Andrew Lord, Aegis Professor of Classical and Quantum Telecommunications

Andrew was appointed the Aegis Professor of Classical and Quantum Telecommunications in Autumn 2026.

Andrew joined BT in 1985 after a BA in Physics from Oxford University. He has helped design a wide range of optical network systems and technologies, including long haul subsea and terrestrial DWDM networks. Notably, he led the design and build for a govern secure optical network, and has been responsible for optical fibre and systems specifications.

He currently heads up a large, strong research team within BT and leads on BT’s optical research, including optical access, high speed optical transmission, and quantum communications. Andrew recently initiated BT’s quantum research, with applications in areas such as secure communications, timing and sensing. 

Andrew sits on multiple industry advisory boards and spends significant time advising start-ups and venture capital funds. He is recognised as an industry leader, regularly speaking at conferences and sitting on several organising committees, including ECOC; he was Technical Program Chair for OFC 2015 and General Chair for OFC 2017. He was also TPC co-chair of ECOC 2023.

Other notable activities:

• Andrew co-founded the UK-based TOP conference.
• He was a founder member of BT’s Technical Fellowship and continues to drive this exciting new initiative, designed to bring together, train and retain top technical talent in the company.
• He is Editor-in-Chief of Optica’s Journal of Optical Communications and Networking,
• Andrew is a Fellow of both the IEEE and Optica, and was elected one of the first BT Fellows in 2024.