Ashley graduated from Surrey University with a Masters Degree (Distinction) in Electronic and Electrical Engineering in 1991. He worked for Philips Electronics on radar and communications systems, and then joined Thorn EMI Electronics as a Systems Engineer developing countermeasures and electronic surveillance systems.

He spent four years in technology development and licensing, building the successful wireless technology company UbiNetics. Ashley has held key technical roles on a number of electronics, real-time signal processing, data fusion, and analysis systems covering a variety of application domains including sensor and surveillance systems, defensive aids, 2/2.5/3G wireless communications and IT.

He has held positions as Business Manager, Consultancy Division Head, Programme and Project Manager and, for five years been Systems Development and Technical Director for MASS responsible for overseeing all technical projects across the Company's operations.

Malcolm read Electronic, Computer and Systems Engineering at Loughborough University graduating with an honours degree in 1975. He completed his undergraduate apprenticeship in 1976 with the British Aircraft Corporation where he worked as a systems engineer on missile programmes through to 1979. He then moved to Marconi and worked on the systems and software development aspects of torpedoes through to 1983, at which time he founded Mass Consultants Ltd with three other colleagues.

Initially he worked as a consultant systems engineer on guided weapon programmes but soon found himself in a full-time business development role. As Business Development Director, Malcolm holds responsibility for coordinating business development activities across the company. He takes a personal lead in the area of electronic warfare.

Andy studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Birmingham University before starting work in communications systems with the ITT group of companies in 1974. Following positions in hardware, software, systems development and project management, Andy became a senior member of the management team covering roles including IT, resources and programme management.

Andy joined MASS in 1996 as Programmes Director, running all the work MASS was contracted to deliver. He has had a strong input to the business management system of the company and has continued involvement in IT and IT security, personnel and health and safety.

Andy joined the board of MASS in 1998 and his current prime responsibility is for the Managed Services arm of the business.

Lawrence graduated in Electronics from the University of York where he won a scholarship to work in the US with GEC Avionics. He went on to work as Technical Manager of a new film school before completing an MSc in Advanced Manufacturing Technology at the University of Sunderland.

Since then, he has held a wide range of design, development and project positions including work with high volume domestic appliance controls at Strix, consumer electronics at Psion, global high volume contract manufacturing at Flextronics and niche defence systems at Thales and Racal Acoustics. Increasingly he has specialised in product and process innovation often combined with change management and new supply chain development or improvement.

He completed an MBA at Henley Management College in 2008.

He was appointed Technical Director of MASS in June 2009. He is responsible for the Systems Development and Information System development teams.

After graduating with a BSc in Astrophysics and  Masters degree in Microwave Solid State Physics, Chris started his career designing Radar systems and antennas for Racal Defence before spending 6 years developing Radar and IR countermeasures for the RAF at the Electronic Warfare Operational Support Establishment. He then spent 4 years as the Mathematical Modelling group Manager, designing and developing advanced radar systems for GEC Avionics. During this time he also gained his MBA from Henley Management College.

From there, Chris managed and directed the Technical Services business unit within the VT Group before moving to MASS in Dec 2007 to head up the Export EWOS division.

Andrew graduated from Imperial College, London in 1987 with an M.Eng in Electronic Engineering and Management Science. He joined the Ministry of Defence as a "fast stream" technology specialist and spent the early part of his career working on the directed energy weapons research programme at the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment, Malvern. Subsequently he held a project management role, acquiring special electronic warfare equipment for counter-terrorism use, and was a scientific adviser to the UK defence staff on land warfare matters. In 1996 Andrew joined Alvis plc in a role covering strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and business development. Following the takeover of Alvis by BAE Systems, he worked with Nick Prest and Stanley Carter on the creation of Cohort plc.

Andrew was appointed Managing Director of MASS in May 2007 and re-joined the Cohort board succeeding Stanley Carter as Chief Executive with effect from 25th May 2009.  He remains on the MASS board.

Simon Walther is the Finance Director and Company Secretary of Cohort plc. Simon qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross in 1992. He has held senior financial positions within P&O European Ferries and Alvis plc and has acted as a consultant to BAE Systems.

A full biography of Simon can be found at www.cohortplc.com.