Mistral is marking Mr Smith's retirement with one of the cartoons (pictured) that he is well-known for. Going by his rarely-used full name, Christopher Ian Latham-Smith founded Mistral thirty five years ago in 1984. He identified a need in the industry for infallible, peer led and above all else, sensible and easy to use software and created Mistral to fulfil that need.

Following a  meteoric career with Sundstrand Heat Transfer Manufacturing UK in the 1970s, and later heading up McQuay-Perfex Europe then BTU Coil Company, Mr Smith has worked tirelessly helming Mistral ever since to hold its position as a world leader in the computer software genre he was responsible for creating.

Strong leadership, fortitude and long, incredibly long hours welded to a sense of humour that have kept the team at Mistral's 'Engine Room' in stitches of laughter each and every day as they tackle the demanding and serious side of the business.