IIA appoints interim CEO

The Internet Industry Association has appointed an interim head until it can replace former CEO Peter Coroneos.

The association had named Australian Institute of Company Directors communications lead man Steve Burrell as its new chief, but at the last minute he decided to turn down the role.

Now the association has appointed Anne Hurley as its interim head. Hurley was previously the CEO of the Communications Alliance.

The IIA said that there was nothing unusual about appointing an interim CEO, saying that Steve Jobs was an interim CEO of Apple for two years in the late 1990s.

"It is about efficiently and effectively managing change in an agile manner following the retirement of a long-serving CEO," IIA said in a statement.

The Australian had surmised that part of Burrell's reason for leaving was the reported removal of funding for the association from Telstra, Microsoft and Google.

As it announced its new head, the IIA was careful to promote the image of a strong association with a long history.

"The IIA is proud to be Australia's first internet industry association representing some 150 members from the broadest cross-section of the internet industry in this region. We remain the only independent, totally member-funded industry association in the sector."

"The IIA board also recognises that we are in a rapidly changing environment (one we are very used to having spent nearly 15 years in the internet industry) and in order to maintain our momentum and agility to serve our members effectively in this rapidly changing environment, we confirm today the appointment of Anne Hurley as interim CEO of the IIA."