BESA staff

Director General of BESA since 1984 and with the industry for over thirty years, Dominic Savage sits on a variety of government committees and working groups on education, particularly in relation to new technologies and international trade. He is the Chair of SAGES, the UKTI Sector Advisory Group for Education and Skills, founded the BETT exhibition in 1985, is a trustee of the e-Learning Foundation and World e-Citizens and is currently President of Worlddidac, the worldwide educational trade organisation . He is Chair of Governors of a London Technology and Training College, which was recently the second most improved school in England; and a governor of a Science College. Dominic Savage has a BSc in electronic engineering, is a LRAM, Royal Academy of Music, and a Fellow of the Institute of Association Management. He received the OBE in 1997 for services to education.

Director - Ray Barker

Ray taught English before working in educational print publishing. After moving into electronic publishing, he ran the Docklands Project for the Docklands Development Corporation, one of the first attempts to improve literacy using innovative ICT in an area of urban deprivation, which became a featured project of UNESCO. Subsequently he has worked with the UK’s National Literacy Strategy, an American software corporation and for government education initiatives such as Education Action Zones. He is the author of educational textbooks, academic articles and software resources.

Ray gained his first degree in English and American Studies from the University of East Anglia and his postgraduate teaching qualifications at the University of London. He has been elected a Member of the College of Preceptors, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. He sits on the executive committees of the National Literacy Association and the Digital Content Forum as well as serving as Chair of Governors for a London primary school.

International Manager - William Prieto-Parra

William joined BESA in 2001 as Assistant to the then International Manager.  Born in Bogotá, Colombia, I am a graduate (B.Sc.Hons) of The University of Strathclyde, having first studied International Baccalaureate in London.  I also hold a post-graduate degree in international business from Birkbeck College, University of London.  I am bi-lingual in Spanish and English, speak some German and Portuguese, can "get by" in Italian and Swedish and I am starting to learn Arabic.

Public Relations Manager- Tim Edwards

Tim joined BESA in 2001 originally taking on the role of Member Services Manager. Following a restructuring within the Association in 2004, he assumed the newly created position of Public Relations Manager – a role he currently maintains.

Tim worked in education prior to BESA where he managed a Commonwealth teacher exchange programme for three years.

Interested in film, travel, food and drink, Tim is married and lives in South London.

Information Services Manager - Andrew Everest

Andrew Everest joined BESA in December of 2002 as Information Manager.

An Aberdeen University graduate, Andrew worked initially for ASLIB, the Association for Information Management, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Information Management in 1994. Career stops include Corporate Information Research with Goldman Sachs, the British Standards Institution and Sales / Marketing Support roles for Library software suppliers, and contract roles with an Executive e-Learning Provider, the Open University, and CFBT. He speaks German proficiently.

Research Assistant - Richard Levene

Richard joined BESA in February 2000 as Research Assistant. His work includes editing the members newsletter (Insight), dealing with telephone and written enquiries from members and the public and preparing material for BESA's website.

He has experience in planning, sales forecasting, management information and administration gained with "blue-chip" electronics, industrial and consumer research organisations.

Member Services Manager - Mark Rosser

Joining BESA in August 2004, Mark's remit involves maintaining strong relationships with member companies, recruitment and retention of new members, organisation and support of BESA’s Special Interest Groups and the preparation and delivery of the BESAbook.

Mark on Mark: I previously worked in a trading / commodities environment, managing sales accounts. With this background I have had the opportunity to travel to a number of countries which I have enjoyed immensely. On a personal note I enjoy most sports, especially golf and play to a handicap of 8. I also enjoy listening to music and attending concerts.

Personal Assistant To Director General- Maxine Hoffland

With a background in banking Maxine has worked with BESA since December 1992. She started as PA to the Chief Executive providing personal support to him for almost three years. Leaving full time employment in May 1995 on maternity leave for the birth of her second daughter, she returned in October '95 to work part-time as a Team Secretary. Initially her main responsibilities included telephone support and working with Project Managers on a variety of administration.

She is married with two children aged seven and three and enjoys every minute she can with them. In what little spare time she has, she enjoys reading, music, going to the cinema and gardening.

Accounts Manager - Kathy Barker

Kathy joined BESA in March 2007 to replace Janet Tilley. She worked previously for a London Wildlife Charity and has many years experience working in accounts. From the Open University, she gained a degree and diploma in Social Science and is a former school governor.

Recently Kathy moved close to Epping Forest in Essex from North London. She has two daughters and enjoys walking, reading, crosswords and quiz shows.

Assistant International Manager - Mariama Gerard

Mariama joined BESA in November 2007, as Assistant International Manager working alongside William Prieto-Parra, following a 5-year career in tourism.  Mariama on herself: I am Franco–Senegalese, born and brought up in Paris.  I have chosen to live in London as I believe that is the most lively, exciting city in the world. I am fluent in both English and French, conversational in Italian, I have some knowledge of Spanish and I am currently learning Chinese. I enjoy travelling, learning new languages and have a huge interest in cooking, fashion and music.