Giovanni Annino

Senior Engineering Leader | SRE / DevOps / Cloud Infrastructure Expert

Disclosure and Barring Service - verified

Welcome to my professional profile. I am Giovanni Annino, a seasoned IT leader with a proven track record in steering engineering teams toward successfully delivering high-quality software solutions. My expertise lies in driving technical excellence, fostering a culture of innovation, and aligning technical decisions with overarching business objectives.

Professional Summary

  • Leadership and Team Management: Over 20 years in the field and 10 years of experience leading engineering teams, cultivating a collaborative and high-performance culture to achieve project goals and meet organisational objectives. Responsible for building diverse technical teams, establishing clear communication channels, and creating an environment that encourages innovation while maintaining accountability and delivering measurable results.
  • Strategic Planning and Execution: Proficient in overseeing project timelines, resource allocation, risk management, and task prioritisation to ensure solutions are delivered within scope, time, and budget constraints. Expert in translating business requirements into technical roadmaps, coordinating multi-phase implementations, and adapting strategies based on evolving market conditions and organizational needs.
  • Mentorship and Professional Development: Dedicated to mentoring team members, conducting performance reviews, providing actionable feedback, and identifying opportunities for professional growth and improvement. Actively involved in career planning, skills development programs, knowledge transfer initiatives, and creating pathways for team members to advance their technical expertise and leadership capabilities.
  • Process Optimisation: Skilled in evaluating and enhancing engineering processes, tools, and methodologies to increase efficiency, streamline workflows, and optimise team productivity. Focus on implementing automation frameworks, establishing CI/CD pipelines, reducing manual overhead, and creating standardised procedures that scale with organisational growth while maintaining quality standards.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Adept at collaborating with business partners, product managers, designers, and other stakeholders to translate business requirements into cohesive technical solutions. Experience in facilitating workshops, managing stakeholder expectations, bridging communication gaps between technical and non-technical teams, and ensuring alignment between technical delivery and business objectives.
  • Quality Assurance and Standards Enforcement: Committed to enforcing technology standards, facilitating peer reviews, and implementing robust testing practices to ensure the delivery of high-quality solutions. Expertise in establishing code review protocols, security compliance frameworks, performance monitoring systems, and documentation standards that support long-term maintainability and operational excellence.
Preferred Vendors

Key Skills

  • Project Scheduling, Rollout, and Delivery
  • Complex Cloud-Based Solutions
  • Solution Architecture (AWS, Azure, SoftLayer/IBM)
  • Security Testing and Implementation
  • Network Infrastructure Design
  • Client Consultancy Project Management

Recognition & Testimonials

“Thanks a lot Gio for all the guidance throughout this duration. I have learnt a lot from you and you are always there to support and guide me. I am definitely going to miss my mentor who taught lot of things and with you every interaction is a learning experience. I really admire your positive outlook and your point of view towards any task or issue. I have learned a lot and there is still a lot to learn from you. All the best for future projects.”
— Gaurav Kakkar

“Ciao Giovanni, It’s not easy to say goodbye to someone who’s been such a brilliant mentor and a key part of my growth in Natwest. Your guidance has made a real impact, and I’m truly grateful for all the support and encouragement you’ve shared. You’ll be missed more than words can say — both for your sharp insights and the positive energy you brought to every conversation. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter — may it be full of exciting opportunities, great success, and plenty of prosecco to celebrate along the way. Arrivederci e buona fortuna — we will be in touch! Cheers”
— Abhinav Y

“Gio, it’s been a great experience working with you. Thank you for pushing us to do better and standing by us while we did it. Wishing you all the best in your next chapter!”
— Akshara

Data Lake Engineering Team, NatWest Group (2025)

Professional Experience

Senior Data Platform Engineer | NatWest Group, London | September 2021 – August 2025

  • Lead the Data Lake Cloud Engineering team, driving the development of advanced features and solutions by leveraging AWS native functionalities and strategic third-party integrations to enhance data analytics and support business growth.
  • Conduct comprehensive Terraform code reviews and plan upgrades to maintain stringent security protocols and AWS IAM compliance, ensuring robust data protection.
  • Perform impact assessments for proposed cross-platform changes, enhancing process efficiency and functionality.
  • Built resilient engineering teams by fostering collaborative problem-solving, maintaining technical standards, and supporting individual career growth during high-pressure project deliveries

Senior Technical Specialist | Aevi Ltd, London | July 2019 – September 2021

  • Managed a team of five Platform Engineers, overseeing projects from inception to completion in a multi-cloud environment, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technical excellence.
  • Enhanced security governance within the Terraform Infrastructure as Code framework, establishing a PCI-certifiable environment and reinforcing data protection measures.

Cloud Infrastructure Engineer | Solarcentury Holdings Ltd, London | April 2016 – July 2019

  • Led the migration of processes to Terraform and Ansible orchestration, automating AWS cloud operations and improving system efficiency.
  • Implemented enhanced security protocols and policies across infrastructure and systems, including conducting internal password audits to safeguard sensitive information.

System and Network Field Engineer | Streym Ltd, London | December 2013 – December 2015

  • Provided comprehensive support and maintenance for cloud systems across various industries, including media, financial services, and internet providers, ensuring seamless operations and client satisfaction.
  • Managed and monitored cloud systems on Amazon and Azure platforms, as well as on-premises virtual servers using VMware ESXi vSphere and Microsoft Hyper-V, optimizing performance and reliability.

Network Administrator | Salini S.p.A., Rome | June 2011 – May 2012

  • Facilitated network integration and management, deploying innovative solutions for dynamic environments and ensuring seamless connectivity.
  • Successfully executed projects involving server migration and network optimization in challenging locations, demonstrating adaptability and technical proficiency.

Cisco Network Technician | GruppOmega S.p.A. | January 2008 – May 2011

  • Configured and managed Cisco routers and switches, implementing BGP protocols for clients such as the Ministry of Defence in Rome.​

  • Maintained and managed Cisco Call Manager systems, enhancing communication infrastructures at organizations like Eni S.p.A.​

  • Implemented DMZ and Proxy Optenet solutions, bolstering network security for institutions including the Pontifical North American College in Rome.​

  • Installed and administered VMware vSphere 4 environments, facilitating data center migrations and virtualizations for clients like Sogesid S.p.A.​

  • Developed QoS strategies to prioritize VoIP traffic, ensuring optimal communication performance for enterprises such as ENI S.p.A.​

  • Coordinated with teams to configure access control and video surveillance systems in partnership with Honeywell Inc., enhancing security measures for RFI S.p.A.​

ITC-Area Advisor | June 2003 – December 2007

  • Provided expert IT guidance and support to various organizations, including H.P.S. Technology S.r.l and Fotomania Studio, optimizing their technological infrastructures.​

  • Implemented tailored IT solutions, enhancing operational efficiency and system reliability for small to medium-sized enterprises.​

Education and Professional Development

Independent Coursework
  • CEH v7
  • Penetration Tester’s Open Source Toolkit
  • Introduction to Modern Cryptography
  • NMAP cookbook
  • Wireless Network 4G
NatWest Group Coursework
Solarcentury Holdings Ltd. Coursework
Streym LTD. Coursework
High School Education | “Luigi Einaudi” – Siracusa | 1998/2004

General Certificate of Education, Science – computer address.
Maths, Physics, Italian, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Latin, History, Philosophy, English

Personal Information

Interests include reading, gym, snowboarding, digital photography, new technologies, robotics

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