Maarten Botterman

Maarten Botterman is an independent strategic advisor on Internet Governance and related issues with 25+ years of experience in guiding governments and major organizations on the economic/business and societal impacts of current and future internet innovations and technologies. During those 25+ years, he participated in and led more than 50 international projects and studies for governments and industry on Future Net issues with teams including experts with advanced academic degrees from many disciplines ranging from technology and mathematics to economics and law, and from many different countries and cultures. Maarten was employed as Head of Unit and Senior Advisor to the Dutch Government (1987 – 1995) and as Scientific Officer to the Communications Technology Research program that was run by the European Commission (1995 – 1999). These years brought many insights into public interest and governance aspects of the developing global, networked knowledge society. These insights were further deepened when working for RAND Corporation setting up and running an Information Society policy practice in Europe (1999 – 2006), and since, working as an independent strategic advisor to governments and businesses in close cooperation with leading independent research institutions in Europe (including RAND Europe, TNO Netherlands, DTI Danmark, and Inno France). Today, he is internationally recognized as a governance and future Internet expert. Next to advising the Dutch government and the European Commission on Internet Governance issues, he got deeply involved in the ICANN work as Board Member and Chairman of the Public Interest Registry (2008 – 2016), over time actively participating in more than 20 ICANN meetings. Having worked internationally since 1995, he has extensive experience with working with people from different national and cultural backgrounds and is comfortable in engaging in English, German, French, and Dutch (mother tongue). He has a reputation as an independent, trustworthy, out-of-the-box thinker who is able to look at issues from several perspectives with a strong awareness of the bigger picture. Having served on Boards and having reported to Boards, he has extensive experience with effective Board Governance and the responsibilities and obligations that come with a director’ position on a US Non-profit Board. Over the years he has been a frequent guest speaker and/or moderator, mostly at smart technology-related events. Maarten holds an advanced degree in business economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam. He is a certified coach and has a certificate in medical base knowledge, both relevant as they help in better understanding of what drives people in decision making and going through life. His areas of interest are government, civil society, and technology. Maarten is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. He was selected by the Nominating Committee to serve on the Board. His term will expire at the Annual General Meeting 2022.