Stack Background (Senior Staff)

Our Managing Director Jeff Orr B.Eng MBA Minst.MC C.Eng

J.A.Orr

Jeff graduated from the University of Liverpool with degrees in Engineering and Business Studies. He won the Bibby Prize for engineering before working as a graduate trainee for Head Wrightson as northern steel maker and fabricator where he gained broad knowledge of industrial and scientific processes as well as the hands-on experience of steel erection in hazardous environments. From there he went on to become a consultant programmer to ICI at it's Billingham heavy organic chemicals division where he worked on statistical sales demand forecasting and modelling. After ICI Jeff joined Plessey Telecomms and developed Economic Batch Quantity (EBQ) manufacturing for the Strowger and Cross-Bar systems. Next Jeff entered the emerging field of electronic accounting and calculating machines where he combined his knowledge of computing with his experience in electronics and became one of the first seven people in the UK to be selected to deliver the earliest desk-top computer in the pre DOS pre IBM days. Recognising the potential of this market he set up his own company in February 1979. Jeff has headed the company ever since.

Our Technical Director Stephen Cobham B.Eng Minst.MC C.Eng

Stephen Cobham

Stephen entered the field of computing and digital electronics in his early teens and quickly established a very competitive company manufacturing memory boards and accessories for the burgeoning home computer market and recovering precious metals from redundant electronic equipment. Stephen and Stack first met as supplier and customer. Both quickly recognised the synergy between their two operations and agreed a merger. Stephen took on the role of technical director and has been responsible for many of the innovations in processes and delivery that our client base enjoys. He continues to pursue his continuous professional development and has become an EMC Certified Professional and brought the company to ASN status as the first channel partner in the UK to achieve that coveted status.

Our Financial Director Dorothy Orr

D.Orr

Dorothy began her career with the GPO and later moved to Littlewoods in the data processing department (she can still read punched paper tape as quickly as others read text). Her next move was to join the accounts department of an electronic accounting and calculating machine company where Jeff and she met.

Shortly after Stack was founded she joined to head up the accounts process. Her re-organisation of the financial control of the company proved so successful that she was invited to become financial director and continues to provide the sound management and financial control that ensures the growth and success of the company today.

Our Non-Executive Director Sir Malcolm Thornton FRSA

SMT FRSA

Sir Malcolm started his career as a River Mersey Pilot, combining this with a 14 year period in local government, before entering Parliament in 1979 where he served for 18 years. He was Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee for Education from 1988-97. Since leaving Parliament, he has pursued a business career and holds a number of non-executive directorships, two of which are as Chairman. In a voluntary capacity, he was Chairman of Wednesbury Education Action Zone (1999-2004), current Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Mersey Mission to Seafarers and Chairman of Governors of a very large primary school. He is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a Board Member of Liverpool John Moores University. He is a former Honorary Colonel of 156(NW) Transport Regiment RLC(V). Sir Malcolm was knighted in HM. The Queen's Birthday Honours List in 1992. Sir Malcolm has been a non-executive director of Stack since 2000 and has helped steer the company through many of the legislative minefields that from time to time crop up in the path of any commercial organisation.