About Si BCS
A boutique firm with deep expertise, on your side of the table
Si BCS exists to give finance and technology leaders straight, independent advice about their financial systems, and the hands-on skill to make the right thing happen.
Our story
Built around a simple frustration
Si BCS was founded by Simon Bell to give organisations independent EPM advice, driven by what the client needs rather than what a vendor is trying to sell. He had seen too many organisations pick the wrong platform, or the right one for the wrong reasons.
The idea was straightforward: give people advice they can trust, be transparent about any interest before they decide, and stay honest about what things really cost.
In 2025, Ahtishaam Khan joined Simon as a partner, adding deep technology leadership and the hands-on ability to deliver, not just recommend. The two had built Opal Wave together, a specialist SAP EPM and analytics practice acquired by Sapphire Systems, now part of NTT DATA, where Simon was founding director and Shaam co-founder and CTO/CIO. Today Si BCS sits between the office of the CFO and the office of the CIO, and works with a trusted network of senior specialists to deliver across both.
What we believe
- Customer firstYour outcome comes before our next sale. If the honest answer is to do less, we will say so.
- IndependentWe sit on your side of the table, so the recommendation is the one that fits you.
- Trusted partnersWe build your team's capability and hand things over cleanly. No lock-in.
How we deliver
Flexible delivery. Clear accountability.
Depending on what the work needs, we deliver directly, lead a Si BCS specialist team, or work alongside your existing partners. We agree the model around your requirements at the outset, and stay actively involved and accountable throughout.
Deliver directly
For focused work, Si BCS delivers it end to end, with the senior people who scoped it still on the tools.
Lead a specialist team
For a larger programme, we assemble and lead a Si BCS specialist team, accountable to you throughout.
Alongside your partners
Already have an implementation partner? We work alongside them, client-side, keeping the outcome and the governance in view.
A rare pedigree
Three decades at the heart of EPM
Between them, the founders of Si BCS have worked hands-on across the platform lineages the EPM market grew out of, from the original pioneers to the cloud and AI-era platforms shaping it today.
Having built on all of them, we can point you to the platform that actually fits, on the merits.
The people
Who you actually work with
You deal with senior practitioners from day one, not a sales team who hand you over once the contract is signed.
Simon Bell
Founder & Managing Director
Simon has spent nearly thirty years in Enterprise Performance Management. He began at Hyperion Solutions, the original EPM pioneer, then led the independent EPM analyst and advisory firm BPM Partners, before founding and running Opal Wave for fifteen years, the specialist SAP EPM practice acquired by Sapphire Systems, now part of NTT DATA. He founded Si BCS to give finance leaders that depth on an independent footing, where any interest is disclosed before you decide. Today he leads its financial performance side, from EPM platform selection and business cases to FP&A, consolidation and close.
Connect on LinkedIn
Ahtishaam Khan
Partner & CTO
Shaam is a technology executive with nearly thirty years of international experience across enterprise systems, cloud, data and AI. He began in enterprise finance and business intelligence with CODA, went on to work at the technical origins of SAP BPC through OutlookSoft, then co-founded Opal Wave and served as its CTO and CIO, the SAP EPM and analytics specialist acquired by Sapphire Systems, now part of NTT DATA. At Si BCS he leads technology strategy and delivery, from solution architecture and secure cloud to modern data platforms and the responsible use of AI, so clients own robust systems that work.
Connect on LinkedInOur wider team
Behind Simon and Shaam sits a network of expert solution architects and senior technical and functional specialists we bring in for delivery. It means a boutique firm can staff a serious programme without ever losing the senior attention that made you choose us.
Find us
London based, working wherever you are
We are based in London and work with clients across the UK and beyond. The quickest way to start is an email or a short call, and we reply promptly. Simon or Ahtishaam will answer you directly.
Let's talk about what you're trying to fix
Tell us a little about your project and we will be in touch promptly.