Allison Kirkby

As Glasgow Caledonian University marks its 150th Anniversary, we are proud to reflect on the graduates who have helped shape industries and communities across the globe.

From trailblazing leaders in business and creative pioneers in fashion to digital defenders in cybersecurity and innovators in engineering and healthcare, their impact is felt far and wide.

This month, we are delighted to feature Dr Allison Kirkby, the first ever female Chief Executive of BT Group - a true example of leadership, progress, and the pioneering spirit that defines our alumni community

When Allison Kirkby left school at 16, she could not have imagined that one day she would lead one of the UK’s most important companies. As Chief Executive of BT Group, Allison’s journey is a testament to resilience, ambition, and the power of lifelong learning - a story that began in Glasgow and continues to inspire.

Allison’s path was shaped by both encouragement and adversity. "Higher education was accessible and encouraged by my teachers, parents, and friends," she recalls. But life took an unexpected turn when her father became terminally ill the summer she left school.

“I delayed higher education and considered how to balance work and study, as well as how to fund it.” Instead of heading straight to university, Allison took an apprenticeship with United Distillers, A move that allowed her to work and study at Glasgow College of Technology (GCT) - one of Glasgow Caledonian University’s historical institutions - at the same time.

Her first jobs were humble – working in a clothes shop and then in an insurance broker's office in Glasgow. But these early experiences taught her the value of hard work and adaptability.

It was United Distillers’ apprenticeship scheme that brought Allison to GCT, where she studied part-time for an HND in Accountancy while working. “I excelled in maths and physics at school and wanted to go into business, ideally internationally.” she says.

The HND was a stepping stone to a Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification and provided her with a solid grounding in both business and accountancy.

After completing her HND, Allison went on to become a Fellow of CIMA while working. Her next big step was joining Proctor & Gamble (P&G), a company renowned for developing talent from within. Over 20 years, she held around a dozen roles, progressing from Financial Analyst to Managing Director. “My ambition and the company’s focus on development gave me many opportunities to grow as a leader,” she reflects.

Both she and her husband worked at P&G, and as the company expanded globally, they actively sought out overseas opportunities. “P&G was the perfect place for that,” Allison says, and her willingness to embrace new challenges took her across Europe and beyond.

Despite her impressive trajectory, Allison is candid about the doubts that sometimes accompany leadership. “I still sometimes wonder if I’m up to the challenge,” she admits. But she believes in pushing beyond her comfort zone. “That’s how you grow. Even now, I feel nervous before big moments, but I see it as motivation to prepare well and deliver for my team.”

As the first female Chief Executive in BT Group’s 179-year history, Allison is proud to be a role model but doesn’t see her role as fundamentally different because she’s a woman. Early in her career, she noticed a lack of diversity, which made her passionate about creating inclusive workplaces. “I’m proud to have brought more diversity into my team. When we embrace diverse voices and ideas, we become more innovative, more resilient, and build better products and better services for all our customers,” she says.

Allison’s tenure at BT comes at a pivotal time. The company is undergoing a massive transformation, investing heavily in full-fibre broadband and 5G infrastructure - the digital backbone of the UK. “We’re modernising our products and services, aiming to make BT better for customers, colleagues, and shareholders,” she explains. The scale of investment is expected to generate significant economic impact for the UK, and Allison is determined to leave BT a more innovative and agile company.

She credits her success to surrounding herself with talented people and focusing on customer and employee experiences. “Success comes from a clear strategy, strong teamwork, and measuring progress beyond just financials,” she says.

For current GCU students, Allison’s advice is simple but powerful: “Be bold and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Combine academic work with real-life experience to stand out. Show grit, resilience, and the ability to connect with people in different situations.”

Receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Glasgow Caledonian was a deeply meaningful moment for Allison. “It means a lot, especially since in the past I’ve had doubts about feeling less qualified. It’s special to share this honour with my idols, Sir Alex Ferguson and Annie Lennox.”

She remains proud of her roots and the opportunities GCU provided.