A solid choice

One of the Government’s initiatives has been the setting up of an industry wide body in the ICT sector. Previous attempts have not been supported or successful, but we do now have a Digital Develoment Council which has representatives from up to a dozen ICT groups such as NZCS, InternetNZ, TUANZ, Women in Technology, Business NZ, Local Govt NZ, the 20/20 Trust etc.

Many people are sceptical, given previous failures, and will be looking closely to see how well it performs.

A good indicator is the appointment of its first Chair – Fran Wilde.

Fran is what one calls a heavyweight – in that she gets things done and you don’t want to be in her way trying to stop her. Fran is a former Wellington City Mayor, current Wellington Regional Council Chair and also was CEO of Trade NZ.

No one person is a guarantee of success, but as I said Fran has a very good track record of doing, not just talking.