Gavin Patterson Keynote Speaker

Former Chief Executive of BT Group
Led the acquisition of EE and BT's move into sport
One of the most influential people in new media

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Gavin Patterson's Biography

Gavin Patterson, served as Chief Executive, BT for almost six years from 2013-19. BT is a global communications services company bringing together the best networks and technology with the expertise of its people, to enable businesses to grow, communities to thrive and individuals to get more out of life.

Patterson led the completion of the superfast fibre broadband rollout which now provides almost universal coverage and initiated the first stage of network deployment ultrafast fibre- to-the-home technology. He negotiated the £15billion acquisition of EE, which enabled BT to form the UK’s leading converged communications provider. Patterson initiated BT’s entry into content with the launch of the award-winning BT Sport, led the development of BT’s market leading cyber security practice and championed BT’s globally recognised social purpose agenda covering sustainability, volunteering and tech literacy in schools. He served as a group board director for 11 years.

Patterson joined BT in January 2004 as Group Managing Director Consumer and was promoted to Executive Director, CEO BT Retail in 2008 taking responsibility for BT’s business in UK and Ireland, across consumer and enterprise. He previously spent four years at Virgin Media, latterly as Managing Director Consumer Division, where he launched broadband in the UK. Prior to this, he spent nine years at Procter and Gamble, rising to become European Marketing Director.

From 2010-13, Patterson served on the advisory board of the Cambridge University Judge Business School and from 2011-14, he was President of the Advertising Association. As BT Chief Executive, Patterson co-chaired the UK Government’s Cyber Partnership and served as a member of CBI President’s Committee, British American Business Council, and International Business Council of World Economic Forum.

Patterson is currently a Non-Executive Director at British Airways plc; Trustee of the British Museum; serves on the board of the charity Movement to Work, is as a Vice President of the Royal Television Society and a fellow of the Institute of Telecommunications Professionals.

He graduated from Cambridge University with a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering and is married with four children.