While maintaining my Chief Software Architect function, built a new research and innovation team with a focus on machine learning and data science. Given the vast amount of data associated with 5g, the Edge team uses machine learning algorithms and data science techniques to intelligently detect anomalies, predict failures, automate feedback loops and much more. Several research projects graduated into successful EXFO products.

Joined EXFO as Chief Software Architect, a new position to provide a level of senior technical leadership to the executive team not previously present at the company. Ultimate responsibility for global leadership of software architecture and technology decisions across all major product lines. Brought in to leverage my experience in extreme-performance big data systems and cloud to address the challenges of 4g/5g service assurance, analytics and monitoring. EXFO systems process petabytes of data per day for the worlds largest telecom companies. Led the transformation from the traditional software stack towards cloud based, elastic, highly scalable and secure solutions.Built the Cloud Native Foundations team from the ground up, responsible for the core cloud native platform that forms the basis of all EXFO cloud native applications. Also responsible for the integrated, cloud based, DevSecOps toolchain that is used by all product development teams for software development, delivery and life-cycle management.Tech stack: Kubernetes, AWS/Azure, Terraform, GitOps, Elastic, Druid, SparkAlso leading the corporate Innovation Council, responsible for our annual innovation activities including the very successful Innovation Summit (see link).

Role expanded to cover integration with Paddy Power following the €8bn merger of the Betfair with Paddy Power. Flutter is now the parent group of Paddy Power Betfair and includes US brands such as PokersStars and FanDuel.

Responsible for data and database architecture across Betfair globally (UK, EMEA, US and Australia). This includes defining Betfair's strategy on Big Data, data in the Cloud and next generation business intelligence platform. Also owner of Technology roadmap; Architecture Principles; Reference Architecture and Architecture Patterns/Frameworks.Led the architecture transition from large scale traditional on-prem to more contemporary technology in the cloud - using technologies including Amazon AWS EMR, Kafka, Redshift, S3, Talend and Spark.Led the Big Data Committee which assessed and approved the use of Big Data technologies across Betfair.

Responsible for global information architecture and establishment of Enterprise Architecture function. Also contributed to Continuous Integration and Continuous Development strategies.Achievements include the re-architecture of the core betting platform (Exchange Transaction Engine) that routinely processes more transactions per day than all the European stock markets combined. Also rated by Oracle as one of the top 3 OLTP databases in the world. Moved the platform from a request response architecture to queuing event driven architecture, which resulted in an order of magnitude scalability improvement.Set out guidelines and practices for all database development, which involved creating radical approaches and techniques needed within highly OLTP, strictly 24x7 environments.

One of the original engineering team that contributed to the rapid growth and success of Betfair.com – from 60 person startup and $5-10m revenue, through Europe’s biggest .com IPO (at the time) to 7000 employees across the world, over $1bn in revenues and a listed FTSE 100 company.Brought into the Betfair team to provide strong Oracle skills, especially in the areas of database software performance tuning and scalability. Early challenges include a re-write of the funds settlement software to provide real-time movement of money for won and lost wagers.

Several project and technical lead positions leading teams of 4 – 20 consultants across various industries including eCommerce, Government Defence, Telecoms, Utilities and Media. Clients included UK Ministry of Defence, Marconi, British Nuclear Fuels, Open Interactive TV, National Power. Also staff managed 12 consultants.