Board Appointment

RNS Announcement

For Immediate Release

Friday 27 March 2020

TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC ("TalkTalk")

TalkTalk Welcomes Broadband Network Pioneer to its Board

TalkTalk is pleased to announce that former BT Wholesale CEO and architect of the formation of Openreach, Paul Reynolds, will join TalkTalk's Board as an independent Non-Executive Director with effect from 1 April 2020.

With extensive global experience including as CEO of Telecom New Zealand, Paul brings significant sector, leadership and technological expertise to the Board.  Paul is currently appointed to the Boards of 9 Spokes International Limited and Computershare Limited which are both quoted on the Australian Stock Exchange.   Paul was previously appointed to the Board of Eircom Holdings Ireland Limited and Eircom Holdco S.A between December 2016 and April 2018.

TalkTalk CEO, Tristia Harrison, said:

"We are thrilled that Paul is joining us at a particularly important time for the sector. As a provider of critical national infrastructure, we are more aware than ever of our essential role providing affordable connectivity to the nation.

During Paul's three decades in telecoms, he has pioneered some major developments in industry structure both at BT where he laid the groundwork for Openreach, and internationally too. We're looking forward to drawing on that expertise to help shape the future of TalkTalk.

As we continue to focus our future firmly on full-fibre, I have asked Paul to chair our FTTP Committee to oversee our drive to connect customers across the UK to the most reliable and fast broadband as soon as possible."

Paul Reynolds, said:

"I am delighted to be joining the TalkTalk Board at a pivotal time for the industry and for the country. Never before has it been so apparent that we all need affordable, reliable, ulrafast fibre to support our home, education and business lives and I look forward to helping TalkTalk flourish in its cornerstone role meeting the nation's communications needs."

There is no other information to disclose pursuant LR 9.6.13 in respect of this appointment.

Enquires:

Corporate Affairs Director: Lucy Thomas +44 (0)777 963 9460

Investor Relations: Tim Warrington +44 (0)777 541 4240

Notes to Editors: 

Paul Reynolds joins the TalkTalk Board on 1 April 2020 having previously been independent Chairman of FibreNation, TalkTalk's full-fibre company. He is Chairman of fintech company 9Spokes International and a Director of Computershare (Melbourne), leaders in financial administration. Paul has over 30 years of experience in Telecommunications.  He was a Director at BT 2001-2007 and CEO of BT Wholesale, with responsibility for the company's network and global technology operations including the spin-out of Openreach.  He was CEO of Telecom New Zealand 2007-2012, completing the world's first structural separation into independent retail and fibre-network companies. Paul is a past Director of Eircom (Dublin), eAccess (Tokyo) and AAPT (Sydney).  He is also a senior adviser to telcos, investors and consultants across the world.