Author Archives: Ben Dowd

About Ben Dowd

Ben Dowd is one of O2’s longest standing directors. During his 16 years at O2, the business has fundamentally changed and evolved into a complex range of services that puts mobile at the heart of communications for a consumer and is increasingly at the centre of business.

Digital engagement fuels St Helens' economy

by Ben Dowd, Wednesday 30 March 2016
By Ben Dowd: O2 Business Director, Telefónica UK At the end of 2015, my team and I embarked on an ambitious project. Following research that highlighted the digital divide between North and South, we selected St Helens, Merseyside, as the ideal test bed for a pilot “Digital Communities” programme to improve a town’s digital health. … more »

Has O2 Business embraced paperless working? The results are in.

by Ben Dowd, Monday 21 March 2016
By Ben Dowd: O2 Business Director, Telefónica UK Recently, things have been a bit different at O2 Business. Digital work methods have taken precedence over printing, notepads abandoned and pens put away.  Why? Well, we’ve been going paperless. Our paperless journey began back in June 2015 when we launched the first phase of the initiative. … more »

O2 continues to put paper in the past

by Ben Dowd, Monday 2 November 2015
by Ben Dowd: O2 Business Director, Telefónica UK At O2, we are always exploring smarter and more flexible and sustainable ways of working. We are continuing to focus on delivering the benefits of digital tools for our employees and our business.  We are just rolling out phase two of our paperless initiative and this time … more »

Why rugby and business aren't so different...

by Ben Dowd, Tuesday 11 August 2015
by Ben Dowd: O2 Business Director, Telefónica UK This year, O2 is proud to mark the 21st anniversary of our England Rugby sponsorship and, as I am a huge rugby fan, I can’t wait for the start of the biggest tournament in rugby history. Over the years I have been to many matches and have … more »

We're going paperless!

by Ben Dowd, Thursday 28 May 2015
“The visionary starts with a clean sheet of paper, and re-imagines the world” ~ Malcolm Gladwell Our vision at O2 is to become a truly digital organisation, allowing us to enjoy the increased efficiency and productivity associated with technology.  Along with Work Wise UK, we are continuing this journey towards the digital workplace. For centuries, … more »

Digital start-ups pitch at No.10

by Ben Dowd, Friday 15 August 2014
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending an event at 10 Downing Street in the company of the Prime Minister and 10 of the most promising digital companies in Britain. In true ‘Dragons’ Den’ style I listened to a range of new start-ups pitch to around 70 investors, financiers and corporate partners that represented … more »

Small Business: Big Opportunity

by Ben Dowd, Wednesday 21 May 2014
Yesterday afternoon, I spoke at an event organised by BIS (the department for business, innovation and skills) and Enterprise Nation for large businesses to highlight the benefits of them working with, investing in and selling to small businesses. Conversations around the room reflected recent positive news that business confidence is rising, but the real topic … more »

How smarter working can aid productivity

by Ben Dowd, Wednesday 23 April 2014
As discussed in my latest article for the Daily Mail, there’s been a run of positive news on the UK’s economic outlook recently, and things are finally looking up for businesses that have been struggling amidst the recession over the past few years. However, hard times are not necessarily over and there is still room … more »