Colin James, Chief Executive, St. Lucia
Daryl Jackson, Chief Executive, St Vincent & the Grenadines
Davidson Charles, Chief Executive Antigua and Barbuda
Drexwell Seymour, Chief Executive, Turks & Caicos Islands
Ian Blanchard, Chief Executive, Grenada
Nabeel Bhatti, Chief Executive, Dominica
Neville Dublin, Chief Executive, Montserrat
Sutcliffe Hodge, CEO Anguilla
Timothy Paterson Adam, CEO Cayman Islands
Vance Lewis, Chief Executive, British Virgin Islands
Colin James, Chief Executive, St. Lucia
“If I solve a problem, give positive direction, and build relationships to make customers satisfied, then I can say that I've had a good day.”
With over twenty-two years of experience with Cable & Wireless, Colin James has seen the change of technology and the evolution of the business first-hand in the Caribbean. He was the Chief Executive of the Dominica business unit before accepting his current post as Chief Executive of St. Lucia in 2006.
Colin has achieved a number of successes during his time with Cable & Wireless, including the introduction and expansion of ubiquitous broadband service to remote island locations, launching GSM mobile services in St. Kitts and Nevis, and introducing Internet services to Antigua and Barbuda. In the role of Area Customer Services Manager, he successfully aligned Cable & Wireless on the Leeward Islands for deregulation and the introduction of competition in their respective markets. He also fondly remembers the multi-day Creole in the Park festivals, each year topping the last.
In his current role in St. Lucia, Colin is enthusiastic about the future and enjoys the prospect of working in a market with new competition. “My interaction and outcome with either the team or a customer is a true reflection of just how good the day has been,” he says. “If I solve a problem, give positive direction, and build relationships to make customers satisfied, then I can say that I've had a good day.”
Daryl Jackson, Chief Executive, St Vincent & the Grenadines
“We went from idea to launch service in about six weeks.”
Daryl Jackson has been the Chief Executive of St. Vincent and the Grenadines since 2004, but he started his career with Cable & Wireless Antigua back in 1980 as a Customer Service Engineer. In his time with the company, he has worked at practically all aspects of the business, from his beginnings in customer service, through data networks and facilities management, and finally to a senior management role.
In 1997, Daryl took on his biggest responsibility to date: bringing the Internet to Antigua. As he recalls, “Prior to launch, none of us on the team had ever seen or used the Internet! We went from idea to launch service in about six weeks, thanks to fantastic teamwork.” In 1999, Daryl moved up to the role of Vice President of Mobile Operations and Marketing for Antigua. While in that position, he grew the market share of the business unit’s mobile operations by 10% within two years, reestablishing Cable & Wireless as the local leader of mobile services.
Throughout the accomplishments of his career, Daryl always acknowledges the teamwork of his coworkers and staff. “Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than the growth and development of the people who I have been blessed with the privilege to lead.”
Davidson Charles, Chief Executive Antigua and Barbuda
“People should extract and utilize their fullest potential in any endeavour.”
In August 2002, Davidson Charles was named Chief Executive of Cable and Wireless Antigua and Barbuda, making him the first native Antiguan to achieve the position. Prior to that, he served with distinction as Chief Financial Officer to both Cable and Wireless Antigua and Barbuda and Cable and Wireless Leeward Islands. Davidson has also held the position of Vice President of Cable and Wireless East Caribbean.
Under his guidance,Davidson transformed and diversified the business from a dependency solely on international telephony to one that is now balanced with the inclusion of mobile and broadband services. The business evolved to full GSM service, achieved 99% mobile coverage in Antigua, and provided broadband and mobile service to Barbuda. As a result of these strategies, Cable and Wireless gained market share leadership among the three mobile service providers in Antigua and Barbuda.
Davidson has a simple model for success. “Empower your staff to operate at their optimal levels.” Leading by this example, he notes that no less than two Chief Executives have been seconded Antigua and Barbuda to other Cable & Wirleess Caribbean business units. “I believe that people should extract and utilize their fullest potential in any endeavour.”
