Openreach Gears Up for Next Phase of Full fibre Rollout with New Leadership
As of the end of March 2026, Clive Selley will step down as chief executive officer of openreach, marking the end of a decade of important investment and transformation for the UK’s leading broadband provider. He will be succeeded by current deputy CEO Katie Milligan, a move poised to continue the company’s ambitious full fibre expansion BT Group.
Openreach: The Backbone of the UK’s Digital Economy
Openreach,a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group,plays a critical role in the UK’s digital infrastructure. The company’s network is increasingly vital for supporting a wide range of applications, from advancements in smart farming and sustainable transport to the growing demands of remote working and virtual healthcare. With approximately 27,000 employees, Openreach is committed to delivering enhanced connectivity across the nation.
Accelerating Full Fibre Deployment
Openreach is aggressively expanding its full fibre network, aiming to reach up to 30 million premises across the UK by the end of the decade. To date, the company has invested £15 billion in building new infrastructure to over 25 million homes and businesses, with plans to continue this rapid deployment. For the financial year ending March 2025, Openreach reported revenues of £6.157 billion, demonstrating the financial strength supporting this expansion.
The company is currently connecting an average of 85,000 new premises each week,bringing its total to over 3,500 UK towns,cities,boroughs,villages,and hamlets. This build-out is being achieved through both direct investment and publicly funded partnerships. Engineers are reportedly connecting over a million new homes every three months, making it one of the largest and fastest broadband infrastructure programmes in Europe.
Supporting Critical Services
the benefits of Openreach’s expanding network extend beyond residential customers. The infrastructure now supports approximately 33,000 medical facilities and over 25,000 educational institutions – colleges, schools, and universities – enhancing access to essential services and fostering digital transformation in these sectors.
A Wholesale Network Supporting Multiple Providers
Openreach operates the UK’s largest wholesale broadband network, providing the infrastructure for over 680 service providers, including major players like BT, SKY, TalkTalk, Vodafone, and Zen. This open access model allows a diverse range of companies to deliver broadband, TV, phone, data, and mobile services to their customers.
Katie Milligan: Leading Openreach into the Future
Katie Milligan brings extensive experience to her new role, having been with Openreach since 2009. Prior to her appointment as deputy CEO, she served as the company’s chief commercial officer, were she was instrumental in driving commercial strategy and strengthening customer relationships. Milligan is credited with accelerating the adoption of full fibre broadband nationwide and fostering strong partnerships with stakeholders.
A Legacy of Transformation
Clive Selley expressed his pride in Openreach’s achievements during his tenure, stating that the company has built a new digital platform for growth and prosperity across the UK. He voiced his confidence in Milligan’s ability to led the company forward, emphasizing her deep understanding of the business and her commitment to delivering for customers and stakeholders.
BT group chief executive Allison Kirkby echoed this sentiment, recognizing Openreach as a “critical national asset” and praising Selley’s exceptional leadership in driving the full fibre broadband build.She highlighted the lasting legacy of a world-class digital infrastructure that will benefit the UK for generations to come.
Looking ahead
With a new CEO at the helm and a continued commitment to investment and innovation, Openreach is well-positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital connectivity in the UK.The ongoing expansion of the full fibre network promises to unlock new opportunities for economic growth, social inclusion, and technological advancement.