Leadership
The Absoft team is a rich mix of people, both in professional skills and in terms of personal attributes and activities outside work. Customer focus is a fundamental component of Absoft’s culture, and we’ve backed that up by working with key people who have broad experience of life as well as being friendly and enthusiastic. Let’s meet our senior management team!
Ian Mechie
Senior Vice President & Executive Adviser
Ian Mechie co-founded Absoft in 1991 and has been the driving force behind the company’s remarkable development and the strategic shaping of the organisation. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades in the IT industry, Ian has predominantly served as a consultant, specializing in helping clients implement SAP solutions. His journey into the world of SAP commenced in 1992 with the release of R/3, marking the inception of his deep involvement in this transformative arena.
Renowned as an inspirational innovator, Ian’s leadership has been instrumental in keeping Absoft at the forefront of SAP technology and best practices. His unwavering commitment to innovation has consistently steered the company towards excellence.
Currently, Ian assumes the role of a Senior Vice President and Executive Adviser and continues to stay on the cutting edge of SAP’s ever-expanding product portfolio as a Lead Solution Architect—a role that embodies his enduring passion for SAP technology.
Away from work, Ian is a loyal foot soldier in the Tartan Army, enjoys playing golf, and has eclectic tastes in music.
Derek Reid
Senior Vice President & Executive Adviser
Derek Reid, a distinguished co-founder of Absoft, has worked in the realm of SAP for over three decades. His deep-seated expertise and commitment to excellence have been essential in Absoft’s journey and evolution. Derek’s multifaceted role encompasses not only his responsibilities as Senior Vice President but also as an Executive Adviser, where his profound cross-domain functional knowledge harmonizes seamlessly with his exceptional grasp of SAP’s technical intricacies.
Derek has played a central role in shaping Absoft’s core values of integrity and transparency, fostering a culture that places an unwavering emphasis on quality assurance and sustainable growth. His dedication to upholding these principles has been instrumental in Absoft’s continued success.
Outside of work, Derek shares a common passion with fellow co-founder Ian – he is a keen supporter of the Tartan Army, attending matches whenever he can. He also follows Huntly in the Highland League, travelling all over the North of Scotland – generally more in hope than expectation!
Keith Davidson
Vice President & Head of UK Operations
Keith has been an integral part of the Absoft team since 2010, contributing his expertise across a wide range of client-facing and corporate services roles. With over 14 years of dedicated service to the company, Keith has played a crucial role in driving continuous improvements across many business areas.
Throughout his tenure at Absoft, Keith has held senior and director-level positions in key departments, including operations, sales, and human resources. His diverse background have equipped him with a deep understanding of business operations and leadership across multiple domains.
Keith is not only a seasoned leader but also a dedicated advocate for community and social impact. He’s proudly served as a member of the board of trustees for Citymoves Dance Agency SCIO, an organisation committed to fostering positive change through dance in the north east of Scotland.
With a wealth of experience, a dedication to community involvement, and a strong educational foundation, Keith continues to lead Absoft with vision and distinction in his role as Head of UK Operations.
Don Valentine
Vice President of Sales and Client Services
Don is at the helm of Absoft’s commercial team, where he plays a fundamental role in actively engaging with both existing and potential clients to unlock the full potential of their SAP systems.
Starting his consulting life in the Supply Chain domain, Don went on to become involved in program and project management which involved time spent in the UK, US, Europe, and Africa. With an extensive background in the IT industry that spans over 35 years, Don’s expertise has been instrumental in the last two decades at Absoft, where he has been at the forefront of implementing SAP solutions across a diverse spectrum of industry sectors.
Don is known for his unwavering commitment to fostering a customer-centric approach. His dedicated efforts involve closely collaborating with clients to align Absoft’s professional services with their unique needs, enhancing and ensuring the best outcomes on their SAP journey. What truly sets Don apart is his exceptional ability to grasp the intricate business processes of individual clients, recognising the distinctive nature of each business.
In his spare time Don walks his chocolate lab, plays the very occasional game of golf, and watches too much football.
