Member Article

BT sports channel creates 400 jobs UK-wide

British Telecom will create more than 400 new jobs across the UK, after the launch of its BT Sport TV channel.

A dedicated £3.2m contact centre was opened on Tuesday in Accrington, Lancashire, by rugby player and TV commentator, Lawrence Dallaglio, where 75 new positions will be created in addition to its existing 150 workforce.

Further roles will be created at contact centres in Canterbury, Doncaster, Truro, Warrington, Newcastle, Glasgow and Dundee, while the initial launch of the channel will create a 400 additional short term sales positions.

The launch of BT Sport will show live Barclays Premier League matches, including 18 matches previously only shown by rival broadcaster BSkyB.

187 existing BT staff will have their jobs protected by the launch, who are being retrained as customer support employees.

Gavin Patterson, leader of Lancashire County Council, commented: “Today’s official opening is great news for Accrington and for Lancashire as a whole.

“The jobs this centre brings offer excellent opportunities for local people and an economic boost for the area as a whole.”

Lawrence Dallaglio, who is the former captain of the English rugby union team, will act as on of the new ‘faces’ of BT Sport.

He commented: “There’s a real buzz around here as people prepare to be part of something new and exciting.

“Everyone is clearly highly motivated, which is key to the success of a team, whether that’s in a sporting arena or in the field of customer service.”

“BT Sport has huge ambitions for rugby and I’m delighted to be involved with that from the beginning.”

The channel will be based in London, and presented by Formula 1 presenter Jake Humphrey, along with Lawrence Dallaglio and Clare Balding.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .