In 1984 Ed founded B.I.C Systems which became a leading Irish technology services and solutions business. This was acquired by BT Group in October 2004.
In October 2007 the Northern Ireland Executive asked Ed to become Head of the Capital Realisations Taskforce to review the potential for public sector land, property and operating asset for disposal or reuse. The CRT report also made recommendations in relation to structures of governance to take the recommendations forward. In January 2009 he was asked to update this report in light of changed economic circumstances and this was completed in August 2009.
In 2007 Ed teamed up with former colleagues to form Synetecs which subsequently acquired Macildowie Associates, the leading specialist recruitment business in the East Midlands, with a view to effect growth through organic development and acquisition.
Ed has received a number of business awards including the British Computer Society IT Professional of the Year award in 2002, the Institute of Directors’ award of Excellence in 2005 and inaugural membership of Invest Northern Ireland’s Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame.
He is a board member of Invest Northern Ireland and Chairman of INI’s International subcommittee and Strategic Advisor to BT Ireland. He is also a trustee of the Foundation Board of Queens University and a member of the IoD Northern Ireland committee.