BT, the UK’s largest telecommunications provider, is set to have a new CEO as Allison Kirkby takes the reins from Philip Jansen on February 1. Kirkby is a familiar face to the board, having been a non-executive director since 2019.
“BT Group has a bright future and I’m pleased to be handing the baton to Allison Kirkby early in the new year. She knows the sector, she knows the company and she’s the right person to lead BT Group from this position of operational strength.”
Philip Jansen, Chief Executive, commenting on the half year results Sep 2023
Kirkby’s appointment comes at a time when BT faces several challenges, including the nationwide fibre rollout, declining share price, and competition from alternative network providers in fixed-line broadband. Under Jansen’s leadership, the company made progress in deploying all-fibre network infrastructure, with its Openreach subsidiary reaching the halfway point in its goal of rolling out fibre broadband to 25 million UK premises by the end of 2026.
While Kirkby’s arrival is not expected to bring any major changes in direction for the company, she will be tasked with continuing Jansen’s transformation efforts and driving the nationwide rollout program of fibre infrastructure by Openreach.
Analysts have highlighted that Kirkby faces a number of challenges as she takes on the role of CEO. These include improving BT’s ailing business division, addressing the declining share price, and managing competition from alternative network providers in fixed-line broadband.
One more potential challenge for Kirkby is French telecoms billionaire Patrick Drahi and his Altice outfit, which has been gradually acquiring BT shares over the past several years. Drahi now owns a significant stake in the company, giving him considerable influence, although he has denied any intention to make a takeover bid for BT.
As Kirkby prepares to take over as CEO, industry experts are keen to see how she will navigate the challenges ahead and steer BT towards a new chapter under her leadership.
