Lee Maisner
Managing Director

Richard Wood
Technical Director Austin McDonald
Team Leader Phil Ball
Team Leader Carl Abrahams
Team Leader Mike Thomas
Customer Service Manager Tracy Kennish
Marketing Manager

• Lee Maisner (Managing Director)

Lee Maisner opted out of a highly paid job in a London based software company to set up his own in the more agreeable surroundings of the West Country. After gaining a Business Studies degree from Warwick University, Lee started in the cash industry with Case-ICC and then moved to De La Rue, where he collated unprecedented international experience in all areas of the cash cycle, from ‘print-works to purse’. Lee sees his day-to-day task as maintaining Quality Control throughout business operations and his key role is to provide leadership. After nearly 2 decades working in Cash Logistics, his expertise is reflected in the consultancy services which he has provided for clients in places as diverse as the USA, South Africa, and Australia. Lee's vision for the company remains that of a highly professional organisation that is still a fun place to work.

• Richard Wood (Technical Director)

Richard is Gloucester born and bred and the ever present Rugby shirt gives a clue to his affections and distaste of suits. For recreation Richard takes home technical manuals and speed reads them. An ability to absorb vast amounts of such information and yet quickly extract that which is relevant is what typifies this irrepressible character. He served his electronics apprenticeship at the nearby GCHQ, before seeking more challenging opportunities, including founding 7 Layer with Lee Maisner. Richard heads up the appraisal of new technologies and projects and monitors the consistent application of development standards within the company.

• Austin McDonald (Team Leader)

An Oracle certified associate, this formal qualification complements Austin’s extensive practical experience gained in support of his fellow developers and 7 Layer’s clients and has given him the necessary skill set to manage his own team.

The team focus their specialist knowledge in the area of database consultancy, business intelligence and reporting and, from a market perspective, concentrate on central bank solutions. After 12 years in the commercial software industry, 8 dedicated to 7 Layer, Austin has acquired an abundance of expertise in system’s performance and his ability to solve logical challenges makes him the ideal candidate to lead in this area. The freedom to explore his enjoyment of international travel is a driving force in Austin’s life.

• Phil Ball (Team Leader)

Recruited in 2002, Phil has gained valuable ‘on the job’ understanding of Cash Centre processing to work his way up through the 7 Layer ranks and now heads up the largest team of developers at 7 Layer focusing on the development and maintenance of applications in the Cash Centre segment of our industry. He maintains the quality, develops methodology and project manages the timely delivery of all software releases for this complex area of business activity as well as managing the professional development of his crew. Phil thrives on all things socially interactive and the 7 Layer working environment allows him to indulge this passion. The company ethos embraces a healthy balance of hard graft and enjoyment, in turn providing the perfect atmosphere to entertain our important customers.

• Carl Abrahams (Team Leader)

An impressive history of working for Sungard, Birmingham Midshires, Lloyds TSB, NZI Bank and KPMG means Carl is more than qualified and experienced to head up a developer team. Working in partnership with Glory Limited, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cash processing machines, 7 Layer have developed a retail and bank branch cash processing system to integrate with their currency recyclers. Carl has developed the necessary acumen to enable him to oversee the team and in turn manage all the software releases for this strategic cash logistics partner. A keen sailor, when he’s not at the helm of a 35ft yacht and captain of the waves, Carl enjoys nothing better than indulging in a little reiki to counterbalance his emotional well being. Carl has also thrown himself out of a few planes during his stint in the TA and, in stark contrast to the healing powers of reiki and natural health, he still expresses his passion for the fast life through a love of Formula 1. It wouldn’t be a 7 Layer biography if we neglected to mention his predilection for rubber… but by that we are merely eluding to an affinity with wetsuits and rubber rings when enjoying any form of aquatic activity!

• Mike Thomas (Customer Service Manager)

Formerly employed by Standard Bank of South Africa as the processing manager in charge of their largest cash centre with responsibility for 100 tellers and a throughput of cash to the value of ZAR1m per day, Mike began his career in Cash Logistics 10 years ago. He then moved to Fidelity Cash Management Services (FCMS), the largest retail cash-in-transit company in South Africa and since acquired by G4S. Handling all cash processing procedures, he specified the development of new computer systems to manage these processes and project managed their implementation in cash centres throughout the country. At 7 Layer Mike’s professional attitude and ‘know how’ ideally suit his responsibility for customer support, implementation management and all post development services of our partner, distributor and direct client base.

• Tracy (Marketing Manager)

Tracy worked for 7 years in the marketing department of Volumatic Omal, a global manufacturer and distributor of cash handling and transportation products, where she eventually rose to the post of Marketing Director. During that time she assisted leading UK retail brands and managed global distribution relationships with companies including De La Rue. At 7 Layer she manages all of the marketing activity and channel development, particularly in Europe, where her fluency in German and strong French are of major benefit. Tracy’s love of networking, irrepressible energy and creative spirit lend themselves well to both the company and her current role.