TalkTalk Business UK bigwig Paul Lawton has quit to "pursue opportunities outside of the business", the carrier has confirmed.

Lawton, who joined the firm in 2006, is set to be replaced as managing director by IBM UK veep Charles Bligh and TalkTalk is warming a seat for the new man on its group exec team to represent the biz division.

The firm, formerly a subsidiary of the Carphone Warehouse, said Lawton's departure was his own decision but that he had played a "pivotal role in the development and growth of the division in recent years".

"He has built a strong and effective management team and is justifiably proud of their achievements, particularly the re-positioning of the business as a very successful data services provider," said TalkTalk Business in a statement.

Bligh was responsible for the commercial sector at Big Blue for nearly three years and will report directly to TalkTalk Group CEO Dido Harding.

TalkTalk refused to comment further and Lawton was unavailable to comment at the time of going to press. ®