And this is Mark…
Mark’s love of computers started young – age 9, primary school, 1983 to be precise (he’ll probably know the exact day, if you ask him). The very first day that the very first BBC Micro Model B appeared in the library, Mark stayed behind to learn how to write a program for it.
By the time he reached A-Level computing practical classes, his lecturer was asking him to teach the other students because he was better at programming.
At University, Mark created music composition and sound design for the first Big Brother finale weekend for Endemol and Channel 4. This led on to creating music for an MTV Movie Special, and then a program for European TV, called UK Today for the UK Foreign Office.
Out of uni, Mark went to work for Chord Electronics, designing software and electronics for high-end HiFi equipment. By the end of the first three weeks, he’d learnt the embedded Hitachi programming language, understood the microprocessor they were using, flow-charted all their code, wrote new improved software features and helped get several new products, featuring his design work, onto the front cover of national HiFi magazines. Today, many more products featuring his work still feature in many publications. Pretty impressive.
Prev Work – Mark- Chord Electronics Prev Work – Mark – Chord Electronics Prev Work – Mark – Chord Electronics
Now, I warn you, from here on there will be some tech jargon, names of types of coding languages for example. It’s for the other techies that might need him to do more complicated coding things, so can’t be helped, sorry.
Then came LS Electronics Group and writing software in Embedded C, VB6, Microchip PIC assembler, C#.net and VB.net as well as electronic design. LS specialised in low-cost on-screen display analogue video overlay. Mark improved their video products abilities within weeks, impressing his employers with his logical approach and high level of skill.
He went on to design video overlay products for BAE naval ships, surveying systems for CEFAS and Alstec, automotive systems for Pi-Technology racing cars, security systems for police speed camera systems for Teletraffic, video overlay and control systems for police cars for Clearview and police interview systems for David Horn Communications. Fluid Management Systems for Wetherspoons and Budwesier followed.
Prev Work – Mark – Teletraffic – Software Design Prev Work – Mark – CEFAS Prev Work – Mark – Cobra Cummunications Prev Work – Mark – David Horn Communications Prev Work – Mark – Games Warehouse Prev Work – Mark – LS Designs Prev Work – Mark – PI Technology – Software
Deciding he needed a new challenge, Mark branched out into web and graphic design, providing solutions for freelance clients. At the same time, he began working at Pektron on automotive design, writing embedded C/C++/Assembler/VB and Javascript seat software for Aston Martin’s DB and VH series.
As the Systems and Infrastructure Manager and Technical Officer for GreenWorld, Mark moved the company from spreadsheets, to macros, to custom VBA coding. Then, coded a replacement online PHP/MySQL/Javascript based system for internal and external use throughout the company. This system covered:
- CRM
- VOIP
- server management
- vehicle tracking
- barcode systems for stock management
- KPIs
- HR
- marketing and sales tools
- customer documentation
- ISO accreditation
- security, time management
He was instrumental in the company achieving ISO 9001 Quality Management, ISO 14001 Environmental Management, BS OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Management, and ISO 27001 Information Security Management.
Throughout his design career, he’s added to his skills by taking on freelance projects doing things like building computers, data recovery, server administration, webmaster services, 2D design and tutoring.
Mark is also an accomplished musician and songwriter, on guitar, piano and with electronic music, with record plays on BBC1 and BBC radio 6.