It’s no joke. This is a sliding doors situation literally.

I am trying to reach the current CEO of BT consumer group, just as BT press and media are announcing Marc Allera is stepping down after 8 years (correction 9 years per BT newsroom) to make way for Canadian and current boss of Bell, Claire Willies, who joins BT this December for a hand over with Allera to be in post, 1st April, 2025.

Image credit Instagram @marcallera

When Alison Kirby was appointed as his boss in 2023 scuppering his ambition for the top job there were rumblings he wouldn’t stay with rumours flying he would go to Vodaphone.

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I had a different issue I needed to reach Mr. Allera about and set about finding where his office and personal assistant were located. He’s a business person. Is it correct to think he’s got an office?

I found the BT consumer department One Braham Street, London, United Kingdom E1 8EE

My first port of call, I spoke to BT reception Phion on 0207 356 5000

She didn’t know who Marc Allera was? I had to tell her “he’s the CEO of your consumer group at BT.”

She wouldn’t couldn’t put me through. She just kept repeating she didn’t have any number extension for this person.

When I asked who would deal with the people needing to connect with the board, like his PA, she told me it was her. When I went back and said how is that possible, you didn’t know who he was, she said she had a list and could find him. It was a revolving script that didn’t make any sense.

I suggested I just come to the office, sit in reception and knock on the door. She didn’t have a response.

In the end she put me through to business customer services, another dead end. I couldn’t speak to a person, it was just an automated operator that wouldn’t progress without inputting a BT business phone number, which I didn’t have. I left BT as a business customer in 2010 after being treated poorly by the then British Telecom CEO Ian Livingston when I spoke to him. Clearly the only thing that’s changed in 15 years the doors to senior staff are firmly bolted shut.

I wonder if the newly appointed CEO and will be more accessible. And maybe the real reason for Mr. Allera’s departure runs deeper than just time for a change.

I am not sure how much the job pays but to be completely untouchable and protected so much so the staff don’t even know who you are maybe it’s time for more than just a new appointment.

If you too are struggling to reach Marc Allera, I’ve since found him on X @marcallera