Australian confirmed as ICANN president

Australian Paul Twomey will become the first non-American to head the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) when he takes office on 27 March.

Twomey was a leading contender for the hot seat. According to an ICANN statement, the managing director of Australian Internet consulting firm, Argo Pacific, will replace current president and chief executive, Stuart Lynn, who is retiring after a two-year tenure.

"I'm very pleased that he will be the next ICANN president, following a thorough and global search," said Vint Cerf, the organisation's board chairman.

Twomey was elected as chair of ICANN's Government Advisory Committee in 2001. He also served as chief executive of the Australian government's National Office of the Information Economy from 1998 to 2000.

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