Experienced Technologist
Software Architecture, Development and Operations
Agile, DevSecOps and Cloud
Management Experience
Financial and Banking Systems Background
Background
After completing my degree in Information Systems and Artificial Intelligence, I started my career at First Direct within their Internet Banking team, building and deploying back-end service capabilities in C, C++ and Java. Since then I’ve been able to stay technical, not only maintaining a solid coding and DevSecOps element, but also with a keen focus on good architecture, design, and best development practices. Recently I was responsible for the development of an FCA regulated online finance platform, designed to support on-premise, cloud-first and hybrid deployment options according to client requirement.
Technology Skills
Architecture and Design
Previous roles included enterprise, through solution and low-level technical architecture, all of which expanded upon my foundations as a software developer.
Coding and Test
I’ve maintained a strong coding and test element throughout my career and have a high degree of experience in Java/J2EE, Web and PHP technologies.
Data and Integration
My focus has always been on enterprise class solutions, and consequently I have extensive use of APIs and web services alongside the more traditional data technologies such as message queues, RDMS and No-SQL databases.
Packing, Deployment and DevSecOps
Application Lifecycle Management has been a cornerstone of my development experience, and I’ve implemented CI/CD pipelines for all projects in which I’ve been involved.
Infrastructure
From on-premise to cloud and everything between, I’ve designed, deployed and subsequently provided production support for a wide variety of projects. I’ve also been responsible for end-user devices and asset management.
Development Methodology
Agile Methods
I have experience of various Agile methods including Scrum, Kanban, and Feature-driven development. I’ve taken the lead on Retrospectives, Daily Stand-ups, and ad-hoc reviews and audits. I’m able to coach junior members of the team or squad.
Development Practices
I take a ‘clean code’ approach to my development often combined with Behaviour and/or Test Driven Development practices. Documentation and tests are combined with code to ensure easy maintenance. I’m also a supporter of Pair Programming to achieve common goals while improving overall quality.
DevSecOps
A keen supporter of Infrastructure-as-Code, I’ve been responsible for implementation of the CI/CD pipelines across multiple projects, while simultaneously adopting security-first and zero-trust principles. I can provide full end-to-end support (requirements to production) utilising the best of Cloud technologies to deliver projects at scale, drawing on my development, operations, cyber security, and production support experience.
Pragmatism
Somewhat often overlooked, I take a pragmatic approach to the adoption of all methods and practices and choose the most appropriate approaches for the task at hand. I’m able to adapt to existing frameworks, and able to recommend improvements where opportunities exist.
Key Experience
IT Consultant and Engineer
Andrew Green Technology Services, from 2021
- Design and Development of Financial PlatformOnshore FinTech startup
- Produced architectural and technical design for bespoke Financial Services application platform.
- Designed, developed and validated individual micro-services, utilising API gateways and message queues, on Kubernetes.
- Implemented ALM tooling and build/deploy pipeline.
- Designed and developed prototypes within Azure Cloud.
- IT Strategy FormationOffshore financial services client
- Created IT strategy, Technology vision, and roadmap.
- Delivered common taxonomy utilising BIAN framework.
- Data Architecture StrategyOffshore client
- Analysed and documented current state data architecture.
- Identified issues and risks within the current state.
- Produced target state data architecture and roadmap.
- Specified data lifecycles and processes to the target state.
- Supported compliance via data management delivery model.
- Process and Data AnalysisNear-shore startup
- Analysed and designed data flows and associated processes.
- Created data dictionaries and identified relevant meta data.
- Analysed external services integrations and APIs.
- Change Programme Technical DeliveryOffshore client
- Produced recruitment strategy to form new Change team.
- Executed technical and aptitude testing, scoring, and interviews.
- Developed enterprise and technology architecture across 10+ Change workstreams, targeted to Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Created cloud and physical infrastructure architectures adopting security first and zero-trust principals.
- Technical analysis of products and vendor selection grading.
- Supported Change delivery teamswith requirements analysis, product ownership, design, and scrum master activities.
Head of Technology
CrowdBnk, 2016; Code Investing, 2016-2020
- Technology Head and member of management team
- Created and implemented IT strategy and Technology vision.
- Managed suppliers and negotiated supplier contracts.
- Responsible for IT costs forecast and budget management.
- Created and managed Technology team from inception, spanning both on- and off-shore personnel.
