BT has appointed a new UK nations and Ireland director.

Jane Wood will also lead the public facing functions of BT Group in Scotland and sit on the BT Scotland board.

Wood joins from charity, Business in the Community, where she was CEO in Scotland and most recently executive director of membership, UK nations, and BERG (HRH’s Business Emergency Resilience Group). Wood also led on income generation for the charity.

In this senior role within the company, Wood will lead BT Group’s relationships with politicians, public bodies and key opinion formers. Wood’s team will also take a lead on policy-making for BT Group in the UK devolved nations, English regions and Ireland.

A former head of corporate affairs at Walgreen Boots Alliance, Wood has also worked as a ministerial advisor on town centre regeneration, welfare reform and child poverty. She has championed SMEs and the role of social enterprises in communities. Wood also co-founded an award-winning bakery in East Lothian.

She said: “It’s exciting to be joining BT at a time when

digital society and innovation is at the core of everything we do, whether that be business, our public services or at home. BT is a vital part of every community across the UK, not just in providing services but also as a major employer and digital skills ambassador. I’m looking forward to working with our stakeholders and customers.”