CV

Profile

IT Systems Engineer with 15+ years’ experience across public, private, and charity sectors. Skilled in cloud engineering, automation, and application development with expertise in AWS, Terraform, Docker, and Python (Django). Track record in designing secure cloud & hybrid infrastructures, automating workflows via API integrations and scripting, and building web apps to extend business processes. Strong background in network design, Microsoft 365/Entra ID, Intune, and IT operations, delivering complex projects under tight deadlines and aligning technology to organisational goals.

Skills

  • Cloud: AWS, Azure
  • Automation & IaC: Terraform, GitHub Actions, n8n
  • Programming: Python, Bash, PowerShell
  • Containers & CI/CD: Docker, Git, GitHub, Jenkins
  • Infra & Networking: Windows Server, Ubuntu, AD, DNS, DHCP, RADIUS, VPN
  • Productivity & Admin: Microsoft 365, Intune, Zoom Phone, SharePoint

Employment History

IT & Systems Manager

Edinburgh International Book Festival - 2023-Present, Edinburgh, UK

  • Own IT systems, cloud infrastructure, and network security across the organisation.
  • Administer Microsoft 365 & Azure: MFA, Intune MDM/MAM, Entra ID/Connect, conditional access, compliance & security baselines.
  • Manage and maintain Active Directory, including Group Policy configuration and user and access management.
  • Design secure hybrid-working solutions for BYOD and managed devices.
  • Build & maintain integrations between Artifax Event API and Django services; automate personalised mailings (event summaries, publicist details, sponsor credits) using Python, Artifax API, Microsoft Graph, ReportLab.
  • Migrate legacy on-prem systems to modern SaaS platforms, reducing technical debt and improving scalability.
  • Administer enterprise networking for festival operations (DHCP, DNS, NTP, VLANs, RADIUS for staff & guest networks).
  • Introduce logging & monitoring to improve incident detection and response.
IT & Systems Officer

Edinburgh International Book Festival - 2017-2023, Edinburgh, UK

  • Led migration to Microsoft 365 & Azure (Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, Intune).
  • Designed & deployed temporary secure festival networks (routers, switches, firewalls, wireless controllers) supporting thousands daily.
  • Developed internal Django apps (event scheduling, guest management, accommodation) integrating via REST APIs.
  • Migrated databases to a Docker-based NAS, improving scalability, backup, and recovery.
  • Provided L2/L3 support across mixed environments and automated repetitive tasks with Python & PowerShell.
IT Support Analyst (DV Cleared)

GCHQ - 2014-2017, Cheltenham, UK

  • Delivered Tier 1–3 support in a classified environment with strict security and incident procedures.
  • Built automation in Python & PowerShell for provisioning, access control, and reporting.
  • Authored training & documentation to improve adoption and reduce support load.
IT Support Engineer

Zonal Retail Data Systems - 2013-2014, Edinburgh, UK

  • Provided initial and technical responses to client faults and usability issues.
  • Prioritised workloads and resolution paths based on severity and SLAs.
IT Engineer

Engaging IT Ltd - 2010-2013, Edinburgh, UK

  • Provided technical support across hardware, software and network systems, ensuring minimal downtime.
  • Administered user accounts, permissions and security policies within Active Directory in Windows Server 2008 environments

Projects

Automated CI/CD Pipeline for Web App

Tech: AWS (ASG, ALB, RDS Multi-AZ, CloudWatch), Terraform, Docker, Jenkins

Designed and implemented a highly-available, IaC-driven platform with blue-green deployments, integrated monitoring, and secure build/release workflows.

Medication Reminder App

Tech: AWS Lambda, DynamoDB, SNS, API Gateway, Django

Built a serverless medication reminder system using AWS Lambda and DynamoDB to schedule and trigger medication alerts. Integrated Amazon SNS to deliver real-time SMS notifications to users. Currently devleoping a Django frontend to enable user registration, profile management and scheduling.

Home Lab

Focus: Networking, security, virtualisation, zero-trust remote access

  • OPNsense firewall; multiple VLANs incl. isolated IoT segments.
  • Proxmox hypervisor hosting Ubuntu services (incl. BIND DNS for internal resolution and reliability).
  • Centralised auth & RADIUS for Wi-Fi; Twingate for secure remote access.

Education

BEng Computer Systems & Networks — Edinburgh Napier University