Alex
Baxendale

Principal Solutions Architect

Shaping the technical roadmap for Flutter UKI's largest transformation projects, acting as Lead Architect for a business-critical re-platforming programme migrating core Account, iGaming and Sportsbook pillars to a modernised platform.

• Acting Lead Architect for re-platforming across Account, iGaming and Sportsbook pillars
• Orchestrating full architectural lifecycle — discovery, domain modelling, design and phased migration — for millions of active customers
• Driving technical governance, peer review, and mentorship across cross-functional architect team
• Primary technical bridge between Office of the CTO and regional engineering leads

Senior Solutions Architect

Selected to join a newly formed Focus Tribe to deliver the highest-priority product for the Poker business, with direct responsibility for Data Streams, AWS Core Infrastructure, and Partner Connectivity.

• Defined event streaming architecture using Kafka (AWS MSK) and Apicurio Schema Registry with Protobuf schemas
• Defined cross-programme AWS deployment and operational integration patterns
• Produced secure partner connectivity patterns for CloudWAN and on-premises integrations

Senior Platform Architect

Promoted within the Sports Tribe with broader scope across multiple Architecture governance boards within Flutter International.

• Led AWS account migration into new AWS Organisation including SSO, SOC, and network considerations
• Designed tactical Sportsbook regulator integration across Datacentre and AWS boundaries
• ISO 27001 audit across all environments, identifying gaps and proposing risk-based solutions

Platform Architect

Responsible for cloud platform capability design on the next-generation PokerStars Sports platform, collaborating across Flutter brands including SkyBet, Betfair, PaddyPower, and Fanduel.

• Designed overall AWS network connectivity using Transit Gateway, VPC, and subnet patterns
• Implemented AWS Firewall Manager, Inspector, and Tenable for security compliance
• Led implementation of 2x AWS Outpost Racks within Flutter's private data centres via Direct Connect
• Led first customer migrations onto the new sportsbook platform across ~100 engineers

Cloud Platform Engineer

Founding member of the Cloud Operations team, responsible for all public cloud environments at platform level across AWS.

• Implemented cloud governance guardrails using AWS Config and Organizations SCP policies
• Deployed platform-level services via Infrastructure as Code with Terraform

VMware HCI Specialist

Led the technical implementation of a large-scale Data Centre platform refresh based on VMware Cloud Foundation, including DellEMC VxRail, NSX-T, HCX, vROPs and vSAN.

• Led commissioning of full SDDC stack including Stretched vSAN on DellEMC VxRail
• Defined multi-phase migration strategy covering discovery, placement, wave planning and testing
• Deployed Gemalto KMS cluster with Thales for vSAN encryption

Lead Platform Engineer

• Rapid design and build of vSphere ESXi 6.7 clusters on Cisco UCS hardware
• Windows Server refresh migrating services from unsupported operating systems
• SAN storage migration including Cisco UCS blade infrastructure and LUN zone configuration

Technical Expert — Infrastructure Delivery

Sole Cloud SME and senior member of Core Infrastructure delivery team, with multiple visits to Walmart Cloud teams in the USA.

• Sole Cloud SME — responsible for Azure capacity forecasting and all ASDA cloud deployments
• Designed and built greenfield data centre capabilities across two co-lo environments
• Key contributor to data centre migration programme alongside IBM
• Deployed Azure IaaS/PaaS stack including WebApps, WAF, VM Scale Sets, and PaaS databases

Technical Expert — Infrastructure Operations

• Lead engineer for server and storage operational support across data centres, distribution centres, and stores
• Implemented PRTG, vROps, and PowerShell monitoring for proactive environment management
• Deputised for Operations Technical Team Manager, reporting to Senior Director level

Senior IT Systems Analyst (Technical Lead)

Technical lead for all IT support escalations and project deliverables across critical airport systems requiring 24/7 support cover.

• Owned and developed the entire airport network infrastructure (Nortel/Avaya, Fortigate, Meru WiFi)
• Led VMware vSphere and NetApp FAS storage environment refresh with DR via VMware SRM
• Delivered AODB system refresh on Lockheed Martin platform — critical to all airport operations
• Enforced PCI DSS compliance standards across the estate