Gavin Patterson is a British business leader known for serving as Chief Executive of BT Group from 2013 to 2019 and later as President & Chief Revenue Officer at Salesforce. Born in 1967, he built a career across marketing, media, telecommunications and cloud technology, becoming one of the UK’s most influential executives. Patterson is admired for his innovation, digital-transformation expertise, and ability to scale global organisations. He continues to hold significant board and leadership roles across technology and consulting sectors.
Introduction to Gavin Patterson
Gavin Patterson stands out as a leader who not only shaped the UK’s telecommunications landscape but also made a powerful mark on the global technology industry. His career spans consumer marketing, media, telecommunications, digital infrastructure, cloud computing, and international business strategy. Over several decades, Patterson grew from a young professional in brand management to becoming the face of two corporate giants: BT Group, one of Britain’s most historic companies, and Salesforce, one of the world’s most innovative technology brands.
What makes Gavin Patterson’s story inspiring is not just the list of positions he has held but the impact he has had. At BT, he led the rollout of fibre broadband across the UK, oversaw major acquisitions, and transformed the company’s media presence. At Salesforce, he helped scale global operations and spearheaded revenue strategy at a time when cloud technology was reshaping the world.
In this article, we explore everything about Gavin Patterson — his age, family, career milestones, leadership style, achievements, net worth, and a complete “Gavin Patterson Wikipedia-style” profile.
Gavin Patterson Age
Gavin Patterson was born on 6 September 1967, which makes him 57 years old as of 2025. His age reflects a seasoned executive career with over three decades of experience across major global industries. Despite leaving frontline executive roles in recent years, he continues to serve on boards, advise companies, and contribute to technological and business innovation.
Gavin Patterson Early Life and Education
Gavin Patterson was born in Altrincham, England, and spent much of his early life preparing for a career in science and engineering. He studied at the prestigious Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he earned a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Chemical Engineering.
Although he trained as an engineer, Patterson quickly transitioned into the world of marketing and business. His technical education, however, remained a powerful foundation for understanding innovation, technology, and the structure of large-scale systems — skills that would later define his leadership approach.
Gavin Patterson Family
Gavin Patterson keeps his personal life relatively private, but it is known that he is married and has children. His commitment to family life has often been mentioned in interviews, where he highlights balance, discipline, and learning from personal relationships as valuable elements of leadership. While he rarely puts his family in the public eye, Patterson has been recognized as someone who values stability, support, and long-term relationships both at home and in business.
Gavin Patterson Career Journey
The career path of Gavin Patterson is a masterclass in professional evolution. From brand management to global technology leadership, his journey reflects adaptability, strategic vision, and an ability to reshape industries.
Early Roles: Procter & Gamble and Media Industry
Before entering telecommunications and technology, Patterson built his career at Procter & Gamble (P&G), one of the world’s most respected consumer-goods companies. At P&G, he worked in brand management on iconic personal-care products, sharpening his marketing instincts and consumer understanding.
He then moved into the telecommunications and media sector through senior roles at Telewest and Virgin Media, where he further expanded his knowledge of digital content, broadcast, and consumer services.
BT Group: Transforming a National Giant (2004–2019)
Gavin Patterson joined BT Group in 2004 as the Managing Director of its consumer division. His impact was immediate — he modernized the brand, expanded broadband products, and positioned BT as a key player in the UK’s digital future.
Rise to CEO
In 2013, he became Chief Executive of BT Group, one of the most powerful leadership roles in British business.
Major Achievements at BT
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Fibre Broadband Rollout
Patterson oversaw the nationwide rollout of BT’s superfast fibre broadband, a major infrastructure achievement. -
Launch of BT Sport
He spearheaded the creation of BT Sport, which disrupted the UK sports broadcasting landscape and challenged long-established competitors. -
Acquisition of EE
One of the most significant deals in UK telecom history, Patterson led the £15 billion acquisition of EE, giving BT a dominant position in mobile telecommunications. -
Cybersecurity & Innovation
Under his leadership, BT strengthened its cybersecurity capabilities and expanded into digital technology services.
