British Telecom CEO Gavin Patterson will step down later this year.
The company's board, which has begun the search for Patterson's replacement, anticipates to have a successor in place during the second half.
Patterson will continue to serve as BT's CEO until a successor has been named.
BT Chairman Jan du Plessis said while the board is "fully supportive" of the plans laid out by Patterson, "there is a need for a change of leadership to deliver this strategy."
The news came after it was reported that some BT investors began questioning Patterson's leadership following setbacks in recent years.
