The Story of BPES
As we approach our 30th anniversary in 2026, we’ve been reflecting on the journey that brought us here.
Our journey
BPES was founded in 1996 by Colin Burdick, a chartered engineer. Having spent many years leading various engineering companies, he ventured into the biotech sector in the late ‘80s.
When the fermentation company he worked for was acquired, rather than let long-standing customers lose the support they depended on, Colin decided to start something new. With just one service engineer by his side, he set up BPES to provide spare parts and service support to those legacy customers. That spirit of going above and beyond to support our customers has been at the heart of what we do ever since.
In recent years, Tom has taken the reins. While he’s been at the centre of BPES since 2000 and has been the majority shareholder for over 14 years, it was around 2017 that he officially stepped into the day-to-day leadership role.
Around 12 years ago, we widened our focus to distribution. It was a big step, but one that allowed us to grow while still keeping service at the heart of everything we do. Today, our technical support remains critical, but it works hand-in-hand with our mission to be the best biotech distributor in the UK, offering a great service to both our customers and key suppliers.
Founding principles
From day one, we’ve been driven by a simple principle: support our customers. Colin wanted a business he could steer on his own terms, one that would prioritise service and long-term relationships over short-term wins.
Nearly 30 years later, that mindset still defines us. Whether it’s with our customers, our suppliers, or each other, we focus on building relationships that last. Many of our partnerships span decades, and we’re incredibly proud of that.
Celebrating the milestones
Over the years, we’ve celebrated some big moments as a team. For our 10th anniversary in 2006, we spent the day on the Queen’s Jubilee barge, a memorable river cruise complete with fine dining and wonderful views along the river. In 2016, we marked 20 years with a day out at Goodwood Revival, all dressed in vintage style.
These moments are more than just parties, they’re a celebration of everything we’ve built together. While the pandemic meant our 25th year came and went more quietly, we’re already planning something special for 2026.
Looking Ahead
The future for BPES is bright. We’re continuing to grow organically, deepening our presence within the UK biotech space, and working every day to deliver the best customer experience in the market.
In 2025, we introduced ‘Colin’, our curious and clever mascot, named in honour of our founder, who embodies the spirit at the heart of BPES and will be your helpful guide to share more about what we do. We’re looking forward to what’s to come and grateful for the trust and support of everyone who’s been part of the journey so far!
View the full BPES brochure here.
Meet Emma and Matt at Stand 18 at this year’s event.