Leadership Style at BT
His time at BT showed him to be strategic, bold, and willing to take transformative steps at the right moment — qualities that later made him a strong fit for Salesforce.
Salesforce: Global Technology Leadership (2019–2023)
After leaving BT, Gavin Patterson joined Salesforce — one of the most influential cloud-technology companies in the world — in 2019.
From EMEA Role to Global Leadership
He first served as Chairman for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, then quickly rose to become:
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President & Chief Executive Officer (International)
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President & Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)
Responsibilities and Achievements at Salesforce
As CRO, Patterson was responsible for:
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Global sales
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Revenue strategy
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Go-to-market execution
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International growth
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Customer relationship strategy
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Scaling cloud solutions across industries
His leadership helped Salesforce expand its footprint during a period of major digital transformation worldwide.
Gavin Patterson Today: Board Roles and New Ventures
Although no longer in frontline executive roles, Gavin Patterson remains deeply active in the business world.
He currently serves on the boards of multiple companies, including roles in:
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Technology
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Consulting
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Digital transformation
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Cloud innovation
He also holds senior non-executive and advisory roles, contributing expertise in:
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Corporate governance
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Digital strategy
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Global market expansion
His modern career reflects a shift from hands-on leadership to mentorship and governance — a natural evolution for many seasoned global executives.
Gavin Patterson Wikipedia-Style Profile
Below is a simplified, encyclopedic biography similar to what you would expect to find on a public profile page:
Name: Gavin Eric Patterson
Born: 6 September 1967
Age: 57 (as of 2025)
Nationality: British
Education: MEng, Chemical Engineering, Emmanuel College, Cambridge
Profession: Business Executive, Board Director, Consultant
Known For:
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Former CEO of BT Group
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Former President & Chief Revenue Officer of Salesforce
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Transformational leadership in telecommunications and cloud technology
Industry Expertise:
Telecommunications, Media, Consumer Services, Cloud Technology, Digital Transformation
Family: Married, with children
Current Roles: Board member, non-executive director, leadership advisor
This structured summary provides a quick and clear overview often searched by users looking for “gavin patterson wikipedia” content.
Gavin Patterson Net Worth
While exact figures vary among different financial analysts, Gavin Patterson’s estimated net worth is between £8 million and £15 million as of 2025. His wealth comes from:
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Executive compensation during his six-year tenure as BT CEO
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Salaries and bonuses from Salesforce
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Corporate shares, investment holdings, and equity positions
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Board memberships and advisory roles
Patterson’s long leadership career in top global companies has positioned him financially among Britain’s high-earning executives.
Leadership Style and Influence
Gavin Patterson is admired for his transformative leadership style, marked by:
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Long-term strategic thinking
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Ability to modernize legacy organizations
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Deep understanding of consumer behaviour
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Strong communication skills
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Experience leading both national and global businesses
He blends engineering logic with marketing creativity — a rare combination that has shaped his entire career.
Impact on Business and Technology
Patterson’s legacy stretches across different sectors:
Telecommunications
He played a critical role in modernizing the UK’s broadband infrastructure and shaping the competitive environment.
Media and Broadcasting
The launch of BT Sport changed British sports broadcasting by introducing new players and competition.
Cloud and Digital Technology
At Salesforce, he helped accelerate enterprise cloud adoption and contributed to the company’s international growth.
Modern Corporate Governance
Today, his advisory and board roles help shape the future of technology-driven companies around the world.
Conclusion
Gavin Patterson’s journey from Cambridge engineering graduate to global technology and telecommunications leader is a powerful example of strategic vision, adaptability, and long-term business excellence. Whether modernizing national infrastructure at BT or scaling global revenue at Salesforce, Patterson has consistently demonstrated leadership rooted in innovation and progress.
As a result, he continues to be regarded as one of the most influential British executives of his generation — a figure whose expertise remains highly sought after across technology, consulting, and digital-transformation sectors.
