Mistral is marking a tremendously sad event in the only way we know how. With one of our founder and mentor's wicked cartoons (with apologies to William Shakespeare!).

At seventy six years old (76¼ he insists!) Chris Smith is finally retiring.

Chris, full name Christopher Ian Latham-Smith, though he rarely uses his double barrelled birth name, 'Achilles heel' as he calls it. "Unless I'm forced to in Court!" he whimsically protests, founded Mistral four decades ago in 1984. To address a dire need in our industry for infallible, peer led and above all else, sensible and easy to use software. Following a heady, meteoric career with Sundstrand Heat Transfer Manufacturing UK in the 70s, later heading up McQuay-Perfex Europe, then BTU Coil Company Ltd, Chris has worked tirelessly helming Mistral ever since to hold its position as the world's undisputed leader in the computer software genre he was actually responsible for creating.

Strong leadership, fortitude and long, incredibly long hours welded to a wicked, happily non PC sense of humour that have kept all of us here in Mistral's 'Engine Room' in stitches of laughter each and every day that we tackle the demanding and serious side of our business.

Our industry is going to miss him.

Winter will soon be upon us; though knowing Chris and his legacy then Spring won't be too long in returning.