Cable & Wireless/Lime’s General Manager Anthony Ritch, is stepping down after 5 years at the helm. However, Ritch has been with the Cayman Islands oldest tele-communications company for 29 years and has risen through the ranks.

He leaves his job at the end of September but will remain in a consultative role as the non-executive chairman on the company’s board. He said he was looking forward to acting in a new capacity but was also keen to focus on his family and other interests with the greater work-life-balance offered by the different role.

LIME has not yet named a replacement for Ritch, who will leave the firm’s top Cayman job at the end of next month.

In a press release from LIME Ritch said, “I’m leaving my role as General Manager with many fond memories and a long list of accomplishments over my career.

“I am very excited about the bright future that lies ahead for our great business and I’m looking forward to acting in a very different capacity as Non-Executive Chairman. I have every confidence that we will continue to lead the industry through the introduction of innovative technologies and our customer focus.

“It has been an amazing journey of development, and commitment to excellence. Our industry is one of the most competitive in the world and I’ll miss the fast-paced, ever-changing dynamics of the business. However, I’m now eager to focus even more on my family and other interests and this new role will afford me the work-life-balance transition that works well for me at this time.”

Ritch said it had been an honour to lead the team of talented and dedicated people and he was proud of his time as leader.

“We have continued to drive the market and we remain the market leaders in Cayman,” he said. “I know that I’m leaving the business in the hands of a very capable team who will continue to bring the very best in value, cutting edge technology and customer service to the Cayman Islands.”

Ritch has led LIME through a period of significant change including introducing new networks and the rebranding of the business to LIME Cayman.

At the helm through the introduction of Mobile 4G to the Cayman Islands he ensured all three islands enjoyed this service, and more recently the securing of new 700 MHz spectrum, which will enable LIME Cayman to be the first provider of LTE services. LIME also became a true Quad Play provider through the introduction of LIME TV, as well as a Fibre to the Home (FTTH) fixed line network during his time.

Garfield Sinclair, CEO LIME Jamaica and Cayman, thanked Ritch for his “tremendous service” since he joined the firm over 29 years ago.

“Tony has consistently demonstrated a passion and enthusiasm for winning that has defined his leadership of the Cayman business,” he said. “With the successful introduction of LIME TV, Tony is leaving us well placed to continue to build on the successes in Cayman with our plans to continue to roll out fibre across Cayman and to deliver an extraordinary mobile experience with our LTE license. We value his contribution tremendously and look forward to his on-going support as a Non-Executive Chairman of our Cayman business,” Sinclair added.