Xitan review/decisions and BMMG progress with Graham’s help as I liaise with DTI officials and finish at Nigel’s house getting him more involved and putting the industry to rights
A clear sunny and very hot day, although I do not fully believe my thermometer and its registration of 90degF at its highest today. Overnight temperatures fall to 58degF and the barometer has stayed stable. Early discussions with John Lamb before the morning post and a Xitan Board meeting commencing at 9.30 until a late lunch. Geoff’s Xitan is progressing, filling its key personnel vacancies but suffered a sales setback in July which is already seen to be overcome in August and September. A development proposal is accepted for 8088 dual processor facilities for the Reformatter, together with a new technician position, but a further proposal for a new combined disk controller is put on ice. A U.S. trip for Jane Dards and supplier liaison is sanctioned.
Early afternoon and return phone calls made on BMMG business. Graham Clifton confirmed as handling security aspects of export controls on Tuesday, John Marshall set going on five potential new BMMG recruits and arrangements made for a meeting with Nigel Smith in the evening. Lastly a telephone discussion with D of I IT Division aide Tony Keston who is persuading me to help out Kingston Micro Systems Centre with a machine loan, counselling caution about duty rate change delays, and encouraging us to consider the preproduction ordering support scheme as a potential way of obtaining government funds for Microsystems centre loans – Interesting! I arrange to meet him in October for a visit to Comart facilities. The remainder of a short afternoon discussing at length with Ian Nickson the feedback on the Development Policy, pressing on consideration of methods of achieving better timescales, and considering a poorly completed review.
Off then to Nigel’s house and there to drink martini, put the industry to rights, and persuade him to take an active role in Compec BMMG publicity and investigating the basis under which we may seek blanket relief on import duty. Home late to news of Texas Typhoons, Bizarre French lorry attacks on pubs, and undue concern about apprehending the sexual assailant of a six year old boy. I retire with the incomplete Xitan minutes on my conscious and thought of an early start to tomorrows work.