Careers | BT Group Plc

I’m the Retail, Personal Consumer and Charity Sales Director within our Corporate and Public Sector (CPS) organisation and it’s my responsibility to lead the sales teams who serve our larger private sector accounts within these verticals.

Within a typical week, much of my time is spent engaging with my team and my customers. Given it’s our number one responsibility to deliver an exceptional customer experience, we spend a lot of time customer-facing, seeking to understand how BT can best support the business outcomes they are striving to achieve. Many of our customers are at different stages of a digital transformation journey, and so it’s our responsibility to build a trusted partnership to help them navigate this path.

I joined BT straight after finishing University in Leeds and began my journey in BT Directories. My first role was in sales selling advertising in the BT Phone Book, and whilst feeling like a very competitive and challenging role at the time, I don’t underestimate the sales skills I learnt during this period and how they continue to serve me well today. I progressed into people leadership roles within the Directories space, then after a few years, moved across to BT Business where I began to carve my career working with larger corporate accounts. I took a few sidewards steps to learn more about the organisation, then moved into a Head of Sales role leading the desk-based sales teams within Mid-Market. Then, as the business restructured and CPS was formed, I moved into the Director role I hold today.

Despite not deliberately setting out to work for BT as long as I have, I recognise that a couple of things have kept me here. Firstly, it's the people that really do make this business great. It may sound like a cliché, but the teams I've worked with over the years have been fantastically supportive which makes a huge difference every day. Secondly, it's been about the scope of opportunity. The breadth of BT has meant that whilst I may have worked in the same organisation for a long time, each move has enabled me to continue to learn and grow across many different and varied roles, which has been crucial for my career so far.

I’ve been fortunate to receive a lot of investment from BT over the years in terms of continued development. Of course, having worked in sales for as long as I have, the ability to sell and negotiate are skills that have been incredibly important and have served me well in many areas of my life, not just in work. Then as I’ve moved into leadership roles, having the ability to build successful sales teams; create thriving sales cultures; and manage change and transformation, are probably some of the more important skills I need to use on a day-to-day basis. Fundamentally however, the most important thing for me is how I can positively influence the best outcomes for the people around me – both for my team, and for my customers.

I would best describe this as being a journey of discovery. Becoming a mum to my daughter Sophia seven years ago, I did, at a point, convince myself that I wouldn’t be able to achieve a thriving career whilst being a mum to a young child. I didn’t think the two could co-exist.

However, after returning from maternity leave and settling back into my role, I quickly discovered that you can in fact do both and do them both well. It did feel tough at times, particularly when Sophia was little, but I was fortunate enough to work alongside some great leaders at the time who really encouraged me to keep moving forwards with my career – something I am extremely grateful for.

The fear crept in for a second time when I became a single parent a few years later, however again, after working through the dynamics of the new ‘juggle’, I was able to settle back into a new routine and continue with my career plans. It does take a lot of planning and organisation, but my main point of reflection has been that the fears I'd conjured up in my mind around how disastrously it could all go wrong, are always far worse in your head than they are in reality!

Building a positive culture is a very important topic for me. Particularly within a sales environment, I think it’s critically important to create a space where people feel motivated and supported to do a good job. As you’d expect, salespeople often experience the highs and lows that can often come with the role, and so creating a supportive team who will help each other achieve success is vital.

For me, working with people, both internally and externally, is what I find most enjoyable about the roles I’ve worked in. I’ve had the privilege to lead some fantastic teams over the years who have not only taught me a great deal; but have also helped make the role a lot more fun too.

My journey at BT has been an incredible one. I began in 2014 as a Service Delivery Manager in the Security division. By 2016, I was promoted to Project Manager, becoming the inaugural member of the India Security Project Management team. Witnessing the success of our contracts, we expanded, recruiting more India Security Project Managers, growing from one to over 40. In 2017, I advanced to Senior Project Manager and in 2020, I transitioned to our internal transformation program.

Currently, I serve as a Transformation Manager overseeing our internal cyber security transformation. Additionally, I was honoured to be appointed as a Colleague Board Member for BT Group, advocating for our colleagues' voices at the table. This journey reflects the passion, dedication, and determination that has fuelled my growth and experience at BT.

At the heart of my role lies our Cyber Transformation Programme, where we strive to deliver best-in-class managed services to our customers by continually enhancing our tools and processes. Our latest endeavour, the ThreatCo Programme, aims to revolutionise our internal operations through automation, with our Eagle-I cybersecurity platform leading the charge. Eagle-I is not just a platform, it's a testament to our commitment to staying ahead of cyber threats and safeguarding our clients in an ever-changing and evolving digital landscape.

