Director Profiles

Executive Directors

Ron Burges (aged 59), Chief Executive Officer
Ron founded BiP Solutions in 1984 to produce Contrax Weekly. He has been the Managing Director of the company since its creation, and has been a key driver of its success. Ron has been instrumental in negotiating BiP Solutions' contracts with large government organisations such as the Ministry of Defence and the National Health Service. Ron is also an accomplished writer on procurement issues, presents at many BiP conferences and events and mentors leading companies on procurement issues.

Simon Burges (aged 30), Sales & Marketing Director
Simon joined BiP in 1998 and has overall responsibility for the sales, marketing and events teams. These include staff covering telesales, marketing, advertising sales and event management. Simon has successfully managed the organisation of numerous high-profile events, including conferences and exhibitions for the Ministry of Defence, the Scottish Executive and the Society of Procurement Officers in Local Government, as well as an initiative jointly run with the Cabinet Office.

Colin Ferguson (aged 56), Finance Director/Deputy CEO
Colin qualified as a Chartered Management Accountant in 1979. He held a number of senior positions in Management and Financial Accounting before joining BiP in 2001 as Finance Director, from the Co-Operative Group. Throughout his career, Colin has established financial controls and developed the provision of management information for communication to all levels of management.

In May 2007, Colin was appointed Deputy CEO of BiP Solutions, in addition to his responsibilities as Finance Director. Colin’s additional remit reflects the long term development plans for the company.

Scott Smith (aged 38), Commercial Director
Scott was appointed Commercial Director in 2004, having previously worked for BiP Solutions as IT Director since 1999. Scott is responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities for BiP Solutions in the UK and overseas, via the commercial team. In addition he is responsible for expanding BiP's PASS consultancy service and is the Director charged with ownership of the company's Delta e-tendering product.

Non-Executive Directors

Duncan Eaton (aged 60), Non-Executive Director
Duncan joined BiP Solutions as a Non-Executive Director in 2006, having previously held the position of Chief Executive of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency since its creation in 1999. He brings over 30 years' experience working at various senior management levels in the healthcare sector, and provides guidance and input into BiP Solutions' strategy and overall direction. His in-depth knowledge of public sector procurement provides the company with impartial and independent advice in the future development of BiP products from a user perspective.

Norman Rose (aged 58), Non-Executive Director
Norman joined BiP Solutions as a Non-Executive Director in 2007, having previously held the position of Director-General of the Business Services Association (BSA) since 1996. Prior to joining the BSA, Mr Rose held a number of senior roles with several high-level organisations, including the Law Society of Scotland and the Confederation of British Industry. From 1988 to 1992, he served as Associate International General Counsel and Director of European Government Affairs at Electronic Data Systems Corporation. As a Non-Executive Director of BiP Solutions, Mr Rose's market knowledge and experience will help BiP design and deliver new products and services tailored to fit future developments in government procurement strategies.

Operational Directors

Gillian Cameron (aged 40), Customer Support Director
Gillian is BiP's Customer Support Director and has worked for the company since 1986. She was responsible for establishing the customer support team in 2005, with the aim of improving levels of customer satisfaction and retention. She is also responsible for promoting communication between the public and private sectors on a range of procurement issues.

Jamie Pearson (aged 38), IT Director
Jamie Pearson joined BiP Solutions in October 2004 with an Information Technology business background encompassing over 18 years' experience attained within technical organisations. During the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s Jamie established solid software engineering principles within Scottish software houses, specialising in real-time control software for the Utility and Petrochemical market sectors. In 2000, Jamie transferred his software engineering expertise to the Scottish internet community.

Grahame Steed (aged 39), Media Director
As Media Director, Grahame is responsible for BiP's contracts information, design, proofing, communications and distribution teams. He is accountable for the quality and speed of delivery of the firm's online and print information services, including contracts services and publications such as MoD Defence Contracts Bulletin and Government Opportunities. Before joining BiP Solutions in 2003, Grahame worked in various senior production and publishing roles for media company EMAP plc.