Carter named acting InternetNZ boss

InternetNZ has appointed Jordan Carter acting CEO while it searches for a new chief executive.

High-profile CEO Vikram Kumar resigned on January 8. He told NBR ONLINE he was looking for his next challenge after three years in the role.

Mr Carter is InternetNZ's former policy lead. He was a Labour list candidate at the last election.

In a statement (below), InternetNZ President Frank March said Mr Carter would cease Labour Party involvement during his time with InternetNZ.

NBR ONLINE asked Mr Carter if he would throw his had into the ring for the job full time. 

He indicated he would not. It required high-level executive experience he did not have at this point in time in his career - although he added that his temporary CEO stint would be a good opportunity to increase his board room skills.

Mr Carter said his contract was open-ended. He would stay until a new candidate was appointed, and through a handover period. He anticipated that could take until mid-year.

In April 2011, Mr Carter left InternetNZ to pursue a political career after being named 40th on Labour's list.

After missing the cut-off at the election, he completed an MA at Victoria with a thesis on Labour and National governments' increasing broadband intervention between 2000 and 2011. He also worked as a consultant for Wigley & Co, a  Wellington law firm that works with telecommunications clients including Kordia and 2degrees. Carter has surrendered his Wigley & Co gig.

'Impressive legacy'
Today, InternetNZ councilor Lance Wiggs wrote, "[Vikram leaves behind an impressive legacy, highlighted for me by three very successful NetHuis. Vikram pushed hard to get these off the ground, working through objections of some within Council, including me. The tipping point for me was when he changed the name to NetHui from Internet Governance Forum. I was initially wrong as of course the  NetHui results and engagement from a much broader stakeholder group were superb.

"Vikram and the internal team with external help delivered a series of papers, briefings and submissions on a wide range of topics, including copyright law, UFB, and even the economic impact of the internet. He helped understand the concerns of, and put the facts as well as views based on our policy principles to people within Government and across industry, and lifted the bar for InternetNZ as we seek an open and uncapturable Internet."

InternetNZ administers the .co.nz domain name on behalf of the global internet body ICANN. It draws dividends from its 100% owned subsidiary Domain Name Ltd ($5.24 million in 2011 and $3.24 million in 2012) which wholesales domain names (web addresses). The non-profit uses its operating budget to lobby on behalf of internet users.

Mr Kumar told NBR he had been thinking about moving on for around six months. He has started a blog, Internet Ganesha, where he is writing about internet issues.

The departing CEO has left the building already (his official last day is January 31). A couple of industry figures were quick to point this out to NBR. President Frank March said it was simply that Mr Kumar had accumulated leave. Mr March is overseeing things until Mr Carter officially comes onboard as acting CEO January 28.

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RAW DATA: InternetNZ release

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand) has appointed Jordan Carter as its Acting Chief Executive.

Mr Carter will lead the organisation while a new Chief Executive is recruited. His appointment commences on Monday 28 January 2013.

Mr Carter is a previous Deputy Executive Director and Policy Director of InternetNZ. In recent years he has worked as a contracted Policy
Advisor for InternetNZ and for other clients in New Zealand and overseas.

"I am delighted we will have Jordan's skills and experience at our disposal in this transitional period," says InternetNZ President Dr Frank March.

"The Council will be moving quickly to recruit a permanent replacement Chief Executive. Jordan Carter's role is to lead the operating team in between Vikram Kumar's departure and the handover to a new permanent appointee, and to continue the development and implementation of InternetNZ's strategy, operations and work plan.

"He will work closely with the staff team, including with Policy Lead Susan Chalmers, who is InternetNZ's main spokesperson following Vikram Kumar's departure.

"It is important to the Council and to me that InternetNZ remains politically neutral and non-partisan. During his time as Acting Chief Executive, Jordan Carter will cease his involvement in both the Labour Party and the New Zealand Fabian Society,” says Dr March.

Jordan Carter says he is delighted with the appointment. "I am looking forward to the chance to lead the InternetNZ team at a very busy time for the organisation. The upcoming visit of Sir Tim Berners-Lee, preparations for NetHui 2013, and consultation with members about our strategic direction are just a few of the things I will be working on with the Council and the staff team.

"My focus from Monday is to serve InternetNZ - a challenge I am hugely looking forward to," Mr Carter says.