Geoffrey Smith gained a BEng degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Bradford in 1969, spending industrial placements with Smiths Industries.  He later studied for an MSc in Control Engineering, followed by a PhD.  On leaving the University, he joined Ferranti to work on real-time control and automation computer systems.  This was followed by a period with ICL working on mainframe data communications software.

In 1982, he joined Vickers Design & Projects to work on computer and instrumentation aspects of engineering equipment projects primarily concerned with development, testing, and certification of aircraft tyre, wheel, and brake systems, jointly registering a patent on a brake test procedure.

In 1993, he joined the Fighting Vehicles Division of DRA, completing his MBA with the Open University.  He subsequently transferred to MoD to look at export controls and the export of military and dual-use technologies.  Geoff retired in March 2012.

Geoff is a Chartered Engineer (IET).