CPiO appoints Duncan Boyne to boost Power BI strategy for SMEs

CPiO has appointed Duncan Boyne as its Power BI Lead, aiming to improve data strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK. The move comes as businesses across the country contend with ongoing economic uncertainty, changing trade arrangements, and increasing operational demands.

Data challenges

As businesses seek to interpret growing volumes of internal and external information, tools such as Microsoft Power BI are seen as critical in providing the clarity and insight required for confident planning. Boyne's remit at CPiO will involve leading the development and rollout of data visualisation, data modelling, and connected reporting solutions across the company's Sage ERP client base.

His responsibilities will include integrating Power BI with existing enterprise resource planning systems, constructing data frameworks that link finance, operations, and production, and designing dashboards to support faster and more informed decision-making. Boyne's experience spans Power BI report design, DAX and data modelling, SQL performance optimisation, and analytics across Sage 200, Dynamics 365, and Infor Visual environments.

Business insight

"Data should empower, not overwhelm. Across the UK, we see businesses facing uncertainty from supply chain disruption, shifting trade policy and changing customer expectations. The ability to understand, trust and act on data is what turns uncertainty into opportunity. At CPiO, my goal is to help organisations see their data differently and build the models, dashboards and integrations that turn raw numbers into meaningful stories," said Duncan Boyne, Power BI Lead, CPiO.

ERP integration

Boyne's career includes delivering Power BI and ERP optimisation projects intended to enhance efficiency and visibility for organisations in manufacturing, distribution, and the public sector. He also has experience facilitating Power Platform user groups and community events, and is certified in Microsoft Power Platform fundamentals.

CPiO is one of the longest-standing Sage partners in the UK, with a focus on providing solutions to help businesses achieve better control over their operations. The company's management sees Boyne's appointment as a method to combine ERP expertise with advanced analytics and visualisation.

"Every business leader we speak to tells us the same thing. They are not short of data, but they often struggle to make sense of it. Whether it is understanding the financial implications of trade policy or improving internal performance visibility, companies need tools that connect data across every system and function. This appointment is more than an expansion of our analytics capability. It is a statement of intent. In an environment defined by volatility and change, data strategy is business strategy. With Duncan leading our Power BI and data visualisation services, CPiO will continue to help UK SMEs move from reacting to predicting and from insight to impact," said Andrew Watkinson, Managing Director, CPiO.

Research findings

Recent CPiO research highlighted a trend among UK SMEs to support data-driven policymaking and strategic thinking over short-term subsidies as they adapt to tariff-related disruption. The findings indicate persistent pressure on business confidence due to external uncertainty and an ongoing need for better information management.

"Our recent research into UK trade sentiment shows that many finance decision-makers want earlier insight and clearer guidance from policymakers. That mirrors the challenges many face internally, where fragmented systems and inconsistent reporting make it difficult to turn information into strategy. Duncan's appointment directly addresses that need. His expertise will help our clients move from data overload to data confidence," said Watkinson.

Strategic clarity

"Businesses today need visibility they can trust. Power BI and the Microsoft Power Platform make it possible to bring everything together, from ERP and CRM to production and logistics, into a single, coherent picture. That is the foundation for better decision-making," said Boyne.