Meet Sapphire's Directors

Ian Caswell
CEO

Ian has been with Sapphire for the better part of 20 years. Prior to Sapphire, and after graduating with honours in Economics from Newcastle University in 1983, Ian became a Management Accountant with Haringey Health Authority and, later, with Bloomsbury Health Authority. He thereafter joined Sapphire International in 1987 where he set up a channel (VAR) network for SunSystems. Ian was the Salesperson of the Year for three years running before moving into the Sapphire Management Team. By 1990 the team had successfully implemented their 1,000th SunSystems license. In 1993, having led a successful management buy-out, Ian became the Managing Director of Sapphire Systems. Ian has led Sapphire to 14 years of continuous growth during which time it has been recognised by The Sunday Times Fast Track survey, and more recently by Deloitte in their Fast 50 and EMEA Fast 500 leagues for technology companies. Ian has now lead Sapphire to become the Global No.1 partner for Infor10 Financials Business (SunSystems) for a continuous period of 10 years. He has also led Sapphire to become the Global No.1 SAP Business One Partner , two accolades of which he is very proud. Ian's interests include golf and supporting Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.

Ralph Bolton
CTO

Ralph is a founding partner of Sapphire Systems and has been with Sapphire for almost 20 years. He graduated with a BSc( Hons) from Newcastle University in 1983 and joined Norsk Hydro Fertiliser Division on their graduate intake programme. He subsequently joined ICI Agrochemical Division based in Teeside as area manager for sales in North Yorkshire. Whilst at ICI Ralph embarked on the MBA programme at Bradford University Management Centre and graduated in 1990. Ralph thereafter joined Sapphire to sell SunSystems Financial software through a reseller network. Ralph worked from the outset with Ian on the successful management buyout of Sapphire Systems and on the set-up of the SunSystems programme within the new company. Ralph has been Chairman and Technical Director since 1993, ensuring sales growth and solid delivery of services and product programmes throughout Sapphire's successful growth period. Sapphire continues to be recognised as one of the UK's most successful VAR's. Ralph is married with 3 children and has a keen interest in outdoor pursuits.

David Healy
Business Development Director

David joined Sapphire in 2000 after spending the previous 15 years in Sales and Marketing positions within the SunSystems arena. Back in 1989 David spent 2 years in Melbourne, Australia, setting up and driving forward a SunSystems sales office for one of the original companies within the Sapphire group. David has been heavily involved in building strategic partnerships with third party organisations who add value to the Sapphire client base. David has one son and when time allows is a regular participant in open water swims, and is also a keen cyclist.

 

 

 

Martin Royle
Global Services Director

Martin joined Sapphire in 2000 as Professional Services Director. Prior to Sapphire and after graduating in Economics from Cardiff University in 1983, he became a qualified CIMA accountant. Martin has worked in the SunSystems market since 1988, initially as a director of another reseller for five years, and then as a freelance SunSystems consultant for 7 seven years. He has travelled extensively heading up the European rollout of several global implementations. Outside of work, Martin is an active cyclist (racing and mountain biking) and enjoys skiing and golf. He is also a keen supporter of Everton Football Club.

 

 

 

David Singh
Sales & Marketing Director

David joined Sapphire in 2007 and brought with him over 22 years experience in the business solutions market place. He began his career in the early 1980's, after graduating with a degree in Business Studies & IT. David then trained as a Certified Accountant and stayed in the profession for 5 years, after which he moved into the IT industry. David has worked with SunSystems for almost 20 years and is recognised by many within the industry as a leading authority on the product. His product knowledge and business systems experience allows him to offer a unique insight for clients choosing and implementing business solutions, covering financial management, ERP, procurement, PSA and Business Intelligence . Prior to joining Sapphire, David was Sales Director at another financial systems provider, and other previous positions include Managing Director, Operations Director, Support Manager and Project Manager all within the SunSystems & Microsoft partner communities. David's interests outside work include reading crime novels, DIY, travelling and charitable work in the community.

Tony Martin
Client Service Director

Tony has been working within the financial software solutions industry for the last 25 years. His first involvement with Sapphire Systems was when he joined the sales team in 1989. Subsequent to working at Sapphire, Tony spent time in sales management, including a stint at Systems Union, the authors of SunSystems. After leaving Systems Union, he joined Deloitte & Touche. In 2001 he was part of a team that performed a management buyout of a division of Deloitte & Touche Management Solutions, forming the company Xdat Software. In 2004, Tony and his partners sold that business and after spending 6 months helping with the handover process, Tony returned to the Sapphire fold and took up his present position. His role as Client Service Director gives him the opportunity to work closely with Sapphire's clients as he endeavours to ensure that they get the highest level of service possible. Tony has two main interests outside of work at the moment. One is enjoying the pleasures of being a grandparent. The other is spending time at the house in France that he and his wife renovated.