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David Edwin PotterCBE FREng (born 1943) is the founder and chairman of the microcomputer systems companyPsion PLC., andPsion Teklogix after Psion's acquisition ofTeklogix in the year 2000.
Potter was born inEast London, South Africa, in 1943 and brought up inCape Town. In 1963 he took up a Beit scholarship to read natural sciences atTrinity College, Cambridge. In 1966 he was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to study for a doctorate in mathematical physics atImperial College London, where he was subsequently appointed to the staff. As an academic during the 1970s, he taught at theUniversity of London and at theUniversity of California, consulted and wrote a number of academic papers and a book on the use of computers in physics.[1]
Potter foundedPsion in 1980. In its early years, Psion became a leader in software for home microcomputers. In 1984, Psion invented 'The Organizer', the world's first volume hand-held computer for personal use and information.
In 1988, Potter led Psion's flotation on theLondon Stock Exchange, which saw Psion's scale and value multiply many times. The company expanded further into data communications and mobile corporate solutions.[buzzword] In 1998, using Psion's experience in small mobile operating systems, Potter led the creation of Symbian Limited in partnership withNokia,Ericsson,Motorola andMatsushita to create the operating system standard for mobile wireless devices – now known asSymbian.
In 1999, Potter stood down as chief executive of the company and assumed the role of chairman. He retired as chairman in September 2009.[2]
Potter has been a member of the London Regional Council of theCBI, a board member of the London First Centre and co-chairman of the London Manufacturing Group. From 1999 to 2003 he was a member of The Council for Science and Technology reporting to the Cabinet.
Potter served on the 1997 National Committee of Inquiry into Higher Education (TheDearing Committee), and continued his involvement in higher education policy as a board member of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. He has also had extensive involvement with educational establishments as a Visiting Fellow ofNuffield College, Oxford, Honorary Fellow ofImperial College, London, and Honorary Fellow and Governor of theLondon Business School.
In 1993, Potter received theMountbatten Medal from theInstitution of Electrical Engineers and has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from a number of universities including Warwick, Sheffield, Edinburgh and York.
Potter has written and lectured widely on technology and the new economy, including the Stockton Lecture atLondon Business School in 1998, one of the Millennium Lectures at 10 Downing Street in 1999, and the Tacitus Lecture, 2000 at the Guildhall.
In 2001, Potter was one of theLabour Party's top 50 donors, giving £90,000 to its head office.[3]
In September 2017, Potter was appointed Honorary Chairman of Planet Computers, a crowd-funded start-up producing theGemini (PDA), a spiritual successor to the Psion Series 5.[4][5]
In the 1997 New Year's Honours list, Potter was appointed aCBE for services to the manufacturing industry[6] and in 2001 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers. In 1999, he was chosen as Entrepreneur of the Year in the annual UK PLC Awards. In June 2003, Potter was appointed a non-Executive Director to theBank of England, stepping down in 2009.[citation needed]
Potter's interests include his family, education, farming, golf, music, bridge, reading and ideas, science and economics, and tennis.[7] With their involvement in education and the developing world, his family created theDavid and Elaine Potter Foundation[8][9] to support projects in education, research and third world development.
[...] from their charitable David and Elaine Potter Foundation.
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