Interviewee: Mike Gifford DOB: 1936
Interviewer: Dag Spicer
Date of Interview: 30th September 2017
Editors: Bob Marsh (P1) and Frank Land (p2) Nov 2017
Joined LEO: 1959 or 1960
Role in LEO: Started as temporary assistant at Minerva Road, then trained as consultant at Hartree House and rose rapidly working as consultant in a variety of locations including the Midlands, North West London ICL region. Finishing work with ICL as Chief Executive of ICL Australia for two and a half years, before leaving computer industry.
Left LEO/ICL: 1975
Abstract: After Grammar School education opted for National Service in Royal Navy before taking his place at University. Seconded to work in Aircraft Carriers and specialised in meteorology. Following two years National Service went to London School of Economics for a B.Sc. in Economics. Greatly influenced by Karl Popper’s ideas on Scientific Methods. His father suggested looking for a job up in a rising industry – either computing or microbiology. Selected computing and following an advertisement started a temporary job with LEO at Minerva Road. See above for role in LEO which included working as the LEO consultant with customers such as Cerebos Salt. Tote Investors, Eveready Batteries and Heinz and abroad the Czech steelworks. Identified early as potential high flyer by David Caminer. Following the merger with ICL he took charge of one of the major marketing regions. Following a number of senior appointments was Appointed Managing Director ICL Australia (1974). After a successful two and a half years left the Computer Industry on appointment as Managing Director of the newly merged Cadbury Schweppes Australia Company. More senior management positions followed back in the UK culminating in being appointed Chief Executive of the Rank Organisation, an enterprise he transformed from an ailing enterprise to be highly successful.
Repository:http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/53392/Mike-Gifford-Interview-30th-September-2017-53392/
Copyright: LEO Computers Society
Restrictions: None Known