BT appoints senior executive to lead Public Sector business in the Midlands

BT has appointed one of its senior executives, Ricky Ricketts, to head up its public sector business in the Midlands and implement a new strategic direction.

Ricky has already had a long and successful career with the company including being BT’s representative during the successful London 2012 Olympics bid, as well as leading the BT Local Business market of 1.1 million small-medium sized businesses and education customers.

One of his first tasks is to establish a dedicated team of ‘trusted advisors’ to engage with around 350 public sector customers throughout the Midlands and highlight the massive capability BT has to offer. This includes local government authorities, NHS boards, universities and housing associations.

A BT veteran of more than 16 years, Ricky initially started out life as a cricketer for Hampshire, so it’s no surprise he quickly became a safe pair of hands in a number of roles for BT including group sales manager, director of local business, and most recently chief commercial officer for one of the company’s international partnerships.

Speaking about his new appointment, Ricky said: “My focus is to give our customers the best experience possible by recruiting the finest people from across the region in all sectors.”

“The public sector remains under enormous pressure to reduce costs and be more efficient, against a backdrop of increasing demand for digital social care and other essential services.

“Technology is a huge enabler and BT’s IT services and expertise, backed by high-speed, secure, global networks, can help our customers meet these seemingly conflicting goals.

“We are making massive investments in technologies and innovations, customer service and, not least, fixed and mobile networks, which gives us a great opportunity to combine services for our public sector customers, current and future.”

“The way the public sector procures IT business has changed dramatically in recent years, with an end to large, centralised contracts, and more localised decisions and sharing of services. Our strategic direction reflects that. However we need to earn the right to have these conversations first by fully understanding our customers’ strategies and ensuring they receive a world class level of service. ”

“I’m delighted to be accountable for revitalising and strengthening the company’s relationships with our colleagues in the public sector across the West and East Midlands.”

As executive director of Public Sector in the Midlands, Ricky will work closely alongside BT’s chair of the West Midlands regional board, Colin Bannon, and BT’s chair of the East Midlands regional board, Owen Moody.