Wellington, New Zealand. 6 October 2000. - At a function in Wellington last evening, Aoraki Corporation Ltd CEO Sir Gil
Simpson was judged by the New Zealand Computer Society to be "Greatest Contributor to New Zealand's IT sector" over the
last 40 years.
The awards were part of the New Zealand Computer Society's 40th anniversary conference. As well as the overall award,
Sir Gil was also conferred an award for the most outstanding contribution to the commercial sector of computing over the
last 40 years.
Sir Gil said he was honoured and excited by the award. "I love the New Zealand IT industry and believe it has great
potential as a contributor to our economic future."
The accolade was really one for the people who had worked for Aoraki Corporation and its subsidiaries over the last two
decades, said Sir Gil. "I've been incredibly lucky to have people of such great ability working with me. This Award
really is testament to their achievements.
"I see evidence almost every day of how well our staff compare with IT industry people anywhere in the world."
Sir Gil said he was unable to receive the award personally because he is currently in the United Kingdom visiting major
JADE clients and prospective customers.
About Sir Gil Simpson Sir Gil Simpson is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aoraki Corporation Limited and its
divisions, JADE and Cardinal.
Awarded a knighthood in 2000 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 also a non-Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, President of the Royal Society of New
Zealand, a member of the New Zealand Business Roundtable and Chairman of the Christchurch City Mission Foundation.
Sir Gil created LINC, New Zealand's most successful software export, which has more than 4000 users worldwide. His
company is again achieving international success with JADE, a software programming technology used to build e-commerce
computer systems for medium to large businesses.
For more information about Sir Gil, visit www.gilsimpson.com
CONTACTS Greg Williamson, tel 03 358 0102, mobile 021 229 5870, gwilliamson@jade.co.nz
www.discoverjade.com