Vanessa Pillay

At BT Business, Vanessa leads the Customer Services team, ensuring over a million small and medium-sized businesses across the UK receive uninterrupted fixed and mobile services with exceptional customer experiences. Her leadership also extends to crisis management for vital services, including the UK's 999 emergency response and Relay UK for those with hearing or speech impairments.

Vanessa leads a large, multinational team of customer service representatives across the UK and India. Her strategic leadership ensures the smooth operation of services. She fosters a culture of inclusion and collaboration. She excels at uniting diverse teams, drawing on their strengths, and guiding them towards shared goals. Recognizing the power of allyship, Vanessa openly shares her experiences to empower others' growth and learning.

A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Vanessa’s efforts are deeply rooted in her upbringing during apartheid in South Africa. She has spearheaded numerous DEI initiatives, including: As a Local Inclusion Champion at BT Birmingham, Vanessa has championed the growth of the Gender Equality network, now boasting over 100 members. Committed to fostering an inclusive environment the group meets weekly to promote gender equality and equal opportunities for people of all gender identities by raising awareness of workplace issues, encouraging engagement, and providing a supportive space for idea exchange and engagement.