The troubled IE Domain Registry (IEDR) has confirmed the appointment of David Curtin as its new chief executive with immediate effect. For the past three months Curtin has been interim chief executive of the IEDR.
The news follows a disastrous period that saw the departure of its former chief executive Mike Fagan under acrimonious conditions as well the organisation struggling through a financial crisis.
Former chief executive Fagan resigned last November, more than a year after being suspended amid claims that he was bringing a lawsuit against the organisation for harassment. It is understood a standoff ensued when appointed executives from KPMG came to inspect the not-for-profit company’s books. It is understood the two parties reached a legal settlement that included a financial package.
Curtin, previously chief financial officer of the IEDR, was appointed the registry’s interim CEO at the time.
A chartered accountant, Curtin worked for eight years in Dublin and Paris with the Jefferson Smurfit Group before becoming chief financial officer of the IEDR. During his time at Smurfit he was chief executive of Smurfit Software Services, project manager for the Smurfit Group’s Hyperion systems implementation, and internal auditor of Smurfit Ireland. Before that he worked for KPMG in Ireland and the US.
Curtin’s confirmation as CEO of the IEDR follows a major overhaul of the ailing domain name registry. In November the company published its accounts for the first time in two years, posting losses of €1.2m. As well as this the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Dermot Ahern TD appointed the Commission for Communications Regulation to oversee regulation of the IEDR.
Last month, the IEDR itself moved to cut prices for obtaining and holding an Irish .ie domain name by 10pc. The new annual rate for owning an individual .ie domain is €112 plus Vat, compared to the old rate of €125 plus Vat.
By John Kennedy
