BT names new chairman

Telecoms giant BT said today that Michael Rake will become its next chairman when Christopher Bland steps down from the post in September.

Mr Rake, 59, is currently chairman of accountancy firm KPMG International, and played an important role in expanding KPMG’s global business.

BT said Rake would bring his international experience to the group as it continued to grow its businesses worldwide.

Bland, who became BT’s chairman in 2001, said he was delighted to be handing over the chairmanship of BT to “such a distinguished international businessman”.

The former chairman of the board of BBC governors added: “Michael has demonstrated outstanding leadership of a major global organisation during a time of considerable turbulence and change. I have every confidence that he will bring those same qualities of leadership to BT.”