Claire Gillies Succeeds Current Consumer CEO Marc Allera at BT

BT Group has revealed that Marc Allera will step down as CEO of its Consumer division, with Claire Gillies set to take over as CEO-Designate and join the company’s Executive Committee on December 10, 2024. This announcement signals the start of a structured transition period, during which Allera will collaborate closely with Gillies. After nine years at BT Group, Allera is slated to step down as Consumer CEO on March 31, 2025, with Gillies officially assuming the role on April 1, 2025.

Gillies brings with her over 23 years of experience in the telecommunications sector, having held multiple senior leadership roles at Bell Canada since 2000. Most recently, she served as President of Bell Canada’s Wireless and Consumer Divisions, overseeing a business generating approximately CA$14 billion (around £8 billion) in revenue. Under her leadership, the division managed over 20 million customer subscriptions with the support of more than 8,000 employees.

In addition to her telecom expertise, Gillies has also led The Source, Canada’s largest consumer electronics retailer. She holds both a BSc and an MBA and has been recognized with several prestigious accolades, including the Top Executive award from The Globe and Mail and the Alumni of the Year award from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. She is an active member of the International Women’s Forum Fellows Program and serves as Vice Chair of Kids Help Phone, a Canadian youth mental health charity. Gillies co-chairs the organization’s Feel Out Loud Campaign, a national mental health initiative.

BT Group CEO Allison Kirkby acknowledged Allera’s substantial contributions, highlighting his leadership in key projects such as integrating EE into BT Group, forming the BT Sport joint venture with Warner Bros Discovery, and launching New EE as BT’s flagship consumer brand. Kirkby expressed her gratitude for Allera’s support during her tenure and his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition for Gillies. She wished him well in his future endeavors as he prepares to depart BT in the spring of 2025.

Kirkby also welcomed Gillies to BT, emphasizing her extensive international telecom expertise and her strong track record of driving growth in both consumer and retail businesses. Kirkby expressed confidence that Gillies would be an exceptional addition to the team, leading BT Consumer and EE towards becoming the UK’s foremost brand for converged connectivity.

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