Early last year, telecoms giant BT sought to significantly cut its legal panel firms in a review. After lockdown delays, the refreshed roster was was finalised a few months later, with Clifford Chance and Linklaters among firms being cut.

Sabine Chalmers, group general counsel at BT, has held the role since 2018, and previously worked for 13 years at brewing company AB InBev, where she was chief legal officer.