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JT Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

With more than 25 years’ experience working in senior finance roles, Hélène Narcy has been appointed as JT’s Chief Financial Officer, taking a position on the Group Board and the Executive Committee.

Hélène, who started her career in telecommunications, before working for some of the world’s leading financial institutions, takes over from John Kent who is retiring, after serving in the role since 2012.

She joined JT in July 2019 after ten years working for UBS in Jersey and the US, returning to the island after two years in New York. Hélène has also lived and/or worked in France, China and the UAE, in senior management roles and leading financial transformation projects.

Hélène graduated from the prestigious Grande Ecole ESCP, and holds the French accounting Diploma.

She commented: “Leading the finances of a company with JT’s strong global reputation is a challenge I am really looking forward to, and I have been really impressed with the quality and dedication of the whole team at JT.

“Telecommunications is a fast-moving, dynamic sector and providing innovative products and services is so important to all islanders. It is great to be working in this industry again, and to be able to add value to JT’s operations in the Channel Islands, and across the world.”

Graeme Millar, JT’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I am delighted to welcome Hélène to JT. Her knowledge, skills and experience will really help us to take the business forward, applying the most exacting international financial standards.

“I would also like to thank John Kent, whose vast experience and strategic thinking has played a significant part in the success of the JT story for nearly a decade.

“JT’s purpose is to enable our customers’ connected lives, and Hélène will help us to achieve that throughout challenging times for individuals and businesses, and to play our part in facilitating the Channel Islands’ recovery.”

For more information please click here.



JT Progress Report 2020
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JT publishes 2019/20 Progress Report

St. Helier, Jersey: the JT Group has released its annual update report detailing progress over the last 12 months, as it continues to support its local communities through the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the last eight weeks JT has doubled the minimum broadband speeds (from 500 Mb/s to 1Gb/s) for all fibre customers at no cost, to help them work, and stay connected at home, as well as extending that network to more of those islanders who previously only relied on a landline.

Overall, the Report details a stable financial performance over the last 12 months, with revenue, profits and dividends to JT’s owner, the Government of Jersey, remaining broadly on a par with previous years.

The 2019/20 Progress Report mainly focusses on the last full calendar year before the pandemic changed the way many people across the world are living their lives, and JT has a formal requirement to publish it at this time every year. The Group’s CEO & Chairman, Graeme Millar & Phil Male, have also written a special introduction to the document which sets out how JT has responded to this time of national emergency.

JT Chairman, Phil Male, commented: “We know that our customers and stakeholders have more on their minds at the moment than JT’s performance, however we hope they will find this review of the last twelve months interesting and informative.

“Clearly it mainly focusses on the year before the Covid-19 pandemic, which was another strong one for the Group, as we continued to invest heavily in Channel Island networks. This investment has stood islanders in good stead now so many of us are working from home, and using technology to interact with family, friends and colleagues.

“2019 was also a year when we upped our investment in emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things, Cyber security and 5G. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the team at JT for their continued hard work and commitment, not least in recent weeks when despite the worrying global health situation, they have worked tirelessly to ensure islanders can stay connected.”

CEO Graeme Millar added: “I’m proud of the way JT has played its part in recent weeks to help its communities deal with the disruption posed by Covid-19. It has been a tough, worrying and uncertain time for many of our customers which is likely to continue for a while yet.

“Our teams and networks have responded very well indeed to the challenge. We have also done what we can to financially support our customers who may be finding it tough, such as by suspending all charges for late payments, or going over broadband usage limits, offering better terms to suppliers and providing local landline calls for free. Throughout this period JT will be calmly focussed on its core role: to make sure the islands, our people, and our businesses, stay connected.”

You can read JT’s Progress Report 2019/20 and Financial Statements by clicking here.



EVie environmentally sustainable e-bikes
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JT Supporting the Green Transport Revolution

A fleet of environmentally sustainable e-bikes and e-vehicles are being kept on the road thanks to the award-winning mobile network and technology developed by JT.

JT’s IoT (Internet of Things) division worked with the team at EVie while it was testing its e-bikes in Europe, and now provides the smart data connectivity that’s needed in all of its e-bikes and electric vehicles used on Jersey’s roads.

That technology is used by EVie to track the location and status of the entire fleet enabling it to keep its emission-free cars, vans and bikes moving 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It allows customers to simply use the apps to locate their nearest e-bike or to hire an electric car or van, wherever they are in the island.

Tom Noel, JT’s Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, said: “Supporting the environment and helping drive sustainability for our community are at the heart of what we do at JT. With our growing global network and our skills within IoT technology, we’ve been able to help find a viable and innovative way to change how we, as a community, think about transportation. Working with an organisation like EVie that shares our values, fits perfectly with JT’s purpose of connecting our customers to their sustainable future.”

