BT has poached Sky Italia’s Chief Commercial Officer, Delia Bushell, to head up its newly merged BT TV and Sport division.
Bushell will take up her new post in July and replaces BT TV CEO Marc Watson who last month announced his departure from the ISP and broadcaster.
She has spent the past fourteen years in a variety of senior roles at BSkyB and Sky Italia, including serving as Sky Ireland’s Managing Director and BSkyB’s Director of Broadband and Telephony.
Bushell also spent three years as Director of Commercial Affairs for Sky Networks where she worked on launch plans for Sky’s Freeview channels as well as directing all commercial activity around Sky One.
BT says she’ll “set the long term strategy” for both BT TV and BT Sport and play a key role in ensuring the services “help BT Consumer in its drive to achieve top and bottom line growth.”
The firm’s statement adds that Bushell will “also oversee the development and acquisition of content at BT TV including premium rights,” a comment likely to fuel speculation that BT is paving the way to launch non-sport channels.
Speaking today, Bushell said: “BT is shaking up the UK TV market and I am thrilled to be joining at such an exciting time. Sport may have grabbed the headlines recently but the opportunity is far broader and I look forward to working with the team to build on the successes to date.”
John Petter, BT Consumer chief executive said: “Delia has an excellent track record of delivery and is an experienced top class executive. She helped Sky build a formidable triple play base and I am sure she will help us to build on our strong success with BT TV and Sport.”