Examinations' new Regional Manager makes Egypt first stop

Mr Bickerdike will arrive in Cairo on 5 December and plans to spend the week meeting representatives from the Ministry of Education, the British Council and CIE Centres.

Mr Bickerdike's position with CIE began on 22 November 2004. Initially he is working in Cambridge but early in 2005 he will relocate to Dubai, where he will be based. Mr Bickerdike is responsible for developing and managing business activity in MENA and Pakistan to build on CIE's position as a world-class assessment service provider. He will develop and maintain existing and potential networks and partnerships. Mr Bickerdike also will be responsible for directing and managing the work of in-country representatives, Waseem Al Hanbali, Martine El-Debs Khammar and Lamiaa Negm El Din, who work with 133 schools and training providers across the region.

Whilst in Cairo, Mr Bickerdike and CIE's Business Development Manager for MENA, Lamiaa Negm El Din, will meet with key education stakeholders to discuss CIE's activity in Egypt. They also will be looking ahead to CIE's participation at the British Schools in the Middle East (BSME) exhibition and planning the Beacon award ceremonies.

'Joining CIE gives me an opportunity to work for an organisation that focuses on quality and delivers products and services of real value to overseas customers,' said Mr Bickerdike. 'This post is a good fit for my skills and knowledge as I will be working and travelling in a region where I feel very much at home.'

Mr Bickerdike has lived in the Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan region for 15 years. Prior to joining CIE, he worked for the British Council. His most recent posts included country examinations manager for British Council Pakistan and British Council Cyprus. As examinations manager in Pakistan, William was responsible for a wide range of British Council activities including managing and co-ordinating a rapidly expanding service across seven offices. He worked closely with CIE staff including Fred Burke, former Director for South Asia and Mauritius, and Tom Eason, Director of International Education.

Mr Bickerdike says he looks forward to working for CIE in a region he appreciates and enjoys.