BT Group has named Patricia Cobian, currently with Virgin Media O2, as its first female Chief Financial Officer, succeeding long-time Group Chief Financial Officer Simon Lowth following a global search.
Lowth plans to retire from the business after nearly a decade in the post, and will leave after a managed handover, succeeded by Cobian joining the BT Group Board and its Executive Committee in the summer of next year (2026).
BT will announce the date of her appointment in due course.
Allison Kirkby, BT Group Chief Executive said: “Cobian’s leadership, deep industry experience and knowledge will be invaluable, as we continue our upgrade of the UK’s digital infrastructure and accelerate BT’s modernisation.
“Lowth has played a major part in our strategy and transformation to date, as we become a better BT for our customers, our colleagues, the country and our owners.”
Adam Crozier, BT Group Chairman added: “Cobian is a highly experienced, transformative telco leader, and she will be an excellent addition to the BT Group Board and the business.”
Cobian brings extensive experience from a career across the UK and European telecoms sector, where she played a key role in the 2020 merger of Virgin Media and O2 and has served as CFO of Virgin Media O2 since its launch in June 2021.
Previously, Cobian was CFO of O2 UK from 2016 and served on the Supervisory Board of Telefónica Deutschland from 2012 to 2020, where she led multiple M&A transactions and strategic partnerships.
Earlier in her career, she spent seven years at McKinsey & Company across London, New York and Madrid, focusing on TMT and corporate finance.
She joined O2 in 2006, holding senior roles in European Strategy, Business Development and as Chief of Staff, before being appointed Strategy and Transformation Director and joining the O2 UK Executive Committee in 2014.
Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media O2 said: “After almost 20 years at Telefónica, O2 and Virgin Media O2, Cobian has played a pivotal role in our journey so far – her integrity, strategic insight and deep commitment to our people and business has shaped who we are today.”