The Heber Team

Les Ashton-Smith - Managing Director MBA FIET CEng

Les has a background in electronic instrumentation with a first degree in Electronic Engineering which led him from product design and development into general management involved with products such as precision image processing for automatic inspection through to cash counting equipment. Later roles have become more customer and market focussed with international business development and commercial activities. Les enjoys building partnerships with clients, partners and suppliers which then develop into creating new and exciting products or services.

Technical Director - William Gardiner CEng MIET

William combines a good understanding of physics with skills in electronic design, software design and product development. His academic training at Cambridge University (Double First in Natural Sciences and Electrical Sciences) was followed by several years designing precision electronic instrumentation, before moving into electronic control design. Applications have covered diverse fields including commercial, retail, automotive, military and white goods. Favourite customer quote: "That sounds simple. Good. I like simple!"

Product Manager - Richard Horne

Richard has two decades of design experience in the electronics industry. He works closely with customers on bespoke custom projects; from initial product specification, through design and approvals to volume manufacture and ongoing support. Richard's skills and experience span a wide range of industries and markets such as white goods, security/POS, gaming and embedded real time controls. Richard has a keen eye for cost saving solutions and smart engineering, to ensure finished products exceed expectations and enjoy many years of commercial success.

Project Manager - Mark Perkins

Mark has been taking products from concept to production at Heber for over 15 years. Mark is a multi-skilled engineer with strong commercial awareness and has worked in many application areas including gaming, vending and white goods. Mark likes to get involved in customers projects and enjoys being able to look at end products for sale and say, "We did the electronics for that!".

Operations Manager - Tristram Southgate CEng MIMechE

Tris has a Cranfield Engineering degree, is a Chartered Engineer and a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. His current role has built on a wide range of manufacturing experience gained over more than 20 years. This has given him an extensive network of contacts in electronics manufacturing and sub-assembly on several continents.

Test Engineer - Tim Stinchcombe PhD CEng MIET

After 15 years' systems and software engineering experience within the avionics industry, Tim returned to full-time education, gaining a PhD in mathematics in 2000. Two years later Tim decided to move into the electronics sector: his current role utilises a valuable blend of his older analytical skills with newer electronics skills. He holds both CEng and CMath designations.