New URCA Chair Emphasis Consumer Interests
On August 1st, 2012, new Chairman Randol Dorsett took his place at the head of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) Board. An attorney-at-law, Mr. Dorsett is a Partner in the Nassau Office of Graham Thompson, a leading law firm in The Bahamas. He is a member of the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Group, with a portfolio of responsibilities in commercial practice, including specialty areas of Banking, Labour and Employment, Personal Injury, Fraud, Contentious Real Estate and Trust Litigation.
Mr. Dorsett says that the “achievement of the kind of market that provides good product and service options for the consumer while also permitting investors opportunities to realise good returns on their respective investments”, is among his key concerns as URCA’s Chairman. His message to industry stake-holders he says is one of consultation and collaboration. “We require the collaborative efforts of all industry stakeholders, in an environment that places emphasis on consultation, if we are to continue to build and strengthen the electronic communications sector in The Bahamas.”
The new URCA Chairman emphasised especially, the importance of addressing consumer needs and interests. His message to the consumer Mr. Dorsett says is that he wants “to raise the comfort levels of consumers about who we are and what we do as the industry’s regulator”. He underscored, “I want the consumer to understand what we do; to know that we are ably staffed, and that we’re up to the job of getting the best possible results”. Raising consumer awareness and helping the consumer to effectively navigate industry frameworks, including being able to communicate effectively with operators is a major concern for the Chairman. Mr. Dorsett added that matters related to consumer protection are priority areas for the regulator moving forward.
Mr. Dorsett earned his baccalaureate degree in Law from the University of Buckingham with First Class Honours, and also holds a master’s degree in International and Commercial Law, with specialisation in World Trade. He replaces former Chairman, Wayne J. Aranha, whose term ended July 31, 2012.
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