A SEASONED industry leader has been appointed to spearhead a newly created head of enterprise role, marking the launch of an ambitious new division at a market-leading UK tech firm.
It signals 2i’s formal entry into the fast-growing enterprise resource planning (ERP) space, an area of technology that underpins business-critical systems in finance, supply chain and HR.
Bringing nearly three decades of experience, the new appointment is a figure who has already built one of the UK’s most successful ERP testing consultancies.
Simon Evans, who founded and scaled Experior before growing it into a £50 million global business under Qualitest, will now lead the new service.
In his new position at the 400-strong 2i, he will shape strategy, build a dedicated team and oversee opportunities across platforms including SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, MS Dynamics, Workday and ServiceNow.
The role was created after leadership at the software testing specialists identified Enterprise platforms as a major growth opportunity, with demand soaring as organisations wrestle with complex system updates and large-scale transformation programmes in the race to integrate and harness AI.
The new enterprise arm will serve as a trusted partner in testing and assurance – giving organisations the confidence that complex Enterprise systems can be delivered at scale, with the pace needed to deliver real business-improving outcomes.
Speaking about his appointment, Simon Evans said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity at exactly the right moment for me and for the business.
“The enterprise market opportunity is going through huge change, with customers undertaking large-scale shifts on to SAP S/4HANA or Oracle Fusion, optimising business processes and integrating further across their business platforms and unlocking AI potential. All this has to be done at pace and in control, so assurance partners who understand both business process and delivery are vital to their success. What drew me to 2i was the culture – people-focused, ambitious and full of energy. Together, we can build something extraordinary.
“My priorities are simple. Establish and grow a brilliant team, support existing clients, and expand into new sectors where enterprise assurance can make a real difference.
“There is huge potential here to create a growth engine that shapes the next chapter of this incredible business.”
Simon’s career began almost 30 years ago as an SAP specialist. After working as a consultant he spotted a gap in the market for ERP testing that looked beyond the purely technical and into how businesses fundamentally use the systems in the day-to-day.
He launched Experior to meet that need, building a consultancy known for investing in people, focusing on business process, and helping clients achieve outcomes rather than simply tick boxes.
That business was acquired by Qualitest, where Simon expanded it into a global Enterprise division covering SAP, Oracle and Salesforce, growing revenues to £50 million and building a large international team.
Dave Kelly, CEO of 2i welcomed the appointment, saying: “Simon has an outstanding track record. He has built and scaled ERP testing organisations of real substance, and his appointment is a milestone moment. Bringing in his expertise is a clear signal of our ambition to lead in the enterprise assurance market.”
The move coincides with the launch of AssureERP, an AI-enabled solution designed and built by 2i that plugs into a client’s ERP system and captures real user processes, automatically generates test cases, and streamlines testing.
By reducing time, risk and cost, AssureERP gives leaders clarity on readiness before critical systems are taken from pilot stage to wider adoption. Early examples – including with one of the UK’s largest pharmaceutical companies – highlight how the approach can transform confidence in delivery.
Simon’s remit will also focus on building a team that combines testing specialists with experts from business domains, such as accounting and HR, ensuring that outcomes are rooted in real-world processes as much as technical performance.
His appointment comes at a time of rapid growth. The Edinburgh-headquartered company now employs more than 400 people across the UK, following the acquisition of nFocus. It is also developing an offshore team in India.
Backed by private equity partner Rockpool Investments, the business has been described as one of Scotland’s biggest tech success stories, with an ambition to keep expanding its reach and influence.
Outside the office, Simon is part of Endurance Limits, a team that raises funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital through extreme challenges.
His adventures have included rowing the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii in 43 days, and attempting to row the Amazon, where his team was intercepted by Brazilian special forces for their own safety amid guerilla and gang warfare.
2i is a recognised leader in helping organisations in both the private and public sectors safely implement major IT programs and has already experienced rapid organic growth in recent years.