technology
by Sonia Golt
tim bristow
a matter of communication The new six level building in John Mackintosh Square is not only impressive on the outside but carries the most up-to-date technology inside and will ensure a better service for the whole of Gibraltar’s telecommunications. The man in charge locally CEO Tim Bristow, who was Gibraltar’s Financial Secretary for 13 years, took Sonia Golt on a tour
Tim Bristow’s words at the building’s inauguration were repeated to me with the same enthusiasm as on the day “This new building has been designed in keeping with the surroundings embellishing the Piazza by constructing a modern structure whilst replicating the old façade.” Tim Bristow Chief Executive Officer at Gibtelecom has overall responsibility for the strategy, oversight and performance of the business, and ultimately its success or failure. We wanted to know more about his background with Gibtelecom. “I joined Gibtelecom as Chief Executive Officer, when GNC (Gibraltar Nynex Communications) bought Gibtel several years ago.” This acquisition brought together two joint venture companies, one owned by Verizon of the US and the other British Telecom at the time, with the Government of Gibraltar — a goal of the shareholders for a number of years. “As a non-executive director at the time, I played a central role in this Mergers and Acquisitions and was subsequently hired as the CEO to lead the merger,” he explained. “As CEO I provide executive leadership and direction to the company, working closely with the board of directors, senior executives and the wider management team. This includes building the culture of the organisation. “Communications is a business which never stands still. In my time we have seen enhanced technologies, particularly in the mobile and internet space; and extensive building out of our
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networks at home and abroad — our international traffic capacity has increased a thousand fold. We have successfully combined fixed line, mobile and internet businesses into a one-stopshop, a place where many large telecommunications companies are now striving to be.” Testament to their success is the new purpose-built premises at John Mackintosh Square, adjoining the Haven and City Hall where much of the fixed line and related internet technology is based. But what does this mean for us locally? “Our customers expect communications in Gibraltar to keep pace with what is happening in the UK, and elsewhere. Although we are quite a large company in Gibraltar, we are only an SME, a smallish company, operating in a market of 30,000 people. So consequently keeping up with the fast moving world of communications is a huge and ongoing challenge,” he began by explaining.
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In a small market the cost of services will always be higher than in larger countries where operators enjoy greater economies of scale, but having said that, prices look as if they will continue to fall
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“Over the last few years the company has invested over £30 million in technology, and we probably need to do the same again if we are to keep at the forefront of communications and provide the man and woman in the street with the products and services they expect. “In a small market the cost of services will always be higher than in larger countries where operators enjoy greater economies of scale, but having said that, prices look as if they will continue to fall.” Since the new building opened its doors to the general public the visits to the offices and to the shop have increased by at least 20% due to easier town centre access. Mr. Bojan Dremelj, the President of Telekom Slovenije, was at the building’s inauguration. We wondered how he though this building compared to the ones in other countries? Tim commented; “From the day Telekom Slovenije purchased Verizon’s shareholding in 2007, Bojan Dremelj and his colleagues have been very supportive of Gibtelecom’s substantial investment and changed management programmes. Bojan is impressed with the modern open plan working environment, and particularly pleased that it has brought well over half of our 150 staff into one location where they seem to be really happy. (We also have people based at Mount Pleasant, New Harbours and a few are still in Europort.)” As Gibraltar’s ex Financial and Development Secretary Tim see this new state of the art technology as an asset to the financial sector.
GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE • MARCH 2010