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Like any successful enterprise, our strength lies in the capabilities of our staff. Our consultants and engineers are selected for their track records in their areas of expertise. Consistently achieved excellent results means that the workforce is characterised by long service and a very low staff turnover.
Meet the Team
Dr John S Hartas
Managing Director
SyntheSys Systems Engineers Ltd
John’s career began with designing and developing software for high performance, real-time, industrial control systems.
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He then moved on to work in a research / analysis role where he specialised in issues related to operational use and management of advanced military communications systems. In 1988 Dr Hartas set up SyntheSys to provide information systems products and services to government and industry markets, and is now one of the UK’s leading independent suppliers of systems engineering consultancy services.
Mark Hudspeth
Managing Director
SyntheSys Defence Ltd
Managing Director Mark Hudspeth has an abundance of technical engineering experience, specialising in Tactical Data Links (TDLs) since 1993.
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Since 2008 his work focus has largely been on distributed test and trials engineering. Mark has unrivalled experience in this field, having been the technical lead on the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence Multi-Link Test Facility (MLTF) contract initially, and subsequently as the project manager. He maintains a strong involvement in the provision of technical support in test and trial activities.
Mark Williamson, BSc (Hons), CSEP MINCOSE
Managing Director
SyntheSys Technologies Ltd
Mark leads SyntheSys Technologies and is responsible for the delivery and support of IBM® Engineering Lifecycle Management solutions and associated services.
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Mark has an engineering background with 23 years’ service in the Royal Air Force, providing both direct and support roles for airborne radar systems on a variety of aircraft. He also served on software teams in both test and software maintenance roles.
Since joining SyntheSys in 2005, he has gained significant experience with IBM® solutions for software and systems engineering and is a certified IBM® Engineering Requirements Management DOORS® Family professional. This experience enables Mark to support clients in identifying the ideal IBM® solutions that meet their engineering requirements, implementing the solution, and providing mentoring for the products. His systems engineering credentials have been recognised by INCOSE CSEP certification in 2013. He is now delivering Systems Engineering and CSEP preparation training to future candidates.
Jacqueline Readman
Director
SyntheSys Systems Engineers Ltd
Prior to joining SyntheSys, Jacqui worked in the data business for over 20 years, ultimately as the owner and Managing Director of her own small business with eight employees.
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This gave Jacqui an astute understanding of a wide range of business issues, but particularly relating to data security, quality, and contractual relationships with customers and suppliers. Jacqui’s responsibilities include: Contracts Manager (managing customer and supplier contracts); Quality Management (in accordance with International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 9001); Environmental Management (in accordance with ISO 14001) and Personnel Management. Jacqui also has a good knowledge of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) having attained the associated award.
Kathryn Chandler
Senior Consultant
SyntheSys Defence Ltd
Kate has worked with international organisations, government departments and civil / military committees and is experienced in strategic policy development, joint research analysis, operational planning and key programme delivery.
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Kate is an Air Traffic Management (ATM) specialist and has worked across a broad number of areas during 32 years in the military and civil environment, including conceptual development as part of the Air Staff, information management and international engagement. In addition to her role at SyntheSys, Kate is a current reservist in the Royal Air Force Service Complaints Team.
Steve Arliss
Senior Consultant
SyntheSys Defence Ltd
Steve has 30 years’ Tactical Data Links (TDLs) experience working with Link 11A / B, Link 16, and Link 22, having worked on all phases of the development project life cycle of numerous Operational, Test, Simulation & Training Systems.
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Since joining SyntheSys, this experience has been utilised to provide TDL expertise in support of United Kingdom (UK) and multi-national trials using the UK Multi-Link Test Facility (MLTF).
Roland Kemp
Consultant
SyntheSys Defence Ltd
Roland (JRE JICO, JRE Principal Field Engineer), is a highly experienced Tactical Data Links (TDLs) and former Dutch Hawk and Patriot Air Defence fire control operator.
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Roland served for 37 years in the Royal Netherlands Air Force. His experience includes Link 11A / B, ATDL-1, Link 16, JREAP and network design, and Senior Link 16 Manager at the National Data Link Management Cell. The last 5 years of active duty were spent at the Centre of Excellence from the Ground Based Air Defence Command as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Tactical Data Links and was involved in the introduction of JREAP. His broad experience enables Roland to assist in training courses and exercises.
James Norful
Senior Consultant
SyntheSys Defence Ltd
James served 21 years in the United States Air Force (USAF), serving in various assignments both in the US and within North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
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He excelled as a data link subject matter expert providing student instruction, leading teams through test & evaluation processes and course planning, with the goal of eliminating inefficiencies in a specific process for the benefit of everyone involved, from those participating in the system, to the eventual stakeholders. This unique blend of experience enables James to grow customer relationships while exceeding consumer demands.
