Former UK BIM Task Group head Mark Bew, also co-founder of the PCSG consultancy business acquired by Bentley Systems in 2020, has stepped down as CEO of Bentley’s Cohesive group.
The opening day of Bentley Systems Year In Infrastructure 2023 event in Singapore has seen several new senior executive appointments. Inevitably that also means some familiar names have moved.
Almost exactly three years after announcing the acquisition of PCSG, the UK-based consultancy chaired by former UK BIM Task Group head Mark Bew (19 October 2020 EE post), Bentley Systems has revealed that Bew has moved into an advisory role. PCSG initially became part of Bentley’s Cohesive Companies group – later rebranded simply as Cohesive. This focuses on digital systems integration services including delivery of the IBM’s Maximo solution, and specifically targets the owner-operator market segment. In late 2021, Bew took over from Noah Eckhouse as CEO of Cohesive (23 November 2021 EE post).
Ellam is new CEO
Bew has now been been succeeded by Colin Ellam, right, as CEO of the Manchester-based business. Most recently, Ellam served as global head of nuclear at Capgemini. He previously led the Capital Projects business for Accenture in the UK, providing consulting and technology services for the infrastructure sector, including transport, utilities and power. Ellam has worked across many geographies including Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe, and Africa and lived and has worked in the United States for three years. Bew is taking on an advisory role, having grown Cohesive into a global organisation of more than 700 colleagues in 15 countries.
Under Bew’s leadership, in August 2022, Cohesive acquired MaximoCon, a Brazil-based consultancy specialising in technical services for IBM Maximo, IBM’s enterprise asset management solution. Founded in 2015, MaximoCon had worked with Cohesive on various global Maximo systems integration projects and was a long-time partner. At the time Bew, left, said: “Adding MaximoCon to our global team will further expand the already deep expertise we have in Maximo and drive more efficient delivery for our clients and help us gain access to the South American market.” In November 2022, Cohesive acquired another international Maximo consultancy, the 200-strong Vetasi business (press release).
Also in 2022, Bew recruited David Philp, formerly director of digital consulting, strategy and innovation at Aecom Europe, as Cohesive Group’s chief value officer (BIM+ article), helping clients to create value-driven impact across their built assets’ lifecycles. Philp re-joined former UK BIM Task Group colleagues including Jon Kerbey (Cohesive managing director EMEA).
