Telemedia: A Survival Guide to the Fifth Dimension

John R. Forrest received his under-graduate degree in electrical sciences at Cambridge University. After participating in research in plasma physics at Oxford University, he went to Stanford University, Calif., in 1967 as a research associate and lecturer. In 1970, he joined University College, London, as a lecturer in electronic engineering, eventually becoming reader and then professor in 1982. In 1984 he joined Marconi Defence Systems Ltd. as technical director, having responsibility for much of GEC's advanced technology development. This was followed in 1986 by his appointment as director of engineering to the Independent Broadcasting Authority, with responsibility for the operation and ongoing development of the ITV, Channel 4, satellite TV, and radio transmission networks. He oversaw the privatization of the IBA engineering infrastructure in 1991, the same year he became the chief executive of the newly formed National Transcommunications Ltd. (NTL). With the rapid growth and diversification of NTL into telecommunications and digital television products, he was appointed its deputy chairman in 1994. Dr. Forrest also serves as chairman of Brewton Ltd., a company specializing in the supply, installation, and rental of computer workstations, videoconference systems, and audio-visual presentation services. Consultant to the European Commission on Information Technology, Dr. Forrest is chairman of the Commercial Satellite and Cable Module of the DVB Project and a member of the Steering Board; he has also taken on responsibility recently for the coordination of promotion and communications aspects of DVB. He was honored by the French Government in 1993 by nomination as Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his services to European broadcasting technology development.