BT appoints media veteran Allison Kirkby to board amid turnaround plan
BT has appointed veteran telecoms and media executive Allison Kirkby to its board as it looks to transform its recent run of bad fortune.
Kirkby, who is currently president and chief executive of Danish telecoms giant TDC Group, will join BT as a non-executive director from 15 March.
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BT chairman Jan du Plessis said: “Allison brings to the BT board valuable and recent experience in the international telecommunications sector.
“This, combined with her strong experience in driving performance, improving customer service and delivering shareholder value, makes her an excellent addition to the board.”
Kirkby began her career at Procter & Gamble, cementing its reputation as a breeding ground for the telecoms company. Former BT boss Gavin Patterson and his replacement, Philip Jansen, also worked at the consumer goods firm.
Kirkby later held a string of executive positions in the media, working at 21st Century Fox, Shine Group and Virgin Media.
The appointment comes at a turbulent time for BT, which has just welcomed Jansen as its new chief executive.
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Last year the firm unveiled a radical cost-cutting plan in a bid to fend off a raft of challenges, including regulation and rising competition, which have led to a sustained drop in its share price.
BT posted better-than-expected revenues and profits for the third quarter, but analysts warned the company still faces a host of challenges.