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Top exec quits BTInternet over lack of investment

Telecomms giant criticised for focus on telecomms

BTInternet has seen its second senior exec walk out over frustration at the company's lack of investment in the Web. John Swingewood was head of BT's Internet division and was said to have quit the telecomms giant following "differences at the top". One source told today's Daily Mail: "It's because BT is less than fully committed to the multimedia division, especially certain board members." It may be worth noting that despite possessing some of the sharpest news values in the business, the Daily Mail sometimes trips over technology stories, as do many of the UK's national daily papers. It recently referred to IBM as IMB. An easy mistake to make, but also rather amusing. The source continued to tell the Daily Liam, sorry, Mali: "Sir Peter Bonfield (chief executive) wants more money put in, but it is a big organisation and the machine has defeated him many times. Its first priority is old-style telecomms. That was John's issue." According to one analyst, BT's cyber strategy is "a bit of a mess". Swingewood, who is believed to have gone to head up an Internet division in another firm, follows his predecessor's lead. Rupert Gavin was said to have quit the post two years ago for the BBC due to differences over BT's priorities. The company also lost its head of ecommerce, Eric Guilloteau, this summer. A BT representative described the departure as "entirely amicable", but did not name a replacement for Swingwood. ®

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