1 March 2021

This announcement contains inside information.

JAN DU PLESSIS TO RETIRE AS CHAIRMAN OF BT GROUP PLC
 

BT Group plc ("BT" or the "Company") announces that Jan du Plessis has informed the Board of his intention to retire as Chairman of the Company in 2021 once a successor has been appointed. 

 
Jan joined BT as a Non-Executive Director in June 2017 and was appointed Chairman in November 2017. The Board will now initiate a process for the appointment of a successor led by the Senior Independent Director.

 
Jan du Plessis, Chairman, said:

 
"BT has made good progress over the last few years. We have a refreshed Board and much-strengthened senior management team delivering on our strategy to transform the Company. We have made big strides in enhancing customer service and have really stepped up to support the country during the pandemic. Above all, our relationship with Ofcom has improved significantly over the last three years and I strongly believe the Board's commitment to invest in a full fibre network is in the long-term interests of all BT's stakeholders."

"BT is a fantastic company and it is a huge privilege and responsibility to be its Chairman. But after 17 years of demanding roles as Chairman of significant FTSE companies, I know the time is now right for me to step down and focus on other interests. Until I hand over to my successor, I remain fully committed to BT and helping Philip continue to deliver for all our customers, colleagues and shareholders."

Philip Jansen, Chief Executive, said:

"I'd like to personally thank Jan for both his service to BT but also his commitment and support to me since I joined. His wise counsel, in particular over the last year as we have led the company through the pandemic has been hugely appreciated." 

"Jan's focus on improving customer experiences, investing for the long-term and motivating our colleagues has been consistent throughout his time at BT and with his strong support we now have a clear strategy to deliver in the years ahead."

Iain Conn, Senior Independent Director, said:

 
"On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our enormous gratitude to Jan for his leadership and guidance. We are very sorry to know he will be leaving. He has chaired BT through a period involving important strategic decisions and considerable change and will leave behind a very strong legacy".

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The person responsible for making this announcement is Sabine Chalmers, BT's Group General Counsel. 

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About BT

BT Group is the UK's leading telecommunications and network provider and a leading provider of global communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities in the UK include the provision of fixed voice, mobile, broadband and TV (including Sport) and a range of products and services over converged fixed and mobile networks to consumer, business and public sector customers. For its global customers, BT provides managed services, security and network and IT infrastructure services to support their operations all over the world. BT consists of four customer-facing units: Consumer, Enterprise, Global and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Openreach, which provides access network services to over 650 communications provider customers who sell phone, broadband and Ethernet services to homes and businesses across the UK.

For the year ended 31 March 2020, BT Group's reported revenue was £22,905m with reported profit before taxation of £2,353m.

British Telecommunications plc is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For more information, visit www.bt.com/about