BT spins off new tech unit, Digital, to be led by ex-Airtel CIO Harmeen Mehta

BT will be establishing a new technology unit, called Digital, that will embrace AI and machine learning. The spin-off company will create products, platforms and services, in areas such as healthcare and data. Further, Digital will majorly refocus BT’s technology operations. The new unit will be led by Harmeen Mehta, as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer. She joins from Bharti Airtel and will report directly to Chief Executive Philip Jansen.

Read More: Airtel appoints Pradipt Kapoor as CIO as Harmeen Mehta quits to move to London

About Digital

The new Digital unit will include accountability for IT, digital innovation, BT-wide business transformation and data and product strategy. Further, Howard Watson will become Chief Technology Officer. He will lead the team accountable for network strategy, networks transformation and service platforms. He will also retain accountability for cyber and information security.

BT is also setting up a non-executive Technology Advisory Board that will keep tabs on emerging technologies, market and societal trends. Members include Daniela Rus, Dame Wendy Hall, Steve King, Shweta Sharma, Mike Young, and John Stecher.

“The creation of BT Digital will enable us to focus on the areas where we can have the greatest impact, delivering digital platforms that bring together best-in-class services for our customers, and fully embracing new technologies such as AI and machine learning,” the Philip Jansen states.

The new segment will be live from April 01, 2021, whereas Mehta joins from March 01.

About Harmeen Mehta

Mehta joins BT from March 01, 2021, as Chief Digital and Innovation Officer. She will be responsible for IT, digital innovation, BT-wide business transformation and data and product strategy. Mehta joins from Bharti Airtel, where she was Group CIO. She has spent 2020 helping the Indian telco giant rediscover “the purpose of telecoms” as part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.