Aerial photo of Cobo Bay Hotel
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Balcony Gigs to return in the 10th year of JT support

With news of the Government’s roadmap for exiting lockdown, Cobo Bay Hotel have announced that their popular Balcony Gigs will return this summer with an exciting line-up for Guernsey music lovers. The Big Band Collective will kick off the series of six gigs starting on Sunday 2 May, marking 10 years since JT began sponsoring the now legendary, and much anticipated, annual Balcony Gigs.

On the line-up, which will continue through the summer until the August Bank Holiday weekend, are tributes to world famous international acts such as AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac and Oasis, supported by amazing local bands,  many of whom are now firm favourites on the Cobo stage.

Organisers will stay in close contact with the health authorities to make sure the gigs comply with all restrictions in place to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone attending and contributing to each event.

Tamara O’Brien, JT’s Deputy Managing Director in Guernsey, said: “Living through the recent lockdown, we have all had a reminder of the things we miss the most, and one of those is probably having the chance to get together with family and friends to enjoy live music. The Cobo Bay gigs provided a massive boost for our community in 2020 when we were lucky enough to be the only place in the British Isles able to hold live music events. Which is why, as we emerge from lockdown, we are pleased to have this opportunity to confirm our support and our renewed sponsorship of these gigs, given what has been an extremely challenging time for all those in the hospitality sector. Guernsey has a really proud tradition of supporting this industry who do so much to enrich our lives. I know I’m not alone in counting down the days for The 2021 Summer Balcony Gigs to kick off,  with a line-up of amazing musical talent who can’t wait to perform.”

Another great Guernsey tradition is supporting local charities, especially now when fundraising has been so difficult for them. There will be a collection at every event in support of the Guernsey Cheshire Home and Guernsey Cancer Support. Each gig will be live streamed across JT’s social media channels so they can be enjoyed by people everywhere.

David Nussbaumer, organiser of Cobo Bay Hotel’s Balcony Gigs, said: “The ongoing support from JT in conjunction with the extra financial assistance received from Ravenscroft this year has ensured the continued success of our Summer Balcony Gigs.  We’re also celebrating a ten-year partnership with JT that we very much value, and look forward to working closely together to bring the carnival atmosphere to Cobo Bay this summer. I really can’t wait to look down on all those happy faces enjoying the true spirit of the Guernsey summer.”



Angus Flett - JT
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Former BT Executive added to the JT Board

A former BT executive who helped the organisation achieve a world number one ranking for customer services has been appointed as a Non-Executive Director of JT.

Angus Flett is the CEO of Smart Data Communications Company, he has an extensive background in telecoms, including roles in product management, marketing and service operations. He held a senior role at Vodaphone, where he was Senior Vice President for Global Enterprise Products.

While at BT, Angus was the Managing Director of Customer Service and Customer Relationship Management, where he was instrumental in BT’s world number one ranking for agent technical expertise and number two for agent responsiveness. He was also responsible for BT’s Internet Service Provider division which was the fifth largest white-label ISP in the UK, providing services to EE, Vodaphone, Post Office and SSE.

Angus Flett said: “JT’s reputation among much larger businesses in the UK and overseas is already excellent and that reputation is growing rapidly. It is a forward-looking company that is doing remarkable things in the Channel Islands and around the world. That’s why I wanted to join the JT Board, and I’m delighted to be working with such a creative, ambitious and diverse company. What impresses me more though is how well embedded JT is in its community. This was demonstrated this year when it won Silver at the UK Customer Experience Awards, beating BT in its category, I might add. Listening to customers and acting on their feedback to develop products and services shows JT is a company that is moving forward and taking its core customers with them.”

JT Chairman, Phil Male, said: “We are really fortunate that we are able to attract people with such a broad level of experience in senior management as Angus. His leadership at some of the world’s most well know telecoms companies will be a huge asset to the JT Board and will no doubt help with our long-term vision for growth and sustainability both in the Channel Islands and internationally. The business world is facing uncertainty at the moment, but this appointment will further strengthen the ability of the Board to oversee JT’s operations and services.”

Graeme Millar, CEO JT Group, said: “We’re delighted to welcome someone of Angus’s calibre to JT. His expertise and experience will greatly bolster JT’s long-term plans and strategies. It is also hugely beneficial that he comes from a background of customer service and customer relationship management, an area that is very important to us and our people as we continue to provide and receive positive customer experience feedback, which is crucial to the success of our business.”



