Chris L.

Global Enterprise Architecture | Technology Leader | IT Strategy & Transformation | Global IT Operations, Cloud, Infrastructure, Networks & Platforms

Greater Edinburgh Area

About

As a results-driven Global Head of Enterprise Infrastructure & Architecture, I specialise in designing and delivering enterprise-scale technology strategies that align with business objectives and enable innovation. With a proven track record in IT strategy, enterprise architecture, infrastructure, networks, cloud, platform engineering, development, and automation, I bridge the gap between business vision and technical execution. I lead globally distributed teams across multiple time zones, fostering collaboration and excellence in complex, fast-paced environments. My approach combines strategic foresight with hands-on technical expertise, ensuring that technology decisions not only solve today’s challenges but also position organisations for long-term success. Passionate about delivering measurable business value, I work closely with executives, stakeholders, and technical teams to drive transformation, improve operational efficiency, and ensure solutions are secure, scalable, and future-ready.

Experience

  • M+C Saatchi Group (London, United Kingdom · Hybrid)
    • Global Head of Enterprise Infrastructure & Architecture
      Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

      - Own the global technology estate end-to-end across infrastructure, architecture, networks, cloud, and core platform strategy, operating as the bridge between technical execution and enterprise direction. - Lead global infrastructure and architecture across multiple regions, covering cloud, networks, identity, security alignment and platforms - Own enterprise technology standards, governance and operating model, ensuring consistency across a complex multi-entity organisation - Drive global transformation initiatives including platform consolidation, identity modernisation, SaaS governance and AI enablement - Accountable for stabilising and standardising a historically fragmented estate, reducing operational risk and improving scalability - Set direction on enterprise architecture, ensuring all technology decisions align to long-term strategy rather than short-term fixes - Worked directly with senior stakeholders to translate business requirements into executable technology roadmaps - Lead and develop a distributed global team, focusing on accountability, delivery consistency and raising the overall technical standards

    • Global Enterprise Architect Lead
      Feb 2024 - Jan 2026 · 2 yrs

      Built and led the enterprise architecture function across a fragmented global technology estate, bringing structure, governance and direction. - Established enterprise architecture standards across infrastructure, networks, cloud, identity, and SaaS platforms, aligning multiple regions and business entities - Defined and governed target state architecture, reducing duplication and driving platform consolidation (M365, Google, SaaS sprawl, legacy estate) - Introduced formal governance around solution design, ensuring consistency, scalability and security across all new initiatives - Led architectural direction for major transformation programmes including cloud adoption, identity modernisation and collaboration platform strategy - Acted as the escalation point for complex cross-domain technical decisions, balancing speed, cost and long-term maintainability - Built credibility for architecture as a function - moving it from advisory to decision-making authority

  • Capricorn Energy PLC (Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom)
    • IT Enterprise Architect
      Jun 2023 - Dec 2023 · 7 mos

    • IT Infrastructure Architect
      Jan 2021 - Jun 2023 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    • IT Infrastructure Engineer
      Jul 2020 - Dec 2020 · 6 mos

  • IT Manager at Optiseller
    Aug 2018 - Jul 2020 · 2 yrs

  • IT Manager at GP Strategies Apprenticeships
    Feb 2018 - Aug 2018 · 7 mos

    YouTrain was acquired by GP Strategies in September 2017

  • YouTrain Ltd (7 yrs 6 mos)
    • IT Manager
      Sep 2014 - Feb 2018 · 3 yrs 6 mos

    • IT Support Engineer
      Jun 2011 - Sep 2014 · 3 yrs 4 mos

    • IT Support Apprentice
      Sep 2010 - Jun 2011 · 10 mos