Congratulations are due to Phil, gaining a position on the Board at the third attempt. I am delighted for him, and he accomplished the outcome I wanted, which was to reduce representation on the Board by the largest registrars. That mission accomplished. While I am really grateful to people who voted for me, it was never about me having to be on the Board, it was about trying to get alternative voices in the Boardroom. I don't mind at all not winning. I was a reluctant candidate, and it clears the way for me to focus more on other very important parts of my life. I had already made clear on the Nominet forum that I would not accept any payment if I won, and it has never been about money for me. So I am just very pleased for Phil and I hope he is backed and encouraged to the hilt by members.
Thank you, in parting (because this is my final post on this forum) to some genuinely kind and friendly people I have met here. Thanks especially to Steve for his support, but also to many others I have got to know, or bought domains from. Domains have been a hobby for me, not a business, and for that reason I think I have always been working a bit outside the full understanding of the industry. At this stage in my life, I am going to focus on fewer things - things that really matter in work and family - and my intention is to sell all but a dozen domain names for charity, those dozen left being ones that are personal or family. This was always going to be a one-off adventure for me, and in a lot of ways it is a relief I came
second, not first. I hope and pray that all of you keep well, Siusaidh.
