Alcatel-Lucent chief Ben Verwaayen has been reunited with ex-BT colleague Christopher Bland, who was this week introduced as the vendor’s new non-executive chairman for the UK. In this newly created position Bland will provide operational and business oversight to Alcatel-Lucent’s UK and Ireland business. The pair worked together at BT a few years ago when Bland held the position of chairman and Verwaayen was CEO of the operator.

Alcatel-Lucent is also bringing in another BT veteran to act as CEO for the company’s UK operation. Lucy Dimes is to succeed Lakh Jemmett as UK CEO in April. Most recently, Dimes served at BT as managing director of BT Group & Openreach Service Operations at BT Operate. Jemmett will transition to the new role of VP of Transformation for the Europe, Middle East and Africa Region.