IIA recruits award-winning journalist as new chief

Former journalist and media manager Steve Burrell has signed on to be the next chief executive officer of the Internet Industry Association (IIA).

Burrell will replace Peter Coroneos, who retires as chief executive of the IIA on 30 June.

A former Economics Editor and Deputy Editor of The Australian Financial Review and Business Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, Burrell has won a Walkley award for Social Equity Journalism and also won Pan-Asian Journalist of the Year for outstanding business journalism.

Burrell joins IIA from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, where he has led its strategic communications and media relations, government relations and policy advocacy.

In that role he has dealt with decision makers at the highest levels of Australian business and politics and working closely with some of Australia’s top CEOs, company directors and chairmen.

He has also been employed as a policy adviser in the Federal Treasury.

“We are delighted to have someone of Steve's immense experience across a broad range of sectors join the IIA as its CEO at this pivotal time in the maturation of the Digital Economy and the association,” said IIA chair Bruce Linn.

Coroneos welcomed the appointment of his successor.

"Steve's credentials speak for themselves, he really is an outstanding recruit and will be a great asset to the association," he said.

Mr Burrell will take up the post in September 2011. Peter Coroneos will remain available to the IIA in a consultancy capacity in the meantime.