HELPING BUSINESSES
ALIGN THEIR VISION
WITH TECHNOLOGY
MATT JAMES • CLOUD SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT
About.
Matt James
Cloud Solutions Architect / Azure Devops Engineer
A highly talented and experienced IT consultant specialising in cloud computing solutions architecture and security.
My career in IT began in 2005 but my interest in technology and computers began at an early age. Born just before the birth of the ARPANET in 1983 which then became the internet and the start of the digital revolution. I started my first IT role when I was near completion of my Microsoft Certified Solutions Engineer qualification in Windows Server 2000 that I self funded while working as a Greenkeeper at my local golf club, East Sussex National. I joined a small IT firm in Horsham, 3aIT where I gained invaluable experience on the helpdesk and soon advanced to visiting client sites in London where I learnt how to resolve IT problems and soon began installing systems into small to medium sized businesses.
I then joined another managed service provider in Tunbridge Wells called Interhost LLP where I spent 7 years homing my skills and worked my way up to a senior level engineer. I gained invaluable experience designing and installing servers, storage, networking into customer sites. I also helped develop and manage a cloud platform called My Easy Office where we offered a full remote solution to customers.
I joined Deloitte in 2015 as an Infrastructure Server Solutions Engineer. I became an SME specialising in virtualisation technology including Hyper V and VMware. My primary responsibilities were managing a Private Cloud system to clients across the firm. I worked with a great team and built up a great network of colleagues within ITS who I have a great relationship with.
I then joined the solutions architecture team to gain further experience working on key projects, developing people management skills and communicating technology to key stakeholders within the business.
My focus now is Cloud, scripting, automation, designing, architecting and building complex infrastructure, hosted on some of the leading cloud providers such as Amazon AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud.
I help organisations bridge the gap between business vision and technical implementation.
I am fully certified in AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Terraform Associate and currently hold the BCS Enterprise and Solution Architecture accreditation.
Personal Facts:
- When I am not working or learning new technology I can be found on the ski slopes during the winter months usually in the French Alps.
- I regularly dance Ceroc and attend social events.
- I like to travel across Europe, America and my favourite country to visit is New Zealand.
- I play golf off a handicap of 18.
- I like to keep fit by going to the gym, running or cycling in the summer.
Work Experience.
Senior Network and Cloud Engineer, Legal & General LGRI.
- Responsible for the design, build and configuration work for Azure projects including greenfield and modernizations, with an emphasis on network & security in addition to CaaS, PaaS & IaaS. Operating in both a hands-on capacity, as well as providing leadership and best practice guidance to our outsourced infrastructure teams and junior colleagues.
Azure Cloud Architect, Cap Gemini UK.
- Provide Azure Cloud expertise as an SME to Cap Gemini’s clients. Help deliver complex systems in the cloud using Infrastructure As Code such as Terraform, Azure Devops and Agile methodologies.
- Provide consultancy services to clients on Azure, Architecture design, migrations and delivery.
- Hold Azure Architect Solution Design Expert certification.
Senior Consultant, Cloud Engineering, Deloitte LLP.
- Building AWS Infrastructure for One Web using Cloud Formation for static website.
- Experience with CI/CD, Jenkins, Infrastructure as Code. Compiling scripts in JSON, YAML and Python.
- Developed and built out Infrastructure on AWS such as EC2, VPC, S3, IAM roles, Lambda Functions using scripts, PowerShell, Terraform, Terragrunt and Cloud Formation.
Solutions Architect, Deloitte LLP.
- Architect and Design AWS environment for Ringtail for Forensics. Setup DNS Load Balancers , ALBs, ELBs, Auto Scaling Groups, WAFs. VPCs, Subnets, Security Groups, NACLs.
- VPN Standardisation, migration from CIsco to F5 solution.
- Design and build web app platform using IIS web farm, SSO, Azure MFA, Azure App Proxy and secure environment.
Infrastructure Server Solutions Engineer, Deloitte LLP.
- Migration of VMware to Hyper V platform using PowerShell scripts and Net App On Command Shift automation tools.
- Managing Hyper V Private Cloud, System Centre Virtual Machine Manager.
- HP Blades, Datacentre management.
- Server upgrades, software upgrades.
Senior Engineer, Select Technology.
- Design, Implement and Manage IT infrastructure for a wide range of clients across the private and public sector, small, medium and large size enterprises as part of a managed provider across the South East and Kent.
Senior Engineer, Interhost LLP.
- Design, deploy and help manage IT systems across a wide range of clients including servers, storage, networking, Microsoft Exchange, Active Directory, Windows Server, Desktop machines, laptops and Office 365.
IT Support Engineer, 3aIT.
- Provide IT support, telephone, remote and onsite support for a wide range of clients.
Skills.
PLAN, ARCHITECT, DELIVER.
Key Skills.
- Solutions Architecture.
- Industry standards, and security best practices.
- SME in Windows Server, Linux, virtualisation and cloud technologies.
- Advanced skills with DevOps continuous and service delivery using tools such as Jenkins, GitHub, Circle CI.
- Strong PowerShell and scripting knowledge.
- AWS/Azure cloud architecture, security, automation and services.
- Knowledge of Express Route, Direct Connect, Site to Site VPNs.
- VPCs, VPC Peering, VPC Gateways, BGP Routing.
- Build out Infrastructure designs using automation tools such as terraform, cloud formation, ARM templates and Ansible.
Clients.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Testamonials
“It has been great working with Matt. He is extremely helpful and knowledgeable. His technical know how and ability has been a real asset to the project.
James Preece, Implementation Manager.
“Matt was assigned to two of the projects that I managed. I was very impressed with Matt coming in to the project at a tough time and needing to pick things up pretty quickly, and understanding the design that was agreed early on. Matt quickly understood the issue and jumped in to find resolutions. Matt worked diligently along with the other technical resources to start putting together the solution design documentation in preparation for Gate 2. Matt is always very keen to help particularly when asked to support/help.”
Chirag Simaria, Project Manager.
