Ex-BT chief to head up Alcatel

Three months after standing down as BT chief executive, Ben Verwaayen has become chief executive of the telecoms equipment group Alcatel-Lucent in Paris. Philippe Camus, formerly with Airbus, joins him as chairman.

Alcatel-Lucent has struggled since the French and American companies merged two years ago. Its previous chairman and chief executive left in July after six quarters of losses.

Verwaayen joined BT from Lucent where he chaired the management board in 2002. He said today: "I am committed to building significant and sustainable value for our shareholders, customers and employees."

His successor as BT chief executive, Ian Livingston, wished him "every success". He added: "Ben knows the global communications industry inside out.

"He is an outstanding CEO, who will bring formidable energy and strong leadership to his new role. Alcatel-Lucent is an important partner to BT."