Microsoft's Flight Simulator, which came out in the early 1980s, was perhaps the main
inspiration for April's business simulations; that and the availability of the personal computer
itself, which put sophisticated data processing on everyone's desk and in everyone's home.
CAR-100, the first April Training simulation now known as Executive, began in 1985 as a
joint effort between Julio Faria, an ICI chemical engineer with a computer modelling
background, and Julian Critchlow, a bright Cambridge undergraduate.
By 1986 the early software was receiving encouraging reviews from Training Managers brought
in to evaluate and contribute to the development of the product. At this point Julio left ICI to
form the first company, April Computing Executive Ltd., with the simulation as the lead product.
Julian moved on to the Wharton Business School and then to Bain Consulting, but his
valuable contribution was undeniable and this encouraged an ethos which saw a stream of
extremely bright young men and women involved with the company in the following years.
They helped turn an interesting idea into a powerful and robust product which, 25 years on,
still inspires and educates many thousands of managers and trainees every year.
Acknowledgement is due to the following people in recognition of their invaluable work:
Longest serving developer of too many versions of the software to mention.
Peter Walkley B.Sc.(Eng).
Product development:
Timothy Auton B.A.(Cantab), Ph.D., A.F.I.M.A.
Mark Dutton M.A. (Cantab)
Richard Henfrey M.A.(Cantab)
Robert Marshall M.A.(Cantab)
Peter Mabbs M.A. (Oxon)
Richard Oates B.Sc.(Hons), Ph.D
Duncan Peppercorn M.A.(Cantab)
Jeremy Pickard M.A.(Cantab)
Kate Wardley M.A. (Cantab)
Paul Worthy BSc.,Ph.D
Sebastian Zurek M.A.(Cantab), Ph.D
Wordsmithing was by Chris Daw, and web development by Moira Cox.
Market Development was by Chris, Debra, Gill, Nikki and Sally.
With thanks to Alan Hickman M.A. for his work on the continuing development of the software. With additional thanks to our highly experienced consultants Andrew, Bob, Derek and Hilary, who translate the software into real and effective training, and to our superb operations team Linda, Chris, May and Joanne.
