Martlesham Heath: Tim Whitley to become managing director at Adastral Park

BT’s global innovation and development centre at Adastral Park in Suffolk will have a new managing director from April 1.

Tim Whitley, currently managing director of research and technology at BT, a role he will retain, will succeed Alan Bateman who has announced his decision to leave the business for a “complete change”.

Dr Whitley, who lives in Felixstowe, has been with BT for 31 years having started his career as a field engineering apprentice in his native Wales.

He first came to Adastral Park as an undergraduate to work in the optical physics division and has since moved through the business, working in areas such as economic analysis before becoming group strategy director and. most recently. managing director of research and technology.

In his current role he oversees the practical implementation of emerging technology and has been heavily involved in the roll-out of superfast broadband.

Alan Bateman also started his career with BT as an apprentice and leaves the company after 38 years.

Before moving to Adastral Park 15 years ago, he worked in many area of the business, in the UK and overseas. He became managing director and took over the running of the park last summer.

He said: “Tim is local to the area and already known to many of the key people in the region.

“BT is committed to continuing close working relationship and ensuring we work together in the East of England and I know that Tim is looking forward to taking on this responsibility.”

n Tim Whitley talks about the roll out of superfast broadband in the next Business East Monthly which will appear within the East Anglian Daily Times on Tuesday, March 20.