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Michael Aldrich Biography
Michael Aldrich (1941-) was educated at the
Holy Cross Convent School
in Islington, London, UK (1945-1952) and at grammar school Clapham
College (now St Francis Xavier’s Sixth Form College). In 1959 he went up
to Hull University to read history. In 1960 he became engaged to his
future
life partner Sandy Kay Hutchings, a student at Hull Art College, and they
married in 1962 shortly before he graduated.
Career
After graduation he spent his career in the computing and electronic
industries joining the Board of Redifon (later Rediffusion) Computers in
January 1977 after 15 years with the US multinationals Burroughs (now
Unisys) and Honeywell (now Bull). He became CEO of Redifon Computers in
January 1980 and held that post until January 2000. From 1980-1984 he was
also concurrently CEO of other Rediffusion companies.
In 1984 Aldrich led a management buy-out of
then Rediffusion Computers. He was the largest shareholder and he
subsequently bought-out the other shareholders. He renamed the company
ROCC (Rediffusion’s Old Computer Company). In 1986 he became Chairman and
CEO. In January 2000 he retired and became non-executive Chairman.
Innovation
Aldrich was an innovator in a large number of speciality data processing
techniques and processes including large scale data capture with keyboards
and scanners, real-time minicomputers and networks, handprint data capture
and voice response systems.
He invented online shopping in 1979 and
designed, manufactured, sold
and installed online shopping systems from 1980 to 1990. He invented the
Teleputer (1980) a PC, television and telecom-capable desk-top home/office
workstation and manufactured and sold it in various models. He developed
and patented Signcheck (1984) the world’s first practical static signature
recognition and verification system.
He was the author of the seminal paper and
leading protagonist for
interactive broadband Cable systems in the UK and played a significant
role in campaigning to change UK law to permit such systems.
Publications
He co-authored the 'Cable Systems' report published by HMSO in March 1982,
'Making a Business of Information' (HMSO 1983) and 'Learning to Live with
IT' (HMSO 1986) and published a seminal book on the Information
Superhighway, 'Videotex - Key to the Wired City' (Quiller Press 1982). In
addition he has published innumerable papers and articles and was a
frequent international lecturer on information technology. Profiles and
feature articles have appeared in "The Times", "The Guardian", “The
Financial Times”, "The Sunday Times", "The Independent on Sunday" and in
computer publications. He has also appeared on radio and TV in the UK,
continental Europe and the USA.
Profession
He is past president (1984-1985) of the Institute of Information
Scientists, a fellow of the British Computer Society {1984} and a
companion of the Institute of Management (1986). He was deputy chairman of
the Videotex Industry Association in 1985-1986 and became chairman for
1986-88. In May 2004 he was elected a Chartered Fellow of the British
Computer Society. He is also an honorary fellow of the Confederation of
Library and Information Professionals.
Public Service
Aldrich was a member of the Cabinet Office Information Technology Advisory
Panel (1981-86) and was an advisor to the Confederation of British
Industry on information technology from January 1982 to December 1983.
He is a member of The Tavistock Association a
world renowned organisation specialising in research in the social and
psychological sciences and was chairman of the Tavistock Institute Council
from 1989-1999
University of Brighton
Aldrich began his association with the then Brighton Polytechnic in 1977.
He was sponsoring student employees for electronics engineering and
computing degrees.
He became a member of the Governing Body in
1982 and served until 1999- two years as Deputy Chairman and 11 years as
Chairman. He is the Founding Chairman (1988-1998) of the University of
Brighton.
In 1996 the University of Brighton dedicated
the new Moulscomb Library to Michael Aldrich. In 2000 the Aldrich
Collection of Contemporary Art at the University of Brighton was put on
public exhibition for the first time. In June 2002 the final stage of the
Aldrich Gardens at Moulscomb was opened. In July 2002 Michael Aldrich
received an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters from the University. In
September 2008 he agreed to donate the Michael Aldrich Archive to the
Aldrich Library.
He has continued to support the University as
Founder Chairman of the
University Foundation (1992-2002) and as a Trustee (1992-). Aldrich has
also supported the London Fashion Show, retrospective exhibitions by Grace
Robertson and John Vernon Lord and the new Brighton School of Art book.
He has also been a governor of Crawley College
of Technology (1984-90), and vice chairman of governors (1986-90), and a
member of the Joint Information Systems Committee serving the Higher
Education funding councils of England, Scotland and Wales, (1993-1996).
Personal
He is a Freeman of the City of London and a Founder Member and Liveryman
of the Company of Information Technologists.
He was invited to give the British Computer
Society's Lecture in 1983 in Edinburgh to commemorate the 25th anniversary
of the founding of the Society.
Michael Aldrich is married with four children
and eight grandchildren.
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