Perth’s business community was shocked today to learn of the sudden passing of Graham Griffiths, who was chairman of five technology companies and had been a mentor to many people in the tech sector.
Mr Griffiths passed away two days ago. It is understood he had battled cancer, although some business associates said they thought Mr Griffiths had beaten the disease last year.
He served as chairman of two ASX-listed companies, medical dermatology firm Botanix Pharmaceuticals and spatial data service developer Pointerra.
Mr Griffiths was also chairman of three unlisted companies – intellectual property firm Iperative, GPS tracking and asset management provider Fleetsu, and geospatial software developer Indji.
Additionally, he served as chairman of geospatial technology firm NGIS Australia for 12 years until March last year.
In a joint statement, the Botanix board members said they were greatly shocked and saddened by Mr Griffiths’ sudden passing.
“Graham helped build Botanix from an idea, into a successful clinical stage dermatology company in 36 months,” they said.
“Graham had many qualities that he infused into the culture of the company and its leadership team.
“He was thoughtful, encouraging, creative and loyal, and he will be sorely missed.
“He had a tremendous sense of humour and an abiding love of sport, which he often weaved into clever and memorable analogies that helped us all to learn and grow in business.”
Pointerra co-founder and managing director Ian Olson praised Mr Griffiths' contribution.
“Graham brought to Pointerra a lifetime of experience in technology sales that helped shape his innate understanding in building a successful SaaS business," Mr Olson said.
"His contribution to Pointerra was immense, as it was to many other early stage tech businesses in WA.
"A pioneering spirit, level head, mentor and friend. We will miss him.”
Fleetsu chief executive Jakub Felinski said he was deeply saddened by the news.
“Graham has been my dear friend, a mentor and business partner for over four years,” he said.
Mr Griffiths was an early investor in Fleetsu, which was founded by Mr Felinski in 2015.
NGIS managing director Paul Farrell described Mr Griffths as a great man.
“He was a fantastic mentor to me and lots of others,” Mr Farrell said.
“He was very patient and clever, and always made you feel empowered.”
Mr Griffiths spent nearly 20 years with US tech giant NCR Corporation, initially in Perth and later in the US and Philippines.
He moved back to Perth in 2000 to become managing director of QPSX, which was established to commercialise ground breaking telephony and data switching technology developed at the University of Western Australia.
QPSX morphed into IP management business ipernica, which among other things invested in aerial mapping company nearmap.
Under the leadership of managing director Rob Newman, Sydney-based nearmap has achieved great strides over the past two years, with its market value rising to just above $950 million.
Mr Newman was also a founder of QPSX back in 1987 and the founding chair of Pointerra.
He said Mr Griffiths was a lovely guy and great for the industry.
“He was one of the good guys, he always worked in the best interests of the people and the company,” Mr Newman said.
“Graham was a key person in the early days of many tech companies out of Perth.
“He mentored a lot of up and coming tech execs and was always willing to give up his time.”
Mr Griffiths is survived by his wife Jill and two daughters.
Mr Griffiths' passing comes just 18 months after the death of one of his former QPSX colleagues Conrad Crusafulli, who was also hailed as a pioneering champion of the tech sector in WA.
