With great sadness, Iatia Limited announces the sudden passing of one of its Directors, Brian Powell, RD, BEc, FAICD, FAIM, FCIT.

Iatia Chairman Jim Short said, “Brian had a great belief in and commitment to Iatia. He will be sadly missed. Brian’s knowledge was impressive, as was his ability to adapt and make use of his varied life experiences. Our thoughts are with his wife Pam and his family at this difficult time”.

Brian was a Director of Iatia from 2 July 2001. He was also CEO from August 2002 to September 2004. During his time with the company, Brian initiated major positive changes in Iatia’s business strategies. He brought significant business expertise and knowledge, and played an important role in focusing Iatia’s resources on introducing its core technology, the QPI algorithm, to third parties, in particular the defence sector.

Through Brian’s knowledge and network Iatia has significantly broadened its potential market opportunities in defence, including major defence contractors in the US and Europe.

Brian mentored Iatia’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Brendan Allman, in his involvement with the defence sector. Dr Allman has been successfully leading Iatia’s defence activities for the last two years and will continue to do so, building upon the solid foundation that Brian created.

Outside Iatia, Brian had a long and successful career in both the public and private sectors. He was a senior executive at Ford Motor Company between 1968 and 1975 and CEO of the Australian Chamber of Manufactures between 1975 and 1987. He acted as Chairman for the Advance Australia Foundation, the National Languages and Literacy Institute, and the Austin Hospital Foundation. He was a member of the Defence Industry Committee from 1990 to 1996. His interest in Defence Research programs was stimulated by his service with the Royal Australian Naval Reserve for several decades from age 18.

In 2003 he was inducted to the Australian National University Faculty of Economics and Commerce Hall of Fame.