Drexwell Seymour, Chief Executive, Turks & Caicos Islands
“I want to leave a legacy...of providing first class service to our customers.”
Drexwell Seymour knows first-hand what it takes to run and manage a small business. He still considers the office supply store that he opened, with the help of his wife, to be one of the main accomplishments of his career. Today, as the Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless, Turks and Caicos, he still looks to his wife and family for motivation and as a guide for his success. “My wife inspires me to be the best and to do the best,” he says.
Starting at Cable & Wireless in 1999 as a Management Accountant, Drexwell demonstrated his best and was promoted to the role of Finance Manager in 2000. His promotion to the rank of Chief Executive in 2006 is especially notable locally and within the company, as he is the first Turks and Caicos islander to hold that position.
Drexwell welcomes the recent changes that liberalization of the Caribbean telecommunications markets offers. “We're more proactive now. For the first time, customers can truly say that Cable & Wireless is in the market.” He cites rate reductions, higher visibility with localized marketing campaigns, and a greater emphasis on the customer as part of the company's strategy. “I want to leave a legacy of empowering our staff and a legacy of providing first class service to our customers.”
Ian Blanchard, Chief Executive, Grenada
“To change the business you must change the people.”
Ian Blanchard has been with Cable & Wireless since 1984, starting as a technician for Cable & Wireless Dominica. After working eighteen years at various positions in the Caribbean, the United States, and the Persian Gulf, Ian became, in 2002, the Chief Executive of Dominica and the French West Indies. His ascension is also notable as he was the youngest person and the first native of Dominica to hold the position. In 2004, Ian took the role of Chief Executive for Grenada.
Since entering his latest position, Ian has been leading the Cable & Wireless Grenada team in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan's destruction. His time with Cable & Wireless has also led Ian to oversee the successful launch of Internet services in Dominica, as well as repositioning the Cable & Wireless brand in Dominica for greater inclusion within the community. These initiatives include Cable & Wireless Star Quest, Cable & Wireless Creole in the Park, and the use of local staff for all advertising and marketing campaigns.
Ian envisions, “creating a model business in Grenada through the development of the people.” This statement follows his personal philosophy for success, which places value in integrity and the belief that, “to change the business you must change the people.”
Nabeel Bhatti, Chief Executive, Dominica
“Taking the role of Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Dominica is exciting...“
A member of Cable & Wireless since 1992, Nabeel has been in a variety of senior financial positions, including Head of Finance Africa (based in Lagos, Nigeria), Chief Financial Officer Maldives, and Chief Financial Officer Seychelles. He was most recently posted in St. Lucia as Vice President Commercial for the East Caribbean area, located in St. Lucia. While there, he was seconded to Cable & Wireless St Lucia as Vice President Networks and Operations.
Nabeel finds inspiration in his accomplishments inside and outside of Cable & Wireless. He gets encouragement from his parents and his wife and daughter, but he also finds it from other things in his life. “I failed my A level mock physics exam, but I graduated with a degree in Physics and Electronics. Things like that give me real confidence, where I can follow through with a 'can-do' attitude.” That's been shown in his work at his three previous Chief Financial Officer roles, which experienced double-digit increases in year-on-year profitability during his tenure.
Given his wide range of experiences and first-hand international expertise, what does Nabeel expect from his new position? “Having an armed police escort every time I went to and from Lagos airport was exciting, but taking the role of Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Dominica is exciting in a different way.”
Neville Dublin, Chief Executive, Montserrat
“We will always have products and services for our market.”
In his forty years with Cable and Wireless, Neville Dublin has seen all ranges of telecommunications, beginning with his first position as a telegraph operator in 1966. His rise through management and operations brought him the positions of Operations Officer, Sales and Marketing Manager, General Manager, and eventually up to the role of Cable and Wireless Chief Executive, achieved in 2003.
