Executive Leadership Transition at fTLD: Craig Schwartz to Retire as Search for Successor Begins

The Executive Search Criteria

As Perrett Laver begins the search for Schwartz’s replacement, the industry will be watching closely to see what type of leader fTLD attracts. The ideal candidate will likely need to possess a deep understanding of the ICANN ecosystem, a background in the financial services industry, and a clear vision for the future of digital trust.

The transition comes at a time of broader change in the domain world. As new technologies like blockchain-based naming systems and alternative roots gain attention, the role of "traditional" but highly specialized TLDs like .bank remains a cornerstone of the established internet infrastructure. The next president will be tasked with ensuring that .bank and .insurance remain relevant and valuable to their stakeholders as the digital landscape continues to shift.

The 2027 retirement date suggests that Schwartz will remain at the helm during the critical period when the domain industry prepares for the 2026 expansion round, even if fTLD itself is not participating as an applicant. This ensures that fTLD’s voice—representing the interests of verified, restricted registries—will continue to be heard in industry-wide discussions during this formative time.

Conclusion of a Significant Tenure

The announcement of Craig Schwartz’s retirement is a reminder of the maturity of the "new" gTLD industry. Many of the leaders who helped launch the 2012 round of domains are now beginning to look toward the next chapters of their careers, leaving behind a legacy of a more diverse and specialized internet.

For fTLD, the mission remains unchanged: providing a secure, verified, and trusted home for the world’s financial and insurance institutions. The search for a new president is not just about filling a vacancy; it is about finding a steward for a critical piece of the internet’s trust infrastructure. With a clear timeline, a significant compensation package, and a well-defined mission, fTLD is positioned to attract a leader capable of guiding the .bank and .insurance namespaces through the remainder of the decade and beyond.

As the search progresses, the industry will look back on Schwartz’s 16-year journey from ICANN to the leadership of fTLD as a period of steady, principled growth. His retirement in 2027 will mark the conclusion of a career that helped define what it means to operate a "high-trust" corner of the World Wide Web.