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Stephen Baker

Through his career Stephen Baker worked for more than 45 different organisations in computing and telecommunications in both in the public and private sectors.

He was also deeply involved in fixing tricky Y2K issues and became a senior consultant for Systems Designers before setting up Baker Communications Ltd in 1987, where he worked until his retirement in 2010

Stephen’s inspiring story shows how people can build their own career in IT with drive and tenacity.

Sir Peter Bonfield

Sir Peter Bonfield worked in the electronics component, computing and telecommunications sides of IT. He was invited in 1981 to become operations manager of ICL, the state-owned computer company rapidly running out of cash designing a new range of mainframes. In 1984 ICL was taken over by STC and Sir Peter became MD. In 1996 Sir Peter moved to BT and helped to lead it through a transformation from a utility company into a growth company

Sir Anthony Cleaver

Sir Anthony Cleaver spent his career in IBM UK starting in 1962 and rising to chairman and chief executive until his retirement in 1994. He worked with Lloyds Bank to develop the world’s first variable amount cash dispenser installed in 1972. In the early 1980s he gained international experience with IBM’ Europe, Middle East and Africa operation, moving back to the UK in 1982 when he assured the successful launch in the UK of the IBM PC

Christopher Curry

Chris Curry was a central figure in the Cambridge phenomena which was Sinclair, Acorn and ARM. He started on the production line at PYE, worked for the Royal Radar Establishment and eventually arrived at Sinclair Radionics in 1966. He then helped set up Acorn Computers with its first product the Atom. Acorn was approached by the BBC and devised the BBC Micro, launched in 1980 it sold 3 million.

Ashish Dasgupta MBE

Ashish Dasgupta MBE spent 32 years working for Philips on its European operations, he therefore provides a unique view of this giant of European technology. He has consolidated operations, spun off some, and turned others around. One of his greatest achievements was opening a new factory in West Bengal for the manufacture of telecommunications equipment. It was also a major mistake as the project was not successful for many reasons.

Professor Peter Dobson OBE

Prof Peter Dobson OBE was born during WWII in Liskeard, Cornwall and led a “net zero carbon existence” for his first 14 years without mains electricity or water.

After Grammar school, he chose a GPO (General Post Office, now BT) scholarship to take him to university and worked alongside Tommy Flowers. His broad career has covered a wide range of disciplines from physics and chemistry to materials science and engineering and bridged industry (Philips) and academia (Imperial College and Oxford). Peter was responsible for creating and building The Begbroke Science Park for Oxford University.

Peter has successfully spun-off numerous companies. His latest, Oxford NanoSystems was formed in 2012. He is currently on the advisory board of several companies involved in nano-materials, healthcare and energy. He was awarded the OBE in 2013 in recognition of his contributions to science and engineering.

Ninian Eadie

Ninian Eadie spent most of his career in the IT industry in ICL after working for LEO Computers and the Post Office. He saw the good times and the bad in ICL as it gained traction after he joined it in 1969. He ran ICL’s European business which, at its height, had about 7% of the Europe’s IT market outside the UK. He was in charge of successfully selling off many of the companies ICL disposed of as it shrank.

The stories of the pioneering people behind IT

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