Our General Manager of Cyber Security Portfolio has emphasised in a blog post how Eagle-i’s enhanced automated cyber defence can help shield businesses against increasingly complex, multi-layer and targeted ransomware attacks.

I've had the privilege of accessing a diverse range of learning and development opportunities that have significantly enhanced my skills and expertise. One of the most valuable certifications I obtained is Prince 2 Agile, which equipped me with comprehensive project management methodologies tailored for agile environments. As a Scrum Master, I gained in-depth knowledge of Scrum principles and practices, enabling me to effectively facilitate agile project teams under ThreatCo Programme. Additionally, earning the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification solidified my project management proficiency and provided me with globally recognized credentials.

Furthermore, becoming certified SAFe Practice Consultant has been instrumental in navigating large-scale agile transformations within our Security teams. This certification enabled me to understand the principles of lean-agile development at an enterprise scale, facilitating smoother and more efficient transformation processes.

Moreover, my certification as a BQF Lean Practitioner has been invaluable in driving continuous improvement initiatives within our transformation and continuous improvement programs. It has equipped me with the tools and techniques to identify and eliminate waste, optimize processes, and enhance overall efficiency.

Overall, these certifications have not only bolstered my expertise but have also empowered me to confidently lead successful internal programs within our Security teams.

Beyond my day role, I've found deep satisfaction in contributing to initiatives that go beyond my job description. Since 2021, I've been privileged to mentor students through programs like Fast Futures, where I've shared knowledge and guidance to help shape future leaders. The Avado mentoring program within Fast Futures offers a structured framework for mentors like me to provide insights, advice, and encouragement to eager learners. Through regular interactions, I've been able to share practical knowledge, industry insights, and essential skills to support their career growth.

Participating in the Avado mentoring program has been incredibly rewarding. Helping students clarify their career goals, refine job search strategies, and build confidence has been fulfilling. It's been a journey of personal and professional growth while positively impacting students' lives.

My commitment to corporate social responsibility extends to supporting underprivileged children through various initiatives, from volunteering at local schools to fundraising events. Making a meaningful difference aligns with my core values of compassion and empathy.

Serving on the Colleague Board at BT for two impactful years has been a highlight of my journey. Working alongside esteemed leaders like former CEO Philip Jansen and our new BT CEO, Allison Kirkby, we championed colleague voices and fostered inclusivity. Our quarterly meetings provided a platform for candid discussions on workplace diversity and employee well-being, ensuring colleagues’ perspectives were valued, whilst engaging in meaningful conversations that have truly made a difference.

During my tenure, I participated in memorable events, like hosting a live session with our India leadership team. Topics ranged from the practicalities of delivering value through teamwork to the challenges of leading in a hybrid work environment. These experiences have not only broadened my horizons but have also equipped me with invaluable insights into leadership and organisational dynamics.

As my time on the Colleague Board concludes, I'm grateful for the journey and the collective effort toward positive change within our organization. I appreciate the support of my colleagues and leaders and look forward to continuing to contribute to BT's mission of connecting people and enriching lives.

The culture within our team is one of collaboration, adaptability, and inclusivity, reflecting the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of our members. Despite being geographically dispersed, with the majority of our team based in the UK, we have fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and unity. Whilst I’ve been able to meet my colleagues in the UK and participated in workshops which have strengthened our connections, there are travel constraints so we’ve leveraged technology to bridge the distance between us.

Our team's collaboration extends beyond borders, as we frequently work with cross-functional teams in India, Hungary, Australia, Madrid, US and other regions. This global collaboration not only enriches our projects with diverse perspectives and expertise but also reinforces our commitment to inclusivity and teamwork.

Overall, the culture within our team is characterized by resilience, adaptability, and a shared commitment to excellence. We embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and our collective efforts are guided by a spirit of collaboration and mutual support.

One significant form of recognition comes during our All Hands calls, where our directors take the time to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of individuals and teams. Being recognised in front of the entire team not only validates efforts but also instils a sense of pride and appreciation for the work we do collectively.

Beyond formal recognition, I also greatly appreciate the everyday words of appreciation and encouragement from my Colleagues, Senior Management and Leadership. Whether it's a simple "thank you" for a job well done or a note of appreciation for going above and beyond, these gestures of gratitude reaffirm my sense of value and belonging within the team.

Additionally, our company's "Just to say” platform allows colleagues to nominate each other for small rewards as a token of appreciation for their efforts and contributions. Being nominated for such rewards not only brings a sense of validation but also fosters a culture of mutual support and recognition within the team. These gestures of recognition not only boost morale but also strengthen our sense of camaraderie and motivation to excel in our roles.