Allison Kirkby, the CEO of BT Group, has initiated discussions with potential candidates for a successor, emphasizing that regular succession planning is a standard practice within the organization. While no comments have been made regarding the specifics of the replacement process, sources suggest that an appointment could be finalized as soon as this year, although the names of the candidates remain undisclosed.
The current finance chief, Lowth, who joined BT in 2016 after succeeding Tony Chanmugam, will be stepping down. His prior tenure included roles at notable companies such as BG Group, ScottishPower, and AstraZeneca, along with experience at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Notably, Deutsche Telekom and Indian billionaire Sunil Bharti Mittal jointly hold over one-third of BT’s shares, a factor that could influence the future leadership dynamics within the company.
Additionally, there has been ongoing speculation about Bharti Mittal possibly increasing his stake in BT, further underscoring the strategic interests surrounding the telecom giant. Meanwhile, BT’s infrastructure arm Openreach has also been directed to become “legally separate” as mandated by Ofcom.
As BT navigates this transitional phase in its leadership, the prospects for new management could bring fresh perspectives and strategies, paving the way for continued growth and adaptation in the ever-evolving telecommunications landscape.