Lifetime Achievement Award - 2008

David Morriss has made an enormous contribution to the BCS, the IT profession and to charity, and he continues to do so.

After a long and very successful career in IBM, David retired in 1997 and set about devoting his time and voluntary efforts to the Profession. He immediately volunteered his services to the BCS and became actively involved in the activities of the Society, serving on several committees and being elected as President in 2004. During his year the opening of our prestigious new BCS London centre in Covent Garden owes much to David's foresight and guidance.

He joined the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists in 1992, a Livery Company of the City of London, and became its Master in 2007. Through the WCIT he worked as a fund raiser, being responsible for raising over £250,000 during his time as chair of their charitable developments.

David has passionately contributed his time to charitable causes, notably AbilityNet which promotes the use of IT for the disadvantaged. He has been a mentor to the "IT Can Help" volunteer organisation that offers computer assistance to disabled people in their homes and was involved from the start in the highly successful iT4Communities project - the national IT volunteering programme for IT professionals who offer their skills to charities needing IT help.

David's exceptional leadership, integrity, commitment, energy and dedication have been inspirational to fellow IT professionals and volunteers.