Bas Burger To Lead BT Operations In The US & Canada And Across Global Industry Sectors

IRVING, Texas, May 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BT announced the appointment of Bas Burger to the position of president of BT US & Canada and president for the Global Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and the Global Pharmaceutical and Chemical industry sectors.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130513/NY12415)

With a presence in the U.S. and Canada for more than 20 years, BT operates its own network infrastructure serving more than 1,000 customers in North America, including 74 percent of Fortune 500 companies. The CPG industry, which generates more than $2 trillion annually in revenues in the US alone[i], is supported by BT's Global CPG sector team which has specialists in more than 30 countries and supports leading brands such as Heinz, Mars and Unilever. The Global Pharmaceutical and Chemical sector team helps customers such as AstraZeneca, Novartis or Bristol-Myers Squibb collaborate effectively, comply with industry regulation, increase efficiency, manage risk and protect patient privacy, optimize research and development, secure the supply chains and capture data for trials.

Luis Alvarez, chief executive officer of BT Global Services said, "Many of the world's best known brands are headquartered in the US and are partnering with us. We have been transforming our business to serve them better, wherever they decide to expand.  Bas is absolutely focused on making sure our customers succeed in a rapidly changing world.  He knows the very specific requirements of our global sector customers and he is driving innovation to ensure that our services match those needs, be it in terms of "big data" management, security, collaboration or compliance. We are looking forward to Bas accelerating our journey to profitable growth across his strategic remit."

Bas Burger said: "I am very excited and honored to be taking the helm of our operations in US and Canada. I look forward to leveraging all that has already been achieved and building on BT's strengths in the region and across key global industry sectors. Our team of experts is passionate in serving our customers and is constantly innovating to make sure BT customers increase their competitive edge, at home and abroad."

Burger takes over from Kim McMann, who has decided to leave BT and spend time with her family. 

Bas Burger joined BT in 2008 as CEO for the Benelux. In that role he transformed operations, improving performance and customer service. In 2011, he became president for Global Commerce, responsible for BT's global business with multinational customers in the manufacturing, logistics and pharmaceutical sectors.

A Dutch native, Bas has more than 18 years of management experience in the global ICT sector, with companies such as Getronics and KPN.

For more information all news releases can be accessed at our web sites: http://www.globalservices.bt.com/us/en/news and http://www.btplc.com/news

About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2013, BT Group's revenue was £18,017m with profit before taxation of £2,501m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

[i] Forrester report, "Industry Essential: Consumer Packaged Goods Industry" December 28, 2009, By George Lawrie with Eric G. Brown, Sharyn Leaver, Varun Sedov

SOURCE BT