Full Fibre Growth with BT’s New Openreach Chief

Published: 10 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

BT has announced a significant management change at Openreach, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s full fibre broadband rollout. The head of BT’s infrastructure division, Clive Selley, will step down after nearly a decade of leading the fibre expansion programme, which has brought high-speed broadband to more than 25 million homes across the UK. This transition reflects BT’s ongoing strategic focus on digital connectivity and the strengthening of the UK’s broadband infrastructure.

Selley, appointed by former BT CEO Philip Jansen to accelerate the nationwide fibre rollout, has overseen one of the most ambitious telecoms infrastructure projects in the country. His leadership emphasized speed and scale, aiming to overcome the UK’s previously lagging position in global broadband rankings. Under his direction, Openreach almost reached the company’s target of passing 25 million homes with full fibre connections, a landmark achievement in national connectivity.

This management reshuffle forms part of BT’s wider executive changes initiated by CEO Allison Kirkby, the company’s first female chief executive. Since taking the helm in February 2024, Kirkby has reshaped the executive committee, altering ten of its eleven members, reflecting her strategy to modernise BT and streamline its operations. “Clive’s leadership at Openreach has been exceptional, delivering scale, pace, and quality in full fibre broadband,” Kirkby said. “His contribution has set new standards for the industry while enhancing BT’s long-term value.”

As Selley moves to lead BT’s international division, the role of Openreach chief will be filled by his deputy, Katie Milligan. Milligan now faces critical strategic decisions, including whether to push the fibre network further, potentially connecting up to 30 million homes by the end of the decade. Her appointment signals BT’s intention to continue aggressive expansion while navigating the increasingly competitive broadband market.

Openreach has faced mounting pressure from smaller broadband providers, often referred to as “alt nets,” including rivals like CityFibre. These providers have captured a growing share of the market, leading Openreach to forecast the loss of 850,000 customers in the year ending March 2026. The division has already experienced a customer decline of over 800,000 in its last financial year, highlighting challenges in maintaining market dominance despite its fibre rollout success.

The UK government and industry analysts consider Openreach a critical national asset, forming the backbone of the country’s digital infrastructure. Its fibre expansion has been central to national plans for economic growth, remote working, and digital innovation. BT’s investment of nearly £12 billion into this project demonstrates a long-term commitment to strengthening connectivity, reducing regional disparities, and supporting technological development across urban and rural areas.

Selley’s tenure at Openreach began in 2016, at a time when much of the UK’s broadband infrastructure relied on ageing copper networks. The full fibre programme he led has not only upgraded the physical network but also established operational efficiencies and enhanced customer experience. Analysts note that Selley’s emphasis on speed and coverage positioned BT ahead of many European competitors, even as regulatory pressures increased.

While speculation has persisted about BT potentially selling part or all of Openreach, the company has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the division as a core strategic asset. Kirkby’s statements suggest that Openreach will continue to operate as a central pillar of BT Group’s business, while exploring expansion and operational improvements under Milligan’s guidance.

Industry insiders also note the symbolic importance of this leadership transition, coinciding with a period of accelerated digital transformation. The ongoing expansion of fibre broadband is viewed as critical for supporting the UK’s digital economy, particularly in areas requiring high-speed connectivity for businesses, education, and public services. Openreach’s ability to balance infrastructure investment with market competition will likely shape the telecommunications landscape over the next decade.

Milligan’s appointment represents both continuity and evolution. Her prior experience within Openreach equips her to understand operational challenges, while her leadership style may influence BT’s strategic approach to growth, customer retention, and competitive response. Observers anticipate decisions regarding further network expansion, pricing strategies, and partnership opportunities with regional broadband providers will define her early tenure.

Despite customer losses to alt nets, Openreach remains the dominant provider in the UK’s broadband market, leveraging its extensive fibre network and long-standing industry presence. The division’s ongoing rollout to 25 million homes exemplifies BT’s commitment to bridging the digital divide, enabling faster internet access for millions of households previously reliant on slower connections.

As the UK continues to emphasise digital infrastructure as a cornerstone of economic and social development, the leadership change at Openreach underscores BT’s proactive strategy to remain at the forefront of technological advancement. Selley’s legacy, coupled with Milligan’s potential innovations, will influence national broadband coverage, competition, and the overall trajectory of fibre connectivity.

In conclusion, BT’s management reshuffle at Openreach signals both recognition of past achievements and strategic positioning for future growth. The transition highlights the ongoing importance of full fibre broadband in the UK, while reaffirming Openreach’s role as a critical national asset. With Milligan at the helm, the company faces opportunities and challenges as it seeks to expand fibre access, compete with emerging providers, and maintain leadership in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

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