Tony Ball appointed to BT board

Tony Ball, the former chief executive of BSkyB and frontrunner to succeed Michael Grade at ITV, has been appointed as a non-executive director at BT.

Ball, who is currently chairman of Germany’s cable operator Kabel Deutschland, is set to join the BT board on July 16.

BT hopes his appointment will bring more broadcast experience to the business in line with the company’s involvement in Project Canvas, its joint broadband TV venture with ITV and BBC, and Ofcom’s pay-TV review.

Ball said: “The convergence of the computer and television, entertainment and communications has only just begun and it is clear BT will have an important part to play in shaping the future.”

BT’s chairman, Michael Rake, added: “Tony has an outstanding track record of innovation and delivery in the communications industry. As BT focuses on the rich opportunities that are presented by combining entertainment with broadband, his drive, knowledge and experience will prove a tremendous asset to the board.”

Ball’s appointment is not expected to impact on his potential role at ITV as he already holds a number of non-executive positions, including being a board member of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Earlier this week, Ball indicated that he would bring in new ITV board members to replace people such as Sir James Crosby and Sir Adrian Russell if he is appointed (see Frontrunner for ITV chief exec job to shakeup board).

However, Ball still faces competition for the role from BBC Worldwide’s chief John Smith, former Virgin Media senior executive Malcolm Wall and NBC Universal’s Peter Smith.