GARRET Kavanagh has been appointed as director of digital infrastructure provider Openreach Northern Ireland.

He replaces Mairead Meyer, who has stepped down after five years in the role.

He began his career working for BT after graduating in 2006 from Queen's University, holding various senior roles there, ranging from head of service operations and head of planning NI Networks to managing director of NI Networks.

Garret joined Openreach (www.openreach.co.uk/ultrafast) in July 2018, where he held his most recent role as senior manager of infrastructure delivery.

His appointment comes as the company announced 17 more rural towns and villages where it will be building ultrafast full fibre broadband to over the next 18 months - stretching from Belleek in Co Fermanagh to Stewartstown in Co Tyrone, Cushendun in Co Antrim and Killinchy in Co Down.

It also comes alongside plans to add an extra £30 million to the £100 million investment Openreach announced for Northern Ireland between 2021 and 2022.

Garret said: “We're undergoing a once-in-a-generation upgrade to our broadband network from copper to full fibre, and our £130m investment will see 700,000 homes and businesses able to access ultrafast full fibre technology by next March - that's 75 per cent of properties across Northern Ireland.”

He paid tribute to his predecessor for her years of “dedicated service and commitment”, adding: “Mairead has been a colleague and friend for many years and I look forward to working with the team to achieve our shared vision of driving the country's digital future.”

In his new role as director, Garret is responsible for more than 1,000 members of staff, including large engineering teams.