By Craig Zammit
SYDNEY: Digital Broadcasting Australia (DBA) has announced the appointment of Chris Williamson as its first chief executive officer after an extensive search by the DBA board to find a replacement for its now former managing consultant, Tim O’Keefe.
Williamson will now manage the next stage of the transition from analogue to digital television transmission, and will also coordinate many aspects of digital free to air television for broadcasters, consumer electronics suppliers, retailers and installers.
“Chris Williamson has the ideal background for the organisation’s first CEO. He has first-hand experience with the introduction of digital television in Australia and the United Kingdom and has worked in the IT, telecommunications, internet and television industries all his professional life,” said DBA chairman, Ian McGarrity.
Before being appointed CEO by the DBA board, Williamson was the coordinator of the digital television strategy group on behalf of Australian national and commercial free to view television broadcast networks.
The five member DBA board includes representatives from national and regional broadcasters, commercial networks as well as retail and consumer electronics representatives, including Panasonic’s Ross Henderson and Harvey Norman proprietor, Scott Lindsay.