Driven by a curiosity to understand how computers worked, Louis reflects on his journey into tech, sharing his experiences, what he enjoys about his role and what it’s like to work as a Principal Technical Architect at the Home Office.
My journey into technology began at 17. Growing up in Nigeria I had limited exposure to computers and technology wasn’t readily available. However, my sense of wonder was ignited thanks to internet cafés, opening a gateway to the world I never knew existed. I was fascinated by how messages could travel across continents through cables and screens, connecting people thousands of miles apart. Determined to pursue this passion and driven by a thirst for deeper knowledge I emigrated to England in my early 20s to study Computer Science and later earned a master’s degree in Computer Security master’s degree in computer security.
After I graduated, I stepped into the world of consulting before working in various Data Architect roles, specialising in data governance, GDPR compliance, and driving large-scale Data Transformation projects. Each step of my journey, from that first spark of curiosity in an internet café to working on global-scale projects, has reinforced my belief in the power of technology and how it can be used to shape the world. Having honed my skills across the industry for over 12 years, I reached a point in my career where I had a strong desire to contribute my experiences where it mattered and I was able to land my role as Principal Technical Architect at the Home Office, where I feel I play a small part in keeping our country and borders safe.
Cross collaborating to shape tech solutions and drive real business value.
My role is quite dynamic and involves me working on a variety of tasks, from technical analysis to strategic planning. Each day presents new challenges, making it a highly engaging and rewarding experience.
As Principal Technical Architect, I play an important role in evaluating business case requests. I lead the technology strategy for our department and drive workforce planning, ensuring the right architects are assigned to the right projects. I collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external including Business Analysts, Product Managers, User Researchers and fellow Architects. Together, we identify, scope and implement technology solutions to meet business requirements.
I have also been fortunate to work on some really interesting projects where I have contributed to shaping solutions that drive real business value. As we work with sensitive information, there is an increasing demand for the department to protect its digital assets which forces us to embed Secure by Design (SbD) and Privacy by Design (PbD) into our systems. I am currently working with colleagues to onboard some of our National Infrastructure (NI) systems into a Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) solution, which we will use for collecting, indexing, searching and analysing data. This will enable us to gain insights from vast amounts of data and allow us to move from being reactive to security threat to being proactive with security threat before they occur.
A flexible working environment with countless opportunities.
No matter what stage you are in your career, the Home Office offers plenty of opportunities to upskill in the latest cloud technologies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Microsoft Azure, and ServiceNow. You’ll also have access to memberships with respected organisations like the British Computer Society (BCS), helping you stay connected with the broader tech community.
In my current role, I am working with technologies that are completely different from my previous experience. This shift has been both challenging and rewarding. One thing I’ve learned along the way is that the soft skills and people skills you’ve developed over the years are invaluable. So, don’t be afraid to apply for a role that may seem unattainable at first glance. There’s always a structured path for transition within the Home Office, and there are countless opportunities to explore new areas of focus.
The Home Office also offer a flexible working environment, something that I deeply value as being a father, work-life balance is more important than ever to me, and it has giving me the time to be present with my child and family.
