Telefónica and Liberty have announced that Jo Bertram will step down as chief executive of O2 Business in the United Kingdom, ending a year‑long tenure that began after the merger of Virgin Media O2’s B2B division with the Daisy Group. The change takes effect immediately, with Matthew Riley, Daisy’s founder and current chairman, named interim chief executive while a permanent successor is selected.
Transition details
Bertram, who guided the integrated business through its first post‑merger year, will leave the role but remains involved with the broader group as a board member. Riley, a veteran of the UK telecom sector, will assume day‑to‑day responsibility for O2 Business, overseeing a portfolio that serves thousands of corporate customers across the country.
Background and impact
The joint venture between Telefónica and Liberty, known as Virgin Media O2, combined the mobile networks of O2 and Virgin Media with Daisy’s strong presence in enterprise services. The merger, completed last year, aimed to create a more comprehensive offering for business clients. Bertram’s departure comes as the newly formed entity seeks to solidify its market position and integrate Daisy’s capabilities.
Industry observers note that Riley’s interim appointment signals continuity; his deep familiarity with Daisy’s operations is expected to smooth the transition and maintain service quality for corporate users. The search for a permanent CEO is expected to conclude later this year.