For seven years starting in 1990, Neville created and maintained the Sales and Marketing department in the Montserrat business unit. He recalls the period as being an exciting time. “It presented a great challenge because it involved daily customer interaction.” It was at the end of that time which saw Neville working with the citizens and government of Montserrat during the volcano crisis in 1997, the year that Neville became the General Manager. For maintaining the links on the island and with the international community, Neville received an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his efforts. In 1999, he was awarded the Chief Executives Award for outstanding performance. But from the range of his achievements and awards, the moment from his past that gives Neville the most pride was attending his daughter’s university graduation.
For the future of the Montserrat business unit, Neville is eager and optimistic. “We will always have products and services for our market.”
Sutcliffe Hodge, CEO Anguilla
“I get satisfaction when everything comes together.”
Sutcliffe Hodge has been with Cable & Wireless since 1993. Starting in the role of a Sales and Marketing Manager, he was promoted to the head of the business unit in 1997. His background includes working experience from a number of fields, including printing, information technology, and education. While working as a management consultant in Miami and Los Angeles, he was able to successfully interact with a variety of clients in the petrochemical and transportation industries. “I've been fortunate to have a diverse employment history, working in different industries and different cultures, while also learning new and rapidly emerging IT technologies.”
Sutcliffe puts that experience and excitement for technology and services into practice, transferring his knowledge directly with Cable & Wireless's customers. “The day of the launch of GSM in Anguilla was the most exciting time for me at Cable & Wireless. Hundreds of people crowed our office to buy the service....the staff were also energized, delighted, and their corporation and teamwork were outstanding. I get satisfaction when everything comes together.” More recently, Sutcliffe could be found demonstrating the benefits of Blackberry devices to customers at the Cable & Wireless Anguilla store.
Sutcliffe has also integrated his presence in Anguilla through various local business organizations, charities, and youth events to, “leave a legacy as someone who made a positive difference in the lives of my children, my friends, and my community.”
Timothy Paterson Adam, CEO Cayman Islands
“Have confidence, be decisive, stay focused and determined...”
Timothy Adam has been in the telecommunication industry with Cable & Wireless since 1973, serving in the Cayman Islands, Anguilla, and a brief assignment to the Turks & Caicos Islands. The early part of his career was in the technical and engineering field, and he also spent some time in sales management. “I helped a customer set up and install the first fax machine in the Cayman Islands,” he recalls. Timothy moved into General Management in 1996 and has been the head of Cable & Wireless (Cayman Islands) Ltd. since 1998, currently in the position of Chief Executive.
His greatest challenge to date has been surviving and rebuilding from the devastation brought by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, keeping the people and the country connected through its worst natural disaster in modern times. How did Timothy manage to maintain local and international telecommunications during and after the storm? “Leading, encouraging and supporting our team to have confidence, be decisive, stay focused and determined throughout.” Applying this philosophy to the daily workings of C&W Cayman Islands has led the company to attain market majority in fixed voice, mobile, Internet, and data transfer markets.
Vance Lewis, Chief Executive, British Virgin Islands
“We're a market leader operating in a competitive environment.”
Vance Lewis has been a part of Cable & Wireless since 1973. He has advanced through the organization to become the Head of Technical Operations, the Vice President of Network Services for the Leeward Islands, and to the position he has held since 2002, the Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless for the British Virgin Islands.
Change is familiar to Vance. He remembers setting up a videoconferencing link for customers between Bermuda and the British Virgin Islands in 1991. Vance was there in 2000 when broadband services were tested then introduced for the islands. Within the company, he led a re-engineering of internal customer support processes resulting in documented increases in customer satisfaction. Vance's ability to implement positive change for the British Virgin Islands extends outside of the workplace and into the public sector. In addition to his participation in local sporting events, he has served as a member of the BVI Constitution Review Commission, a group charged with the delivery of a new constitution for the islands in twelve months.
The liberalization of the telecommunications market brings significant changes to how the business unit operates, but Vance sees the opportunity in the expansion. “Cable & Wireless was a business operating in a monopolistic mode. Now, with we're a market leader operating in a competitive environment.”
