
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and Salomon Brothers International
Limited which are regulated in the UK by The Securities and Futures Authority
Limited.
Merrill Lynch International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and
Salomon Brothers International Limited are advising mmO2 limited and British
Telecommunications plc in relation to the proposed demerger and no-one else
and will not be responsible to anyone other than mmO2 limited and British
Telecommunications plc for providing the protections afforded to the customers
of Merrill Lynch International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and
Salomon Brothers International Limited in relation to the proposed demerger.
This announcement does not constitute, or form part of an offer, or
solicitation of an offer, to purchase or subscribe securities.
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Inquiries about this news release should be made to BT Group Newsroom on the
24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK, dial +44 7356 5369,
or to Fiona Fong, Brunswick, 020 7404 5959.
More information about the company can be accessed at the website www.02.com