Head of Scientific Affairs, BT

Jonathan Legh-Smith is Head of Scientific Affairs for BT. He leads engagement with national research & innovation priorities such as the National Quantum Technologies Programme and strategic engagement with UK Research & Innovation. He is based at BT’s global R&D Headquarters at Adastral Park, Suffolk. 

Jonathan’s background is in technology strategy and IT-related research. He directed BT’s Strategic Research programme for over 10 years and managed BT’s collaborative research partnerships. Key outcomes from the Strategic Research programme include G.FAST, Networks functions Virtualisation – the defining architecture for 5G networks, and BT’s AI-based cyber-defence capabilities. He was previously based in Silicon Valley, California as the VP, Technology working with early-stage technology companies. Jonathan was also BT’s Head of Standards, responsible for engagement in national and international standards organisations such as ETSI, 3GPP and the IETF.

He is a member of the EPSRC Science, Engineering & Technology Board and the National Quantum Computing Centre Technical Advisory Group and is a regular chair for the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship programme. Previous appointments include the EPSRC Strategic Advisory Network and the EIT Digital Supervisory Board, responsible for 100m Euros p.a. He was the UK Telecoms Expert for London’s successful 2012 Olympics bid.

Jonathan established BT’s school engagement programme in the East of England and co-created the national Barefoot Computing initiative in partnership with the BCS and Department for Education. He is a member of the Dept. for Education’s Ipswich Opportunity Area Partnership Board, Corporation Member for Suffolk New College, Trustee for Avocet Multi-Academy Trust and a Board member for Suffolk Young Enterprise.