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VP Engineering | Ex Microsoft & THG - Conversational AI/NLU | Software Engineering | Solution Architecture | Consultancy
I bring over 25 years of senior leadership experience in software engineering and technical program management with Microsoft and Siemens. Throughout my tenure at Microsoft, I have delivered highly-complex, high-profile projects for the BBC, BMW, Coca Cola, Met Police, Nationwide Building Society and UBS maintaining a strong technical hands-on approach throughout. At THG, I lead over 100 engineers spanning Data, Insights, Machine Learning, Search and Experimentation which underpin our Retail SaaS platform enabling D2C e-commerce experiences at huge scale around the world. As part of this role we've delivered significant modernisation and innovation across all areas through close partnerships with trading teams up to executive level along with significant revenue uplift. As Principal Group Program Manager – Conversational AI Engineering, I led Microsoft’s product strategy for Conversational AI, where I leverage my hands-on technical leadership approach to drive business growth. Notably, I shifted the product improvement strategy for Conversational AI products from an engineering-led to customer-led, data-driven approach that allows us to better cater to our clients’ technology needs. In my previous role as Artificial Intelligence Lead & Digital CTO, I established and led an Early Access Program (EAP) to drive the adoption of emerging AI technology (intelligent bots, computer vision, cognitive search) including hands-on engineering throughout along with a tight partnership to help transform our observability platform. Earlier in my career at Microsoft, I was Architect for Strategy & Innovation and Microsoft Services and held multiple application and software development roles all of which required a very deep technical hands-on approach. I also held software development positions with Siemens, Totem Systems, Antech and Paritor Ltd. You can contact me at darr
The Open University
Postgraduate, MBA
January 1, 2011 – January 1, 2014
Exmouth Community College
A-Levels
January 1, 1989 – January 1, 1997
IRIS Software Group
VP of Engineering
June 1, 2025 – Present
United Kingdom · Hybrid
THG
Director of Engineering, Data and AI
January 1, 2022 – July 1, 2025
United Kingdom
Microsoft
Principal Engineering Manager / Group Program Manager – Conversational AI Engineering
May 1, 2018 – January 1, 2022
Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Microsoft
Artificial Intelligence Lead | Digital CTO
September 1, 2014 – May 1, 2018
Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Microsoft
Architect - Strategy & Innovation
January 1, 2012 – September 1, 2014
Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Microsoft
Architect - Microsoft Services
January 1, 2008 – January 1, 2012
Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Microsoft
Application Development Engineer
January 1, 2002 – January 1, 2008
Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Siemens Business Services
Consultant
January 1, 1999 – January 1, 2002
Swindon, England, United Kingdom
Totem Systems Ltd
Software Developer
January 1, 1997 – January 1, 1999
Colchester, England, United Kingdom
AnTech
Software Developer
January 1, 1996 – January 1, 1997
Exeter, England, United Kingdom
Paritor Systems Ltd
Junior Software Developer
January 1, 1995 – January 1, 1996
Exmouth, England, United Kingdom
GenerativeAI powered conversational experience and outfit recommendations
July 1, 2023 – Present
Two key GenAI projects that we pioneered in 2023 and subsequently delivered for wider experimentation.
Asset Management
February 1, 2011 – April 1, 2012
A key role in a global change programme around Client Experience for an Asset Management organisation covering Institutional, Consultant and Wholesale distribution channels which required deep understanding of the business domain and client needs through a comprehensive global research phase. This work resulted in a large services delivery project along with the definition of a complex technical architecture definition involving SQL Azure, Azure Data Marketplace, FAST Search, SharePoint, Office Client Extensions and ODATA services.
Nationwide Payments Platform
December 1, 2009 – July 1, 2011
Solutions Architect Responsible for the identification, pursuit and delivery of a project to deliver a next generation payments platform to process both real time and batch payments whilst integrating with a broad range of ledgers including SAP. Through the long-term technical relationship Darren had built with the customer he played a pivotal part in securing the project for Microsoft Services. Darren was accountable and responsible for all technical aspects of the delivery including requirements analysis, design, performance testing and leadership of a large team throughout the entire development lifecycle including deployment and operations. This project is on-going and Darren has recently defined a multi-year technology roadmap detailing how parts of the platform can make sue of emerging technologies (including Azure) to reduce cost and complexity.
Professional Diploma in Management
The Open University
June 24, 2026 – Present
Professional Certificate in Management
The Open University
June 24, 2026 – Present
Cultural Fit Analysis
The candidate's extensive experience across various roles at Microsoft, THG, and IRIS Software Group, coupled with their involvement in diverse projects (e-commerce, financial services, public sector, AI/ML), indicates adaptability and a broad understanding of different business contexts. Their focus on innovation, continuous improvement, and team empowerment aligns well with a progressive engineering culture. However, the candidate's profile leans heavily towards leadership and management, with less recent direct backend engineering implementation, which might require careful consideration for a pure 'Backend Engineer' role.
Soft Skills & Operational Fit
The candidate demonstrates strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a hands-on approach to engineering. Their experience in fostering calm engineering cultures, driving operational discipline, and aligning product with engineering suggests a high degree of operational fit. The ability to navigate broader organizational challenges and maintain focus on delivery indicates resilience and strong problem-solving skills.