- Formalised IT policies and created the "IT Handbook" in support of succession planning and business continuity.
- Reviewed and monitored IT performance and IT KPIs.
- Chief Solution and Technical Architect.
- Designed and implemented target state IT architecture.
- Owned Technology vision, and IT products strategy.
- Formalised requirements and devised appropriate solutions.
- Produced solution architecture and technical designs, covering bespoke and off-the-shelf services.
- Aligned solutions to IT vision, strategy, and architecture.
- DevSecOps, Infrastructure, Full-Stack Engineer.
- Produced UI designs, prototypes, screen and process flows.
- Technical design of a bespoke application platform.
- Designed, developed and validated bespoke APIs and services.
- Implemented ALM tooling and the build/deploy pipeline.
- Supported all IT services in development and production.
- Managed delivery and sprint cycles (Kanban/Scrum).
- Applied security first and zero-trust principles across all aspects of delivery.
- IT Operations and Service Manager.
- Monitored services (24x7 support) and resolved incidents.
- Deployed, supported, and managed end-user devices and business assets.
- Configured end-user devices and software via Microsoft Azure (including Entra ID).
- Owned all office systems, inc. CRM (SugarCRM) and Microsoft (then Office) 365.
- Fully migrated G-Suite into Office 365 and Exchange Online.
- Deployed/supported cloud telephony and remote working solutions.
- Management of both cloud and dedicated infrastructure across multiple suppliers.
- Responsible for the Technology element of Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity.
- Responsible for IT security in collaboration with Head of Finance and compliance officer.
- Formalised IT Security policies, including multi-factor authentication and encryption requirements.
- Created the Responsible Disclosure policy, monitored reports and liaised with security researchers.
- Handled Technology's aspects of data privacy, including implementation of GDPR requirements.
- Handled Technology's aspects of Legal, Compliance and FCA regulation, including data security and retention policies.
Java and Web Engineering Practices Global Lead
HSBC Bank, 2011-2016
- Ownership, definition and delivery of software development Practices
- Owned the vision, and directed the delivery of, front-end (Java/Web) development and DevSecOps practices.
- Drove architectural definition of ALM tooling, delivering support for CI, CD, Automated Testing, Application Monitoring and the automation of development metrics.
- Delivered to global plan with measured improvement in development quality and developer productivity.
- Implemented BlackDuck solution to automate the detection and compliance of free and open-source software.
- Roll-out of best practices into development teams, including Behaviour and Test-driven Development.
- Roll-out and support of developer tooling within the development teams to support best practices.
- Joint accountability for the "development core" within HSBC's software development processes.
- Identified and managed evaluation of tooling solutions, leading to contract negotiation and purchasing.
- Owned the "developer desktop" inc. requirements, legal, compliance, forecasting and security/permissions.
- Solution and Technical Architect
- Provided consultancy to Solution and Technical Architects, ensuring project alignment to current strategies.
- Supported development teams and ensured adoption of best practices, tools and approved technology.
- Assisted Enterprise Architects in the definition of future state architectures.
- Assisted Information Security, Legal and Compliance teams with aspects of software development, with particular focus on contract reviews, compliant software architectures, designs and implementations.
- Member of the Technology Approval Board, validating and approving technology use within solutions.
Software Delivery Technical Architect
HSBC Bank, 2006-2011
- Project focussed Technical Architect providing low-level solution design and development team support
- Production of Architecture Definition (TOGAF) and Solution Designs for global large-scale projects.
- Assisted project teams and technical leads to ensure successful solution implementations.
- Ensured adoption of defined enterprise architectures, solution architectures and associated technologies.
- Removed project impediments in close liaison with Project and Programme management.
- Product owner and contact point for the Mobile Text Message (SMS) technical architecture for Europe.
- Assistant to Enterprise and Group architecture.
- Assisted in the definition of global development standards and the identification of tooling opportunities.
Senior Software Developer
First Direct, 1995-2006
- Project focused Software Developer, leading to Senior Software Developer role
- Produced solution and technical designs to agreed architectures and developed software code to meet business requirements.
- Core engineer (analysis to deployment) for first- and second-generation Internet Banking programmes.
- Assisted Architects and Project Managers to drive successful project delivery.
- Coached and directed junior members of the team.
Please contact me directly for additional information and more historic experience.
Contact Me
I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re interested in my experience and would like to see me working with or for your company, please drop me an email.