London
Role -AI Architect Location- London (2 to 3 days) SUMMARY AI & Cloud Transformation Leader | Integration & Architecture Expert | Trusted Advisor | C- Suite Partner in Regulated Industries Driving enterprise AI adoption, cloud modernisation, and operating-model transformation across Banking, FS, and Fortune-100 scale clients - blending technical depth with board-room influence and execution rigor. AI & Cloud Transformation Leader with 12+ years shaping and delivering enterprise-scale AI, multi- cloud, and integration programmes across regulated financial services and telecoms. Blend deep architecture expertise with hands-on GenAI engineering, enabling secure, high- performance platforms, measurable value, and governed enterprise adoption. Trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, with proven execution across complex migrations, AI enablement, and digital modernisation. Architect and deliver agentic AI systems (LangGraph, LangChain, tool-calling, memory), RAG pipelines, and enterprise ML workloads. Skilled in Azure and AWS AI stacks, Fast API microservices, Kubernetes, and secure vector search patterns. Strong background in FinOps, secure landing zones, and regulated data architectures aligned to FS controls and Responsible AI standards. Have delivered cross-cloud AI patterns across Microsoft Partner ecosystems and interoperable 3Ps wih platform-agnostic vector architectures. Deep expertise in IT architecture, data platforms, and product development, combined with strong influence across ISD and the Microsoft Partner ecosystem. I create clarity in ambiguity - converting executive ambition into structured architecture, adoption, and measurable value help in shaping multi-year transformation portfolios, structuring investment cases, and aligning cross-functional stakeholders in complex matrix environments. Led AI and cloud transformation programs with full P&L accountability, delivering against revenue and margin targets using the Accenture Avanade Microsoft joint playbook. Built and mentored high-performing consulting teams, embedding Microsoft go-to-market frameworks and UKIA delivery standards. Partnered with hyperscaler POV and enterprise leaderships to shape multi-year AI investment portfolios, jointly developing GTM propositions and executive workshops. Developed reusable AI propositions leveraging Microsoft Agent Framework, Semantic Kernel, and Avanade consulting playbooks for rapid practice growth. Embedded UK AI practice within global leadership, driving cross-border collaboration in line with EU AI Act and European GenAI Foundation strategies. Regular contributor to AI leadership content, events and thought leadership, simplifying frontier AI for executive audiences. Core Capabilities Enterprise AI & Architecture Agentic AI, RAG, enterprise ML in regulated FS Azure AI Studio, Azure AI Search, Fabric, Document Intelligence AWS Bedrock & SageMaker pattern experience FastAPI, Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD (ADO/GitHub/GitLab) Secure landing zones, policy-driven cloud governance, FinOps Vector, Data & Integration Azure Vector Search, pgvector, Redis Data fabric, real-time integrations, API-first architecture Model telemetry, audit trails, Purview lineage, encrypted data pipelines Applications for Financial Services, CMT, Hi-Tech, Retail Industries Fraud, risk, AML/KYC, surveillance, credit-adjacent intelligence Evaluation harnesses, prompt libraries, embedding pipelines Stats 60M Digital Transformation Program Led end-to-end architecture and delivery for omni-channel order management, supply chain, and provisioning across retail estate. Automation at Scale Delivered automation for 35 applications across 493 retail stores, improving ROI by 33% and reducing operational overhead. Recognised for bridging strategy, engineering and C-suite advisory - shaping AI operating models, governing enterprise rollouts, and enabling secure adoption at scale. Customer Support Transformation Supported 5,000+ advisors with real-time billing and contact center systems, ensuring resilience and scalability. 20M+ POS Modernization Initiative Directed cross-functional teams and 11 third- party vendors to design and deploy next-gen retail systems for a UK telecom giant. 10-Year Azure Strategic Partnership Program lead for migration and consumption acceleration under Microsoft Vodafone alliance; delivered AI service (SuperAgent) via Azure AI Studio. GitHub Copilot Rollout Across Europe Scaled adoption for 1,000+ developers, boosting productivity and accelerating enterprise AI enablement. M365 Copilot Integration Extended Copilot to Jira, ServiceNow, and Salesforce; automated license allocation and user communication for a Diamond UK client. Data Fabric & Dynamics 365 Deployment Integrated Oracle and SAP systems to enable real-time analytics and AI readiness for enterprise clients. FinOps Governance Framework Defined roles, KPIs, and show-back dashboards for cloud cost optimization across multi-cloud environments. SELECTED WORK EXPERIENCE AI Systems & Platform Architect Directed enterprise-grade GenAI deployments across regulated FS environments, designing agentic architectures, safe-by-design RAG patterns, and M365 Copilot extension frameworks under C-suite sponsorship. Engineered secure, scalable integration across Azure + on-prem/hybrid estates to stabilise and modernise core enterprise systems. Built end-to-end data pipelines across SaaS (e.g., Oracle, Blue Yonder) and Azure-native sources to enable real-time analytics & AI readiness. Embedded CI/CD to accelerate release cycles and improve resilience across HR, Finance and Data/AI services. Drove infrastructure hardening (identity, access, network) and unblocked cross-team dependencies to recover delivery flow. Designed LangGraph-style multi-agent architecture with memory, tool calling, and RAG workflows. Built secure vector pipelines (Azure Vector Search + pgvector patterns) for explainable retrieval. Integrated FastAPI microservices, Docker containers & CI/CD deployment. Embedded audit logging, hallucination gates & FinOps monitoring for compliance adoption. Delivered