Customers simply download EVie’s Freebike app or the EVie Car app, register and follow the process to start using one of the green machines, and in response to the COVID-19 crisis, EVie is providing 50 of its e-bikes free of charge to healthcare workers as part of its #EVieWarrior campaign. The fully electric, long range bikes can shorten the commute time for key healthcare workers.

Gavin Breeze, Director at EVie, said: “Among our aims at EVie is to convert Jersey into an all-electric island, reduce congestion on our roads and in car parks and promote healthier lifestyles. Being able to link into JT’s world-class mobile network has been key to the success of this project. Having the input from JT’s experts available on our doorstep meant we were able to launch both our electric vehicle and e-bike services with ease.”



About JT
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JT Core Network essential maintenance in Jersey

Please note, a software upgrade to the fixed landline and broadband network will take place in phases over the next few weeks.

The work will take place between midnight and 06.00am on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 13th February to 12th March, covering different locations on each occasion, details can be found here.

During this maintenance users will be unable to make or receive landline calls for a maximum of 15 minutes.

Note: the mobile network will continue to work, however some users may experience reduced coverage.

Any customer without a mobile phone, who is concerned about this short outage can contact JT on 882882 or visit our retail store to request a loan mobile phone for use over this time.

These planned works are part of JT’s on-going commitment to provide a high quality, reliable and secure service to our customers.

JT will post the locations of each planned works and any updates or changes on our Service Announcements webpage.



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JT selected as Prime Partner to support Guernsey’s digital future

JT has been selected by Agilisys to help deliver an ambitious 10-year programme to transform Guernsey’s digital services and signed a formal partnership agreement on this at the end of November.

In 2019, after a rigorous 3-year tender process, Agilisys entered into contract with the States of Guernsey to modernise their IT systems and transform and digitise public services. This will mean better access to Services for Islanders and greater operational efficiency for the States of Guernsey as part of the ongoing programme of Public Service Reform launched by Chief Executive, Paul Whitfield, in 2015.

Now, JT has been chosen as the Prime Partner for Agilisys to support that programme, building on the investment which has already been made to ensure key public buildings in Guernsey such as the Airport, schools, Raymond Falla House and Police HQ all have access to 1Gb fibre speeds.

Richard Hanrahan, CEO Agilisys Guernsey added: “We chose JT as our Prime Partner because of their commitment to delivering the very best technology solutions, which really makes a difference for their customers. That dedication to excellence in delivery, combined with their local knowledge and more than a decade of operating in Guernsey as the island’s only locally owned telecoms operator, is exactly what this transformative project needs.  They have also worked with the States of Guernsey on key projects for over 8 years.”

Colin Vaudin, Strategic Lead for Future Digital Technology and Communications said: “Smart Guernsey is the key enabler for Public Service Reform. In addition, it stands to transform Guernsey’s technology sector, creating opportunities for the Island’s businesses, entrepreneurs and students. We are very much looking forward to working in partnership with Agilisys and partners such as JT to achieve our ambitious goals.”

 Paul Taylor, Managing Director JT Guernsey commented: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Agilisys to partner with them on this ambitious and transformative project, which will play such a key part in the successful future of our island, and maintain our reputation as a secure and innovative place to do business.  This is a really important opportunity for Guernsey, and all the JT team are fully committed to playing our part in delivering for the Island.”



JT Internship
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Unexpected bursary boost for JT digital intern

After an impressive six-week internship, Elizabeth College student, Kieran Aslett, has been awarded a bursary by his JT mentors. This helping hand towards his study costs is in recognition of his genuine interest in digital technology and the bright future that lies ahead of him.

Kieran joined JT having applied successfully for the Digital Greenhouse Discover Digital Summer Internship which JT has supported for the past three years. He spent six weeks working with a number of the company’s departments.

Andy Holmes, JT’s Talent Program Manager said: “As a business we believe it is really important for us to play a part in nurturing young talent. Committed and interested young people like Kieran represent the future of digital technology and we are privileged to have had the opportunity to share our knowledge with him and are really pleased that we can contribute to resources which will help him take those first steps in his career.”

JT offers several bursaries each year to young people in the Channel Islands in areas of study including science, technology, engineering, maths and some business disciplines and over the last five years has financially supported 32 young people across Guernsey and Jersey.  During the summer months of 2019, 15 bursary students have benefitted from fully paid work within various departments across the company and, to date, four students have returned to work with JT on a permanent basis. 40% of our local students supported by our JT’s bursaries over the past 5 years have returned to the islands to live and work in the technology sector.

Kieran said that the internship gave him a good insight into the collaborative working between departments. “It was surprising to me how much interaction there was between departments like sales and engineering. The reality is that they share information all the time to come to a solution together, looking at design and analysing the information before tackling an issue.”

