Charlie Atherton

About

Charlie Atherton is a Solution Architect in Data & AI at Data#3 with deep expertise across Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, Azure AI and modern data platforms. An ex-developer who transitioned into architecture four years ago, he excels at translating complex business challenges into scalable data and AI solutions. Charlie recently led the successful pitch of a GenAI and Copilot adoption program to one of Australia’s largest banks.

Experience

1. 2022-07 — Present

   Current
   Solution Architect — Data & AI

   Data#3

   Lead technical design and delivery of enterprise data and AI platforms for strategic clients across banking, government and utilities.

   • Architected and pitched GenAI/Copilot adoption program for a Tier-1 Australian bank
   • Designed Microsoft Fabric and Snowflake-based modern data platforms
   • Mentor junior architects and deliver internal enablement sessions on Fabric and Azure AI
2. 2019-03 — 2022-06
   Senior Data Architect

   Deloitte Australia

   Provided data architecture leadership on large-scale transformation programs for Federal Government and Professional Services clients.

   • Led enterprise data platform design using Snowflake and Azure for a major Federal Government department
   • Transitioned from development-focused roles into full-time architecture
   • Delivered data strategy and roadmap for a Big-4 professional services transformation
3. 2015-08 — 2019-02
   Lead Data Engineer

   AGL Energy

   Built and optimised large-scale data pipelines and analytics platforms within the Energy & Utilities sector.

   • Designed and implemented real-time analytics platform serving 2.5M customers
   • Led migration of on-prem data warehouse to cloud (Azure + Snowflake)
   • Mentored team of 8 data engineers
4. 2010-11 — 2015-07
   Senior Solutions Developer

   Microsoft Australia

   Developed custom solutions and pre-sales technical support for Microsoft data and BI technologies across retail and professional services clients.

   • Developed reference architectures and POCs for SQL Server, SSIS and Power BI
   • Supported major retail clients in adopting Microsoft data stack
   • Received Microsoft Gold Partner technical excellence award
5. 2005-02 — 2010-10
   Software Developer / Data Analyst

   Commonwealth Bank of Australia

   Began career as a developer building financial systems and reporting solutions before moving into data-focused development.

   • Developed core banking data integration services
   • Built internal BI reporting platform used by 3000+ staff
   • Implemented first generation data warehouse solution
6. 1999-07 — 2004-12
   Junior Developer

   Telstra

   Early career role focused on telecommunications billing and customer data systems.

   • Developed ETL processes for customer usage data
   • Supported mainframe to client-server migration project

Projects

1. GenAI & Copilot Adoption Program

   2023-09 — 2024-03
   National Australia Bank · Banking · as Lead Solution Architect

   Successfully pitched and designed enterprise GenAI framework; projected to deliver 35% productivity uplift for 8000 knowledge workers within 18 months.

   Microsoft FabricAzure OpenAICopilot StudioPower PlatformSnowflake
2. Enterprise Sales & Inventory Analytics Platform

   2023-01 — 2023-08
   Woolworths Group · Retail · as Solution Architect

   Replaced legacy on-prem system with Fabric-based real-time analytics; achieved 98.5% data accuracy and saved $4.2M annually in inventory holding costs.

   Microsoft FabricAzure Synapse AnalyticsPower BISQL
3. Secure Sovereign Data Platform

   2021-02 — 2022-05
   Department of Defence · Federal Government · as Senior Data Architect

   Delivered IRAP-protected data analytics platform handling 2.5PB of sensitive data; improved query performance by 400% and reduced reporting cycle from weeks to hours.

   SnowflakeAzure GovernmentPower BIAzure Data FactoryDatabricks
4. Internal Knowledge & Insights Platform

   2020-08 — 2021-12
   PwC Australia · Professional Services · as Data Architect

   Built internal GenAI-powered knowledge platform; reduced research time for 9000 consultants by an estimated 40%.

   SnowflakeAzure AI SearchPower AppsFabric
5. Customer 360 Data Lakehouse

   2017-05 — 2018-12
   AGL Energy · Energy & Utilities · as Lead Data Engineer

   Unified 14 disparate customer systems into single lakehouse; enabled 27% increase in targeted cross-sell campaigns and reduced customer churn analytics time from 5 days to 4 hours.

   SnowflakeAzure SynapsePythonPower BIAzure Data Factory
6. Supply Chain Predictive Analytics

   2012-03 — 2013-06
   Coles Group · Retail · as Senior Developer

   Developed demand forecasting models that reduced stockouts by 31% across 850 stores.

   SQL ServerSSISPythonTableau

Beyond the day job

Skills and experience from outside the day job — community, volunteering, hobbies and more.

1. Data & AI Career Mentor

   Teaching / mentoring
   TechGirls & University of Technology Sydney

   Provides regular mentoring to women and students entering technology careers, with a focus on data engineering and architecture pathways.

   CommunicationMentoringTechnical Leadership
2. Masters Swimming Coach

   Sport / coaching
   Sydney University Swimming Club

   Coaches adult competitive swimmers, applying structured training methodologies and performance analytics.

   CoachingLeadershipPerformance Analytics

Peer endorsements

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