About TIA Group
Formed in October 2015 by the current Directors, TIA Group is a coming together of a broadly experienced team with extensive knowledge and experience in delivering specialist electronic hardware solutions.
TIA Group started business as Total-IA with an initial focus on providing secure ICT solutions into the TEMPEST market. The following years saw TIA evolve from a single discipline team into a product development company operating across numerous technology fields. The core of our product development work is customer funded; however, the board have always invested heavily in internal research and development, and this has provided significant growth through the company’s history. Our investment in the development of a TIA designed laptop chassis has led to numerous product iterations and volume orders from the UK MOD. These successes have accelerated the growth of the company enabling the evolution into TIA Group and an expansion into the military market through the creation of the TRX-Works brand. Total-IA maintains TIA’s presence in the secure and ruggedised ICT hardware market. With every opportunity for expansion, the Directors have focussed in investing in the companies engineering capability, expanding our facilities and strengthening our team.
At the core of TIA’s business, and the link between our two brands, is our expertise in mechanical and electronic design. This is complemented by our experience in prototyping, product qualification and production. TIA is a proven product developer offering a range of customisable products, design and manufacturing services and consultancy to numerous customers, including UK Gov & MOD, NATO, UK Primes and other SME’s.
Our industry leading engineering team are supported by our experienced Sales and Operations teams. The team contains several ex-military personnel who have a strong understanding of where our products are deployed and how they are utilised by specialist users. We are highly focussed on strong customer & partner relationships and delivering on our promises is always our priority.
Mission, Vision & Values
At TIA Group we live by our mission, vision and values. The Directors have established the company’s vision. “TIA Group aim to become the UK’s leading developer of specialist electronic hardware in the defence and government market. Lead by passion for innovative engineering and focussed on a drive to create advantage for our customers”
Our mission is clear, we use our product development specialism to ensure our customers have the edge in critical environments. We are; Creating Advantage Through Innovative Engineering Our values underpin a strong company culture and these four pillars, chosen by our team, give a clear message on how we approach business. Act with Integrity - We pride ourselves on our approach to business, we act with integrity and remain accountable. Committed to Collaboration - Our business is centred on collaboration and partnership, we build relationships which deliver quality solutions. Make an Impact - We know our strength comes from our team, our excellence. Our focus is always on creating high quality solutions which deliver advantage. Be responsive – we are responsive and fearless when presented with change and challenge.
Accreditations & Memberships
Certification and approvals are one of the many areas of TIA’s product development expertise. In support of this the TIA-Group holds numerous accreditations and memberships. Our business functions under an ISO9001:2015 approved management system, we are also NCSC & NATO approved TEMPEST vendors and are certified to Cyber Essentials Plus. We actively contribute to the defence community through our membership of MakeUK Defence. We regularly support industry events and we have a strong belief in the importance of the UK defence SME community. Industry organisations give SME’s a voice and the opportunity for open, honest dialogue with the MOD & government. As supporters of the veteran community, we hold the Armed Force Covenant Bronze Award and actively support numerous charities for ex-forces personnel. Including Stepway and Scotty’s Little Soldiers. Below is a list of our accreditations.
Meet the team
All of our team share a common vision, to use our combined knowledge and experience to deliver quality products.
David Watson MBE
Managing Director
David completed 23 years’ service with the British Army, Royal Signals in 2006 having rapidly progressed through the ranks to commissioning and Unit command in 2000. Specialising in Signals Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism, David was made an MBE in 2002 and completed his service in 2006.
Since retiring from the Army, David has enjoyed success in management roles throughout the Defence Industry delivering significant growth and profit through team building, change management and measured process implementation.
David formed Total IA in 2015 with his current partners and fulfils the role of Managing Director. Focussing heavily on quality and keeping their promises, the business has been profitable and grown each year since formation.
He is an ageing but enthusiastic footballer, a fair-weather golfer and an occasional gym member. He enjoys reading and spending time with his family and is keen to contribute to the support and well-being of the local community in Gloucestershire.
Ian Humpherson
Technical Director
Ian is a very experienced engineer that has worked at all levels from Director to hands-on engineer (and continues to do so at every opportunity).
As our Technical Director at TIA he is in great demand for his specialist consultancy and management services for EMC, TEMPEST, CE to name a few, and all under the umbrella of UKAS ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
He is intimately familiar with all stages of the acquisition, design and through life processes having experience across the board as a contributor and manager.
He is the ‘go to’ guy for his key expertise gained from several years in the Defence/Government and commercial markets, specifically in the Electromagnetic Effects (EME/EMC) and TEMPEST sector with recognition by the UK National TEMPEST Authority (GCHQ). All aspects of the EMC and TEMPEST approval process undertaken from design and requirements specification to qualification management, including installations and the associated safety factors of RF RADHAZ. A full appreciation of project requirements to determine objectives: driving design for qualification to achieve integration and intra/inter system interoperability within the electromagnetic environment.
Another one that fills every waking minute, Ian is secretary of the AFCEA UK (West) chapter, still manages to play football and somehow finds time to walk his dog and spend quality time with his family.
Dan Kelly
Engineering Director
After studying Robotics at University, Dan has added to his knowledge and experience with over 15 years’ experience in Mechanical and Electronic complex system and product development.
Working almost exclusively in Defence and Government systems, Dan is widely respected for his vast knowledge and problem-solving skills, where is management of product development has seen him deliver game-changing capability through good leadership and rigorous project management.
