Our people

“Our road map is very clear today, up skilling our staff and giving our engineers a budget to make epm better. Working with skilled, responsive partners like Desktop Engineering is only going to enhance our ability to achieve our goals.”
Graham Mulholland, managing director, epm: technology

Geoff Haines – Managing Director

Geoff founded Desktop Engineering 25 years ago. An engineer graduate of Imperial College, he spent 10 years as a design engineer during which time he saw that the future lay in personal computers and engineering software. So Desktop Engineering was formed (the name was thought up on an aeroplane going to the USA and quickly was registered at Companies House).

In the intervening years Geoff has led the company through two recessions, and built the company up to have an enviable record of skill, professionalism and integrity.

Darren Cottom – Marketing

Darren is an experienced PR and marketing professional and has worked in the B2B arena for over fifteen years. He has advised clients in numerous vertical sectors including technology (software and hardware), logistics and automation, telecoms, information security, professional services (legal and property), manufacturing, gaming, mobile, media/marketing and retail. He was previously managing director of a leading IT PR agency and has held senior positions at corporate consultancies.

Chris Palmer – Sales

Chris is one of the longest serving members of the team. He has a HND in Mechanical Engineering and spent 19 years as a Cad/Cam programmer before joining Desktop Engineering firstly as a Customer Support Engineer before moving into Sales. Chris’s specialisms are based around the Motorsport Industry (both OEM and supply chain) and NC Manufacturing although he has also built up a great deal of knowledge and experience across other industry sectors.

Lynsey Watts – Sales

Lynsey has worked in the PLM industry for 12 years. Lynsey strongly believes in providing outstanding service and adding value for customers. She has a keen interest in CATIA training and MSC Software products.

Andrew Smith – Sales

Andrew joined the team in 2011 as Business Development Executive for the North. Andrew brings with him an honours degree in 3D Design and has over 23 years of industry experience working in NPD and design in Europe, Scandinavia, North America and Asia Pacific.

Andy Woodward – Technical Support

Andy graduated from the Special Engineering Programme at Brunel University and is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with a diverse background in Engineering Simulation. His experience includes industrial apprenticeship with Rover Group, culminating in 2 years in the Powertrain stress office; six years consulting in Massachusetts in plastic component and consumer goods market; six years with MSC Software looking after field support; and four years with Tata Technologies providing technical support to customers and offshore projects. At Desktop Engineering, Andy provides top class support for immediate usage problems and proactively ensures customers develop their processes to take best advantage of the software they have bought.

Bob Lynn – Service Team Leader

Bob has been with the Desktop Engineering service team since 1996. He has a BEng in Mechanical Engineering and before joining the company worked as a mechanical designer and software developer. Bob’s focus is on ensuring his team delivers quality service to DTE’s customers, by providing a customer service culture that puts customers first.