Sir Gil Simpson KNZM

 
Sir Gil Simpson

Introducing Sir Gil Simpson

  • Began work as an 18 year old programmer creating the initial direct credit and direct debit application that are in common use throughout NZ banking today.
  • At age 22 he was the Head of Computer Programming at Comalco - the largest industrial project in NZ at the time.
  • In 1978 he developed a new programming language - LINC - providing a simple and cost effective programming environment for applications that ran on large mainframe technologies. Its commercialization led to the establishment of Aoraki Corporation, now known as Jade Software.
  • LINC was purchased by Burroughs Software (now Unisys) and sold to more than 4,000 corporations globally including Ford, Lloyds TSB Bank and the Canadian Government. It is still sold today and is New Zealand's most successful software export.
  • In 1992 Sir Gil developed JADE a new programming paradigm that would enable programmers to build applications to run on the Microsoft and Linux operating environments. JADE is used by more than 1900 organisations globally as a core information platform
  • Knighted in 2000 for his service to the computer industry and broader community. In the same year he was honoured with the Supreme Award from the NZ Computer Society as having made the most outstanding contribution to computing in New Zealand in the 20th Century
  • In 2002 he received an honorary doctorate from Canterbury University and in 2005 was admitted to the NZ Business Hall of Fame - Sir Gil Simpson has made an outstanding contribution to his country serving on many organizations.
  • In 2006, Sir Gil left Jade Software Corporation to re-establish Aoraki Corporation Ltd. As part of this venture, Jolly Good Software was formed to focus on how software is sold to business, and to create a new channel to market for software supply.

The full story...

Sir Gil Simpson is the Managing Director of Aoraki Corporation Limited, and Chief Executive of Jolly Good Software Pty Ltd, headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand.

In 1967 at the age of 18, he began his programming career. His other passion at that time was the tourism sector. In 1969 he wrote the initial direct credit and direct debit applications that are in common use throughout New Zealand banking today. By the age of 22 he was Head of Computer Programming at the Comalco aluminium smelter at Bluff, New Zealand. At that time it was the largest industrial project ever undertaken in New Zealand.

In 1978 he began work on a new concept in computer programming. He developed a language known as LINC, and wrote the first LINC compiler. LINC enabled large companies to respond to market pressures by providing a simple and cost effective programming environment for creating applications that ran on mainframe technologies. The commercialization of LINC saw the establishment of Aoraki Corporation Ltd, now known as Jade Software Corporation.

LINC was subsequently purchased by the Burroughs Corporation (now Unisys) and sold worldwide. In excess of 4,000 organizations such as Ford Motor Company, Home Shopping Network, Liberty Travel, AMI Insurance, Alliance Group, Lloyds TSB Bank, Canadian Government purchased LINC, to build their mission critical applications. LINC is still available in the market today and has been New Zealand's most successful software export to date.

In 1992 Sir Gil anticipated a move away from expensive mainframes to cheaper commodity technologies, thus initiating the development of a new programming paradigm that would enable programmers to build applications to run on the Microsoft and Linux operating environments. Known as JADE, it was released to the worldwide marketplace in 1997. JADE makes the programming of mission critical business applications easier, faster, and more cost effective.

JADE is now used by over 1,900 organizations internationally as a core information platform.

Sir Gil is recognized around the world as an adviser and speaker on information technology, particularly in the area of electronic commerce.

In February 2001, he was appointed Chairman of the New Zealand government's E-commerce Action team, a body aimed at making New Zealand organizations rapidly adopt e-commerce. Sir Gil also acted as Chairman of the country's E-commerce Summit in November 2000.

His management style is reflected in the innovative people that have worked with him for many years. His most typical comments are "Organizations don't listen, only people do", "Organizations don't care, only people do".

In 2000, Sir Gil was awarded a knighthood for his services to the computer industry and the broader community. Sir Gil is a fellow of the New Zealand Computer Society, the New Zealand Institute of Management and the New Zealand Institute of Directors. Sir Gil is the immediate past President of the Royal Society of New Zealand, a member of the New Zealand Business Roundtable, Chairman of the Christchurch City Mission Foundation and a Founding Patron of the Royal District Nursing Service in Victoria, Australia.

In October 2000, Sir Gil was awarded the New Zealand Computer Society's supreme award for the most outstanding contribution to computing in New Zealand in the 20th century.

In April 2002 he received an honorary DSc (Doctor of Science) from the University of Canterbury in recognition of his contribution to technological innovation.

In September 2005, Sir Gil was inaugurated into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame, an honor only reserved for business leaders responsible for outstanding contributions to the nation.

In the same month Sir Gil also received the distinct accolade of being made an honorary member of the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ). The RSNZ is an independent, national academy of sciences, a federation of some 60 scientific and technological societies, and individuals.

In April 2006, Sir Gil left Jade Software Corporation to reestablished Aoraki Corporation Ltd. As part of this venture, Jolly Good Software Pty Ltd is focused on how software is sold to business, and to create a new channel to market for software supply.