CAPDM’s founders have backgrounds in artificial intelligence, hypertext publishing, traditional book production and distance learning.
Duncan Hothersall BSc (Hons) – Managing Director
Duncan graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1994 with a degree in theoretical Computer Science and found his niche in publishing systems development. Having worked for a traditional typesetter, Duncan saw the opportunity to introduce the quality associated with high-end print publishing to the web and CAPDM. He manages the production services side of CAPDM, and is the architect of much of the XML software at the heart of these services. Duncan was Operations Director of CAPDM from 1996 to 2022.
Richard Kirby BA (Hons) – Technical Director
Richard graduated from Sussex University in 1988 with a BA in Computing and Artificial Intelligence. After initially working for British Telecom on large distributed network management systems, he worked at the Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute at the University of Edinburgh, and then Heriot-Watt University’s Institute for Computer Based Learning. He has a wide range of expertise in database design and development, web-based technologies, computer networking, UNIX and application development.
Martin Smith MSc – Non-executive Director
Martin’s work background is in software product development. He was Product Development Manager for Office Workstations Ltd. UK for their GUIDE 3 hypermedia product. He also worked for OWL International Inc. in Seattle as an electronic publishing solutions consultant, responsible for the specification and implementation of SGML publishing solutions for Ford, GEAE and the US Navy. Martin was Managing Director of CAPDM from 1996 to 2022.
Ken Currie MBA – Non-executive Director
Ken has a history in distance and on-line learning stretching back to 1991 when, as a founding director of the Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, he was the key designer of the highly successful on-line MBA programme. He also initiated and project-managed the development of that University’s globally successful undergraduate Management Programme.