Chivers gives a new dimension to the "Revolving Door"
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Posted Tue 22 December 2009 @ 7:43 a.m. by Ernie Newman
My counterparts in user associations around the place are fond of talking of the "revolving door" - the propensity for people in senior policy positions to move between incumbents, entrants and government. We've seen plenty of examples in New Zealand and in my humble opinion it has more often been good than bad.
So take the case of Ralph Chivers. Go back not many years he was with Telecom. Later he went to the MED to spearhead operational separation. From there he turned up as inaugural CEO of the Telecommunications Carriers Forum. Then for the past few months he's had a leading role in the MED working on the government's fibre policies.
Now - with David Stone having only just dusted off the seat Chivers occupied two moves ago - he's off again. Going back to Telecom in a senior role as head of Government and Industry Relations.
The guy must have more business cards than you see in the lucky draw bowl for the foot massage at Bangkok Airport!
But seriously. A great move by Telecom and good for the industry in the wider sense. Ralph is one of the industry's most respected people in my view. His return to the old haunt will be useful in getting the government to understand Telecom's position and vision, and perhaps even more so, the reverse. Both in my view are important. There's a sense of disconnection between the two, but the country needs a degree of harmony. Sure Telecom has to share its space and earn its spurs these days and will even more so in future, but it is still the industry's lynch pin and will be crucial for a long time yet.
Good luck in the new role Ralph. Have a good break - you'll need it. And don't throw out any of those old business cards yet!
Categories: Broadband | Fixed line carriers | Regulatory | TUANZ policy