Chris Cooke

- Anonymous

Work History

Solutions Architect, Experian Ltd     2019 - Present

Creation of technical designs (high and Low level) for the migration of current services into the cloud (Azure) and converged infrastructure

Provide highest level technical support and advise for the design and migration of services in the Cloud and on converged architecture

Produce detailed component specifications and translates these into detailed designs

Ensure all Architecture documents for projects that are assigned are reviewed and approved to the appropriate standard

Create technical documentation for both high- and low-level designs

Create application and Service Migration plans for complex multi-tier services

Cloud Engineering Leader, Barry-Wehmiller   2018 - 2019 

Responsible for the management of the global Azure and server estate within Barry Wehmiller This includes the day to day management of a team consisting of 14 Members

Creation and review of technical designs (high and Low level) for the migration of current services into the cloud

Responsible for the Global management of all servers and storage (Cloud, Virtualised and physical) Identify cost savings across the IT infrastructure and management budget ensuring TCO for all systems is fully understood and represents best value

Scrutinise and identify any risks from business as usual and project changes within the environment and implement strategies to minimise potential impact.

Management and point of escalation for critical service issues affecting systems both on premise and in the cloud.

Senior IT Manager at Royal Mail Group    2014 - 2018

Responsible for the management of the entire Microsoft server estate within the Royal mail group. This includes the day to day management of a small team of senior engneers supporting a wide variety of Microsoft technologies including Windows,Clouad,  database and virtualisation technologies.

Management of multiple external vendors, Including Microsoft, ATOS Computacenter, and HCL in the support and maintenance of critical business systems.

Review infrastructure solutions to ensure they meet business requirements and are consistent with the technology roadmaps and strategy.

Lead incident resolutiont during critical business  incidents providing highest level technical knowledge and  hands on when required.

Work directly with third party providers to create and execute the infrastructure roadmap to meet future business forecasts.

Scrutinise and identify any risks from business as usual and project changes within the environment and implement strategies to minimise potential impact.

Work with the relevant teams and business partners to deliver detailed designs utilising the most appropriate technologies.

Manage the Microsoft roadmap working directly with relevant external suppliers to maintain reliable supported services.

Oversee team scheduling and workload management.

IT Manager / Team leader at Experian    2010 - 2014 

Led a team in the integration of European data centres into the UK data centre. This involved visiting  sites  throughout Europe working with the management and engineers in a matrix management style to devise the best plan for integrating the systems. Then creating the high and low level design and leading the  team in the delivery of that plan.

Led the design and implementation of major information technology infrastructure projects working across global teams.

Led  the globalisation of server security patching, this involves working with experts in Asia Pacific and the United States to agree the technical method and processes to allow a single global patching methodology. Then overseeing and actively being involved in the technical rollout.

Lead engineer and oversight of major UK and global projects this involved leading virtual teams spread across the UK and Chile.

Led the strategic client service improvement plan for client infrastructure. This involved leading a virtual team of subject matter experts to understand and document the strategic client services and the issues affecting those services. Then leading the engineer in resolving the critical issues.

Global responsibility for the server roadmap.  Created a system whereby server replacement budget is calculated for the global server estate. A process that is fully automated reducing the time to complete from over a week to less than two hours.

Engineer / Lead Engineer at Experian    1999 - 2010 

Lead and Design Engineer for major UK projects and rollouts including the design and rollout of Microsoft, Citrix and VMWare  systems.

Lead engineer in the Support and maintenance of over 2000 windows and 1000 UNIX servers.

Level 3 on call support for both internal and client systems (NT, 2003, 2008 and UNIX).

IT Trainer / Tank Commander serving with British Army    1984 - 1999 

An experienced and decorated military veteran.

My peace time role involved

Man management of the troops under my control (teams of up to 12).

Ensuring the teams training and career requirements are met.

Ensuring the vehicles (challenger 1 Tanks) were maintained.

Maintaining and manging the squadrons IT and training  function.

My war time role  (service in the Gulf War, Bosnia and UN tours)

Command of Military vehicles.

Command of a troop of soldiers in the execution of military operations.