BT names new chiefs for Openreach & BT International

BT Group has announced a leadership succession plan for Openreach and BT International. Clive Selley is due to become Chief Executive of BT International, while Katie Milligan is set to take over as Chief Executive of Openreach.

The changes are scheduled to take effect on 1 April 2026. Bas Burger, Chief Executive of BT International, will leave the group after 18 years.

BT International operates outside the UK alongside the group's domestic consumer and business operations. Openreach runs the fixed access network that connects homes and businesses across the UK and provides wholesale services to internet service providers.

BT International

Selley previously served as Chief Executive of Openreach. Under the succession plan, he will move from the UK network division to lead the group's international unit.

Burger, who has led BT International and held several senior roles across the wider business, is departing following the unit's repositioning as a standalone entity within the group.

Allison Kirkby, BT Group Chief Executive, stated that the international unit is at a critical stage of development and described Selley as the right executive to lead its next phase.

"Clive is also the best person to lead BT International forward as a next generation, global telco platform business. No one has more experience building complex modern day infrastructure and supporting customers at scale in their digital transition. I'm delighted he's staying within BT Group and look forward to working together with him in his new role."

Openreach

Milligan is currently Deputy Chief Executive of Openreach and is due to step up to the top role on the same date as Selley's departure.

Openreach has been central to BT Group's investment programme in recent years, including a large-scale rollout of full-fibre broadband. The build programme has been a major part of BT's efforts to modernise the UK's fixed-line infrastructure.

Kirkby described Openreach as strategically important to BT Group, highlighting its execution and customer focus.

"Openreach is a critical national asset - the digital backbone of the UK - and a key driver of BT Group's long-term value. Its talented team, disciplined execution and customer focus continues to strengthen our position as the UK's most trusted connector. Katie has helped shape that success. Her deep industry experience, strong people leadership and sharp operational instincts make her the right leader to take Openreach forward.

"Clive's contribution at the helm of Openreach has been exceptional. His leadership - particularly the scale, pace and quality of the full fibre broadband build, has set new standards for our industry. We are deeply grateful for the commitment, expertise and integrity he has brought to the role. Clive's lasting legacy is a world-class digital infrastructure that will serve the UK for generations to come."

"I'd like to thank Bas for all that he's done for us over the past 18 years, including leading Global, BT Business and, most recently, successfully carving out BT International as a standalone unit. He has laid the foundations and strategy for a more focussed, responsive platform business for our customers outside of the UK, ready to scale and grow with the help of next generation technologies."

The succession plan comes amid ongoing scrutiny of UK telecoms infrastructure and competition among operators. Openreach's wholesale network supports fixed broadband delivery for a wide range of retail providers, including BT's consumer business and rival service providers.

The leadership changes also come as telecoms groups reshape operations around fibre build, international connectivity, and managed network services for business customers. BT has pursued a simplified operating model in recent years, separating activities into clearer units and tightening accountability across the group.

From April, Milligan will take responsibility for Openreach's operational delivery and relationships with communications providers. Selley will lead BT International's operations and customer base outside the UK.