BT Group plc has announced that Sir Alex Chisholm KCB is joining its board as an independent non-executive director, with immediate effect. He will become a member of the audit & risk, nominations and responsible business committees, and the designated non-executive director for Ofcom engagement.

Sir Alex has 30 years’ regulatory, government and business expertise and is currently non-executive chair of EDF Energy, a position he took up in July.

Until April 2024, Sir Alex was chief operating officer for the UK Civil Service and permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office.

Prior to this, he was permanent secretary of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), chief executive of the Competition and Markets Authority and chair of the Commission for Communications Regulation (Ireland). In the earlier part of his career, he held a number of other non-government roles in the media, technology, ecommerce and retail sectors.

Adam Crozier, BT Group’s chair, said “We are delighted to welcome Sir Alex. His extensive operational, regulatory and industry experience will be a valuable addition to the board.”

Sir Alex Chisholm added, “I am pleased to be joining the BT Group board and I am looking forward to using the lessons and experience gained from my prior roles to contribute to the board’s discussions and decision-making.”