OBITUARY

Thomas Finn died on 18/4/2023.

Thomas Finn was an active member of the Fellowship as a member of the Queensland Division. He was elected as a Fellow in 1991 for his innovative management as Managing Director of IBM Australia.

He worked with IBM for 35 years in an international career that spanned marketing, software development and senior management. He oversaw many changes with the introduction and launch of the internet. He was the Chief Executive of IBM from 1980-1993 and Chairman from 1991-1998.

Thomas Finn also held a senior position through the Chairmanship of South Corp Limited.

He established the Business Council of Australia’s Education and Training Committee as its inaugural Chairman. He represented the industry as a member of the National Board of Employment, Education and Training and other educational boards and councils.

As Chair of the Australian Education Council Review Committee, he produced the ‘Finn review’ report on young people’s participation in post-compulsory education and training. Thomas Finn was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1990 for services to business, industry and education.

Thomas Finn passed away on April 18, 2023. He was a loving father, grandfather, husband and friend who will be dearly missed. 

Brian Finn, A.O., has a distinguished record of innovative management as Managing Director of IBM Australia.

In this role, he has displayed personal and team leadership in creating IBM's export programmes in computer hardware and software technology, which accounted for over $300 million in export income in 1990.

He established the Business Council of Australia's Education and Training Committee as its inaugural chairman, and now represents industry as a member of the National Board of Employment, Education and Training, and of other educational boards and councils.