Shay Walsh
Dublin 15,Dublin
Summary
Highly experienced Executive Leader with a proven track record of developing a strategic vision and execution of that vision by establishing a healthy culture, driving high performance with high engagement.
Results-oriented and authentic leader with over 29 years of experience in the Technology and Telecoms industry building national infrastructure at scale including two Data Centre builds. Proven track record in strategic, commercial and financial leadership across a wide range of corporate disciplines such as Finance, Sales, Strategy, Cost Transformation, Risk & Compliance, Network Planning & Build, Operations, Product Development, Customer Service, IT, Marketing and Corporate & Social Responsibility.
Committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, achieving top-tier customer satisfaction, and leading environmental and social responsibility initiatives.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work history
MD of BT Ireland
BT
Grand Canal Plaza, D4
06.2016 - Current
- Directed BT Ireland business strategy that delivered 5 years of consecutive EBITDA and Cash Growth for BT Ireland
- Led stakeholder engagement with external bodies such as Regulator (ComReg) on all compliance requirements
- Achieved average Sales growth as measured by sales order value of 10% per annum
- Drove Digital transformation using both traditonal IT methodologies and AI, leading to an award at the 2024 Digital Transformation Awards
- Embedded strong risk management and compliance culture using ESG as our guiding framework
- Responsible for large scale national network build including the acquisition and build out of a second data centre and new voice platform for the 999 service.
- Delivered high levels of operational efficiency, product development, digital transformation, marketing and sales execution
- Cultivated strong employee engagement, diversity, and inclusion, Achieved Business Working Responsibly Mark for 2 terms and 1st company globally to achieve Healthy Place to Work 6 years in a row
- Achieved high levels customer experience satisfaction metrics with awards achieved in Europe and World Customer Centricity Awards
- Delivered the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition as Head Organiser since 2017 including the 60th Anniversary in 2024 and BT's 25th year as sponsor in 2025
MD of UK Sales for South & Wales
BT Enterprise
London
06.2021 - 10.2022
- Led 300 sales professionals in Wales, London, and South regions in parallel to MD of BT Ireland
- Oversaw P&L responsibilities for £560M Revenue & £205M EBITDA, achieving 14% profit growth in 20/21.
- Rebuilt the Sales function for Corporate & Public Sector in the South of England and Wales.
- Delivered new strategy for commercial and sales growth in highly Regulated (OFCOM) market
- Hired new sales leadership team and embedded new people management framework.
- Reduced employee churn by 75% and increased sales per head by 20%
Head of Business Sales
BT Ireland
Dublin
09.2011 - 06.2016
- Managed Small, Medium and Large Corporate and Government sales sectors in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, delivering £372M revenue.
- Set new strategic direction for all sales sectors
- Successfully launched new products and propositions, achieving sales targets of £156M Net Incremental Billed Revenue
- Drove high customer satisfaction metrics (NPS of +30)
- Managed wide range of external stakeholders and supplier partnerships in Information, Communication and Technology services
- Won several large Managed Service contracts including renewals
Head of Wholesale
BT Ireland
Dublin, Leinster
06.2006 - 09.2011
- Established Wholesale Sales & Operations division for BT Ireland all island.
- Delivered 15% revenue growth in highly regulated Northern Ireland wholesale market supporting new fibre broadband market expansion
- Accountable for end-to-end P&L of Wholesale function, growing revenue from £160M to £269M.
- Negotiated and managed BT’s 1st Managed Services Contract, achieving over £600M in lifetime revenue.
- Led design, build, and operate of Three Ireland’s Mobile Network including high site acquisition and tower construction
- Set up back office IP Operations and Radio Optimisation of Three Mobile network (3G & 4G)
Director of Networks & Customer Services
BT Ireland & BT Global
10.2000 - 06.2006
- Developed strategic vision for Network & Customer Service functions for BT Ireland
- Led Network Planning, Design, and Build of BT Ireland’s Fibre, Sub Sea Fibre, Data, Voice & Internet networks.
- Delivered first Data Centre for BT in Ireland in City West from Brown field site to fully operational in less than 18 months
- Merged Networks and Customer Service, achieving 10% reduction in costs and 5% reduction in headcount.
- Achieved 7.3% of Network Operational costs as percentage of Revenue, benchmarked by Mercer.
- Managed resources to yield high Return On Capital Employed (ROCE), raising cost-effectiveness.
Field Engineer & Product Development
Esat Telecom
12.1995 - 10.2000
- Generated detailed field service reports recording daily work data.
- Implemented managed service tool for remote downloading of routing tables saving 50% in site visit costs.
- Performed preventive maintenance to decrease unplanned defects and increase equipment longevity by 75%
Graduate Engineer
Timas & DataPort International
08.1993 - 12.1995
- Graduate Engineer working in Timas as Network Engineer
- Graduate Engineer working in Dataport International in Product development & Support reduced externa service costs by 50%
Education
Master of Business Administration - Advanced Human Resource Management
UCD Michael Smurfit Business School
Dublin 09.1998 - 05.2000
Bachelor of Electronic Engineering - Telecommunications
Dublin City University
Dublin 09.1988 - 05.1993
Chairman -
BT Communications Ireland Ltd
DublinChair -
EDI Sub Committee To The Governing Authority
Dublin 07.2021 -
Full Board Member -
Young Scientist Board
Dublin 03.2016 -
Board Member -
Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation
Dublin 06.2016 -
Co Chair of BITC Sustainable Leadership Group -
Business in The Community
DublinSkills
- Strategic Leadership
- Commercial & Sales leadership
- Risk Management and Regulatory expertise
- Effective and authentic communicator
- Stakeholder management (Government, industry bodies & community)
- Financial management & cost transformation
- Transformation & corporate change management
- Corporate and Social Responsibility
Affiliations
- I am a keen cyclist participating in Sportives. I play Golf and enjoy walking and hiking
Accomplishments
- Outstanding Achievement in Innovation & Technology, DCU Alumni Awards 2019.
- American Chambers of Commerce Special Award for contribution to STEM in Secondary Education.
- Founders Medal at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2018.
- Healthy Place To Work Accreditation for 6 years in a row
- Business Working Responsibly Mark
- Best Culture - World Customer Centricity Awards 2024
- High Potential Leadership Training, BT Learning & Development
Timeline
Chair -
EDI Sub Committee To The Governing Authority
07.2021 -
MD of UK Sales for South & Wales
BT Enterprise
06.2021 - 10.2022
Board Member -
Valentia Transatlantic Cable Foundation
06.2016 -
MD of BT Ireland
BT
06.2016 - Current
Full Board Member -
Young Scientist Board
03.2016 -
Head of Business Sales
BT Ireland
09.2011 - 06.2016
Head of Wholesale
BT Ireland
06.2006 - 09.2011
Director of Networks & Customer Services
BT Ireland & BT Global
10.2000 - 06.2006
Master of Business Administration - Advanced Human Resource Management
UCD Michael Smurfit Business School
09.1998 - 05.2000
Field Engineer & Product Development
Esat Telecom
12.1995 - 10.2000
Graduate Engineer
Timas & DataPort International
08.1993 - 12.1995
Bachelor of Electronic Engineering - Telecommunications
Dublin City University
09.1988 - 05.1993
Chairman -
BT Communications Ireland Ltd
Co Chair of BITC Sustainable Leadership Group -
Business in The Community