David E. Potter

Potter was born in East London, South Africa, in 1943 and brought up in Cape Town. In 1963 he took up a Beit scholarship to read natural sciences at Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1966 he was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to study for a doctorate in mathematical physics at Imperial College London, where he was subsequently appointed to the staff. As an academic during the 1970s, he taught at the University of London and at the University of California, consulted and wrote a number of academic papers and a book on the use of computers in physics.

Potter founded Psion in 1980. In its early years, Psion became a leader in software for home microcomputers. In 1984, Psion invented 'The Organizer', the world's first volume hand-held computer for personal use and information.

In 1988, Potter led Psion's flotation on the London Stock Exchange, which saw Psion's scale and value multiply many times. The company expanded further into data communications and mobile corporate services. In 1998, using Psion's experience in small mobile operating systems, Potter led the creation of Symbian Limited in partnership with Nokia, Ericsson, Motorola and Matsushita to create the operating system standard for mobile wireless devices – now known as Symbian.

In 1999, Potter stood down as chief executive of the company and assumed the role of chairman. He retired as chairman in September 2009.

Potter's interests included his family, education, farming, golf, music, bridge, reading and ideas, science and economics, and tennis. With their involvement in education and the developing world, his family created the David and Elaine Potter Foundation to support projects in education, research and third world development.

Potter died on 28 June 2026, at the age of 82.