Proposed by: Martyn Routley, InvictaWiz Ltd
Seconded by: Martin Tanner, ADM Computer Services Ltd

Additional statement from Darren Brown

Election Statement

I have watched the growth and success of Nominet of the past several years and I am very happy to see them continue the good work. The .uk domain is at the core of most members business interests and will continue to be so.

From time to time it is necessary to revue the past and plan for the future. There has been a lot of talk about reducing the cost of registration and from the figures I see a reduction is totally justified.

Another suggestion that I have heard is that a rebate should be made to members in respect of past registrations. Either or both these fee adjustments are eminently possible. The business is awash with funds that it does not need.

Since Willie Black left the influence of the members has declined; as the membership are the people most affected by any changes in the management of the CC TLD it is of paramount importance that they have the dominant presence on the board.

Rather than dilute the influence of the membership I propose that the chairman of the board be elected by the membership. The term of office should last for two years and be eligible for re-election thereafter. Needless to say I am opposed to the resolutions to be put before the AGM which if passed will allow the board to appoint its’ own directors.

Perhaps the legal influences on the Board have tended to slew the dispute resolution service. Recently there have been a number of decisions which I feel have not been justified. I would like to see an overhaul of the DRS system to ensure the results are more consistent.

I have no problem with the proposed ENUM registry, it is a logical development. I would however be concerned should there be any attempt to change the direction of the business to areas outside the UK as in my view that is beyond their remit.

Curriculum Vitæ

Rather than following the traditional route to university I served an apprentiship in Electrical / Electronic Engineering for British Rail Telecoms.

This involved a four year HND in electronic engineering at Tonbridge College.

During my time at BRT I climbed to the grade of Technical Officer for the Technical Services Group.

In 1996 I left BRT to start my own Internet Company. Orbital net was initially a small webhosting and domain registration Company.

After two years I incorporated it as a company and joined Nominet in 1999.

We expanded into being a successful ISP providing hosting, Broadband, Leased Lines and the UK's largest WiMax Class Wireless Network covering Kent, East Sussex and South Essex. Orbital is now the largest ISP based in Kent.

In 2006 I Purchased a Failing Kent wireless network which served domestic customers in rural areas, this Limited Company for which I am also a Director is now a successful domestic service which now runs at a profit. My main motives for this were to ensure that rural areas can receive a quality broadband product without the need to be in an urban area.

I have always taken an interest in Nominet and its governance; recent plans have led me to feel I should be more actively involved.
As a director I will champion the rights of the members.

I take time away from my business to get actively involved in local environmental issues and until recently sat on the Local Environmental Planning committee for the Town in which Orbital is based.