Vastly experienced in designing to meet the most demanding military standards and planning and implementing associated testing, Dan is integral to the Total IA capability in all aspects of our product portfolio; delivering what the customer needs is at the heart of everything he does.
A dedicated part-time athlete, Dan is an outstanding cyclist and Triathlon competitor, in late 2021 Dan completed the Barcelona Iron Man in under 10 hours!
Richard Butler
Sales & Marketing Director
After completing a degree in Product Design Richard has had over 21 years’ product development experience as both a Designer and Engineering Team Leader.
Having worked across many industries and a wide variety of products, Richard has spent the last ten years working on bespoke IT equipment for secure and military applications bringing all of that experience to bear. Engaging and focussed, Richard rapidly develops a rapport with our customers, getting to know them and the context of their requirement fully before producing designs which are beautiful, effective and often exceed customer expectations.
His designs are routinely tested and employed against the most rigorous standards, including Mil standards, Environmental, EMC and TEMPEST. In previous roles as an Engineering Manager Richard has delivered product development programmes from low value rapid turnaround solutions to high value Air worthy custom server enclosures.
Richard always drives quality design solutions which meet customer’s specifications, project timescales and budgets. With interests in football, music, cycling and a young family, Richard fills every minute and always enjoys a few craft beers.
Lewis Childs
Senior Project Engineer
After working for a year in the engineering industry following his A-Levels Lewis decided to pursue a career in engineering by taking an apprenticeship position for a company in the defense sector developing TEMPEST equipment and various other be-spoke IT equipment for secure and military applications. Four years later and fully qualified, Lewis became established as a key component in the design team completing many projects for the next five years and cementing himself as a leader in that team. Lewis joined TIA-Group to seek out new challenges and advance his career to the next step.
Over his short, but highly exposed career Lewis has picked up great knowledge of the sector and is capable of turning tasks around at a high pace, maintaining a high level. Problem solving is deemed one of Lewis’ key strengths and he is willing to get stuck in and take on anything that is set out in front of him and sniff out the solution.
Outside of work Lewis enjoys pottering about on his bike in the hills surrounding Stroud or going for a stroll in the countryside with his partner and stumbling across a nice country pub for some good food.
Mark Cartwright
Business Development Manager
Mark is an experienced, meticulous, and highly motivated business development and technical sales manager who undertakes complex technical assignments, meets tight deadlines, and delivers superior performance.
Mark is an ex UK Special Forces Communicator with a 22-year exemplary military service record. He is an innovative and inspirational leader, possessing a strong sense of personal values. He has extensive experience of delivering customer and commercial solutions in highly demanding roles. Mark is an excellent communicator with the ability to think outside of the box, drawing on a vast network of internal and external contacts. Strong track record in winning new business and leading high performing teams who strive to achieve excellence. Mark enjoys being physically active in his spare time and is often caught hill walking in the direction of the public house! He is very sociable and values the time spent with his family and friends.
Agnieszka Matuszyk
Production Lead
Agnes has completed 24 years in Electronic Sales and Manufacturing, including several years in Government and Defence Industry. She is an experienced and driven production professional with expertise in Leadership and Management. Skilled in collaborating with all members of the organisation to achieve business objectives. Instrumental in streamlining and improving production processes and implementing new production methods and solutions.
She is an automotive and aerial photography enthusiast with a CAA Registered drone pilots license. Agnes loves travel, outdoor sports activities and is a long-term gym member.
A family is the biggest asset that she could ask for, hence it is important for her to spend time with loved ones. No matter how busy she is.
Jeremy Bigg
Project Engineer (Mechanical)
Upon completing his degree in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at the University of Bath, Jeremy spent the following 7 years working as part of a small team at a Startup wind turbine company.
During this time, he was instrumental in taking the innovative product from a prototype to preproduction system. He gained experience in mechanical design, data analysis and testing procedure to name a few. This has developed Jeremy into a dynamic engineer with an innovative and methodical approach to problem solving.
An avid cyclist, Jeremy spends the majority of his time away from work riding bikes. Competing nationally in Cross Country, Enduro and Downhill, he’s had success in all three disciplines. Away from two wheeled pursuits, he enjoys rock climbing and artisan hot chocolate.
Victoria Pockett
Office Coordinator
With qualifications in business administration, Victoria has used her skills across various industries.
For the past nine years, she has supported the directors at a multi-award-winning company; attributing to brand focus & development, as well as the day-to-day intricacies of business management.
Away from the office Victoria can always be found with either a book or Lego build in hand, singing and enjoying time with her young family.
Simon Ogden
Project Engineer (Electronics)
After starting a career in electronics manufacturing as an apprentice, Simon gained extensive experience on the factory floor, operating CNC machines before progressing into CAM and process engineering roles. Over the years, he took on greater responsibilities, eventually managing process improvements and overseeing the procurement and installation of the very machines he once operated.
With a strong passion for problem-solving and innovation, Simon transitioned into an electronics engineering role at TIA Group, where he now applies his expertise to a wide range of engineering challenges. Bringing new skills such as FPGA development, he combines hands-on manufacturing experience with advanced electronics design to develop practical and efficient solutions.
Outside of work, Simon is an experienced traveller and enjoys designing, building, and flying FPV drones, blending his engineering expertise with a passion for high-speed, first-person flight.
Location
Aerotech Business Park
Bamfurlong Lane
Cheltenham
GL51 6TU
Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No. - 09810544
Conversation
Phone: +44 01452 668 057
Email: sales@tia-group.co.uk