Kelly’s the (latest!) hero for BT Global Services

Former US EDS chief to replace Hanif Lalani in March; Jeff Kelly becomes the third CEO at the beleaguered division in just over a year.

BT Global Services has unveiled Jeff Kelly as its third CEO in just over a year. A former US chief at IT services firm EDS (now part of Hewlett Packard), Kelly replaces Hanif Lalani - who only took up the increasingly perceived poisoned chalice in late 2008.

The new appointment will take effect from March.

The division has experienced troubled times in recent years. At the end of October 2009, BT Group released a statement in which it described the performance of BT Global Services as ‘disappointing’, despite its continued turnover growth. The company at the time blamed lower EBITDA figures on “slower than anticipated delivery of efficiency savings and the continued decline in higher margin UK business.”

BT CEO, Ian Livingston acknowledged in the autumn that the performance of BT Global Services was “unsatisfactory”, but added the company was “committed to taking decisive action to rectify the situation.”

Speaking about his new appointment, Jeff Kelly said: “I am thrilled to be joining BT at such an exciting time. I know from experience that Global Services enjoys a terrific reputation for its customer service and client base. My job is to build on those foundations and create a business that delivers value to BT’s shareholders as well as its customers. Globalisation is here to stay and BT can help companies make the most of the opportunity it presents”.

Livingston defended Lalani’s departure, and commented: “Hanif took over as CEO of Global Services at a difficult time for the division.  He and his team firstly stabilised and then started to turn around the business delivering significantly improved financial results and world class customer service.  We are very grateful to Hanif for his hard work in achieving this”.