Data Architect Skills and Expertise

Data Architect Consultant

Chris provides highly experienced, skilled, and certified Microsoft/IBM business intelligence data. He is a data architect, administrator and developer certified by both Microsoft and IBM.

He has extensive involvement in a range of business intelligence and database projects, beginning with assessing a project’s feasibility, continuing with its implementation as organisations begin to put his strategies into practice, organising the project’s ongoing administration and identifying performance tuning strategies that can be put into place to ensure the project remains at peak efficiency.

Chris undertakes the project management of the whole process, works with the organisation to get every stakeholder engaged with the project; onboard with the direction the company is going in and informed as the process unfolds around them.

He also provides technical support for the staff who will need to maintain the new systems ongoing, he provides support in the background for those instances where it may be needed by the organisation and he creates end user training so that the company can be self-sufficient going forward.

​​Chris’ Certifications

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics – Certified 2020

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: BI Reporting – Certified 2020

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate: SQL Server 2012/2014 – Certified 2016

  • Microsoft Certified – Azure Fundamentals

  • Microsoft Certified – Power Platform Fundamentals

  • ​Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist: SQL Server 2008 – Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

  • Microsoft Certified Professional

  • IBM Certified Specialist: Cognos TM1 10.1 Data Analysis

  • IBM Certified Developer: Cognos TM1 10.1

  • IBM Certified Administrator: Cognos TM1 10.1

Certifications, Skills and Expertise
Data Ingestion and Transformation

  • Blending, transforming and cleansing of external and internal datasets to optimal standards; ready for analysis and reporting. 

  • Experience with both ETL and ELT products, tools and processes.

  • Wide portfolio of tools such as Microsoft SSIS, Microsoft Power Query, Azure Data Factory, Power BI Dataflows and TM1 Turbo Integrator.

Data Modelling and Database Design

  • Extensive background in building OLTP, OLAP and tabular model data solutions for high performance and usability.

  • Expert data warehousing knowledge, including dimensional modelling.

  • Broad data know-how of a wide range of data sources and  systems.

  • A Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)  in Data Management and Analytics with many years of database experience, across a multitude of administrative and business intelligence facets.

Analysing and Visualising Data

  • A Microsoft Power BI certified professional with knowledge across a broad range of visualisation tools.

  • Many years experience with reporting tools such as SSRS and paginated reports. 

  • In depth understanding across the Power BI ecosystem, including all the latest features and releases.

  • A Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) in BI Reporting.

  • Working knowledge of Tableau and Qlik Sense visualisation tools.

Case Study A Project for a Large Government Department

The client had an Excel based reporting solution that required a lot of manual data manipulation; downloading data from various data sources. It was a clumsy system that wasted time and resources and didn’t provide the client with the information they needed.

I recommended using Microsoft Power BI as their business intelligence software and Microsoft Azure for cloud services. This would streamline data collection, enable staff to access it more efficiently and provide the company with the information they were interested in having.

As a Data Architect Consultant I designed an automated data load and a cleansing and modelling platform I built in Azure SQL Database and optimised it for querying and reporting purposes.

Then I designed and built Power BI dashboards and reports to show Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and salient metrics in a visually appealing format.

The end to end business intelligence solution that I provided gave the client a data model built against best practices, with insightful and interactive reporting.

What Colleagues and Clients have to say

Chris possesses a broad range of strong technical expertise in the business intelligence sphere, across multitude of platforms, backed by industry recognised certifications. He led a team of business intelligence professionals here at Bespoke, creating customised data solutions for our clients. From garnering client requirements, building data platforms and visualisations, to client engagement, Chris is equally adept at them all. I would have no hesitation in recommending Chris.

~ Sam Bright, Managing Director at Bespoke

I worked with Chris on a number of projects over 3 years. He is very knowledgable in all aspects of BI and Data management. One thing which sets Chris above others i have previously worked alongside is his approachable manner, receptiveness to change and ability to communicate complex strategies across multiple stakeholders to ensure understanding across the board.

~ Paul Hagan, Enabling organisational growth through successful Business Analysis and Change Management.

Chris is very knowledgeable in all areas of SQL server and certainly taught me a lot in my time at park. Equally adept in upgrading and maintaining SQL servers as he is writing and developing SSIS/SSRS packages. I have no hesitation in recommending Chris.

~ David Adlington, Contractor ETL Developer at Survitec Group Ltd

I worked with Chris as part of a two man team maintaining/developing the data warehouse for Park Group. Chris has excellent technical ability and a full understanding of the BI suite. Any project was approached methodically leading to well thought out solutions that drove the business forward. He was an integral part of the team and an asset to the company.

~ David Kinearly, Team Lead - Logistics Data at The Hut Group

Chris is an excellent SQL and BI professional. He has great skills and knowledge in all areas of data management and business intelligence, he was a great asset in my team, Chris always showed a high level of commitment. I would certainly welcome the chance to work with Chris again in the future.

~ Craig Jones, BI Specialist - Data Warehousing

I find Chris to be the most able, and hardworking individual I have had the pleasure of working with. He has an incredible breadth of technical knowhow backed up by a tenacious creativity which ensures any project he oversees is successful. He is a valuable asset to the company and I have no hesitation in recommending him.

~ Tony Morris, Head of Business Intelligence at Appreciate group