O2 “market changer” exits

O2 UK head of acquisitions and propositions Paul Taylor is leaving after six years with the company to take up a new managerial role with New Zealand’s Telecom Mobile, starting April 13.

Taylor’s influence on O2’s contract proposition has been huge. He won O2’s employee of the year award, the ‘Spirit Of O2’, last April, beating 12,000 employees.

Taylor was integral in the launches of O2’s SIM-only Simplicity offer, one of the network’s most successful innovations and launches in the contract space.

He was also key to its O2 Treats and O2 Long Weekends deals. He played important roles in O2’s launch of the Apple iPhone in the UK and longer-term contracts as well.

Most recently, he played a key role in switching around O2’s credit vetting system to allow SIM-only customers white-flag credit passes.

Taylor said: “I had no intention of leaving O2, which I have put my heart and soul into for six years, but it was a great offer and a great challenge.

“On a selfish and personal level I would love to think by me leaving I will have made a dent, and I genuinely think I have.

“But on the strategic level, my position will be filled with quality. The people that work here are immense and although I hope I leave a mark, O2 will continue to thrive.”

One colleague said: “He almost single-handedly chan­ged the market.”