Brett James Celebrates 40 Years at Mantracourt
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Today we celebrate another 40th work anniversary! Brett James, our Engineering Manager, is much respected by the whole company team and customers alike. To celebrate this impressive milestone, we look back at his illustrious career at Mantracourt.
Brett joined the company in 1980 following his studies of Microprocessor Programming at Exeter College. He worked alongside founder and now Chairman, David Willmington and Ron Joyce, Electronics Engineer. He arrived in true ‘bat out of hell’ style – straddled over a 50cc Yamaha FS1 moped” reveals Ron. Mantracourt were yet to advance to ‘real’ computers with 8” floppy drives but, as the industry advanced, so did Brett. Mantracourt began creating intelligent instrumentation; digital products not just analogue, it was all written in assembly language. Brett took it upon himself to learn high level ‘C’ programming and was then able to support and expand the DSC series of products. Subsequently most of Mantracourt’s products have had C input and influence from Brett into their firmware. “Brett has contributed hugely to every Mantracourt product currently on sale and of course those currently being developed”, says David Willmington.
Today, Brett oversees all technical aspects of the business, from new product development to specialist custom projects. His ideology is ‘sure, we can do that!’ His dedication to drive the Mantracourt roadmap bridges the entire business. “His contributions are not only in the engineering department, his support given to all the teams from marketing through to production and of course customers alike are received by all with ever friendly humour.” explains David. A sentiment echoed by Kelly Voysey, Marketing Manager “Brett has such a depth of knowledge of our products together with a concrete understanding of the real world and how best to drive a solution. He is a sharp thinker and always sees the positives, offering alternatives where sometimes we have hit a wall.”
His character and support to others are as fundamental as his knowhow. Matt Nicholas, Product Design Manager joined the team a few years after Brett, the self-proclaimed Three Stooges’ was complete. The integral trio frequently tell the same jokes and finish each other’s punchlines. ‘He’s just solid, loyal, clever part of Mantracourt. New team members feel that they’ve landed on their feet having Brett as their manager’ say Matt and Ron. Under the guidance of Brett, the engineering team has expanded in recent years. In 2018 Tom Halliday, Electronics Engineer joined the team and sights him as ‘a legend - Mantracourts very own Godfather of Electronics’!
All the team at Mantracourt would like to say well done and a massive thank you to Brett. Kelly explains the team’s compliments “I can't imagine Mantracourt without him. He is warm and funny and such a great guy. Congratulations Brett on this milestone.”
