Director of IT Europe, Informatica Software: 2001

My final position in full-time employment, a casualty of the dot-com crash and 9/11 which sealed the fate of many IT professionals at the time.

More than 300 people were chasing IT jobs every day.

So I decided not to anymore.

European Information Services Manager, KLA-Tencor Corporation: 1997-2001

Bringing order from chaos!

Merged two company IT infrastructures, grew from 125 European staff to 350, and from 4 sites to 12 – it was a blast! (literally too, ask Doug Mountford!)

Information Services Manager, Hewlett-Packard: 1995-1997

The most frustrating company I have ever worked for.

Subsequently acquired Compaq Computer.

UK Systems Manager, Olivetti UK: 1991-1995

A wonderful company to work for, great at product creation, but poor at marketing, left with much regret after my product line died a natural death and I needed frash pastures.

Subsequently acquired by Getronics

Product Manager, Softsel: 1990-1991

Subsequently acquired and became Merisel

Pre-Sales Analyst, Concurrent Computer Corporation: 1988-1990

Manufacturer of proprietary ("you’re dead, honey": The Terminator) real-time operating system computers, clients included UK MOD, financial institutions (inc. Allied Irish Bank), and flight simulation manufacturers (inc. Rediffusion Simulation).

Apochryphal marketing department statement at that time: "We don’t have to apologise for Unix" (remember that one?)

Originally owned by Perkin-Elmer Data Systems (a huge company which ironically was involved with the early versions of Unix).

Later was allowed to be "bought out" by Masscomp Computer – what a joke!

European Technical Support Manager, Plexus Computers: 1984-1988

Early, highly progressive and innovative manufacturer of Unix-based (Version7, before System3, Before System5) multi-user systems based on North First Street, San Jose, California.

Founded by Bob Marsh and Kip Myers.

I set up and ran the UK and European hardware technical support operation, which was a successful profit-centre (as any support operation can and should be).

I am *very proud* (albeit at the time, frustrated) to remember being part of this company.

Other names remembered were:

• (UK) Neil Cooke, Glynn Barratt, Neil Rowlands, Mike Neil, Steve Spencer
• (USA) Mike Smith, Enrique Vargas

Prior to this:

• Senior Workshop Engineer, Computer Field Maintenance (CFM): 1980-1984. Subsequently acquired by Granada Computer Services
• Audio and Television Engineer, Telefusion Ltd: 1976-1980. One of the major national UK TV rental companies of its time