Brian Finn
Chair
Brian Finn AO
Brian spent 35 years in IBM and has lived and worked in the United Kingdom, United States of America, India, Hong Kong and Australia.
His early IBM career was in the United Kingdom, in technical support and in marketing. In 1974 he moved to Houston to become involved in software development for the US space program and for the automation of two major oil refineries, one in Canada and the other in Belgium. From there he moved to India, where he ran IBM’s business in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Subsequently, he became General Manager for IBM throughout Asia, before moving to Australia in 1980 to take on the role of CEO, and subsequently Chairman, of IBM Australia/New Zealand. He retired from the CEO position and from full-time employment in 1993, and as Chairman in 1998.
Starting when he was CEO of IBM Australia, Brian was involved in a number of education related activities. He was a member of the National Board of Employment Education and Training, a Director of the Australian-American Fulbright Commission, a Member of the Board of Governors of the University of Western Sydney, Chairman of the Australian Education Commission’s Review of Post-Compulsory Education, Chairman of the Council of the National Science and Technology Centre (Questacon), Chairman of the Australian National Training Authority.
Brian has been a Director of a number of private and public sector organisations including AXA, Heytesbury, Southcorp, Sydney Ports Corporation, Telstra and the Vita Group, where he is still Chairman. He was a member of the Business Council of Australia from 1982 until his retirement.
He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, the Australian Computer Society, the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and the Australian Institute of Management.
He is an Adjunct Professor and Fellow of the University of Technology Sydney and an Adjunct Professor of Griffith University. He is an Honorary Doctor of Letters at the University of Western Sydney, an Honorary Doctor of the University at Griffith University, and an Honorary Doctor of Education at Wollongong University.
In 1990 Brian was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for services to Business, Industry and Education and in 2003, he was awarded the Centenary Medal for services to Australian Society through technological industries.
Brian and his wife, Ivy, live at Hope Island and have been residents of the Gold Coast for the past 12 years.