Cloud · Network · Code

I design infrastructure
and I build it

15 years across enterprise networking, cloud architecture, and software engineering. Most infrastructure people don't write code. Most developers couldn't design a network. I do both.

Matthew Smith
Scroll
01

Architect,
engineer, builder

I started in enterprise networking and security. Cisco routing and switching, SD WAN, firewalls, ISE, the lot. That turned into designing cloud platforms across Azure, AWS, and GCP: Landing Zones, Virtual WAN, hub and spoke, ExpressRoute, the full stack from governance down to NSG rules.

What makes me different is I also build things. Over the last year I put 1,000+ commits into production repositories in TypeScript, React, Next.js, and Flutter. I write the Terraform, I build the CI/CD pipelines, I ship the code.

I have served as technical design authority on multi million pound transformation programmes and founded a startup from concept to working product. Comfortable presenting to a board or deep in a technical session with engineers.

$ git log --oneline --since="1 year" | wc -l
1,247
$ terraform plan
Plan: 48 to add, 0 to change, 0 to destroy.
$ echo $CLOUD_PLATFORMS
azure aws gcp
$
0
Years in enterprise infrastructure, networking, and cloud
0
Production commits in the last 12 months
0
Cloud platforms: Azure, AWS, GCP
£m+
Transformation programmes as technical design authority
02

Three disciplines,
one engineer

// network

Network and Security Architecture

Deep Cisco background spanning enterprise routing and switching, SD WAN, firewalls, ISE, and Software Defined Access. Designed secure, resilient networks for complex multi site environments.

Cisco SD WANCisco ISEBGPFirewall ArchitectureExpressRouteCCNP Enterprise
// cloud

Cloud Infrastructure

End to end cloud architecture across Azure, AWS, and GCP. From Landing Zones and Virtual WAN to serverless platforms and containerised microservices. Governance, security, and cost optimisation built in from the start.

AzureAWSGCPTerraformLanding ZonesVirtual WAN
// code

Software Engineering

Not just infrastructure as code. Production software development in TypeScript, React, Next.js, and Flutter. CI/CD pipelines, containerised deployments, and RESTful APIs. I write the code that runs on the platforms I design.

TypeScriptReactNext.jsFlutterGitHub ActionsDocker
03

Where I have
made an impact

2020 — 2026
Technical Director
MLR Networks
Responsible for technical strategy and architecture across AWS, Azure, and Cisco platforms. Designed and deployed Azure Virtual WAN environments with SD WAN connectivity, Secured Virtual Hubs, and Cisco Secure Firewall. Built a multi tenant AWS hosting platform on Control Tower that became the reference architecture for managed service delivery. Served as technical design authority on multi million pound transformation programmes.
Azure Virtual WANAWS Control TowerCisco SD WANTerraformGCP
2023 — 2026
Chief Technology Officer and Founder
ArriveConnected · York, UK
Founded and built a guest Wi Fi platform from concept to working product. Designed the entire infrastructure on AWS and GCP using serverless backends, containerised microservices, and Terraform. Over 1,000 commits across production repos. Built the security model, wrote the business plan, and designed the go to market strategy.
AWS LambdaGCP Cloud FunctionsTypeScriptReactNext.jsFlutterTerraform
2013 — 2020
Technical Architect
MLR Networks
Designed and implemented large scale enterprise infrastructure projects across networking, security, virtualisation, and storage. Developed architectural designs and infrastructure blueprints for enterprise customers with high availability and compliance requirements. Presented solution strategy to C level audiences.
Cisco EnterpriseVMwareStorage ArchitectureWindows Server
2010 — 2013
Security and Network Engineer
Imerja / MLR Networks
Operated within a 24/7 security operations environment supporting enterprise networking and security infrastructure. Designed and supported Cisco Unified Communications within managed service environments.
ISOCCisco UCNetwork Security
04

Certifications

AWS
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Dec 2025 — Dec 2028
CCNP
CCNP Enterprise
Jun 2018 — Feb 2027
SDWI
Cisco SD WAN Implementation Specialist
Mar 2023 — Feb 2027
AWS
AWS Agentic AI Demonstrated
Nov 2025
AWS
AWS Serverless Demonstrated
Nov 2025
CCNP
CCNP Routing and Switching
Active

BSc Internet and Network Communications

University of Bolton · 2007 — 2010

First Class Honours

Let's talk

If you are modernising infrastructure, building cloud foundations, or need someone who bridges network architecture and software engineering, I would like to hear from you.

or reach out directly