Candidate Statement
Neil McRae – Juniper Networks Inc.
My name is Neil McRae, and I am standing for re-election to the LINX board. I work for Juniper Networks Inc and have worked for six different members starting at Demon Internet when the LINX was founded 31 years ago.
Juniper is a supplier to LINX and, as my time at C&W and BT, and I note this conflict which is managed as part of good board governance. Not at any time has this or other conflicts I have had in the past prevented me from acting the best interests of the members and in my fiduciary duties.
I’ve been involved with LINX since before it even had a name and have proudly served as a board member for many years. My passion for this industry is rooted in its mission: connecting people. For me, being part of LINX is not just professional—it’s deeply personal. I believe that connectivity is a powerful equaliser that opens doors to opportunity, and I speak from personal experience, having built my career through self-taught skills and a relentless drive to learn and contribute. LINX is a crucial platform in enabling its members to connect people.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked across technical, strategic, and leadership roles within the Internet and Telecommunications industry. I bring to LINX a broad mix of expertise: deep technical knowledge, strategic insight, strong commercial acumen, and significant experience in organisational development. These skills equip me to contribute effectively as your representative and help shape the future direction of LINX.
The Internet exchange landscape is entering a new era—and is a crucial part of critical global infrastructure. I’ve written before that the progress of our industry often brings a tear to my eye, because of the real-world difference we make. LINX has played, and continues to play, a crucial role in that progress through its neutral, member-focused model.
However, the environment is shifting. Since I last stood for election, the competitive landscape has changed significantly. New, agile exchange points with no legacy constraints are emerging, in Europe and internationally. To remain a leader, LINX must evolve—adapting its thinking, scaling its impact, continue to drive out cost and innovating faster while staying true to its core purpose: serving its members. Other challenges around growth and unit cost are also going to drive the need for change within the LINX.
If re-elected, my focus will be on three key areas:
Member value: Ensuring that everything LINX does drives real, measurable value for its members, particularly around cost and competitiveness
Strategic clarity: Helping LINX define and deliver a long-term strategy that embraces innovation and challenges the competition while maintaining our unique strengths of mutuality and neutrality.
Operational excellence: Using my experience to enhance LINX’s capability across strategy, talent, partnerships, technology, and organisational effectiveness.
We are at a pivotal moment. The decisions we make now will shape the future of LINX and the wider Internet community for years to come. I want to continue serving you to ensure LINX not only adapts to this change but leads it—upholding our mission to connect people and power opportunity, and drive more value for the membership, whilst running a predictable and reliable exchange platform.
You can contact me at neil@domino.org or on +447960698424 for any questions you may have.