Junaid Sharif
Head of Databricks Architecture @Dufrain
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WORK HISTORY
Head of Databricks Architecture @Dufrain
London, GB
I lead modern data platform delivery across AWS, Azure, and Snowflake, with accountability for data architecture, platform strategy, and delivery quality across complex, regulated environments. My work focuses on enabling organisations to use data as a core business capability, supporting regulatory reporting, analytics, data science, and operational decision-making.I work closely with senior business, risk, and technology stakeholders across banking, financial services, and insurance to define data platform modernisation roadmaps, data product strategies, and discovery assessments. This includes designing data platforms that accelerate M&A integration, simplify fragmented estates, and establish governed data assets as a single source of truth across business domains.Alongside platform delivery, I support regulatory and transformation programmes where data quality, lineage, and control are critical, ensuring solutions meet both commercial and compliance objectives. I am accountable for architectural decisions, cost and performance trade-offs, and embedding governance and security by design.In parallel, I chair the Solution Design Authority, managing technical and delivery risk across pre-sales and live programmes to ensure consistent architecture standards and predictable execution. I also support early commercial engagement, shaping propositions and delivery approaches, and lead internal capability development including standards, reusable assets, and a talent acceleration programme to build delivery-ready teams.
EDUCATION
Lahore University of Management Sciences
MS, Computer Science
Sir Syed University
BSc (Hons.), Computer Science
SKILLS
ABOUT JUNAID SHARIF
I am a senior data and platform leader with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering data solutions across regulated and data-intensive environments. My focus is on helping organisations use data as a practical business capability, improving decision-making, managing risk, and enabling growth through modern data platforms.I currently lead Databricks architecture and data platform delivery at Dufrain, working across AWS, Azure, and Snowflake environments. My role spans data platform strategy, data product implementation, and delivery oversight, supporting regulatory reporting, analytics, data science, and operational use cases across banking, financial services, and insurance.I specialise in translating business and operational challenges into scalable data platforms, including discovery and assessment work, M&A data integration, and cloud modernisation programmes. I work closely with senior stakeholders to balance commercial objectives, regulatory requirements, and technical delivery, ensuring solutions are robust, governed, and fit for long-term use.Alongside delivery, I lead multi-disciplinary teams across geographies, set architecture and delivery standards, and support early commercial engagement to shape viable, outcome-focused solutions. My experience spans financial services, insurance, retail, manufacturing, and the UK public sector.
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