Cable & Wireless Announce Former Chief Minister as Non-Executive Director

19th February 2007

Cable & Wireless has announced the appointment of Donald Gelling to the board as a non-executive director. Since stepping down as Chief Minister in December 2006 Mr. Gelling has returned to the private sector and he brings a wealth of experience to the company.

When Donald Gelling was first elected to parliament he had already spent 25 years in public office serving the people through his role with Santon Commissioners. He brought private sector thinking to the Isle of Man government at a time when the Island’s economy was stagnant. During his time in office the GDP per head went from 54% to the 110% it is today.

Mr. Gelling has spent twenty years as a government minister - seven years as Treasury Minister and seven years as the Island’s Chief Minister. He has a keen interest in telecommunications.

He said, “I was very pleased to be invited to sit on the Cable & Wireless board. This is a fast moving industry and it is good be involved from the start.” He continued, “Cable & Wireless will bring real choice and a quality of service to the Isle of Man. They have the resources of a large organization, yet staff at a local level, creating jobs and partnerships.” Mr. Gelling has worked with IT and satellite companies and he is excited about the services and innovation Cable & Wireless will bring to the Isle of Man.