Can Katie Milligan Sustain Openreach's Strategic Momentum?

BT Group's executive appointments reflect a strategic blueprint centred on sustaining network infrastructure leadership while advancing global connectivity capabilities.

The dual succession plan positions internal talent to drive the telecommunications company's core operational pillars through their next growth phase.

The operator has named Katie Milligan, incoming CEO of Openreach, to take up the role effective 1 April 2026. Katie who currently serves as Deputy CEO of Openreach will take the helm from Clive Selley, current CEO of Openreach.

In a parallel move, Clive will transition to lead BT International, replacing Bas Burger, outgoing CEO of BT International, following his departure after 18 years with the group.

Strategic rationale behind the appointments

These leadership transitions arrive at a pivotal juncture for both divisions.

Openreach continues executing its nationwide full fibre deployment, while BT International undergoes transformation into a standalone global platform business targeting multinational clients.

The succession planning demonstrates deliberate continuity in operational execution. Katie has spent considerable time embedded within Openreach's commercial and strategic framework since joining the division in 2009.

Her tenure has encompassed senior positions including Commercial Director and Chief Commercial Officer, providing comprehensive exposure to the regulatory environment and partner ecosystem that defines UK telecommunications.

According to Allison Kirkby, BT Group Chief Executive: "Openreach is a critical national asset – the digital backbone of the UK – and a key driver of BT Group's long-term value. 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."

Operational track record informs selection

Katie's appointment builds on her instrumental role in Openreach's commercial trajectory. As Deputy CEO, she has contributed to the division's return to revenue and EBITDA growth while overseeing wholesale pricing frameworks including Equinox and 112.

Her career began on BT Group's graduate programme in 2004 before moving to Openreach five years later.

This internal development pathway has equipped her with institutional knowledge spanning the operational, regulatory and commercial dimensions of wholesale infrastructure provision.

Clive's decade-long leadership of Openreach has been defined by the execution of one of Europe's most extensive fibre deployment programmes. The division has achieved full fibre coverage across more than 21 million premises, fundamentally reconfiguring the UK's fixed access network architecture.

Allison reflects on this achievement: "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.

"Clive's lasting legacy is a world-class digital infrastructure that will serve the UK for generations to come."

Global platform business requires infrastructure expertise

Clive's transition to BT International reflects the strategic priorities emerging from the division's structural separation. The unit now operates as a distinct entity focused on global connectivity, cloud networking and digital services for enterprise clients.

Allison positions this appointment within the context of infrastructure-led transformation: "Clive is also the best person to lead BT International forward as a next generation, global telecommunications platform business.

"No one has more experience building complex modern day infrastructure and supporting customers at scale in their digital transition."

Bas will depart following nine years on the Executive Committee. Allison acknowledges his contribution: "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."

According to Allison, the leadership changes serve a dual strategic purpose: "Together these changes strengthen BT Group's leadership for the next chapter – giving Openreach continued commercial and customer momentum in the UK, and speeding up the transformation of BT International."