JT electric car
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JT vehicles to go all electric within next few years

JT has become the latest large company to begin replacing its vehicle fleet with zero emission alternatives. Ten years ago, it was hard to imagine being able to drive more than a few miles in an electric vehicle, on a single charge – today it is very different and with an ever-growing network of charging facilities, more and more Channel Islands businesses are making the transition from fossil-fuel to low carbon electric transport.

JT have begun their transition by purchasing ten Nissan electric vehicles, starting by replacing the oldest of JT’s fleet of Suzuki vans, supporting their goal of achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2030.

Tom Noel, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, said: “JT has one of the largest commercial fleets in Jersey, with almost 100 cars used daily by our engineers. Our aim is to not only replace all petrol and diesel vehicles but to reduce the number of vehicles on our roads, supporting that with charging points in key locations. As a business that has placed sustainability at the heart of everything we do, we’ve made initiatives like this a key priority of our Sustainability Strategy over the next decade.”

The EV’s may be new to JT but all have been bought at auctions having previously been used by councils in Scotland in keeping with JT’s policy to reuse, reduce and recycle wherever possible.

JT’s people are key participants and drivers of JT’s sustainability programme with many of their ideas now being adopted companywide, including going 100% paperless for note taking by using Rocketbook Fusion notebooks, re-usable water bottles, a solar panelled building and an employee voucher scheme for e-bikes.

‘Moments of global crisis often lead to historical change and the recovery from the pandemic presents a huge opportunity for Governments, businesses and individuals to put action on climate at the heart of their efforts,” said Tom.



Reed Conservation Tom Noel
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JT support for National Trust conservation

A team of volunteers from JT have joined others reconnecting with their island’s natural beauty last week swapping their desks for a day of volunteering for the National Trust in Jersey.  The team helped maintain bird hides and reed beds in St Ouen.

Six members of JT’s new sustainability team supported the Trust with habitat restoration and enhancement of the bird hides and reeds at Les Mielles de Morville. It’s part of JT’s commitment to our local environment and community and our desire to help support the wellbeing of islanders.

Jon Parkes, Lands Manager for the National Trust for Jersey, said: “Like everyone, the Trust has had an unusual year with plenty of challenges, but we are lucky enough to work with lots of corporate partners and groups. This year has seen the countryside, including National Trust sites, busier than ever, as people rediscovered the island they knew and discovered parts they never knew existed. We are delighted that people are reconnecting with nature and really valuing what we have here in Jersey. Support for the Trust from local businesses like JT is really meaningful. Especially in difficult times like these, when we all need to work together for the benefit of our community and island.”

The National Trust is continuing with its busy programme of conservation and management work at its sites across the island.

Tom Noel, JT’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability said: “JT is actively pursuing our new strategy which puts our planet, our people and our community at the heart of everything we do. It’s not only about reducing carbon emissions, it’s also about how our people are embracing sustainability, coming up with their own ideas for green initiatives and supporting local organisations such as the National Trust. Seeing our volunteers so passionate on such a worthwhile project like this, demonstrates their genuine commitment to making a real difference. These projects are great for team building, exposing people to new experiences and really helping to keep our environment at the forefront of all our minds, helping to maintain and protect our island for future generations – plus, it’s something we really enjoyed.”



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JT host virtual breakfast with Santa

It’s been a year where many of us have had to adapt and it’s no different in the North Pole where Santa and his trusty team have embraced technology and come up with new ways to see and hear from children all over the world.

Sadly, Santa can’t make his usual stop at the JT shop this year, so he and his busy Elves have teamed up with JT to provide a live feed to Santa’s home on Facebook making sure children across the Channel Islands won’t miss out.

Mrs Claus, who manages Santa’s very tight schedule has come up with a great idea. To make sure no time is lost making presents, Santa and his elves will chat to children while they take a break for breakfast. It will be a chance for parents to gather their little ones between 9:30 and 10:30 on each of the Sunday’s – 6th, 13th and 20th – in December to speak to Santa who will be live from his home in the North Pole, sharing in the magic of Christmas together.

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “Meeting Santa is one of the most magical experiences children can have at Christmas. It’s an annual tradition that we had to help make happen and we were so pleased when together with Santa’s team we found a solution so that local children can see and speak to Santa virtually. Things may look a little different this year, but we are so pleased that we can help keep everyone connected this Christmas.”

Parents and children will be able to type their questions and present requests live on the Facebook stream and, with the help of one of his elves, Santa will respond.

There is no need to book. Simply register interest via Facebook Live events on the JTSocial page. Reminders and updates will be sent to those that register.



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JT wins silver at national awards for putting customers first

JT has won Silver at the UK Customer Experience Awards, the biggest ‘CX’ event of its kind in the world. The win for JT’s Customer Experience and Marketing Team adds to the two major awards won in August and once again, JT was up against tough competition from household names such as BT who took Bronze in the Use of Insight and Feedback – Programme category.

