An experienced IT leader and Enterprise Architect
I am an accomplished and experienced Information Technology leader and Enterprise Architect, with a very wide range of business, technical and People skills. I have specialisations in Microsoft Cloud & M365, Cyber Security, Enterprise Data Architecture, AI, Enterprise / Solution / Technical Architecture, and have OVER 20 years of experience in IT across a multitude of areas.
Following the achievement of an Honours Degree in 2003, I have performed a number of progressive roles from Systems Engineer to Solution Architect, and to Head of Service roles. I believe this progression has been underpinned and enabled through a genuine love of all things ‘IT’ and particularly with how IT interacts with and enables the wider business.
I am available primarily for contract leadership and architecture engagements, with senior permanent leadership roles considered secondarily. It is through my breadth of experience that I am a unique candidate: capable of deep-dive, hands-on technical leadership in a number of specific areas, and equally capable of managing a multi-vocation project or service area. I am a very competent learner, capable of quickly understanding new areas and concepts.
I have a first class Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Business Information Systems, hold [active] CISSP, [expired] SC clearance, TOGAFv8 and I am an Azure Certified Architect.
Core Competencies
Leadership & Strategy
Cloud & Modern Workplace
Cyber Security
Data & AI
Enterprise Architecture
What I offer
A brief example of primary services that I offer to prospective clients or employers.
Microsoft Cloud & M365
Helping organisations to business case, adopt, optimise, transition, migrate to and ultimately manage Microsoft Cloud and Modern Workplace Services in an efficient and repeatable manner.
Strategy & Transformation
Helping organisations to develop and deliver strategies for digital IT transformation, with options appraisals, business cases, detailed roadmaps, and realistic delivery plans.
Cyber Security
Reviewing approaches to Cyber Security from a top-down, or bottom-up perspective, to help organisations to maximise limited resources against their bespoke security needs.
People Leadership
Establishing or leading operational and project teams - particularly around Cloud and Cyber Security services – alongside the development of the processes that enable them.
Enterprise Architecture
Helping organisations adopt re-usable frameworks, including policies, procedures, standards, design patterns and other artefacts that result in consistent business linked design.
Data and AI
End-to-end enterprise data architecture — lakehouse and medallion design, Fabric and Purview governance, real-time integration, predictive analytics and AI platforms — delivered with strong governance and clear business value.
Where I've worked
High level overview of my recent work history and experience.
Magma Cloud Limited
Owner - Managing Director and Principal Architect (Cloud, Cyber, Data and AI)
6th June 2015 to Date View role
LCRCA
Contract - Programme Architect CCoE transformation, Cyber, Data and AI
Sep 2024 - Dec 2024 View role
MMU 2
Contract - Programme Architect (Cloud, Research (HPC), Cyber & Tech Roadmap)
OCT 2022 - Sept 2024 View role
JATO Dynamics
Contract - Enterprise Architect (Power Platform, Analytics, BI and EA Function)
Mar 2022 - Sept 2022 View role
University of Leeds
Contract - Enterprise Architect (Azure, BeSafe Cyber Lead, DA Board)
Oct 2020 - Mar 2022 View role
Insight
Contract - Enterprise Architect (Azure, M365 and Hybrid Infrastructure Services)
Oct 2015 - Oct 2019 View role
Cooperative Group
Solution Architect (Security Roadmap and Cloud Selection)
May 2015 - Oct 2015 View role
The above are only main and primary roles and some contract / associate work is excluded such as associate agreements with SOCITM (clients including several UK councils) and CoStratify (NHS trusts, Councils, Housing Associations, etc.). Full details are available from the 'Full CV' download in the top menu, or click here for a PDF of the full CV.
What colleagues say
A selection of references from senior colleagues and clients across my career.
Gary and I have worked together for over seven years. He is an incredibly knowledgeable Cloud and Cyber Security expert, one of the few true Enterprise Architects and offers a wealth of insights on all things IT. Our days at Insight Technology Solutions have been very successful and Gary was key to shaping our Cloud Go to Market and our approach to IT Security.
As technical people go, Gary is one of the most technically talented people I have come across in my working career. His knowledge is vast and always learning and embracing new skills and technology. Gary delivers quickly, accurately and with real value. He has an ability to quickly identify where pain can be removed, or value can be added, via IT changes that are realistic within a particular client. Common sense led innovation.
Although Gary didn't work directly for my area, he was a great asset to the wider IT function, ensuring that his security expertise was present in pieces of work where I'm sure there were time and scope pressures that would have made ignoring security posture an alternative. He had a knack of showing previous experience in most things we talked about, or very quickly refreshing his knowledge so that he could contribute as an expert. I would happily recommend Gary for any number of roles, whether in cloud architecture or security strategy or operation.
Gary is one of the most talented and diligent Architects I've worked with. He has a very broad range of skills and uses technology strategically as a business enabler identifying opportunities that clearly drive business opportunities.
Gary is an Architect who has designed and implemented complex solutions, blending state-of-the-art IT theory with a practical implementation with an approach that shows a real-life understanding of organisations and its business needs. When I have a problem, Gary is the first number on my phone and he has never failed to deliver.
It's not just the breadth of Gary's knowledge that is impressive, but the depth too. No matter what the subject (and we covered a lot of technical areas in our 4 years working together) he makes sure he understands the minute details that make a big difference in architecting services that deliver value to clients.
Gary is one of the most technically able people that I have ever worked with, his knowledge around network configuration, infrastructure and servers is second to none and he also has an excellent understanding of all areas within ICT. He always gives 200% effort in everything he does.
Gary brought much needed strategic and practical expertise on Azure and IT Security to the University. He was instrumental in establishing our architecture and standards for cloud migration, and in shaping our BeSafe security programme, all at pace. Gary brings expertise spanning technology, security, transformation and commercial awareness. These qualities, in combination with impressive personal drive to make a difference, makes him a highly valued resource in any complex enterprise.
I founded and run two consultancies
Alongside my contract and leadership work, I founded and run Magma Cloud (cyber security) and NeuraSec (AI delivery) — the architecture and discipline behind both are mine.