Andy Stanford-Clark
Andrew James Stanford-Clark | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Engineer, IT researcher |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | Co-developer of MQTT protocol, IBM CTO for UK and Ireland |
Andrew James Stanford-Clark is a British engineer specializing in IT research, with a focus on telemetry and publish/subscribe messaging systems. In July 2017, he assumed the role of IBM CTO for the UK and Ireland. Prior to this, he led a research team at IBM and holds distinctions such as being a Member of the IBM Academy of Technology, an IBM Master Inventor, and a visiting professorship at Newcastle University. Additionally, he participates in the EPSRC peer review college and frequently presents public lectures.
Education
Stanford-Clark completed his secondary education at Stockport Grammar School before attending the University of East Anglia (UEA), where he obtained a BSc degree in computer science and mathematics. He further pursued doctoral studies, earning a PhD in parallel computing in 1991.
Career
Beginning his tenure at IBM in 1991 within the Communications Software division, Stanford-Clark concentrated on parallel processing and ubiquitous messaging technologies. By 2010, he was appointed CTO of Smart Energy Technologies under IBM’s smarter planet initiative, applying his knowledge of pervasive messaging systems.
He is credited with 11 issued patents and had 45 additional patent applications pending as of 2014, alongside 30 invention disclosures published through IBM Technology Journal and IP.com. Stanford-Clark has played an active role in mentoring innovators and fostering rapid innovation via IBM’s Extreme Blue student program.
He currently directs IBM’s research group focused on pervasive and advanced messaging technologies, based at Hursley House near Winchester, Hampshire, contributing to the Smarter Planet project.
Telemetry
In collaboration with Arlen Nipper in 1999, Stanford-Clark co-developed the initial version of the MQ Telemetry Transport (MQTT) protocol. MQTT is designed as a lightweight protocol facilitating telemetry data transmission from sensors or mobile devices to computer applications using a publish/subscribe framework. He attracted media coverage during the late 2000s by integrating his home automation system with Twitter through MQTT.
Awards and honours
Stanford-Clark was inducted into the IBM Academy of Technology in 2002 and honored as an IBM Master Inventor. He earned the title of IBM Distinguished Engineer in 2007. In 2006, he was made a Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS) and achieved Chartered IT Professional (CITP) status. His public engagements include delivering TEDx presentations and appearing on University Challenge broadcast on BBC2.