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Business
Jun 11, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

BT CEO Allison Kirkby's Pay Package Swells to £5.6m, More Than Doubling in a Year

AI Summary
Allison Kirkby, BT's first female chief executive, saw her total remuneration rise to £5.58 million for the year to March 2026 – more than double her previous pay and the highest at the telecoms group in over a decade. The surge reflects BT's share‑price rally and the payoff of its costly restructuring programme.

Allison Kirkby, BT's first female chief executive, saw her total remuneration rise to £5.58 million for the year to March 2026 – more than double the £2.48 million she earned in her inaugural year and the highest pay award at the telecoms group in over a decade.

Kirkby's Compensation Package More Than Doubles

The remuneration package, announced in June 2026, includes a £1 million cash bonus payable this month and £3.25 million in share awards under a long‑term incentive programme that will vest over three years. Her base salary was increased by 3 % to £1.1 million, while BT secured a 4.1 % pay rise for staff earning under £30,000 and a 3 % rise for higher earners.

Breakdown of the £5.58 million Package and Historical Comparisons

  • Cash bonus: £1 million
  • Share awards: £3.25 million (vest over three years)
  • Salary: £1.1 million after a 3 % increase
  • Total 2025‑26 package: £5.58 million
  • Previous year (2024‑25): £2.48 million
  • Predecessor Philip Jansen's peak: £3.7 million
  • Ian Livingston's 2012‑13 award: £9.4 million

Impact on BT's Share Price and Workforce Restructuring

BT's share price has surged almost 80 % since Kirkby took the helm in February 2024, a rally that directly inflates the value of her share‑based awards. The rise comes as the company completes a costly infrastructure upgrade programme and has already cut 55,000 jobs from a global workforce of 130,000, citing efficiency gains driven by AI.

Future Outlook for Executive Pay and BT's Strategic Direction

Analysts expect heightened scrutiny of executive remuneration as BT balances shareholder returns with ongoing cost‑cutting and investment in full‑fibre and 5G networks. If the share‑price momentum continues, long‑term incentive awards could push future pay packages even higher, while union negotiations may temper salary growth for the broader workforce.