My friend and colleague Richard Sykes, who has died aged 73, always had his eye on the future. Described by observers as the UK’s first chief information officer (CIO), Richard had a vision for how the implementation of technology could transform business.

Richard joined the chemicals manufacturing business ICI in 1973, holding a number of leadership roles before being appointed group vice-president, IT, and CIO in 1993. While working at ICI, Richard met Penny Mason, whom he married in 1998.

He worked for more than three years in Japan with ICI, shaping his view of the importance of technology, building on an earlier experience when he met Shōichi Saba, chair of Toshiba.

As Richard wrote during his time as a columnist for CIO magazine, which I edited: “I asked Saba to contrast the work of the Toshiba board with that of the ICI board. A brisk, clear answer came back. The Toshiba board spent at least half its time on issues related to the competitiveness of Toshiba’s technology; the ICI board spent most of its time on the ICI share price and relations with the City.”

He returned to Britain with a long-lasting passion for Japan, and at our regular editorial meetings at his home in north London he would greet us in a traditional Hanten house coat.

Richard was a board member of the British technology trade association, TechUK, and chair of the Cloud Industry Forum.

Born in Woking, Surrey, to Edward, a chartered accountant, and Naomi, Richard attended Felsted school, Essex. He went on to Cambridge University to study natural sciences, specialising in chemistry, followed by a PhD in biosynthetic chemistry at Yale University.

His leadership experience was channelled into his passion for the arts, and, through his vision of the Arts Council and cash-strapped local authorities working together, he played a major role in saving the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex.

“Richard’s gentle but bullish approach made people believe. He had a generosity of spirit and commitment,” said Stewart Drew, director of the De La Warr Pavilion. Drew added that Richard not only brought passion, but he delivered on the promises he made.

“He was an extraordinary man who was very involved with the community engagement to build the pavilion into a symbol of this area.”

Richard also chaired the trustees at Cubitt Artists, in north London, and, more recently, the Dartington International Summer School Foundation, Devon.

“Everywhere you go in the arts world you hear Richard’s name and it is a form of welcoming passport,” Drew said.

Richard is survived by Penny.