Sir Ian Taylor CNZM

Profoundly inspiring, deeply thought provoking, refreshingly authentic – prepare to be informed educated and inspired by this humble, accomplished and multi awarded innovator. Ian challenges the status quo of our societies and addresses important social issues relating to our educational system and its impact on our people. The switched on, creative, solutions focussed, ‘Don’t see why not!’ thinking of this innovator will stay with you forever.

Sir Ian Lemuel Taylor CNZM (born c.1950) is a prominent businessman from Dunedin, New Zealand. Born in Kaeo to a Pākehā father and Māori mother, he grew up in Raupunga and went to a Catholic boarding school in Masterton. Ian is married to Liz and they have 2 children. Ian has a LLB degree from the University of Otago.

A former television presenter, Taylor founded Taylormade Media in 1989 as a television production company. The following year he established Animation Research Limited, which quickly became one of the top computer animation companies in New Zealand and known internationally for its work, particularly in television advertising and sports graphics.

Taylor was inducted into the New Zealand Technology Hall of Fame in 2009 and was named North & South Magazines 2010 New Zealander of the Year. He was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of the New Zealand Computer Society (HFNZCS) in 2010, the top honour of the ICT sector in New Zealand. Taylor was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services to television and business.

2020 was shaping up to be the biggest and most successful year in the 30 year history of New Zealand based technology company Animation Research Ltd. On Friday 13th March 2020, a Black Friday if ever there was one, that all changed. In “How Our World Changed”, Sir Ian shares a two year journey where his team never used the word Challenge in the same sentence as the word Covid. “Covid was here so we only looked at the opportunities it presented.” As it turned out, the opportunities were game changing.