C&WJ's new CEO Phillip Green speaking to the Observer in Kingston yesterday. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

Cable and Wireless International yesterday announced that Australian Phillip Green has replaced Rodney Davis as CEO of the telecoms giant's Jamaica operations with immediate effect, sending shockwaves throughout corporate Jamaica.

The late afternoon announcement sent to media houses left no doubt that Davis was sacked, but Green, when asked about Davis' departure, said the change was made to strengthen the firm's management and profile.

"The Caribbean, from a Cable & Wireless International's perspective, is very important," Green told the Observer in an exclusive interview yesterday afternoon at the company's head office in Kingston. "It is a major part of its portfolio and Jamaica's business is a big element of that. This move to have me come in as the CEO was made to strengthen the management and profile of Cable and Wireless Jamaica."

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"I am also a board member of Cable & Wireless International, so this was a natural process to bolster the profile of C&WJ. It will now get the right priority and will now become a more valuable part of our Caribbean portfolio," he added.

"This was discussed with Rodney some time ago, and by mutual agreement it was deemed a change of leadership was needed. I must say here that Rodney has done a fantastic job over the last couple of years in lifting the profile and image of C&WJ," Green said.

Over the last three years, C&WJ has lost 23 managers. In seven years it has had four CEOs, namely Errald Miller, Gary Barrow, Jacqueline Holding and Davis.

Last night, business analysts speculated that C&WJ's first quarter losses may have played a role in Davis' sudden departure.

For the first quarter ended June 30, 2007, C&WJ reported an after-tax loss of J$28 million on revenues of J$6 billion. Operating profits fell by 69 per cent to J$256 million while administrative and marketing expenses jumped by 42 per cent.

Yesterday, Green said that he would be looking to strengthen C&WJ's position as a full telecommunications service provider.

"There are three areas we want to focus upon," he told the Observer. "The first is customer service. Here we want to aim for excellence. The second is servicing the needs of small- and medium-sized enterprises. The third area is repositioning and strengthening the brand image of Cable & Wireless Jamaica. We have to make this company a true full-service provider of choice, servicing corporate, small businesses and consumer customers throughout the length and breadth of Jamaica."

Asked how he intended to counter Digicel's dominant position in the mobile market, Green said he only wanted to concentrate on Cable & Wireless' customers and staff and the value proposition for those who subscribe to its services.
"I'm focussed solely upon how we do it better for our customers," he said. "The centrepiece of our business strategy will now be delivering service excellence and real value for money to people."

Green is from Brisbane, Australia and has a passion for cricket. He has worked in the telecommunications industry for almost 30 years, the last 12 principally in Asia. He spent three years working in Washington in the United States for Cable & Wireless Global.

Yesterday, he described his management style as "pretty conservative", adding that he liked listening and thinking before acting.

"Team behaviour and everyone pulling at the one end of the rope is absolutely critical," he said. "My management style will be focussed around what is best for the customers and how do we provide a better service. I have been impressed by C&WJ's response effort to Hurricane Dean. It is that kind of team effort that is going to make us strong going forward.

What am I looking to accomplish at C&WJ? Reliability, a trusted partner, value for money and service excellence."
Green also said that C&WJ will be offering higher Internet speeds, more value-added products, specifically wrapping together mobile, fixed and Internet services to customers.

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