BT Interview: Conall Gribben

Ever wondered what our graduates do once they’ve finished their graduate programme?

Conall Gribben, our Head of Digital and Brand Communications for Openreach has had a varied career since joining on our Business Management graduate programme back in 2012. Here, he talks about his career journey, being part of the LGBT+ Network and his advice for anyone thinking about joining BT:

Tell us about your career with BT?

I started as a business management graduate in BT Group, working in Corporate Governance as I had studied Law and French at university. Through working on the Annual Report initially I developed an interest in content and communications, which led me to take a role as PR Manager for BT’s sustainable business activities. In that role I developed the BT Group digital channels, and worked on some inspiring charity campaigns both internally and externally. After two years of working in communications, I was promoted to my current role in Openreach in September 2015

How has BT supported you in having a great career?

The great thing about working at BT is there’s no end to the number of career opportunities available. I didn’t start out working in communications but was able to take on a new role in a different area and developed from there.

What else have you been able to get involved in at BT?

I’m really proud to be part of the committee that runs BT’s LGBT+ Network, having relaunched it in March 2016. I think it’s an important way to create an inclusive and supportive environment, where people can be their most authentic selves.

Have you been able to use any of the skills you’ve picked up through your career outside of work?

I volunteer seven hours a week for the Small Charities Coalition, an organisation that informs, supports and connects small charities to help them do what they do best. I run their social media, using Twitter and other channels to promote charity training, events and campaigns.

What advice would you offer to someone like you who was considering a career with BT?

Go for it. It’s an exciting time for the company, with the recent acquisition of EE, the success of BT Sport and Openreach’s fibre broadband roll-out programme taking the UK from Superfast to Ultrafast speeds– our ambition is to deliver Ultrafast speeds to 12 million homes and businesses by 2020 through a mix of Fibre to the Premises and G.fast technology – something that we invented in our labs in Adastral Park, Ipswich. It’s important to feel like your work has meaning and with BT having such a big impact on the lives of so many people – we’re an integral part of society.

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