In a historic move, BT Group, one of the UK's leading telecommunications giants, has announced the appointment of Allison Kirkby as its new CEO, marking the first time in its 170-year history that a woman will lead the company. Kirkby will succeed Philip Jansen, who will continue as CEO until January, providing a transition period until March, when he will retire.
Kirkby, currently the president and CEO of Swedish telecoms company Telia Company, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. With a background in telecoms spanning over a decade, including leadership roles at Virgin Media and Denmark's largest telecom business, TDC, Kirkby has proven herself as a transformative leader. She has also been a non-executive director of BT since 2019, gaining valuable insight into the company's operations and strategy.
BT Chairman Adam Crozier expressed his confidence in Kirkby's capabilities, praising her as a "proven leader with deep sector experience and a history of having transformed businesses." Kirkby's appointment aligns with BT's strategy to embrace digitization and innovation to serve its customers better.
Her vision for BT is grounded in the importance of the company's role within the UK and its global customer base. She emphasized her commitment to leveraging BT's unique position to benefit from digitalization, foster growth, and enable customers to navigate the digital landscape seamlessly. Kirkby's understanding of BT's strategy and her endorsement of its future direction reflect her readiness to lead the company into its next phase.
Alongside her vision, Kirkby's remuneration package highlights the company's recognition of her leadership potential. With a salary of £1.1 million, benefits, and substantial performance-based bonuses, BT aims to incentivize Kirkby's dedication to driving the company's success and innovation.
Her appointment also contributes to the increase in female representation among FTSE 100 Index chief executives. With leaders like Amanda Blanc of Aviva, Jennie Daly of Taylor Wimpey, and Dame Emma Walmsley of GlaxoSmithKline, the business landscape is gradually diversifying, reflecting a broader range of perspectives and experiences at the top echelons of leadership.
BT is currently undergoing a transformative phase characterized by technological advancements, including the near completion of Openreach's fastest full-fiber internet rollout and 5G network. The company's commitment to digitization involves streamlining its operations, leading to a reduction of 10,000 jobs.
Kirkby's appointment as BT's CEO represents a significant milestone not only for the company but also for gender diversity in corporate leadership. With her extensive experience and vision for the future, Kirkby is poised to steer BT through the challenges and opportunities of the evolving telecommunications landscape, solidifying the company's position as a vital player in the UK and beyond.