Allison Kirkby

In early 2024, Kirkby became the first woman to helm BT Group, the U.K.’s telecoms giant, bringing decades of consumer and telecom savvy into one of the most scrutinized boardrooms in British business. A former Procter & Gamble executive, Kirkby made her mark turning around Telia and Denmark’s TDC, and she’s now steering BT through its most aggressive modernization push yet.

At the core of her plan: a $20 billion rollout to deliver full-fiber broadband to 25 million U.K. homes by 2026, and a radical overhaul of BT’s structure, with up to 55,000 roles set to be cut by the decade’s end. Investors have taken note—shares climbed after years of stagnation, as Kirkby pivoted away from BT’s global distractions to refocus on domestic dominance. Kirkby’s not just making the business faster; she’s pushing for a more inclusive telecoms future as Britain grapples with digital inequality and aging infrastructure. Amid an industry reckoning on diversity—she’s doubled down on BT’s DEI commitments.