Kieran, who has plans to study cyber security in higher education, said that he had an interest in networking and so particularly enjoyed working with CISCO engineering while at JT but had found the mentoring in all the teams especially beneficial.

“It was never just about me sitting and watching what was going on, that’s not the JT way. The mentoring was fantastic, and I was given the chance to do real work, take part and ask questions. It was an exciting opportunity and worked very naturally. The bursary announcement came as a complete surprise on my second to last day – I hadn’t expected that at all but it’s great news, it’s so nice to know that the team at JT value my contribution” said Kieran.

Paul Taylor, Managing Director, JT Guernsey said: “Kieran worked really well with each team he joined during his internship, it was a pleasure to introduce him to our industry. We hope that the JT Bursary will ensure that he is able to make the most out of what a university degree has to offer him and, one day, bring those skills back to Guernsey and JT.”

The Discover Digital Summer Internship is open to all post-16 students, in full-time education, who have a passion for digital and a desire to work on digital projects with some of the Guernsey’s leading companies.

Ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

The JT Bursary scheme provides local students a £2000 financial grant towards the cost of university fees and expenses as well as offering a challenging six weeks of fully paid work experience during holiday periods.

University subjects considered for a JT bursary are generally science, technology, engineering and maths.

Applications can be made online from January each year through the JT website or contact hrinbox@jtglobal.com for further information.



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Double shortlisting in telecoms ‘Oscars’ for Jersey’s full-fibre network

Jersey’s full-fibre network has earned the Island a place on the shortlist of the 21st annual World Communication Awards.

The successful completion of JT’s Gigabit Jersey project has been shortlisted in both the ‘Best Network Transformation Initiative’ and the ‘Broadband Pioneer’ categories of the distinguished awards, which will be presented at a ceremony in London at the end of October. The shortlisting sees JT joins some of the biggest names in the telecoms industry across the world – including BT, TalkTalk and O2. This in itself is a significant tribute to the talented and diverse team at JT that have worked to deliver this project from the beginning.

The shortlisting recognises the commitment made by JT’s teams to the island to deliver a reliable, high speed full-fibre network which would benefit the entire community. It has already paved the way for new business start-ups, contributed to the growth of Jersey’s digital sector and supported expansion of the finance industry, as well as opened the door to new ways of learning in our schools and enabled householders to embrace smart technology in their homes.

Graeme Millar, JT’s CEO, said: “A year on from the completion of this landmark project we can begin to assess the longer-term benefit that full-fibre is having for Jersey. Many of the advantages of a full-fibre network are now a reality. The network has had a truly transformative effect on Jersey’s position as a world leader in connectivity and innovation.

“The success of Jersey’s full-fibre network is down to the hard work and dedication of all those who worked on the project over the years. Together, we have created a legacy for Jersey and contributed to the current and future success of our Island economy and generations to come, which we’re all very proud of.”

Amy Bryant, Deputy CEO, Jersey Finance said: “Jersey’s ability to harness technological innovations lies not just in its community of skilled professionals but also in its world class infrastructure and digital capability. Advances in the internet of things (IoT), blockchain, fintech, cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence depend on a fast and reliable connection and JT’s full-fibre network has provided that backbone to take them forward.”

Over 550 telecom companies, representing over 35 countries, are taking part in World Communications Awards 2019 and the winners of the 25 award categories will be announced at a ceremony in the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms, London, on 30 October 2019.



National Coding Week Jersey
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Coding across the generations

Take a robotic ball, an adult, a child and a smartphone and you have the perfect recipe for an exciting coding workshop with a difference during the 2019 National Coding Week, sponsored by JT.

This year, JT is providing two FREE coding workshops for budding techno families, called ‘JT Generations Code Together’.  These workshops are designed to bring adults and children together for a few hours to share their different skills and, in the process, learn how to programme an app-enabled robotic ball called a Sphero BOLT.

Two exciting and interactive sessions have been specially planned with step-by-step guides for pairs of one child (aged 8 – 13 years) and one adult (no age limit) each to take part in. During the free two-hour session, which will be led by Jersey Coders expert Mentor Colin King, the pairs will complete a series of challenges which may include navigation, IR (infrared) communication and direct interaction between the Spheros.

Tamara O Brien, JT‘s Head of Customer Experience said: “National Coding Week always presents a great opportunity to inspire and inform through raising awareness of coding. This year we wanted to take this ideal opportunity to get generations of families to partner and share skills with each other, in a fun digital learning environment. Many adults have not grown up with technology the way their children and grand-children have, so part of our intention is to unravel some of the mysteries of coding in a friendly and jargon-free environment. At JT we’re keen to help more people to use and understand digital technology, as we have one of the best digital infrastructures in the world – which in turn benefits the whole community and encourages the digital leaders of our future.”

