In a sudden leadership restructuring at Trinidad and Tobago’s majority state-owned telecommunications giant Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (TSTT), Keino Cox has been replaced as acting chief executive officer after just over 13 months in the role, with industry veteran Reza Hosein tapped to step into the top position effective immediately.
By Thursday evening, updates to TSTT’s official leadership page had already removed Cox from the company’s executive roster and listed Hosein as the new acting CEO. Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath confirmed the transition in a phone interview with the Express, noting that the TSTT board of directors convened a meeting earlier the same day to review Cox’s performance appraisal and ultimately voted against renewing his temporary appointment.
Cox’s tenure as acting CEO was approved via a specific board resolution that was set to expire on July 31, 2026. Following that expiration, the board opted not to extend his mandate, Padarath explained. “I spoke with the chairman of TSTT a few minutes ago, he advised me that there was a board meeting this afternoon, which ended after 6 p.m., and the board took the decision to appoint Mr Reza Hosein as the new acting chief executive officer of TSTT,” Padarath shared. “Keino Cox’s appointment as acting chief executive officer came to an end on July 31, 2026. Mr Cox was appointed through a board resolution, and after a review or consideration and an appraisal, the board took the decision to appoint Mr Hosein to act instead of continuing with Mr Cox.”
Padarath added that he has requested a full briefing on the specific details that drove the leadership change, but emphasized that Cox’s formal authority to serve in the role had already reached its scheduled end. “And upon the expiration, the board met, they considered several different issues, which I am waiting to be briefed on by the board, and they decided to go with Mr Reza Hosein to lead the company at this time,” he said.
The minister also addressed ongoing concerns around uncertainty at Amplia Communications, TSTT’s subsidiary, where media reports have claimed employees are left in limbo amid plans to end the company’s operating contract. Padarath confirmed he had raised questions about the situation with the TSTT board, only to be informed that the proposed move was brought forward unilaterally without board approval, and that the body has not yet discussed the matter officially, with legal review currently underway.
Cox first stepped into the acting CEO role in July of the previous year, taking over from outgoing CEO Kent Western when he was serving as substantive assistant vice-president of Emerging Services and Innovation. When contacted by reporters Thursday evening, Cox declined to comment beyond the official statement released by TSTT.
In its official announcement of the leadership transition, TSTT outlined Hosein’s immediate priorities as acting CEO: sustaining organizational momentum, accelerating progress against the company’s core strategic goals, and driving its ongoing transformation from a traditional telecommunications provider to a full technology-focused enterprise. The company says this transformation leverages cutting-edge technology, expanded digital capabilities, and innovation to boost customer value, improve operational performance, open new diversified revenue streams, and position TSTT for long-term sustainable growth in an increasingly competitive digital market.
Hosein, who boasts 27 years of specialized experience in the telecommunications sector, joined TSTT’s senior leadership team just last month, when he took over as vice-president of technology following the departure of Rattan Boodram. His career at TSTT has spanned leadership roles across nearly every critical business segment, including technology, residential services, wireless solutions, consumer sales, service delivery and assurance, customer experience, and marketing. This cross-functional experience has given him a holistic, enterprise-wide understanding of TSTT’s operations and the core strategic, technological, commercial, and customer-focused demands shaping the company’s future, the release noted.
Kern Dass, chairman of TSTT’s board of directors, expressed full confidence in the new acting CEO in a statement accompanying the announcement. “The board welcomes Reza to the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer and is confident in his leadership as TSTT continues to advance its strategic priorities and accelerate its transformation from a Telco to a TechCo,” Dass said. “His extensive experience across technology, commercial operations and customer experience will be important as the Company strengthens its digital capabilities, drives innovation and delivers greater value for our customers and stakeholders.”
In his first public comment since the appointment, Hosein said he was honored to take on the top leadership role. “I am honoured to assume the role of Acting Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to working with our employees and stakeholders to build on the work underway, maintain our focus on our customers and continue advancing the Company’s strategic priorities,” he said.
The leadership transition comes as TSTT navigates two key industry moments: a public standoff with the Communications Workers Union (CWU) over a disputed 10% wage increase for employees, and a historic high in financial performance. Just last month, TSTT and its Amplia subsidiary reported the group’s strongest full-year financial results in 17 years. For the 12-month period ending March 31, 2026, the company posted an after-tax profit of $214 million, marking a 103% jump from the prior year’s after-tax profit of $106 million recorded in 2025.
The current TSTT board, chaired by Dass, recently added a new member when Daniel Thornhill was appointed to the director role just last week. He joins sitting directors Cassilina Kelshall and Randy Ramtahal on the governing body.