The category recognises organisations whose initiative has driven cultural change and achieved extraordinary CX as a result.

The judges were impressed with the way the team at JT listens to and uses the feedback from customers to improve services, products and communication. JT started a programme five years ago to improve customers’ experience as it transformed the business from an on-island telecoms provider to a world-class communications brand, pioneering digital technology supported by a first-class customer experience.

Graeme Millar, JT’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Winning Silver when up against big companies like BT is a huge testament to the talent and dedication of our teams. We put the customer at the heart of everything we do, and the comments and suggestions we receive, whether positive or critical, help us make sure we are delivering what they want. We are delighted and thrilled that the way we value the good relationship we have with our customers has been recognised in a national award, especially given the importance of telecoms this year.”

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “Our people know how important it is to have good face-to-face contact with our customers, and while that has been difficult this year, we have found ways of reaching out so that we know what their needs are and how we can help. We work hard to make sure we deliver a great service and a lot of that is about listening to and learning about the people that use our services and products. We have had a huge amount of contact from our customers this year, and our teams adapted and, in some cases, changed roles to make sure we were able to respond to any problems and questions as quickly as possible. We are immensely proud to have come so far from when we started our customer focused strategy, making JT more than just a job for our people.”

The Customer Experience Awards, now in its tenth year, celebrates the work of CX professionals from around the world. Virgin Money and InMoment won Gold, JT Group won Silver, with BT Consumer winning Bronze.



Guernsey Together Event with JT
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Island joins together to celebrate

Community spirit will be the theme of the day as the Guernsey Together Celebration takes place this coming Saturday at Saumarez Park. Following some of Guernsey’s most loved summer events including the Guernsey Battle of Flowers, the Lions Club Annual Donkey Derby and the North Show being postponed, organisers and sponsors including JT, have come together to deliver a free, fun family day which will celebrate Guernsey and all that the local community has to offer.

The one-day village style event is the result of a collaboration by The Lions Club of Guernsey, the Leo Club of Guernsey and members of the North Show committee. JT will also be supporting the event with the ‘JT Together Stage’, providing Guernsey’s most talented local bands and musicians with a platform to spread positive vibes and create a festival atmosphere.

JT’s Group Head of Customer Experience, Tamara O’Brien, said: “Guernsey’s summer social calendar has been very different this year and we are really grateful that we are still able to celebrate all things local. JT are extremely proud to be a part of this event that will give the Guernsey public a chance to come together and support local charities when they need us most. We have a lot to be thankful for living in such a beautiful Island and are also glad that this event may help local small businesses in some ways after many months of no trading.”

Over 40 charities will be present on the day, engaging with the public and selling goods from stalls along with local craft makers and food trailers. A craft tent will be on offer for all ages and a mini Battle of Flowers parade will take place for small exhibitors. The event promises to be the highlight of the summer, culminating in a spectacular firework display in the evening.

Co-organiser Paul Allaway of the Lions Club of Guernsey said: “This event was inspired by the kind actions of our community and we all wanted to put on an event which would celebrate the positive outcomes of what has been a challenging time. Our thanks go to all the sponsors and volunteers involved, without which we would not be able to host the event and who have further proved that the community spirit in Guernsey is simply unrivalled.”



DXA Winners JT
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Jersey’s digital talent wins 2 major awards

Jersey’s digital talent was recognised among the winners of the prestigious UK Digital Experience Awards with JT’s Customer Experience and Marketing Team winning two major awards against tough competition from UK and Global household names such as BT, EE, ASDA and The Very Group. The team gained the Silver Award in the ‘Best Digital Marketing Campaign’ category and a Bronze Award for Customer Experience programmes in the ‘Use of Data Analytics & Insight’ category.

JT’s 2019 Christmas digital marketing campaign was praised by judges for the use of Snapchat and Augmented Reality technology to create a festive virtual town blending the online world with the traditional retail environment securing Silver Award to BT’s gold. Working closely with two local digital businesses, Comnexa and Continuum, the methods JT introduced to measure, track and analyse customer feedback to drive change and improvement earned a Bronze Award for ‘Use of Data Analytics & Insight. These awards have secured recognition of the talent Jersey has to offer, alongside some of the biggest companies in the UK digital market.

Graeme Millar, JT’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Having worked in many global organisations, I understand the challenges of being judged alongside large-scale international brands like BT. The fact that Jersey and JT made it to the shortlist shows just how far our teams’ achievements are being recognised. We were certainly walking amongst giants and I’m proud of the individuals whose innovation, creativity and vision will help shape our digital leaders of tomorrow. It is another example of how, with the support of organisations like Digital Jersey, our world beating local talent is being developed.”

