A native of the UK, Allen was educated at Dartmouth Royal Naval College and spent several years in artist management and record production before joining Dolby Labs in 1969. Since then, he has been directly involved in the origination and development of all the major audio advancements emanating from the Dolby film program. During his tenure at the company, Allen has spearheaded the introduction of many of Dolby's breakthrough audio formats -- from Dolby Stereo in 1974 to Dolby SR in 1986 and Dolby Digital in 1992 -- each representing another step forward in the company's successful transition from analog audio pioneer to digital entertainment leader. Allen holds several patents and has authored many technical papers in numerous journals. He is a Fellow of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), the Audio Engineering Society (AES), and the British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society (BKSTS), and is active in world standards organizations. A past President of the International Theatre Equipment Association (ITEA) and past Engineering Director, Motion Pictures, for SMPTE, he is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California School of Cinema-Television. Allen has received much recognition for his work over the years; he is a recipient of SMPTE's Samuel L. Warner Award for contributions to motion picture sound (1985) and of several Scientific and Engineering Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (1979, 1987, and 2001). In 1989, Allen and Ray Dolby were awarded Oscars® for continuous contributions to motion picture sound through the research and development programs at Dolby Laboratories. He received the BV Sturdivant Award for extraordinary service to the exhibition industry (1998) from the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), and the Moving Image Society in Britain gave him the BKSTS Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry (1999). Ioan has also been honored for his contributions to the film industry with the Ken Mason Award from the Intersociety for the Enhancement of Theatrical Presentation (2002). Currently, Allen is the Chairman of the Dye Track Committee, which promotes the use of environmentally friendly analog film soundtracks. He also serves as Technical Chairman of the Trailer Audio Standards Association (TASA). In July 2005, he was also invited to join San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's Digital Media Advisory Council (DMAC). The council is designed to take a leading role in developing new cutting-edge digital media companies in San Francisco, with the goal of transforming the city into a global leader in digital media technologies.  Scientific and Engineering Award (Plaque) 1978: For the development and implementation of an improved sound recording and reproducting system for motion picture production and exhibition. (w. Ray M. Dolby, David P. Robinson, Stephen M. Katz & Philip S. J. Boole - all of Dolby Laboratories, Inc.)  Technical Achievement Award 1987: For the Cat 43 playback-only noise reduction unit and its practical application to motion picture sound recordings. (w. Ray M. Dolby) - Winners presented with Academy Certificate.  Academy Award of Merit 1988: For their continuous contributions to motion picture sound through the research and development programs of Dolby Laboratories. (w. Ray M. Dolby) - Winners presented with Statuette.  Academy Award of Commendation 2000: For the concept for the Trailer Audio Standards Association (TASA) Loudness Standard. [w. Robin Bransbury (Design) & Mark Harrah (Implementation)] - Winners presented Plaques  Academy Award of Commendation 2006: For their contributions to the environmentally responsible industry conversion from silver-based to cyan dye analog soundtracks. (w. J. Wayne Anderson, Mary Ann Anderson, Ted Costas, Paul R. Goldberg, Shawn Jones, Tom Kuhn, Dr. Alan Masson, Colin Mossman, Martin Richards, Frank Ricotta and Richard C. Sehlin - Winners presented Special Awards) 5 Scientific/Technical Awards