Steve Shallcross
Azure Technical Architect at Avanade
Newton-Le-Willows, England
Overview
Work Experience
Software Engineer Lead / Tech Lead
2025 - Current
Act as technical leader overseeing and implementing new features and functionality as well as changes and improvements to existing services. Provide expertise to solve complex technical issues and guidance on the best approaches and technologies to use. Contribute to long-term technology strategy, capability runway and feature roadmaps, evaluating and recommending new tooling, technologies, and practices. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of emerging and degrading technologies in a rapidly evolving environment.
Azure Specialist
2024 - 2024
Short term freelance engagement advising on API integration. Azure Consulting.
Azure Technical Architect
2023 - 2024
• Designed and implemented Azure solutions for clients, specializing in on-prem to Azure migrations • Collaborated with clients to gather functional and non-functional requirements, ensuring successful project outcomes • Leveraged expertise in cloud engineering to optimize client infrastructure and enhance operational efficiency On-prem code rearchitecture • Client had a legacy VM based python function which interacted with RabbitMQ • I delivered a solution which replicated the functionality using Azure technologies • Code migrated to Azure Functions C# • Queue functionality replaced with Azure ServiceBus • Solution provided the same functionality while meeting their new technical roadmap Hardened Image solution • Gathered requirements from the client, along with restrictions unique to their Landing Zone • Produced a proposal with two options, then a High Level Design of the chosen solution • Produced a proof of concept Azure DevOps pipeline to orchestrate Azure Image Builder (packer) to create virtual machines images which were then hardened to CIS Level 1 benchmarks using Ansible. The images were made available for consumption via the Azure Compute Gallery On-prem migration • Working a large scale project to migrate 200+ VM servers to Azure • Wrote Linux bash scripts to gather metrics such as memory usage and CPU load which were then used with Azure Migrate to provision target resources
Azure Architect
2023 - 2023
Working in the Application Modernisation team. Working with clients to assess existing on-prem applications and databases, then designing Re-Platform and Re-Architect solutions for migration to the Azure cloud.
CTO / Digital Transformation Lead
2021 - 2023
Leading the Digital Strategy and Transformation of Deepbridge. Reporting exclusively to the managing partner, leading the internal project team and directing external service providers. Key responsibilities • Digital Transformation and Strategic Planning / Roadmap • Design and implement the cloud & IT architecture for on premises to Azure cloud migration • Create API's for data sharing using C# .NET • Analysis and change of existing business processes to drive efficiency and allow scalability • Cyber Security & Disaster Recovery • IT governance and risk management • Champion the benefits of transformation to non-technical colleagues (including C-Suite / Partners) • Team leadership & mentoring • Budget management and cost optimization • 3rd party provider / vendor relationships, service management, and contract negotiation • Adhere to FCA regulatory requirements by working closely with the Compliance Officer Key achievement/projects • Reduced costs, mitigated security risks, and increased availability by migrating file share store from on premises server to the cloud (SharePoint / OneDrive) • Implemented a Dynamics365 migration / consolidation of legacy disconnected marketing & sales systems • Reduced costs and improved turnaround speed with the back-end software vendor by implementing robust design & development specifications with repeatable testing regimes • Reduced costs for portfolio companies by sourcing complimentary cloud resource packages • Sourced and implemented recommendations from a cyber security partner • Due to the sensitive nature of cyber, only limited details can be discussed at interview • Implemented and championed use of the Agile methodology across the business
Innovation Lead
2020 - 2020
Following the merger of AFIN Technologies with a significantly larger USA based company, I took on the role of product innovation. This involved research and development of new product features, prototyping, and creating MVP's.
CTO / Lead Software Development Engineer
2015 - 2020
Scaling a UK start-up from MVP to a merger with an established US company. Initially fully hands on, I combined the strategic CTO role with architecture design, programming, database admin and DevOps while I built a rounded team. Responsible for the creation and implementation of AFIN’s two products, SurveyMe and Buxbo, along with the whole IT estate of the company. Reporting directly to the CEO. See Projects section for details of SurveyMe & Buxbo. Key responsibilities • Scalable global cloud architecture, security, and disaster recovery of external products and internal systems • Showcasing the Survey product at the CinemaCon trade show in Las Vegas, USA (2017, 2018) • Presentations to AFIN venture capital investors and potential customers • Working closely with marketing and other departments on deliverables • Budget management, vendor relationships, all internal IT systems (Microsoft / Office 365) • Prototypes of new product concepts Skills / technologies • Azure cloud architecture o Azure SQL Database with failover o WebApp / APIApp services – multi region redundancy o Azure DevOps - Boards and build / test / deployment pipelines o Virtual Machines o Traffic Management o Storage – BLOB and queues • AgilePM, C# .NET API, Unit & UI Tests, ASP.NET, Angular, Ionic, Xamarin, iOS, Android, Microsoft365, Slack
Senior Web Developer
2012 - 2015
Developing large scale web based sports performance management system for major football and rugby clubs hosted on Windows Azure - 6 renewals - ASP C# .NET 4 / SQL Server 2008 R2, 2012 & 2014 / Windows Azure platform - HTML, jQuery, CSS, Javascript, Web Services (asmx, WCF) - NUnit testing, MVC pattern, Agile development process, GIT, SVN
Device Driver Developer
2011 - 2012
.NET & VB6 driver development for industrial printers. - 3 renewals - Development of software drivers for industrial printers - Establish 2 way communication between devices - Translate XML files containing print layouts into native commands - Working alongside international partners of AutoCoding during development of new drivers
Programmer
2010 - 2011
- 2 renewals - Development and re-development of existing warehouse and logistics system written in C# Winforms - Working with business specialists to create and implement functional specifications - Converted existing .Net 2 / MSDE solution to .Net 4 / SQL Server 2008 - Rework of parts of the application to take advantage of the .Net 4 framework - use of WPF to provide better visual feedback to operators - Tuning and optimisation of the upgraded database to improve efficiency and application response - Reporting using Crystal Reports with a Visual Basic test application to simulate data - Changes to existing ASP.Net Forms to reflect new business practices
Programmer
2009 - 2010
- 2 renewals - Visual C# & Visual Basic .NET - Winforms; ASP.NET - SQL Server - Visual Basic 6 - XML Imports and Exports - Development and support of business systems for the financial sector - Adaptation of existing software for a new client - 80-20 split between adding new functionality, and converting existing Visual Basic 6 code to the .NET framework - Working with the in house business analyst to produce functional specifications - Working directly with their clients to fine tune the application to their requirements
Education
BTEC HND Computer Studies
1995 - 1997
BTEC ND Computer Studies
1993 - 1995
MSc Digital and Technology Solutions
2019 - 2019
Master's Degree
2014 - 2014
High School
1988 - 1993