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “I’m very proud my team were initially shortlisted given the competition, however, to go on and win these awards in both categories was a genuine surprise. The judging of all the entries was intense and it’s thanks to the dedication of my small local team that we were ranked so highly amongst all the companies there. We are always looking at ways to improve our service and evolve our offers to better meet our customer needs. This recognition demonstrates the success we can achieve, together, by adopting a customer first focused approach.”

The 6th UK Digital Experience Awards recognised the greatest accomplishments from the UK’s digital sector, evaluating entries from businesses of all sizes and across multiple sectors. Previous winners of the Awards have included Three, EE and Sky. This is the second consecutive year JT has been recognised as part of these Awards, receiving a Silver Award in 2019 for ‘Best App’.



Crowds at Cobo Bay for balcony gigs
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Spirit of Guernsey celebrated at first Balcony Gig

Music lovers in Guernsey have been among the first in the British Isles to enjoy live music since the start of the Covid-19 crisis. They danced and celebrated with The Big Band Collective at the first of Guernsey’s family friendly outdoor Cobo Bay Hotel’s Balcony Gigs, which are sponsored by JT.

The popular fixture of the Guernsey summer calendar was due to begin in May with a series of tribute acts supported by local bands, but those were cancelled due to Covid-19. Now, thanks to the fact there are zero cases in Guernsey, large outdoor gatherings are permitted, so the Balcony Gigs could return.

Guernsey’s Chief Minister, Deputy Gavin St Pier, opened the event and said: “For me, like thousands of Islanders, it was great to be able to enjoy the first in the series of Cobo Bay Balcony Gigs. It’s thanks to the efforts of this community working together in its response to COVID-19 that we’re now in a position where events like this can be held, but we cannot take that for granted, especially knowing how unpredictable the global situation is and that the good position we’re in may not last forever. While we can, we should make the most of events like this both because they support our hospitality sector and because they’re a special part of Island life.”

JT’s Deputy Managing Director in Guernsey, Tamara O’Brien, said: “It’s so good to see the local economy starting to take a small step forward again and I’ve been blown away by the public response. We’re incredibly lucky to be able to enjoy large gatherings again and this event marks a very special moment for Guernsey.”

David Nussbaumer, who organises the events for Cobo Bay Hotel, said: “I was a little nervous about whether people would turn up or not, but the response has been fantastic. I’ve never seen so many people here. I’d estimate we’ve had well over 3,000 Islanders supporting local businesses and enjoying our brilliant local talent. This has been an extremely difficult year for the hospitality industry and we’re not through it yet. But to see so many coming together during tough times is humbling. I want to say how grateful we are to JT without whom we would not have been able to put this on.”

Tim Langlois, band member with The Big Band Collective, added: “We’re so fortunate in Guernsey that our government has managed the Covid-19 situation so that we are one of the few places in the British Isles able to put on events. We were so excited about this gig and being the first to perform after such an up and down year was a rare privilege none of us will forget.”



DXA Awards Shortlist - Tamara OBrien
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JT marketing and digital expertise in the running for two major awards

JT’s Christmas digital marketing campaign and the way data and insight is used to measure how customers rate their experiences have put JT on the shortlist for two national awards alongside some of the biggest names in the technology world.

The UK Digital Experience Awards has shortlisted JT in two categories – Best ‘Digital Marketing Campaign Initiative’ and Best ‘Use of Analytics and Insight’, alongside global household brands BT and EE.

JT’s ‘Step Into Christmas Together’ campaign which used Snapchat and Augmented Reality technology to create a festive virtual town has earned JT a place as one of five finalists. The campaign brought the highstreets’s magical appeal of Christmas to customers digitally, resulting in an 86% increase in online sales for the period. JT was also recognised for the changes it has put in place to collect customer experience data, allowing it to drive further improvements and channel more benefits back to its customers. As part of JT’s data analysis, it introduced ‘JT Voice’, an online feedback forum which has seen nearly 1,800 members register in the 12 months since it was launched.

Tamara O’Brien, Group Head of Marketing, Brand and Customer Experience, said: “I am thrilled that our team stands shoulder to shoulder with those in huge international companies like BT and EE. To be shortlisted for these prestigious awards is evidence of the hard work they put in every day, ensuring that the information we gather is used to deliver the very best possible service to our customers.”

This is the 6th year of the UK Digital Experience Awards and the first year in which it will be held entirely online. Judging of the finalists is due to take place on Thursday 16 July.