BT appointed Howard Watson (pictured) as its CEO of BT Technology, Services and Operations and group CIO, as the UK incumbent moves to integrate its own network with that of mobile player EE.

In a statement, the company said that Watson has “experience of integrating networks from his time in the cable industry, experience that will provide useful as BT integrates its network with EE’s”.

Gavin Patterson, BT Group Chief Executive, described the exec as “absolutely the right man to oversee the integration”, stating: “Fixed mobile convergence is an important trend and Howard will help consumers and businesses take advantage of it.”

BT’s acquisition of EE picked up approval from the UK Competition and Markets Authority last week, and the deal is set to close this month.

Watson, who joined BT in 2011 having had stints with cable companies Telewest and Virgin Media and telecoms software and consultancy Cartesian, replaces Clive Selley, who is taking the helm of BT’s Openreach local access network business.