(Jamaica Gleaner) Mobile phone company Digicel Jamaica yesterday announced the appointment of its fifth chief executive officer in eleven years following the promotion of Mark Linehan to a regional position.
Telecoms specialist, Andy Thorburn, with over 30 years experience, takes over as Linehan leaves to oversee the markets of Grenada, St Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines as CEO of the Eastern Caribbean South division.
Thorburn’s appointment took effect yesterday, August 9, but Linehan will remain for a month to assist with the transition, Digiel told the Financial Gleaner.
The telecoms’ line of Jamaican CEOs began with the charismatic Seamus Lynch, who headed the telecoms in 2001 and was later promoted to directorship. His replacement David Hall was later promoted as head of the North Caribbean operations in 2008. David Hunter took over but left the group after a short stint, and was replaced by Linehan who remained for four years.
Digicel said of Thorburn that he brings extensive senior management experience across a number of successful global businesses, including Intec Telecom, BT Group and Siemens Business Services.
“Andy’s focus will be on continuing to deliver best value and service to customers. In addition, Andy will continue to both develop and drive Digicel’s business-solutions capabilities and fixed-line opportunities on the back of the potential opening up of that market to competition,” said Digicel in its release.
The change of leadership comes amid a tense fight over inter-connection rates, rivalry over mobile rates, and Digicel’s court battle with Jamaica’s competition watchdog over its acquisition of Claro Jamaica.
During the four years of Linehan’s tenure as CEO, Digicel Jamaica’s customer base grew to over two million subscribers and the company debuted 4G mobile and 4G broadband technologies.
“Mark spent over 10 years in the Digicel family holding key roles in the Eastern Caribbean, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, French Guiana where he served as general manager and Guyana where he was CEO,” said Digicel.
Said Linehan: “The last four years have been very rewarding – both professionally and personally. The Digicel Jamaica team is second to none and the people of Jamaica have a warmth and vibrancy that I feel privileged to have experienced and been a part of.”
After 11 years of operation, Digicel Group Limited has over 12.8 million customers across its 30 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific who generate revenues of US$2.2 billion for the company. Jamaica is reported to be Digicel Group’s most lucrative market.