Harding to step down as CEO of TalkTalk

Dido Harding, the chief executive of Warrington-based telecoms company TalkTalk – who led the company through a much-publicised cyber attack in 2015 – is to step down in May.

She will be succeeded by Tristia Harrison, currently managing director of TalkTalk Consumer, while Charles Bligh, currently managing director of TalkTalk Business, will become chief operating officer.

Both Harrison and Bligh have been on the board of TalkTalk since 2014 and worked for the group for seven and five years respectively.
 
Non-executive chairman Charles Dunstone will assume the role of executive chairman after stepping down as chairman of Dixons Carphone on May 1.

Harding said: “After seven extraordinary and fulfilling years, during which we have transformed TalkTalk’s customer experience and laid the foundations for long term growth, I’ve decided it’s time for me to start handing over the reins at TalkTalk and focus more on my activities in public service.

“I am very proud to be handing over to the next generation of TalkTalk leadership who, together with Charles, have played such an integral part in the success of the business to date.

“Between now and May, we will work together on a handover that maintains focus on this years’ performance and enables the new team to prepare for the next financial year and beyond.”

Dunstone said: “Dido has been a tireless, energetic and effective force for good from the day she joined TalkTalk. As a result of her leadership and total commitment to all of us who work here and our customers, she has helped transform TalkTalk into a much stronger business.

“She leaves with our thanks and very best wishes for the future.”

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