Investors Background

Harry Espiner ChM FRCS was consultant surgeon at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and senior lecturer at Bristol University. His team performed its first laparoscopic operation in early 1990 - a gallbladder removal - and was among the first in the world to remove a cancerous tumour of the colon solely by minimal access surgery techniques. He has presented papers on the subject to all the major international surgical societies and was recently awarded life membership of the Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland.

Jim Howard held the rank of major in the 1420th King's Hussars and began working for the world-leading hot air balloon manufacturer Cameron balloons in 1987 as production director. He has piloted flights all over the world and has been instrumental in helping the company develop the materials necessary for their aircraft. His specialist knowledge of fabrics and production processes has made him the ideal partner to apply his understanding of the materials and their technology to surgical procedures and instruments.