Stakeholders have acknowledged former Botswana Telecommunications Corporation Limited (BTCL) Managing Director Paul Taylor for his contribution to the growth of BTCL and the development of Botswana in general.
Speaking at an elegant ceremony hosted by the BTCL Board of Directors at GICC recently, they highlighted Taylor’s achievements during the past 5 years when he was head of the BTCL Family. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Neil Fitt said during that time, there were many challenges, changes and transformations.
“BTCL team led by Taylor, together with other stakeholders worked hard to position the company for the longer term future whilst delivering on shorter term targets,” said Fitt.
It was during his tenure that BTCL’s revenues grew by nearly 50 percent and also recorded improvements in Mobile market share by 8 percentage points.
beMobile which now has approximately 500,000 customers also enhanced its Mobile Average Revenue Per User(ARPU) by nearly 250 percent.
BTCL Board of Directors Deputy Chairperson, Gerald Nthobolan, said Taylor oversaw the asset separation and managed the transition that created BOFINET and the eventual listing of the Company on the Botswana Stock Exchange, through an IPO, the first ever Government owned company to do so.
BTCL Acting Managing Director, Anthony Masunga, said he learnt a lot from him and vowed to follow in his footsteps and grow the company even further.
“When Taylor started, BTCL had three business units and lacked converged systems. We worked tirelessly to consolidate BTCL operations and move it towards one organisation, one brand and improve efficiency and customer experience,” he said.
The out going BTCL MD Paul Taylor stated that much has been accomplished and a lot remains to be done. He added that BTCL is poised for continued growth and success,urging the new leadership to continue with the job of moving the company forward.
“BTCL team and the Union had the great support over the years to help drive BTCL forward and deliver on its mandate. I have learnt a lot during my time with BTCL, made many friends and feel a strong sense of satisfaction at what the team contributed to the development of this nation’s economy,” said Taylor.
He stated that in the early days the team had to work hard to create a trusting industrial relations environment. “Whilst I have now left BTCL it is my intention to remain in Botswana and continue to contribute, in some form, to the nation and industry, said Taylor.”