National Coding Week founder, Richard Rolfe, said: “It has always been our aim to encourage schools and businesses to deliver events which showcase innovation and give people an insight into how digital technology is influencing their lives and how they can use it. The JT Generations Code Together sessions are a fun way to demonstrate the latest digital capability using a fantastic learning tool which will appeal to all age groups. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank JT for their constant efforts in bringing our digital community together, this is the 5th year JT have sponsored the annual event, supporting us since we began in 2014”.

With Digital Jersey’s new Academy opening during September digital skills are firmly on the agenda so we expect these sessions to fill fast.  Tony Moretta, CEO, Digital Jersey said “building coding skills is a vital asset for our island’s future generation and building understanding amongst the current generations of adults is equally important.  It’s great to see JT arranging events like this alongside National Coding week.”

The sessions take place from 6 pm to 8 pm on Tuesday 17 September at Digital Jersey Hub and Thursday 19 September at the Digital Exchange in St Brelade. Places on the JT Generations Code Together sessions can be applied for online at www.jtglobal.com/NCW and are limited so we encourage islanders to register their interest fast.

More information about getting involved can be found on the National Coding Week website.



Customer Experience
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Customer Experience ambassador in the spotlight for international award

The gatekeeper of a programme to put JT’s customers at the heart of every conversation has been shortlisted for her leadership at the International Customer Service Awards.

Tamara O Brien, JT’s Group Head of Customer Experience, has been named as one of the six finalists in the Customer Experience Leader category of the awards, which will be announced at a ceremony in Amsterdam on 21 November 2019.

Tamara led a campaign across all of JT’s offices to reshape the customer experience for JT customers and support that experience with pioneering digital technology like the exclusive JT App. This instigated a company-wide training initiative, based around JT’s own customer feedback and insight – so that every one of JT’s people understood the value of real customer loyalty and satisfaction and became ambassadors for a brand they believed in.

“Over the last few years, JT has been on a journey to transform itself from a local telecoms provider to a world class communications brand.  Our purpose is to connect our islands and our customers to their future, and it is crucial for us to bring our people and our customers with us.

On a personal level, I am honoured to have been named as a finalist however it’s the hard work and commitment of all our teams, across the company, that has got us here. We empowered our people to believe in themselves and show them the vital role each one plays in supporting our customers. Our goal was to shift our culture in every area of the business so that the first question on everyone’s mind, no matter what their job, was and remains, ‘how will our customers feel about this’. On a simple level my role is to represent the voice of our customers across everything we do; be it a new live chat app to make life easier for customers to get help, a new roaming service designed to give customers more freedom when travelling, or creation of our customer panel ‘JT Voice’ giving our own customers input to how we provide our services and products.”

Tamara was instrumental in the development and delivery to JT’s 600+ employees of the company’s first customer experience strategy. She built and inspired a dedicated, specially-trained Central Customer Experience team which understands both customer behaviour and the importance community engagement plays in JT’s culture. Customer experience training is now an essential part of every employee’s induction, probation and remuneration and is supported at all levels of the business.

Now in its second year, the International Customer Experience Awards recognise inspiring organisations which are delivering an outstanding customer experience across the world.



Autism Golf Day
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Golfers putt in the effort for Autism Jersey

Island golfers will be teeing off at La Moye Golf Club on Friday 23 August for this year’s Autism Jersey Annual Golf Day.

The JT-sponsored event is an increasingly popular fixture for enthusiastic Jersey golfers, and this year the event was booked out with 25 competing teams of 4 players, faster than any other year.

In 2018 the event raised a record-breaking £28,000 for Autism Jersey to be used for the building and running of a new residential, community-based Autism centre in the Island. The organisers are hoping that 2019 will be even more successful with competitors ending the day with a raffle and auction featuring many unique items donated by local businesses.

The funds raised at this year’s events will also go towards the purpose-built centre which will provide tailored assistance and improved services for people with autism and their families. JT’s on-going support of this annual event also means the new centre will have the latest technology, ensuring visitors can keep connected via state-of-the-art equipment, made possible by JT’s award winning full-fibre network.

Nick Winsor, Chairman of Autism Jersey, said: “The golf day has become the biggest annual event in our calendar and is our largest single fundraiser. The longstanding partnership with JT as corporate sponsor has played a big part in the continued success and growing popularity of the event. The funds raised by the competition and auction make a huge contribution to our work at Autism Jersey and raises awareness within local community and beyond.”

Daragh McDermott, Corporate Affairs Director at JT and a board member of Autism Jersey, said: “We are very proud of our partnership with Autism Jersey, supporting the fundraising efforts of this vital charity and being part of their efforts to raise awareness is very important to us. The charity provides invaluable support to many families in our community helping people with Autism live a full and inclusive life and promoting a greater understanding of the condition.”