Wanted: porn watcher

The UK watchdog responsible for monitoring illegal web content has just three months to find a new chief executive after its present CEO unexpectedly turned down a five-year contract extension.

David Kerr will step down from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in March, but his deputy, Ruth Dixon, who was hotly tipped to take over the post, has already confirmed she won't be applying.

Kerr's successor can expect to be paid around £50,000 a year to work with child protection agencies, the Home Office, police and ISPs in their battle to curb the proliferation of illegal material, particularly child pornography, on the net.

The IWF searches for offending material and then informs the relevant service provider so it can be removed. The group also runs a hotline for members of the public wanting to report illegal material.

Founded in 1996 by Pipex founder Peter Dawe, the organisation has been criticised in the past for its low profile and lack of accountability. Although partly funded by the EU and subscriptions from service providers, money has also been a constant source of trouble for the IWF.

Kerr described the job as a "unique position" for which there is no natural career background.

"My successor will need to combine the management skills of running a small organisation, the diplomatic skills of working to the board and stakeholders, and the vision to grow new methods of regulation for converging media in an international context," he said.

Referring to his departure, Kerr said he felt it was "time for a change" for both himself and the organisation. "It needs a new broom," he told silicon.com.

Martino Corbelli, director of marketing at filtering tool firm Surf Control, said the new chief executive will need some technical know-how.

He said: "The IWF will benefit greatly from a better technical understanding in relation to the dangers of the internet and how abusers take advantage of it. This is one of its greatest weaknesses."

Corbelli added the new CEO should also focus on raising the IWF's profile to ensure the public know there is a foundation watching out for their well-being online.

"I doubt more than two per cent of the population currently know that such a body even exists," he said.