As principal consultant for KJM Consultants, 44 year-old Karl Littardi has rare experience of what it means to climb up the ladder the hard way. After early years working as an assistant gardener at an Essex country estate, as a motor mechanic and as a chef, he graduated from Nottingham University with joint in Computer Science, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence.

He began his professional career as software engineer for such famous London-based companies as Dorling Kindersley Multimedia, AGENCY.COM and Good technology Ltd. Gaining valuable experience in sales, Karl worked on such accounts as Levis, British Airways, Barclays online banking, COI, Audi, Compaq, Heidelberg GmbH, Camel Trophy, Boots the Chemists and Virgin Atlantic, to name a few.

Feeling he was ready to do his own thing, in 2003 Karl started his own business, House Electronic Ltd: a custom installation firm specialising in technology to automate UK homes. Karl designed and installed many systems for many types of client, not least for people with severe disabilities regaining their independence.

After several successful years, a change in the economic climate meant it was prudent to sell part of the business and move on.

Karl now runs KJM Consultants, sharing his long and varied experience, technical and business skills with those who can benefit from them.

In what spare time he has, Karl spends valuable time with his family, indulges his lifelong passion for motorcycles, grows organic vegetables and cares for ex-battery hens.

Karl is married to Judith who handles the finance, credit control and translation side of the business and they have a young son Massimo.