JT names new CEO

Friday 22 April 2022

JT has appointed its Managing Director and employee of more than 20 years as its new Chief Executive Officer.

The public-owned telecoms company confirmed yesterday morning that it had promoted Daragh McDermott to the role following a “rigorous appointment process” and that he has taken over with immediate effect from Interim CEO John Diamond.

JT said Mr McDermott has worked across all areas of JT and played a "key role across all strategic decisions" ranging from fibre to the creation to the development of its recently sold Internet of Things business.

"He has an exceptional track record of service to JT and understands the business and the ambitious five-year strategy recently approved by the Board and our shareholder," JT's Chair, Phil Male, commented.

"He thoroughly deserves this opportunity and I am certain that our people, our customers and our stakeholders will join me in congratulating him."

Pictured: Interim CEO John Diamond was praised for his "calm and incisive leadership" by JT's Chair.

Mr McDermott, who holds a degree in Business Studies from Dublin City University and a Graduate Diploma in Law from the Guildford College of Law, joined JT from PwC Consulting's London office where he specialised in providing economic and regulatory policy advice to clients in the telecoms sector.

Prior to that, he spent five years in the technology, media and telco division of KPMG's Dublin office.

Outside of JT, he is currently a Non-Executive Director of Jersey Water, a trustee on the board of Autism Jersey and Chairman of La Moye Golf Club in Jersey.

Mr McDermott said his appointment was a "huge privilege to step up to the position of CEO and to continue working with the fantastic team here in JT to take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead, as well as manage some significant challenges that are coming down the line."

He continued: "Central to this will be putting customers interests' at the very heart of what we do, while continuing to invest heavily in the Channel Islands' critical national infrastructure and rebuilding and growing our international portfolio.

"Our ambitious investment plans for the next five years will see JT invest in excess of £100m in our networks and I want to ensure this is done in a way that benefits both the wider economies that we serve and every single customer that will be making use of the reliable and robust world-class networks that we operate."

Mr Male also paid tribute to Mr McDermott's predecessor's "hard work", adding that Mr Diamond's "calm and incisive leadership has been a real asset to all at JT."