Cloud Administrator and IT Infrastructure Engineer. Currently building and managing cloud environments at RealVNC, with deep experience across Microsoft 365, VMware ESXi, and modern infrastructure platforms.
About
Michael
I am an infrastructure and cloud-focused IT professional who is genuinely enthusiastic about computers, networking, and the platforms that keep organisations running. I started my journey in 2013 as an IT Technician and have since worked across MSPs, charities, housing, and manufacturing, delivering everything from day-to-day support to large infrastructure and modern workplace projects.
Currently Cloud Administrator at RealVNC, managing and optimising cloud environments. I am very hands-on with core infrastructure such as Windows Server, Active Directory, VMware, storage, and networking, while also being highly experienced with Microsoft 365, Entra ID, and Intune.
Outside of work, I run my own 5-node VMware ESXi cluster at home (with a 28U rack) for lab, testing, and learning. I also produce electronic music and DJ under the tech-themed alias PETABYTE.
Core
Technical Skills
Infra
Foundational services for secure, stable, and scalable environments.
& Endpoint
Modern workplace, identity, and device management at scale.
Networking
Platforms and tooling used to operate and monitor infrastructure estates.
Professional
Journey
- Manage and administer cloud-based environments and infrastructure.
- Implement automation and optimise cloud workloads for scalability and security.
- Ensure high availability and robust performance for remote access platforms.
- Delivered level 3 support and end-to-end operations for a multi-site hybrid estate, owning on-premises AD, DNS, DHCP, DFS, and key cloud services.
- Managed Microsoft 365, Azure AD / Entra ID, Intune and associated security and identity workloads.
- Administered VMware vSphere and vCenter and SAN storage for performance, capacity, and resilience.
- Supported LAN, WAN, WLAN, VPNs, firewalls, Citrix Virtual Apps, and 3CX telephony.
- Drove robust backup, monitoring, and documentation processes to achieve low recovery times.
- Supported IT services for 1,500+ users across multiple domains and sites, acting as escalation point.
- Delivered Citrix Cloud VDI (DaaS, ADM, WEM) projects and supported VMware Horizon VDI platforms.
- Implemented and maintained Veeam Backup and Replication, regularly testing recoveries.
- Rolled out Microsoft Endpoint Manager (Intune) including Autopilot, Win32 app packaging, and compliance policies.
- Worked with Datto RMM, Azure Arc, DUO MFA, and Cisco Umbrella to secure and manage the estate.
- Supported more than 2,000 users across 80+ sites in a small team (1st–3rd line).
- Worked extensively with UniFi and EdgeMAX networking, 3CX telephony, and Samsung Knox.
- Led two major projects: a full phone system upgrade and a network refresh across multiple locations.
- Resolve IT Solutions — Technical Account Manager for MSP clients (Azure, O365, SonicWall).
- Capita ITS — Service Desk Analyst supporting 6,000+ users (Citrix, App-V).
- Dixons Carphone — Build/Deployment Engineer for 1,100+ stores (Android/Tablet).
- Various 1st/2nd line roles at Arnold Laver, Computacenter, GRSA Glazing, and more.
Selected
Projects
Delivered Citrix Cloud VDI services to modernise user access and simplify central management across a large multi-site organisation with 1,500+ users.
- Design and rollout of Citrix DaaS, ADM, and WEM.
- Improved user experience and logon times via policy tuning.
- Created comprehensive knowledge base articles for support teams.
Delivered a Microsoft Endpoint Manager rollout covering Autopilot, Win32 app packaging, and compliance policies from the ground up.
- Built Autopilot profiles for zero-touch Windows 10/11 provisioning.
- Packaged Win32 apps and configured compliance baselines.
- Improved device visibility, security posture, and reporting.
Led two major infrastructure projects to refresh network and telephony infrastructure across a large multi-site charity with 80+ locations.
- Full network refresh using Ubiquiti UniFi & EdgeMAX.
- 3CX phone system upgrade across 80+ sites.
- Minimised downtime through careful stakeholder management.
Built a dedicated home lab and PowerShell automation library to test ideas safely and build repeatable, production-ready processes.
- 5-node VMware ESXi cluster with multiple test domains in a 28U rack.
- Used for OS upgrades, Intune policy testing, and backup validation.
- PowerShell automation library for user, group, and provisioning tasks.
Education &
Training
-
3AAA ApprenticeshipsJan 2014 – Apr 2015BTEC L3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT
BTEC L3 Extended Diploma in ICT Systems -
Forge Valley Sixth FormSep 2012 – Jul 2013BTEC L3 Certificate in IT (Merit)
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Myers Grove SchoolSep 2007 – Jul 201221.5 GCSEs A–C including Maths, English & ICT
Ongoing self-study covering Azure fundamentals, M365, Intune, and security features.
Hands-on lab work with VMware, Windows Server, Linux, PowerShell, and Ansible/Terraform.
Exploring certification paths aligned to current role: Azure, M365, and VMware tracks.