KINGSTON, Jamaica — Caribbean telecommunications leader Digicel has significantly bolstered its corporate governance with the strategic appointment of two industry veterans to its board of directors, effective February 1, 2026. The company announced the addition of Tony Bates and Michael Leitner, bringing decades of specialized expertise to guide its long-term strategic objectives.
The appointments are a calculated move to enhance oversight as Digicel executes its multi-faceted strategy centered on achieving operational resilience, enforcing disciplined capital allocation, and ensuring sustainable performance across its core Caribbean markets. These regions are characterized by their capital-intensive nature and stringent regulatory frameworks, demanding expert navigation.
Tony Bates contributes over thirty years of senior financial and operational leadership within global telecommunications and media corporations. His most notable tenure was as Group Chief Financial Officer at satellite communications giant Inmarsat. In this role, Bates was instrumental in steering business performance, optimizing capital structures, and leading major corporate transactions. His portfolio includes overseeing complex refinancing initiatives and playing a key role in the company’s landmark sale to Viasat, showcasing his proficiency in managing high-stakes financial transformations in regulated industries.
Michael Leitner joins as a Partner and Senior Managing Director at Stonepeak, a leading alternative investment firm. He currently holds board positions across several of Stonepeak’s communications and digital infrastructure portfolio companies. Leitner’s extensive career encompasses growth, restructuring, and turnaround projects spanning the entire digital ecosystem, including fibre optics, wireless technology, satellite services, data centers, and cloud computing. His executive experience includes significant roles at financial and tech powerhouses such as BlackRock, Tennenbaum Capital Partners, and Microsoft. With a seat on more than 25 public and private company boards, Leitner offers unparalleled governance and investment insight.
Digicel’s Chairman, Rajeev Suri, emphasized the strategic fit of the new members, stating, ‘The perspectives Tony and Michael bring are directly aligned with Digicel’s current priorities. Tony’s profound experience in financial leadership and execution, combined with Michael’s deep background in digital infrastructure and capital stewardship, will significantly enhance the board’s strategic oversight.’
Echoing this sentiment, Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer, Marcelo Cataldo, commented, ‘Operating in our markets requires impeccable execution and financial discipline. Both Tony and Michael have built their careers mastering these complex environments. Their seasoned judgment will be invaluable as we continue to build a resilient business focused on delivering sustainable, long-term performance for our customers and stakeholders.’