Mr Robert C. Mayo-Smith aka ‘Robbie’ will be named the new Chief Executive Officer of Digicel (BVI). Photo: Linkedin

Mr Conor Looney was the last CEO of Digicel BVI. Mr Looney is now the new CEO of Digicel Barbados. Photo: Linkedin

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Our newsroom can confirm that long time senior Manager of Digicel Mr Robert C. Mayo-Smith aka ‘Robbie’ will be named the new Chief Executive Officer of Digicel (BVI).

Mr Mayo-Smith has served as the CEO of Digicel in Antigua and Barbuda and Montserrat.

The soon to be Digicel BVI CEO also served as the Chief Financial Officer for the North East Caribbean markets responsible for financial leadership of telecommunications companies providing mobile, broadband and TV services across 5 countries.

He will officially replace former CEO of Digicel (BVI) Conor Looney who has moved on and is now the new CEO of Digicel Barbados.

Mr Mayo-Smith, a New Zealand national, is expected to start his new job on May 30, 2016 in the Virgin Islands, according to a senior source in Digicel Jamaica who spoke to our newsroom on condition of anonymity.

Locals not qualified?

This is the fourth CEO of Digicel (BVI), the telecommunications giant which has been in the Virgin Islands for over seven years. It also raises the question when or if a local will ever be appointed to the top job. It is our newsroom’s understanding that locals applied when the CEO post was advertised in January of this year.

There have been issues also of the high turnover of Digicel (BVI) employees and other internal challenges.

The network that has dubbed itself the ‘bigger better network’ has also come under fire for the many dropped calls in certain areas around the VI, and allegedly blocking access to some free social network calls, however, Digicel (BVI) has moved fast  to make significant improvements and corrections in those areas of concern.

Digicel (BVI) has been a good corporate player

Digicel (BVI) has been very supportive over the many years in the VI through its many financial sponsorship of sports, education, along with social and cultural events.

It has lived up to its corporate responsibility and remains the leading telecommunications Company in the VI, and has increased its market share over the years.

During the departure of the former CEO of Digicel (BVI), the Financial Controller Tommy Ferrell was acting CEO.

The Digicel (BVI) CEO’s main duties are to lead the Digicel team and the development of the strategy for the VI market, be the guardian of Digicel’s brand and public image to consumers, government and other stakeholders and the wider business community.