Architecture & modernisation
A clear direction for complex systems. Evolve established platforms, define service boundaries and make the trade-offs explicit.
PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT · UNITED KINGDOM
Clear thinking.
Lasting architecture.
I help engineering teams modernise complex SaaS platforms and turn technical direction into software that delivers.
13+ years connecting architecture, hands-on engineering and technical leadership. I take ownership of what matters and see it through, from the first decision to systems the team can run and evolve.
Based in the UK · Contract & consulting enquiries
SecurityObservabilityDelivery
EXPERIENCE,
IN CONTEXT
IN CONTEXT
13+
Years in software engineering
2 million+
Monthly users of live platform services
£25m+
Annual recurring revenue across the portfolio
01 / SELECTED WORK
Decisions that made
a difference.
01
SAAS MODERNISATION
Modernising an established SaaS platform
Working with product and engineering teams to evolve a legacy platform and deliver shared reporting, integration and identity services.
SaaS architectureAzure.NETIdentity
2 million+ monthly usersExplore the work
02
FINOPS, CLOUD & OPERATIONS
FinOps and more resilient cloud operations
Working across engineering and operations to reduce Azure costs, shorten provisioning and improve service recovery.
FinOpsMicrosoft AzureObservability
From days to hoursExplore the work
03
ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP
Engineering practices that teams can build on
Supporting an international engineering organisation with shared standards, secure delivery and clearer production ownership.
Technical leadershipSDLCSecure delivery
£25m+ ARR portfolioExplore the work
02 / HOW I CAN HELP
From system design.
Through to delivery & beyond.
Focused architectural support, an embedded contract role or technical leadership for the work ahead.
Cloud & operational resilience
Systems that make sense in production. Bring cost, security, observability and recovery into the architectural decisions.
Technical leadership
Connect technical direction to delivery. Support engineers, establish useful standards and help teams make better decisions.
03 / EXPERIENCE
Built on
experience.
From writing the software to shaping the systems and leading the teams behind it.
Get the full CV2025 — 2026
Senior Manager, Engineering
IRIS Software Group
Led internationally distributed engineering teams across an education software portfolio generating £25m+ in annual recurring revenue. Connected architecture, delivery, security and production ownership.
2020 — 2025
Senior Architect
IRIS Software Group
Shaped architecture across three products, owning modernisation planning and technical roadmaps while working with developers from early options through implementation.
2016 — 2020
Senior Software Engineer
iSAMS
2014 — 2016
Software Development Team Lead
PJA Group
2013 — 2014
.NET Analyst & Developer
Simpson Group
04 / A LITTLE ABOUT ME
An engineer’s curiosity.
An architect’s perspective.
I’m Adam, a UK-based Principal Architect. My career has taken me from .NET development through cross-product architecture to leading a large-scale, distributed engineering organisation.
I care about decisions that hold up beyond the design review: what they mean for the engineers building the system, the people using it and the teams operating it.
Award-winning engineering leadership
4× Top Talent Awards · Platinum recognition
Made in the United Kingdom
Computer Science · First Class HonoursMicrosoft DevOps Engineer Expert · Awarded 2023
05 / START A CONVERSATION
Complex platform? Not a problem.
Let’s find a way forward together.
Looking for a contract architect, a fresh perspective on your platform or technical leadership? Tell me what you’re working on.
adam@riddick.dev