“I’ve been faced with knowing more than the tech guys many times in the past, but never with Tiger Computing.
Everything is always done, and done very well.”
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MANAGING DIRECTOR
Keith is an award winning entrepreneur who has worked in the IT industry since 1980. Excited and intrigued by Linux, he followed its development throughout the 1990s, using it within the workplace from time to time.
By the end of that decade, it became apparent that Linux had much to offer businesses. Quite apart from the zero licence cost, the Open Source philosophy would also be good for businesses. He set about researching how to help businesses make the most of Linux, and Tiger Computing was the result.
Today, Keith is still a keen Linux advocate, but he takes the view that, for most businesses, Linux is merely a means to an end. The starting point has to be the business requirements, not the technical solution.
Outside of work, Keith plays with aeroplanes, gliders (he’s a qualified gliding instructor and examiner), guitars and attempts to appear cool to his teenage daughter. One takes far more time than the others combined.
FINANCE AND ADMIN MANAGER
Cecilia has been a member of the Tiger Computing management team since 2004, and is the Finance and Admin Manager.
Cecilia’s role within the world of Linux is a far cry from her roots, which saw her early interest in animal behaviour culminate in a Biology degree from Oxford University followed by a PhD in Animal Behaviour and Welfare, and a successful 12 years working as an applied ethologist across the world.
Her move from academia to the business world saw Cecilia join the team at Tiger Computing, where she has been busy applying her scientific background and animal behaviour skills to business problems ever since. A previous enthusiast of the Mac OS operating system, Cecilia is now a true Linux convert and is immensely proud of the Tiger Computing team, not only for its collective wealth of Linux expertise, but for the passion each and every member has for its clients.
When not in the office, Cecilia is often found riding her horses or attempting to create a little outpost of her native Sweden in the Forest of Dean.
SENIOR TECHNICAL ARCHITECT
Chris has made a hobby of computers since he was 12, got his first taste for Linux in 1998 and has been using it ever since. He grew up in the sunny South of France in a half Polish and half Yorkshire household, and returned to his roots to go to the University of Huddersfield and take a Computer Science degree.
During his course Chris met his wife-to-be, spent his sandwich year at Oracle working with their Web Applications Support team and came out the other end with a First Class degree. He then moved to Devon, where he has been a Linux Systems Administrator, before heading to Monmouth to join Tiger Computing.
In his spare time he enjoys walking his dog, doing Open Source development work and slaying hordes of zombies in computer games.
“Tiger Computing really is a great place to work. Every day brings new challenges to sink your teeth into: we have quite a mixture of clients in various fields and their requirements are all different. We’re a great little tight-knit team and it’s always fun to work together to solve a problem or design a new system for a client.”
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Jonathan originally trained in technical theatre, but took a sharp left turn into IT – first with a leading ISP in the City, and then with both state and private school network management.
He became a Debian Developer in 2010 and holds a variety of hats in that project, including Release Assistant. Joining Tiger Computing has given him the opportunity to specialise in this field whilst remaining true to his core values of freedom, education and collaboration.
Jonathan never lost his love for theatre and can often be found in dark corners of venues all over the Midlands.
“Working at Tiger Computing really is as interesting as it sounds – if you can stand the pace! It’s a small company so I get a big say in how we do things, and there’s always someone ready to help out when I need a hand. We don’t just fix things – we build some pretty cool infrastructure for our clients too, and I love the challenge of getting that just right.”
SUPPORT CONSULTANT
Rick had wanted to work with computers from a young age – disassembling (and then shortly reassembling, once his parents found out) the family computer when he was only eight or nine. Admittedly, it didn’t work after the rebuild, so he went to the library to research why. Who knew that you needed to turn on the power!
Tinkering more, he soon found that other operating systems didn’t give him the granularity of control he wanted, and not long after switched to Linux full time. While his home lab isn’t the most fancy, it’s always being optimised to eke out just a little more performance.
When away from Tiger Computing, Rick can generally be lured out with polyhedral dice to feed his (definitely not) excessive collection, or spotted behind a Dungeon Master’s screen trying to keep up with the antics of his party.
JUNIOR SUPPORT CONSULTANT
Sam was raised with a strong appreciation for Linux, all things Open Source, and a Tux penguin for a teddy bear. Her passion for tech started in 2004 with the miniature electronics set she got for Christmas, and she hasn’t looked back since.
An internship at CISCO only solidified her love of computers, and she left her course at Kingston College behind to come to Tiger Computing who have made her dream job a reality.
When not behind the keyboard she can be found petting dogs, fiddling with her (totally not a toy) train set, or photographing stars with her telescope.
OFFICE TRANQUILITY ADMINISTRATOR
Leisa’s career has been built around empowering people to achieve the best they can. From working in outdoor pursuits, youthwork, charity projects and event management, she has supported and organised environments for growth and development.
Her role at Tiger Computing is to support the team in achieving the company’s values and help it remain the leading provider of Linux support.
When not in the office she can be found walking in the lovely Monmouthshire countryside and enjoying the breath-taking picture it provides.
IN CHARGE OF HEARING
Woof, I’m Rhys. I’m a – hang on, someone’s moved my tennis ball – anyway, I’m a Hearing Dog. Note the capitals. Hard work getting them.
I am Cecilia’s Ears, figuratively speaking. She’s deaf, you see. So I’m there, on the case, listening for door bells, kitchen timers and smoke alarms, keeping her appraised of developments. So many sounds. I quite like The Eagles and a bit of Steely Dan, but I don’t need to tell her about those.
I love Linux, apparently, although I’d rather spend my time cataloguing and arranging my bone collection and chasing tennis balls. Very partial to tennis balls, did I mention that? Oh, and despite the name, there are no tigers here at all. Odd.
Anyway, I’m a chocolate Labrador. You should have seen me when I was a puppy! Adorable or what! Still pretty pretty, even if I do say it myself. Sleek, in a kind of sophisticated way, if you know what I mean.
D’ya like the red collar? I can’t make up my mind. I think it brings out my fur tone nicely, but I wish they’d cut that bit off the end.
Oh, it says here I have to mention what my hobbies are. Well, I enjoy dreaming, accompanied by vigorous twitching, and it’s nice to have a paddle in the Wye of a lunchtime. I have a toy monkey that I’m very fond of, but I think the ultimate pleasure is standing in the garden with a tennis ball in my mouth and (can I say “peeing” here? No?), er, waiting.
So that’s me. Will you throw my tennis ball for me?
“I’ve been faced with knowing more than the tech guys many times in the past, but never with Tiger Computing.
Everything is always done, and done very well.”