risk/surveillance automation with human-in-the-loop review and traceable reasoning. Integration Lead, Platform Advisory Acted as strategic advisor to C-suite and CIO leadership, shaping investment decisions, AI risk posture, and adoption pathways. Engineered secure Azure + hybrid integration patterns; embedded CI/CD and policy-as-code across HR, Finance, and Data/AI services to stabilise releases and unblock cross-team dependencies. Orchestrated real-time data pipelines spanning Oracle/Blue Yonder SaaS and Azure-native sources to enable analytics and GenAI readiness. Cross-Cloud FS AI Enablement Led design patterns portable across Azure + AWS Bedrock/SageMaker for regulated workloads. Developed controls for data boundary enforcement & model validation pipelines. GenAI & Cloud Solutions Architect Accelerated AI value from PoC pilot scaled capability, establishing evaluation harnesses, governance guardrails, and adoption telemetry. Designed and deployed Generative AI solutions, guiding Azure OpenAI customisation for domain-specific outcomes and robust evaluation. Led GitHub Copilot enterprise adoption across multiple geographies to uplift developer productivity and code quality. Architected real-time insights flywheels that fed operational decision-making; implemented multi-speed IT architectures for agility at scale. Championed Responsible AI practices (data governance, privacy, ethics) in production rollouts. AI-assisted SDLC pilot: delivered ~50% efficiency in code & unit-test generation, ~42% quality uplift, ~80% unit-test coverage, and ~14% faster speed-to-market for a large enterprise programme. GitHub Copilot at scale: led rollout to 1,000+ developers in Europe; established evaluation/guardrails and adoption playbooks. Designed and deployed agentic/LLM systems on Azure AI Studio/Foundry + Azure OpenAI, with orchestration using Semantic Kernel and (where appropriate) LangChain/AutoGen/CrewAI; implemented Prompt Flow evaluation and human-in-the-loop controls. Azure Business Architect - Strategic Partnership Orchestrated Azure migration/consumption in a long-term strategic context, aligning architecture with commercial outcomes. Delivered an AI "Agents" using Azure AI Studio + Azure OpenAI to assist human agents on complex enquiries. Optimised accelerated computing (CUDA/TensorRT) and container platforms (Kubernetes/Docker) for AI performance and cost control. Built enablement for technical sellers; collaborated with field engineering to tune GPU workloads for production. GenAI Technical Delivery Lead - M365 Copilot Adoption & ROI Measured productivity & adoption: programme telemetry showed ~42 hours per employee per month productivity gains, 61% increase in satisfaction, and skills confidence rising to 81% post-testing; used these to target ROI waves and executive reporting. Extensibility for LoB apps: prioritised and designed low-code connectors to Jira, ServiceNow, Salesforce, with minimal-governance pilots moving into scalable governance and architecture reviews. Extended Copilot to Jira, ServiceNow, Salesforce; automated license allocation and user comms to reduce admin toil. Productionised LLM use-cases with platform and product teams, emphasising safe deployment, telemetry, and measurable outcomes. Partnered closely with Microsoft teams to plan, validate and scale Copilot scenarios across complex organisations. Strategy & Operating Model for Dev Productivity GitHub Focus Led organisational transformation to realise ROI and value at scale from GitHub across partners and enterprises. Established ways of working (governance, measurement, enablement) that unlocked predictable value realisation. Digital & AI Transformation Lead Delivered Dynamics 365 and Data Fabric solutions integrated with Oracle & SAP, coordinating multi-party roadmaps (client hyperscaler partner). Navigated EU/UKI privacy requirements to de-risk data-driven transformation and accelerate adoption. FinOps Programme Lead Built a FinOps operating model and cost transparency: achieved ~85% cost allocation coverage, ~55% reduction in daily monitoring effort, ~10% savings via log optimisation, and identified ~33% savings potential through optimisation tactics. Defined FinOps governance, roles and KPIs; implemented show-back dashboards to align consumption with value. Embedded enterprise-wide change for cost visibility and accountability across business and engineering. Built a FinOps operating model and cost transparency: achieved ~85% cost allocation coverage, ~55% reduction in daily monitoring effort, ~10% savings via log optimisation, and identified ~33% savings potential through optimisation tactics. Digital & AI Transformation Lead Integrated Dynamics 365 + Data Fabric with Oracle & SAP to enable real-time analytics and AI readiness; aligned privacy with Purview and Azure security controls. AI Governance / CoE Contributions (Banking & Capital Markets) Supported enterprise GenAI programmes by accelerating planning/testing and preparing for inspections across 13+ governance forums (Responsible AI, privacy, security, risk). Technical Change Architect Set change acceptance strategy; led mobilisation, capacity/demand and risk management for cloud transformation. Enabled cross-functional delivery through clear governance, communication paths and measurable entry/exit criteria. Enterprise Technical Delivery Manager Delivered automation across 35 applications for 493 retail locations, supporting 5k+ advisors in real-time billing/retail systems. Directed 60m digital transformation (order management, supply chain, omni-channel). Delivered automation across 35 applications / 493 retail locations, improving ROI by +33%; supported 5k+ advisors on real-time billing/contact-centre platforms. Directed 60m omni-channel transformation and 20m+ POS modernisation with 11 partner vendors; embedded functional & non-functional assurance. Achieved 33% ROI improvement through data-driven automation and comprehensive assurance frameworks (functional & non-functional). Managed multi-vendor delivery across OSS/BSS, revenue assurance, fraud and security for Tier-1 environment. TPBN1_UKTJ