About Ian
Ian began 37 years ago as a contact lens technician after a period of study towards an engineering degree majoring in mathematics and physics. He concentrated on lens design, mathematics of lens design, developing production and marketing methods for the laboratory and eventually computerisation of the design and production of contact lenses. Ian completed a number of advanced management, sales and marketing courses in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
In 1979 he moved to the United Kingdom to establish and develop a large research, development and production company that introduced leading edge CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machining equipment for contact lens manufacture. He headed both the Computer Development Team and the International Sales and Marketing force. During this period Ian traveled extensively selling, establishing new businesses and developing and servicing computer-based technology. A number of his inventions for the optical industry were awarded patents, many of his lens constructions are now industry standard designs.
While in the UK, Ian developed Practice Management software for Optometry and designed, built and established a number of pioneering lens production laboratories throughout Europe, The United States and Asia.
In 1989 Ian returned to New Zealand on an invitation to rejoin the Hirstlens group and immediately prepared a business plan for the future of the company. In 1990 he purchased the company expanded it rapidly and began the development of Beyond Imagination, a high technology unit for advancing photo-digital imaging as a business concept. During this period, Ian masterminded a substantial improvement in the marketing and promotion of contact lenses via innovative exhibitions.
In 1993 Ian designed and patented a highly successful bifocal contact lens and was a key member of the engineering team that built the tooling and multi-axis lathing systems to produce the lens. This development attracted international press and television coverage.
The bifocal design and subsequent engineering design was awarded a Foundation for Research, Science and Technology grant.
In 1994 he began work on innovative software and business model for a photographic restoration system called Photopages (later PhotoWonder). He has managed the engineering, development, sales and marketing teams of this project since its inception. During 1999 Ian developed the franchise in the United Kingdom and completed the franchise package including authoring the manuals and support marketing material.
The growth of the photo restoration business was rapid and in 2002 a landmark sales and distribution agreement was signed with Creekside LLC in USA. Ian established large computer studios in New Zealand, China and India using his software and techniques to service the growing market developing in the USA. Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Albertsons, Best Buy and many other major chains now use this photo restoration service exclusively. Further distribution agreements were completed for Japan, Asia and Europe and PhotoWonder is now the world’s largest photo restoration company.
In 2003, Ian began work on Tooth-pix, a professional imaging service providing a comprehensive yet simple method for dental photos to be altered to show predictive outcomes for cosmetic surgery. Ian pioneered the manipulation software and techniques for Tooth-pix and has worked closely with key dentists in NZ to develop a professional on-line interface for all dentistry.
2004 saw the release of Ian’s unique real estate system, Realty-Pix. Similar to Tooth-pix, it provides the opportunity for property buyers to explore the potential of a property prior to investment, encouragement for vendors to better prepare the property for sale and can inexpensively explore make-over options when considering planned home improvements. Ian has worked closely with key people within the real estate industry to advance the use of more effective marketing techniques.
Ian also is actively involved with and collaborates in developing complete business solutions, designing and building comprehensive internet and engineering complex software solutions for a wide range of commercial disciplines. These have included web-sites for publishing houses, software for asset management systems, high profile sites for automotive dealerships and real estate listing sites. In 2009 he has developed a complete business plan and infrastructure to support real estate sales by lawyers.
Ian speaks regularly at conferences, seminars and in the community promoting and discussing developments in digital technology and business, tutors a number of imaging workshops and offers private tuition in Photoshop.
For a number of years Ian has been providing comprehensive genealogy research and authoring services. He has researched, written and published a number of history books for many New Zealand families. Ian is a keen bridge player, enjoys reading, music composition and has a significant interest in mathematics, history and genealogy.