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A Jerseyman who was blocked in his house with his wife by a felled tree during the BVI hurricane last year has returned to the island to take a senior role at the island's competition regulator.
Former JT managing director Tim Ringsdore moved to the British Virgin Islands around two years ago when he took the role of managing director at Cable and Wireless in the region.
During his time there, he worked on improving the customer base and profit of C&Ws BVI operation, but disaster struck in September last year with the arrival of Hurricane Irma.
Mr Ringsdore and his wife Shona had been staying with friends in Tortola when the eye of the storm hit. According to daughter Katy, who lives in the UK, the roof of the property was “blown off” and the balcony completely “destroyed.”
“The six of them took shelter in a small bathroom under some concrete stairs for two hours. The eye of the storm lasted for around 45 mins but it was deathly still they said. They went outside during the eye of the storm and it was devastating scenes,” she recalled.
Pictured: Tim Ringsdore, who will join CICRA in the role of director, and his wife, Shona.
What followed was a power blackout, and as clean-up commenced, the Ringsdores were trapped in their home by a tree felled by the hurricane. Katy reported that the pair were eager to leave the island, as criminality was becoming a problem on the island with looters rife.
Now, six months later, Mr Ringsdore has returned to the island to take on a director role at an organisation undergoing a stormy period of its own: competition regulator CICRA.
The regulator has been under intense public scrutiny after the Royal Court ruled that fuel provider ATF was not in breach of competition law as CICRA had stated. The ruling was the fourth appeal they had lost in a decade, prompting the Chief Minister to call for a review of the organisation.
Mr Ringsdore said that he was “looking forward” to joining the senior team “to ensure Jersey and Guernsey communities continue to be well-served by CICRA and are aware of the excellent work we do in their interest.”
Pictured: CICRA have been under scrutiny after having their decision on ATF Fuels struck out in the Royal Court.
“Good economic regulation and a thriving competitive business environment are vital, particularly in small economies, and I am well versed in delivering key strategic objectives,” he commented.
Speaking about Mr Ringsdore’s appointment, CICRA Chairman Michael O’Higgins stated: “Tim’s experience in global telecoms, and his intimate knowledge of the Channel Islands, is an excellent addition to our senior team.
“His career to date means he has a clear understanding of telecoms regulation and the function of regulation in general. He will be bringing his experience to bear across all areas of CICRA’s work – taking a leading role in telecoms in particular across both islands.”
Chief Executive Michael Byrne added: “CICRA’s work is widespread and detailed. With a small team, Tim’s experience will be a valuable addition to CICRA’s senior management; he will bring further expertise to help inform and protect Channel Islands consumers to ensure they receive value, choice and access to high quality services.”
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