Cloud & AI Consulting
Senior cloud and AI consulting for software companies.
For management teams who need experienced architectural and commercial judgement without hiring a full-time CTO.
This service line is built around a simple proposition: most software companies in the £5m–£50m range need senior technical perspective more often than they think, but less often than would justify a full-time hire. Mat works with a small number of clients on a retained or project basis, providing operator-level judgement on cloud, AI, and engineering organisation.
Services
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Cloud platform strategy
Hyperscaler selection and multi-cloud architecture across AWS, Azure, and GCP; workload placement decisions, cost optimisation, and platform consolidation programmes. Particular depth on AWS commercial structures, including OEM and large-scale partner agreements.
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AI strategy and agentic AI adoption
Practical, build-versus-buy advice on integrating generative and agentic AI into B2B software products and internal operations — architecture, vendor selection, security and data governance, and the realistic capability and cost trade-offs that are not on the analyst slides.
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Microsoft cloud and AI capability
Microsoft 365, Azure, and Microsoft AI Cloud platform advisory for businesses standardising on the Microsoft stack.
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Engineering organisation and CTO advisory
Assessing engineering teams, technical leadership coaching, hiring senior engineering leaders, and structuring engineering for scale after investment.
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Technical due diligence
Vendor-side and investor-side technical due diligence for PE and growth funds — code review, architecture assessment, team assessment, technical debt quantification, and post-deal value-creation planning.
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Digital transformation programmes
For incumbents acquired into PE platforms — advising on legacy modernisation, SaaS migration, and operating model change.
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Security and compliance posture
Strategic-level review of security architecture, vendor risk, and the controls needed to support enterprise sales and institutional ownership. Strategic advisory — not penetration testing or audit.
How we work
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Strategic review
Fixed-scope, time-boxed engagement — typically five to fifteen days — producing a board-ready written deliverable.
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Fractional CTO / advisor retainer
Monthly retainer covering scheduled engineering review, founder and CTO one-to-ones, and on-call architectural input.
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Technical due diligence
Fixed-fee engagement scoped per transaction.
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Project engagements
Interim or programme-led work on a day-rate basis.
Common questions
What is the minimum engagement?
The smallest engagements are fixed-scope strategic reviews of around five days. Retained advisory work is arranged monthly.
Do you do hands-on implementation work?
The work is senior advisory and architectural judgement — board-ready analysis and direction, not delivery or implementation. Where implementation is needed, Mat will help you scope and source it.
Can you support a live PE transaction at short notice?
Yes. Technical due diligence is scoped per transaction, and Mat deliberately keeps capacity for live deals.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes, as a matter of course.
Scope an engagement
Tell Mat what you are working through. He responds personally to all enquiries.