Not exactly related to the point of the thread, but I get cold feet at the idea of appointing a design lead considering the influence on the game if they have an active allegiance to an alliance. Suppose I could simplify that to say - the lead ideally should be completely unbiased, which was why I liked Pre in the role even if I thought various things about what he pushed through.
Whether you're actively involved in leading an alliance/high gov or you do reporting work. Idk, it's not something I've seen many people mention (apart from the various meming of Lucianus and his partiality) but it definitely is something that concerns me, no matter who does get appointed the team lead.