Infrastructure Architecture
- Enterprise infrastructure design
- Hybrid cloud architecture
- Windows Server, Linux and virtualisation
- Infrastructure strategy and technical roadmaps
Independent IT Infrastructure Architect & Technical Lead
Infrastructure Architecture. Clear Thinking. Reliable Delivery.
Independent infrastructure architecture and technical consultancy for organisations navigating complex IT change.
From enterprise infrastructure and cloud migration to workplace transformation, identity and security, I help turn challenging technical requirements into practical solutions.
Turning complex infrastructure challenges into clear, secure and deliverable solutions.
Services
Five areas of practice
I help organisations design, modernise and migrate complex IT environments. The work stays practical: architecture, delivery leadership and hands-on problem-solving from initial design through to implementation.
Migration & Transformation
- Server and application migrations
- Domain and Active Directory migrations
- File services and DFS migrations
- Enterprise infrastructure modernisation
- Migration planning, risk management and cutover
Workplace & End User Computing
- Citrix and virtual desktop infrastructure
- Hyper-V and VMware
- Application delivery
- Enterprise device and workplace transformation
- Specialist and regulated laboratory environments
Identity & Security
- Active Directory and Entra ID
- Identity and privileged access management
- Group Policy and access control
- MFA, RBAC and Zero Trust principles
- Infrastructure hardening and security remediation
AI & Modern Infrastructure
- AI application infrastructure
- Linux and Docker deployments
- RAG and vector database infrastructure
- API services and containerised applications
- AI-assisted software development and automation
Experience
Results from delivery
Selected outcomes from infrastructure programmes. The migration and recovery figures open the project notes below.
250
servers
Led an infrastructure migration and upgrade programme from VMware to AWS for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Council.
View the project99%
seamless migrations
Delivered a 99% seamless migration record across a large and varied server estate.
View the project500%
performance improvement
Improved application response time by 500% through infrastructure diagnosis and optimisation on a Cambs/Beds Fire project.
View selected work3
Citrix farms rebuilt
Rebuilt three Citrix farms following a multi-site disaster at a pharmaceutical organisation, helping restore departmental services within two days.
View the project
Selected work
Selected project experience
The challenge, the role, and the technical contribution. The current engagement is anonymised.
Enterprise Infrastructure Migration — Local Government
Led infrastructure delivery for a programme covering approximately 250 servers, migrating infrastructure from VMware to AWS.
- Migration planning and architecture
- Core Microsoft infrastructure services
- Domain controller and file server migrations
- Coordination of engineers, application owners and suppliers
- 99% seamless migration record
Regulated Pharmaceutical Infrastructure
Technical leadership across secure VDI and application infrastructure in regulated pharmaceutical environments.
- Citrix, VMware, Nutanix and NetScaler
- Okta MFA integration
- Business-critical application delivery
- Controlled change within regulated laboratory environments
Infrastructure Recovery & Citrix Transformation
Rebuilt three Citrix farms following a multi-site disaster.
- Infrastructure recovery and restoration
- Citrix farm rebuilds
- NetScaler high availability
- Application and user migration
- Restoration of departmental services within two days
Current Workplace Transformation Engagement
Currently working as an Infrastructure Lead / Technical Architect on an enterprise device migration and workplace transformation programme within a regulated pharmaceutical GMP environment.
- Architecture responsibilities span infrastructure, end-user computing, identity, network and security
- Specialist laboratory PCs connected to scientific equipment
How I work
From the problem to a stable handover
I take practical ownership of the work, stay close to the people doing it, and keep the plan understandable for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
1
Understand
Establish the business requirements, technical environment and constraints.
2
Assess
Identify dependencies, risks, gaps and opportunities.
3
Design
Produce practical architecture and migration designs.
4
Deliver
Coordinate implementation, testing and controlled change.
5
Support
Ensure a stable transition and clear operational handover.
About
Experienced in infrastructure. Curious about what comes next.
I am Mark Austin, an Independent IT Infrastructure Architect & Technical Lead. I deliver infrastructure design, migration and transformation projects across enterprise, public-sector and regulated environments.
My background combines deep technical experience with the ability to understand complex application dependencies, coordinate delivery teams and translate technical architecture into practical outcomes.
More recently, I have expanded into AI infrastructure and modern application development, building and deploying containerised AI solutions and exploring how AI can improve the way software is designed and delivered.
I enjoy understanding difficult problems, finding practical solutions and taking ownership of delivery.
Live project
Putting AI Engineering into Practice
Curitopia is an AI-powered curiosity and exploration application, designed, developed and deployed as a live product.
It demonstrates practical experience across modern web development, AI integration, application architecture, authentication, persistence, cloud deployment and user experience design.
Explore CuritopiaHave a complex infrastructure challenge?
Whether you need architecture expertise, technical leadership or hands-on delivery support, I'd welcome a conversation.
Discuss a Project