Career Profile

Results-driven Software Architect with over 15 years of comprehensive experience in the software industry, specializing in Azure solutions for the past 7 years. Proven track record of translating business challenges into high-quality technical specifications through direct engagement with end-users. Adept at maintaining a security-centric approach, with a background spanning both the defense and fintech sectors. Recognized as a strong leader and collaborative team player, committed to fostering an environment that drives project success. Co-Organiser of .NET Thames Valley meetup group, passionate about creating a community for sharing knowledge.

Key Skills

Architecture Designs
  • Proficient in migrating and creating solutions in Azure, employing tools such as the Azure WAF, Microsoft CAF and Azure Landing Zones to select optimal approaches.
  • Extensive experience in cloud services and container-based approaches, ensuring the delivery of secure, maintainable, and scalable solutions.
Secure Development
  • Identify and resolve security issues in code, team behaviours, deployment practises and hosting environments.
  • Ability to explain why security is important and deliver training on concepts such as OWASP and Defence in Depth
Technical Leadership
  • Demonstrates ability to lead teams toward improved practices using mentoring, team upskilling, and agile techniques.
  • Enhance throughput and visibility of delivered value through effective leadership and ability to present to any audience.
Devops Engineer
  • Combining expertise in both IT and Development enhances collaboration between these teams, leading to the delivery of more streamlined and efficient software solutions.
  • Leverages scripting, version control, Infrastructure as Code (IAC), and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) methodologies to automate the creation of artifacts, as well as infrastructure and software deployments.
Full Stack Developer
  • Modernize codebases and deliver high-quality features using .NET, React, and SQL.
  • Prioritize testable code for ensuring code quality.

Experiences

Azure Architect - Contractor

Sept 2021 - Present
Big White Solutions
  • Own and operate a self-owned business, delivering high-quality projects for diverse clientele.
  • Spearheaded the architecture and implementation of a highly available vouchering platform in Azure for one of the largest retail companies in South Africa.
  • Successfully led a project to modernize a .Net software development team using Azure Devops, dotnet core and Azure, resulting in accelerated feature delivery and enhanced visibility into their work.
  • Successfully executed multiple projects to implement Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) using Azure Devops/Github Actions, Infrastructure as Code (IAC) using Bicep/Terraform, and DevSecOps practices using Owasp, Synk, Dependabot and Qualys Tools for existing software, ensuring seamless and painless deployments.
  • Collaborated with a client in the compliance sector to assess and enhance the security of their application, facilitating a smooth migration to the Azure platform.
  • Partnered with a client in the recruiting industry to modernize, optimize performance, and migrate their flagship .Net product to Azure.
  • Collaborated with a client in the healthcare domain to integrate multiple Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, significantly improving workplace efficiency.

Solutions Architect

Mar 2017 - Jan 2022
FISCAL Technologies
  • Led architecture design for FISCAL’s next-generation platform using both cloud native and AKS products on Azure, .
  • Managed a team of Software and DevOps engineers, transitioning to an agile work methodology.
  • Conducted bi-weekly business meetings to showcase new features and changes.

Software Developer

Aug 2014 - Mar 2017
FISCAL Technologies
  • Enhanced APForensics, the company’s financial software, by migrating from Webforms to MVC.
  • Achieved cost savings through improved service utilization and enhanced relationships.

IT Manager

Jan 2012 - Sept 2014
FISCAL Technologies
  • Transformed on-premise software into a cloud-hosted solution.
  • Managed on-premise estate, upgraded servers, and facilitated cloud migrations.
  • Enabled remote work and introduced self-service applications.

IT Manager

July 2008 - Jan 2012
Koios Group
  • Managed on-premise estate, including infrastructure connected to the defense sector.
  • Contributed to the delivery of a SharePoint environment for use within the defense sector.

Certifications

Implement security through a pipeline using Azure DevOps

2023
Microsoft (6E169D948A6304B6)
  • Configure secure access to pipeline resources
  • Configure and validate permissions
  • Configure a project and repository structure to support secure pipelines
  • Extend a pipeline to use multiple templates
  • Manage identity for projects, pipelines, and agents

Community Contributions

.NET Thames Valley Meetup - Co-Organiser - Provides a platform for the developer community to exchange ideas and keep up to date with the latest movements and shifts in software development.
Zip Captions - Zip Captions provides an easy to use live captions experience which lives right inside your browser
Nukeeper - Automagically update NuGet packages in all .NET projects.