Experience
CTO, UK&I Microsoft Practice
IBM Consulting
David Rowley is a technologist with 26 years of experience working with Microsoft technologies across the full partner ecosystem — from mid-size partners to large global systems integrators — including over a decade at Microsoft itself in Microsoft Consulting Services. Today, as CTO for IBM Consulting's UK & Ireland Microsoft Practice, David leads the Microsoft hybrid, multi-cloud, data and AI strategy, helping organisations navigate complex architectural decisions to unlock lasting business value.
Key Highlights
26+
Years with Microsoft technologies
10+
Years at Microsoft directly
CTO, UK&I Microsoft Practice
Current role
IBM Consulting
Employer
Mid-size ISV to global SI
Partner ecosystem experience
Enterprise & Regulated Sectors
Industry focus
Capability Themes
AI, Data and Cloud Strategy
Leading organisations through the architectural complexity of hybrid multi-cloud and AI adoption — from strategy through to delivery. At IBM Consulting, David works with clients to define AI and data platform strategies that are open, scalable, and grounded in real business outcomes. The work spans cloud architecture decisions, AI governance, data platform design, and the organisational change required to make it stick.
Related reading
Enterprise Architecture and Transformation
Providing end-to-end architectural accountability across complex, high-value transformation programmes. David has led architecture across some of Microsoft's most complex customer engagements, working across solution areas, industries, and delivery teams to manage risk and drive outcomes. This includes cross-domain orchestration, stakeholder alignment, and ensuring architectural decisions age well.
Microsoft Ecosystem Leadership
Deep expertise in the Microsoft platform built over 26 years — across partner organisations, Microsoft directly, and IBM Consulting. David brings an insider's understanding of how Microsoft's technology, partner model, and commercial frameworks work together. This includes extensive experience with Microsoft Consulting Services, the Microsoft partner ecosystem, and IBM's strategic Microsoft alliance.
Regulated Industry Delivery
Practical experience delivering technology programmes within regulated and complex environments, including financial services, public sector, and large enterprise organisations. This includes navigating compliance, data residency, and governance requirements alongside technical delivery, and understanding how regulatory context shapes every architectural decision.
Technical Community and Content Creation
A consistent track record of contributing to the technical community — through writing, speaking, and building content that bridges technical depth with strategic clarity. This website is one expression of that commitment: a structured body of work built to be explored. Published articles, podcast conversations, and a knowledge graph connecting ideas across a career.
Selected Engagements
CTO, UK&I Microsoft Practice
IBM Consulting · CTO / Strategic Leadership · 2023–present
Leading IBM Consulting's Microsoft go-to-market strategy across the UK and Ireland — defining the technical approach for hybrid cloud, data, and AI. Working at the intersection of technology, commercial strategy, and client outcomes to drive IBM's Microsoft partnership. Responsible for architectural decision-making, technical leadership of the practice, and positioning IBM's Microsoft capability as a differentiator in the market.
Chief Architect, Microsoft Cloud & Azure
IBM Consulting · Chief Architect · 2022–2023
Establishing IBM Consulting's Microsoft practice architecture capability in the UK — defining repeatable technical patterns and architectural approaches for Azure-based solutions at scale. Building the foundations for IBM's differentiated technical value proposition and supporting the development of the practice's Microsoft delivery capability.
Senior Program Architect, Azure Cloud and AI
Microsoft · Senior Program Architect · 2020–2022
Operating within Microsoft's Consulting Services organisation as a Senior Program Architect specialising in Azure Cloud and AI. Working across complex customer engagements to provide architectural direction, technical leadership, and delivery oversight for Azure-based transformation programmes across enterprise customers.
Architect, Office of the CTO — Architecture and Industry Services
Microsoft · Cross-Domain Delivery Architect · 2019–2020
Part of Microsoft's Architecture and Industry Services (AIS) group, providing cross-domain delivery architecture and end-to-end orchestration across high-complexity, high-value engagements. Responsible for architectural accountability across the full solution lifecycle, supporting customers' digital transformation programmes with multi-domain, cross-industry architectural leadership.
Career Timeline
CTO, UK&I Microsoft Practice
IBM Consulting
Leading the Microsoft practice strategy for hybrid cloud, data and AI across the UK and Ireland.
Chief Architect, Microsoft Cloud & Azure
IBM Consulting
Establishing architectural patterns and capability for IBM's Microsoft practice in the UK.
Senior Program Architect, Azure Cloud and AI
Microsoft
Senior Program Architect within Microsoft Consulting Services, specialising in Azure Cloud and AI engagements.
Architect, Office of the CTO — AIS
Microsoft
Cross-domain delivery architecture and orchestration for Microsoft's highest complexity customer engagements.
Solution Architect
Microsoft
Seven years in Microsoft Consulting Services, delivering solutions across enterprise customers throughout the UK.
Solution Architect, Microsoft Practice
CSC
Solution Architect within CSC's Microsoft practice, continuing the deep Microsoft technical specialism.
Microsoft Practice Lead & Solutions Architect
Esteem Systems
Progressed from PS Consultant through Solutions Architect to Microsoft Practice Lead for Messaging & Collaboration.
IT Manager
du pre
Foundation decade in IT management, building the technical grounding that shaped everything that followed.