Interviewee: Alan Jacobs D.O.B. 16.06.1931
Interviewer: David Phillips
Date of Interview: 17.10.2018
Editor: Frank Land
Joined LEO: 1957
Abstract: Alan, born in Stoke, took a degree in History at St John’s, Oxford, commencing in 1950, after National Service in the RAF and tried a number of jobs as management trainee, but was not inspired by them. Tempted by LEO advert and after interview was invited to join as programmer. Involved with a succession of service jobs rising in seniority. Despite his admiration and like of working at LEO decided to further his career by leaving LEO, first for BEA and then other organisations none of which had the sense of knowing what they were doing he had found at LEO. When the opportunity came in 1962 he re-joined BAOC to join the team being built by Peter Hermon to develop a comprehensive Airline Reservation System. Alan headed a team developing ground-breaking Airline Departure system. Alan left British Airways and was recruited by Sainsbury’s as their Director of IT helping to transform the business. After Sainsbury’s Alan retired
Restrictions: None known
Repository: http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/56451/Alan-Jacobs-Interview-17-October-2018-56541/