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RNS Number : 3054Z  BT Group PLC  15 September 2025

This announcement contains inside information

15 September 2025

BT Group plc Director appointments and Relationship Agreement

 

BT Group plc ("BT Group") announces that, with effect from today (15 September
2025), Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, and
Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel Limited,
will join the Board of BT Group as non-independent non-executive directors.

Sunil and Gopal will join the Board pursuant to a relationship agreement (as
described below) as the nominated representatives of Bharti Televentures UK
Limited ("Bharti"), a company established and wholly owned by Bharti Global
Limited ("Bharti Global"). Sunil Bharti Mittal will also be a member of the
Nominations Committee.

Adam Crozier, BT Group Chairman, said: "We're delighted to welcome Sunil and
Gopal to the Board of BT. They bring significant experience and global
perspectives in the telecoms industry, and we look forward to their
contribution to the Board and to the future success of BT Group."

Sunil Bharti Mittal said: "I am delighted to be joining the Board of BT, an
iconic company delivering critical infrastructure and services for the UK. I
look forward to working with Chairman Adam Crozier, the Board and CEO Allison
Kirkby to drive forward the strategy to win in the market and deliver
world-leading services for BT's customers."

Gopal Vittal said: "I am honoured to be joining the BT Board at a pivotal
moment for our industry. I look forward to bringing my experience at Airtel to
help support BT, whose unique assets and businesses offer valuable
opportunities for growth. Airtel and BT have much to learn from and contribute
to each other."

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Relationship Agreement

In connection with Bharti's shareholding in BT Group and the appointment of
Sunil and Gopal to the Board, BT Group and Bharti Global have entered into a
relationship agreement (the "Relationship Agreement").

Under the terms of the Relationship Agreement, Bharti Global is granted the
right to nominate two persons to be appointed to the Board as representative
directors for so long as it and its affiliates together continue to hold a 20
per cent. or more economic interest in the BT Group shares in issue. Bharti
Global has the right to nominate one person to be appointed to the Board as a
representative director for so long as it and its affiliates together continue
to hold less than a 20 per cent. economic interest but at least a 10 per cent.
economic interest in the BT Group shares.

The Relationship Agreement contains a customary standstill restriction,
together with customary exceptions (taking account of the application of the
thresholds under the National Security and Investment Act 2021, as it applies
to BT, and the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers), as well as orderly market,
termination and other customary provisions, including the requirement for any
transaction between the parties to be entered into on an arm's length basis.

Sunil Bharti Mittal biography:

Sunil Bharti Mittal is the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, one of
India's foremost first-generation corporations with interests in Telecom,
Space Communications, Digital Solutions, Real Estate and Hospitality. Bharti
has joint ventures with several global partners like SingTel, SoftBank, the UK
and French Governments, amongst others.

Bharti Airtel, the flagship company of Bharti Enterprises, is a global
telecommunications company with operations in 15 countries across India and
Africa and ranks amongst the top three mobile operators globally. The company
also has its presence in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through its associate
entities. It is one of India's largest integrated communications solutions
providers and Sub-Saharan Africa's second-largest mobile operator, serving
more than half a billion customers across its operations.

Sunil is the Co-Chairman of Eutelsat Group, a global leader in satellite
communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide.
Sunil is also the Chair of Airtel Africa plc.

Sunil is a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian
honours, awarded to individuals for demonstrating distinguished services of
high order. He has been conferred as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Most
Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE) making him the first Indian
citizen to receive this recognition from HM King Charles III.

Gopal Vittal biography:

Gopal Vittal is currently the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti
Airtel Limited.

In the last 12 years under his leadership, the company has grown its market
share from 30% to over 40% and increased its market capitalization
fivefold-from USD 20 billion to USD 120 billion-making it the fourth most
valuable company in India.

Under Gopal's tenure, Airtel has transformed into a highly diversified
portfolio of businesses, with significant expansions in mobile, home
broadband, enterprise services, and digital platforms. His vision has also
fostered a company culture that is focused on agility, talent and innovation
earning Airtel numerous accolades.

Before joining Airtel, Gopal spent 20 years at Hindustan Unilever, where he
held leadership roles across multiple categories and markets. His last
position was as the Head of the Home and Personal Care division, where he was
also a member of the Hindustan Unilever board.

Gopal serves on the boards of Bharti Airtel Limited, Airtel Africa Plc, and
Indus Towers. He is also the Chairperson of GSMA, the global association
representing the mobile industry. An alumnus of Madras Christian College, he
holds an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata.

There are no further details to be disclosed relating to Sunil Bharti Mittal
or Gopal Vittal under Section 6.4.8 of the UK Listing Rules.

About Bharti

Bharti's telecoms portfolio includes its flagship company, Airtel, a leading
global communications solutions provider with over 600 million customers in 15
countries across India and Africa, with additional presence in Bangladesh and
Sri Lanka through its associate entities. Globally, Airtel ranks among the top
three mobile operators with its networks covering over two billion people and
is the second largest mobile operator in Africa, Airtel Africa, a
London-listed FTSE 100 company, providing telecommunications and mobile money
services cross 14 countries.

Bharti Global is the international investment arm of Bharti Enterprises, an
Indian conglomerate with world-class companies in telecom, technology, digital
infrastructure and space communications. Bharti Global has a significant
record of long-term investments in the United Kingdom including the
resurrection of OneWeb, a space communications company that was merged with
Eutelsat in 2023.

With its significant investments in Norlake Hospitality, Bharti Global owns
marquee hotels through its portfolio which includes The Hoxton, Scottish
resort Gleneagles, and other hospitality assets which are managed and operated
by Ennismore.

Bharti Global, through its investment in Unbound, is fostering the next
generation of global technology innovations.

About BT Group

BT Group is the UK's leading provider of fixed and mobile telecommunications
and related secure digital products, solutions and services.

BT Group consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer serves individuals
and families in the UK; Business covers companies and public services;
Openreach is an independently governed, wholly owned subsidiary wholesaling
fixed access infrastructure services to its customers - over 700
communications providers across the UK.

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
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The person responsible for making this announcement is:

Sabine Chalmers, Group General Counsel, Director of Regulatory Affairs and
Company Secretary

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Enquiries

External communications:      Richard Farnsworth  |
Email: media@bt.com  |  Tel: 07734 776 317

Investor relations:                Nick Delfas  |
Email: ir@bt.com  |  Tel: 0800 389 4909

 

 

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