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IT industry 'trailblazer' passes away
IT News |
23/08/2010
Roy Newell, an important figure in the early development of the IT profession, has passed away at the age of 83.
One of the founder members of BCS, the Chartered Institute of IT, back in 1958, he made a profound contribution to the society at both branch and council level over the course of 50 years.
A geography graduate from University College Oxford, Mr Newell combined his academic studies with a passion for computing from an early age.
He was a particular champion for geospatial technologies and later worked on the development of climate change strategies and other green technologies for BCS.
Mr Newell held a variety of positions within the BCS over the years, and personally established the Sussex branch, of which he was chairman.
He was also a prominent member of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, British Education Technology and Training and the Institute for the Management of Information Services.
In 2008, Mr Newell was made an Honorary Fellow of the BCS in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the organisation.
Edward Wolton, former chair of the BCS Young Professionals' Group, described Mr Newell as being "a great man" and "a trailblazer for the IT industry".
"He spent a lot of time nurturing, guiding and advising younger generations as they entered into and matured within the IT profession. His counsel will be greatly missed and in particular I will miss his sense of humour," he said.
"Roy's knowledge, expertise and contacts ran deep within every area he chose to concentrate. We, and the ICT profession, are all the richer for having known him."
Mr Newell, who suffered a stroke in January this year, passed away on July 24th following a cardiac arrest.
Posted by Stephen Wilkinson
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