John Fairclough
Sir John Whitaker Fairclough | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date |
| Died | June 5, 2003 (aged 72) |
| Occupation(s) | Computer engineer, government technology advisor |
| Known for | Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK government (1986–1990), President of the British Computer Society (1997–1998) |
Sir John Whitaker Fairclough (23 August 1930 – 5 June 2003) was a prominent British computer engineer and advisor on government technology policy.
Education
Fairclough received his early education at Thirsk Grammar School before pursuing electrical engineering studies at Manchester University. Following this, he fulfilled his national service duties with the RAF.
Career
In 1954, Fairclough began his professional journey in the computer division of Ferranti. Three years later, in 1957, he transitioned to IBM, spending part of his tenure in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. By 1974, he had returned to the United Kingdom to assume the role of Managing Director at IBM Hursley, located near Winchester.
Between 1986 and 1990, Fairclough held the position of Chief Scientific Adviser for the UK Conservative administration led by Margaret Thatcher. Upon departing from the Cabinet Office, he was honored with a knighthood in 1990. Subsequently, he joined the Board of NM Rothschild and Sons, where he took on leadership as Chairman of its venture capital arm. Additionally, he played an active role in supporting numerous start-up enterprises.
From 1997 to 1998, he served as President of the British Computer Society.
Personal life
In 1954, Fairclough wed Margaret Harvey. Following her passing in 1996, he remarried in 2000 to Karen. He fathered two sons and one daughter through his first marriage.