BT changes chair of Openreach for first time since separation

BT Group PLC on Thursday announced a revamped board of Openreach, including the first new chair for the broadband infrastructure operator since its legal separation 10 years ago.

Openreach is a wholly owned subsidiary of BT, but as the owner of most of the UK's broadband network, it has been required by the UK government since 2016 to be run at arm's length, with its own board and executive team.

Mike McTighe has been chair that entire time, but BT on Thursday said McTighe will step down on March 31 next year, replaced by Michael Jary, already an independent non-executive director. Jary joined the Openreach board last year. Jary also is a director of Barclays Bank UK, the ring-fenced UK arm of Barclays PLC, and he will become chair of the National Audit Office in January.

BT Chief Financial Officer Patricia Cobian will join the Openreach board on December 1 as BT's nominee, replacing Simon Lowth, who has retired from BT.

Also joining the Openreach board from December will be Andy MacLeod, a telecommunications industry veteran whose positions included chief networks officer for Vodafone Group PLC and chief technology officer for Verizon Wireless, part of Verizon Communications Inc.

Additionally, at the end of December, Jamie Vague will replace Matt Davies as chief financial officer for Openreach and also replace Davies on the Openreach board. Vague is currently financial planning & analysis director for BT Group.

BT shares were up 2.2% to 218.30 pence on Thursday afternoon in London.

Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.