The Board of Directors of Telecommunications Services of T&T (TSTT) yesterday announced the appointment of Ronald Walcott as the new CEO of the company to take place with immediate effect. According to a release yesterday, Walcott was the company's former executive vice president of Mobile Services and Operations and replaces the former acting CEO George Hill who has been instrumental in steering the company through the implementation of its current strategic business plan.
Walcott is the holder of an MBA (specialising in financial management) from the University of Bedfordshire (UK) and is a doctoral candidate finalising his dissertation on financial management at North Central University (USA).
“Following the announcement Mr Walcott expressed his appreciation for the role former acting CEO George Hill played in TSTT and has committed to ensuring the continued growth of the organisation through the successful management of the Company towards greater value for shareholders,” the statement said. The Communications Workers’ Union (CWU), in a statement yesterday, expressed “grave concerns” over Walcott’s appointment.
“This appointment and the sudden acceptance of the resignation of the acting CEO George Hill comes at a very critical time for the company. TSTT is in the midst of a battle waged by Cable and Wireless who from all indications are supported by Telecommunications Authority of T&T in their quest for a third mobile licence to compete with themselves as 49 per cent shareholders in TSTT,” the release said.
The CWU also said it was surprising that the “front man” who had been pushing for organisational transformation in TSTT had found himself in a position where he now has to undergo his own personal transformation. The release claimed the appointment was political and orders came from the People's Partnership Government.
