Keith started his tech career as an Apprentice at the Atomic Energy Authority at Harwell, where he was trained in electronics. He learned engineering and working with discrete components like valves and transistors. After his apprenticeship, he applied for a job at DEC and started there in 1979 at their Awkwright Road premises as a module repair technician. This involved testing and repairing modules to component level, before the invention of integrated circuits
Keith worked in the Computer Special Systems (CSS) department, which involved building interfaces for customers to interface computers with other devices. His first project abroad was a project with Volvo in Sweden and the job involved many stays in the USA, including six months in Marlborough, Massachusetts. As his career developed with DEC, Keith’s skills building service organisations meant he was asked to apply for a job with Alliant Computer Systems Corporation in Littleton, Massachusetts , who wanted to expand operations in Europe. Keith worked his way up to being managing Director of the French and German Alliant companies. After Alliant, he was director of telecommunications company Alcatel Paris, responsible for global services in 61 countries.