BT’s new London leader pledges support to Capital's digital future

The new head of BT’s regional board for London has pledged that the company will play a leading role in the future “fantastic” success of the capital.

Mark Hendricks, who has just taken over as chair, said the company was in a great position to boost London’s future success and economic growth.

The company, based in Newgate Street, near St Paul’s, is one of London’s largest private sector investors and employers with thousands of people working in the capital and across all of the London boroughs[1].

Mark, 43, whose BT career spans 18 years, will lead the board and direct BT’s activities to ensure the company remains a leading force in the capital. He has previously worked in BT’s Global Services and former Retail divisions, focusing mainly on business-to-business finance roles. Mark is currently the chief financial officer for BT’s Business and Public Sector unit, a role he will retain whilst leading BT’s regional board for London.

He said: “London is one of the world’s great cities and I want to ensure that BT plays a leading role in ensuring that the capital continues to be a fantastic place for growth, innovation and opportunity. High-speed communications are the lifeblood of any modern community and BT is in a great position to help London develop further as a world leader. We welcome the opportunity to work with government, local authorities, business organisations and local communities to develop an exciting future for London.

“We are one of the capital’s major private sector employers and investors and very much at the heart of local communities across London, who rely on the products and services we provide. Few organisations have a more positive and direct impact on London’s local economy and community than BT.

“For example, more than 96 per cent2 of households and businesses in London already have access to superfast broadband, a technology which can play a vital part in helping businesses become more competitive.”

[1] An independent study carried out by Regeneris Consulting revealed that in 2016 BT gave a £6.06 billion boost to the London economy and that around 14,100 people were directly employed by BT and its EE business in London.

[2] More than 96% of premises in London already have access to superfast fibre broadband according to the independent thinkbroadband.com website.