Last year an investor told Accountancy Age that Lalani was a good communicator, understood the politics and was in the process of building his reputation.

There shouldn't be objections then to the extra wodge he's pocketed which, incidentally, seems to be the biggest pay rise among BT board members.

Let's take a punt on the future. Lalani to become BT CEO. Now we've no reason to believe the job is up for grabs, but given the belief there seems to be in the Ugandan born CFO, what odds would you give on him getting the top job if it became available?

I know what you're thinking - wild and baseless speculation! I agree, but why not. And if Lalani doesn't at some point reach the pinnacle at BT, who's to say he won't do it somewhere else in the future?

Well for a start he's a bit of a company man - he's been at BT since 1983. He's committed, he clearly loves the business. A man who sticks around that long and keeps progressing can't help but feel that he might just go all the way.

You heard here it first.