News Broadcasting
O2 strengthens management team in Asia with key appointments
BANGALORE: O2 today strengthens its Asia Pacific management team with the appointment of Guillaume Debrosse as COO and Sean Wilkins as CFO.
Both appointments underscore O2’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service and operational efficiency as it expands into new markets, including some Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the Middle East, according to an official communication.
O2 Asia Pacific is a member of the O2 group, a leading provider of mobile communications services in Europe with more than 35 million active mobile customers.
Guillaume Debrosse is responsible for O2 Asia Pacific’s entire regional operations, from project management, delivery and testing to supply chain management and after-sales support services. Debrosse’s key focus is to ensure prompt time-to-market for O2’s converged mobile devices and excellent service experience for O2’s customers.
Prior to this role, Debrosse was the CFO at O2 Asia Pacific, a role he assumed since the de-merger from BT plc. He was instrumental in successfully turning O2 Asia Pacific into a profitable and cash flow positive business with a six-time revenue increase and an EBITDA multiplied by 15 over the last 3 years.
Sean Wilkins succeeds Debrosse as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for O2 Asia Pacific. In his capacity as CFO, Wilkins oversees all O2’s financial and legal operations in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets.
Sean Wilkins joins O2 Asia Pacific from O2 UK where he was head of finance and business development for wholesale. Wilkins has made significant contribution to O2’s partnership with Tesco Mobile and successfully developed a completely new and vital business sector and helped achieve the million-customers mark within a span of two years.
Both Debrosse and Wilkins are based in Singapore and report directly to Mark Billington, CEO, O2 Asia Pacific, the release adds.
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