Sam Southwell
Principal Consultant
SyntheSys Defence Ltd
Sam has over 20 years’ Royal Air Force (RAF) experience in avionics systems. The latter part of his military career saw him specialise in Tactical Data Links (TDLs), primarily as a Link 16 Engineer.
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He has extensive experience in data collection, analysis and front-line engineering support to the RAF, Royal Navy and Army TDL systems. This experience continues to be utilised to deliver support to platform implementations and test support through the Multi-Link Test Facility (MLTF) and TDL Implementation and integration support to platforms.
Matt Hirschfield
Consultant
SyntheSys Technologies Ltd
Matt started his working life as a trainee electronic engineer and explored various engineering disciplines.
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Having progressed to technical authoring back in 2004 he has been writing everything from user manuals to business processes for over 17 years. For the past 8 years Matt worked for Aerospace firm, Daifuku Logan where he worked with Requirements Engineering to administer the IBM® Engineering Lifecycle Management tool suites for multiple projects and developed the use of the tool within the business. Matt is a proud father and loves the outdoors, particularly enjoying running, cycling and walking to keep fit. He has interests in music and photography. Matt enjoys riding and restoring classic motorcycles. His current project is a 1971 Honda CL100 which is currently testing his problem-solving skills.
Alan Rowe
Consultant
SyntheSys Defence Ltd
Alan served in the Royal Navy for 23 years, initially starting off as an Operator Mechanic working on ships weapons systems, combat systems, as well as operating radar and later becoming Leading Seaman and continuing on to become a Petty Officer.
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Alan has a strong background in Tactical Data Links (TDLs) and it is this experience which makes him well placed to work with SyntheSys Defence, initially delivering our world-class TDL training. Alan was a TDL operator and Network Manager, and taught TDL systems to the future generation of our Royal Navy.
Michele Sutcliffe, BSc (Hons)
Security Lead / Assistant Finance Lead
SyntheSys Systems Engineers Ltd
Michele joined SyntheSys in early 2014 after spending almost 30 years working as a compositor and administrator in commercial printing.
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This included sixteen years at the Halifax Courier daily newspaper where she held the position of Deputy Pre-Press Manager. Her varied skillset was a good fit for the administrative department of SyntheSys, and she began her career as Commercial Business Support Officer. Michele is now Security Lead and as Assistant Finance Lead is responsible for the administration of SyntheSys’ finance system across all business groups. She is also involved in facilitating our training courses which includes, liaising with our overseas customers, producing training materials, document quality control and support to SyntheSys’ home-based staff.
Sarah Thomas, BA (Hons), DipM, MCIM
General Manager
SyntheSys Technologies Ltd
Sarah has many years of B2B Marketing experience and has worked on several client-side sales and marketing projects throughout her career.
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Graduating from the University of Huddersfield where she studied Business Management, Sarah gained knowledge from working in both large and small organisations where the focus of her work has been direct marketing, digital marketing, events management and reporting. Sarah is General Manager for SyntheSys Technologies and works in an operational capacity to build customer and stakeholder relationships and ensure the smooth running of the business. Sarah is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Luke McCarthy
IT Lead / Senior Systems Engineer
SyntheSys Systems Engineers Ltd
Luke is responsible for the IT infrastructure and IT security operations across the SyntheSys group.
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Luke started his career with SyntheSys in 2016 to develop the SyntheSys Defence Community Portal. Once the Portal was complete, Luke naturally moved on to IT support, IT security, website development, as well as supporting the team in development activities in various customer contracts. Luke then went onto managing the IT infrastructure and IT security operations, which sees him lead the group’s Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. Luke is currently completing his final year with the Open University to complete a BSc (Hons) in Computing specialising in software engineering. Luke has a keen interest in cyber security and has spent many years of his life behind a human-machine interface, taking inspiration from his family who are themselves well established in IT.
Colin Higham
Systems Engineer
SyntheSys Systems Engineers Ltd
Colin has over 35 years’ experience working in the IT industry in development and consultancy roles.
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He has worked across a broad range of corporate and Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) organisations in financial, manufacturing, e-commerce, international trade and many other areas. Colin works on web-based projects and is responsible for the company website amongst other interesting internal and external development projects.
Stephen Hartas
Marketing Assistant
SyntheSys Systems Engineers Ltd
Stephen has been with the company since 2015, starting as a scanning / shredding assistant. Since then he steadily progressed through the business to currently occupy the position of Marketing Assistant.
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As well as working daily with the Customer Engagement Team and The Defence Community Portal, Stephen works with departments within the company to coordinate event planning, press releases and other various marketing activities.
Tanya Vincent
Administrator
SyntheSys Systems Engineers Ltd
Prior to joining SyntheSys, Tanya worked as a manager in the retail sector, more recently running her own business manufacturing decorative items.
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Tanya has varied experience in management, sales, customer service, administration, and financial management along with manufacturing and production. Tanya is currently working towards qualifications in Microsoft solutions which she uses to support the business.