Following persistent rumours of a management buy-out from BT, Tikit’s COO Simon Hill is to take over from Katherine Ainley as CEO of Tikit from 1st January 2018. Ainley, who was appointed as CEO in 2015, following BT’s acquisition of Tikit in 2013, will move into the role of managing director of BT’s “Better World” business portfolio. While not cutting loose from BT entirely, yet, the promotion to CEO will afford Hill more freedom to steer the strategic direction of Tikit, which is increasingly regarded in the market as an unhappy BT bedfellow.
In what appears to be a hastily issued press release today (20 December), as the legal IT world departs en masse to Christmas parties, Tikit said:
Announcement of new CEO Simon Hill Jan 2018
Tikit announced that Simon Hill will take over from Katherine Ainley as CEO of Tikit from 1st January 2018. Simon has been with Tikit for 10 years and since the BT takeover in 2013 has fulfilled the role of COO. Many clients and partners will already know Simon and will be familiar with his commitment to Tikit’s growth, products and partner network. He was the CEO and one of the original founders of TFB Plc, and joined Tikit when the two organisations merged as leaders in their respective markets. As a result he has extensive experience of Tikit, its history and its clients.
Katherine Ainley will take on an expanded role as Managing Director of BT’s “Better World” business portfolio. Katherine will be responsible for Voice Services, Redcare and Tikit within BT’s Wholesale and Ventures customer facing unit. These businesses are committed to growth in the software area and all share a vision to help customers overcome challenges and make their lives easier. As such, she will remain involved with Tikit strategically but will hand over day to day leadership of the business to Simon.
Tikit were not immediately available for comment.