The move, one of the largest one-off people transfer in UK corporate history, means the network now has an independent UK workforce of 31,000 people as well as the largest team of fibre broadband engineers in the country.

In June, the industry regulator Ofcom, reported that Openreach has been making positive progress towards implementing the commitments made under its review, with the people transfer the significant remaining milestone to overcome.

BT Group and Openreach have been working closely with partner unions to ensure a smooth transition of people, including conducting a formal consultation on the transfer with unions and employees since July.

Moving Towards Greater an Independent Business

According to Brendan Dick, chair of the new Openreach Board in Scotland this is an important achievement for the company as it will enable the firm to  fulfil its commitments to Ofcom under the Digital Communications Review: “Openreach now has its own Board in the UK, and here in Scotland, greater strategic and operational independence, a separate brand and an independent workforce – and we’re ambitious for the future.

“We’ve set out a clear plan to invest in new, more reliable, future-proof broadband technology, and we’re right in the middle of our largest ever recruitment drive for 3,500 engineers – 400 of them in Scotland – so it’s an exciting time to be part of Openreach Limited. We’re determined to continue improving customer service, collaborating closely with our customers, and spearheading the national rollout of next-generation broadband networks.”

Openreach to Mount Awareness Campaign

Over the coming months, Openreach will also be embarking on its first national brand campaign – involving digital, outdoor and print advertising – to raise awareness of its new independent identity, and promoting its work and investment in the UK, including across Scotland.

Early this year, Openreach announced a £400,000 investment in a fibre-training school for Scotland to support the training of a new wave of digital engineers – a move lauded by the Scottish Government.