Senior Technology Director · Vienna, Austria
DerekEwing
Cloud Infrastructure & Enterprise AI
15 years leading cloud transformation and enterprise AI across Europe's most complex financial institutions.
Career across
I am a Senior Technology Director with over 15 years of experience leading large-scale cloud infrastructure, enterprise AI, and digital transformation programmes across some of Europe's most complex financial institutions.
My career has spanned Barclays, ING, HSBC, Google Cloud, and Deutsche Bank — consistently in roles where I was brought in to build something new, whether that was a compliance technology function from the ground up, a central cloud engineering team, or an enterprise-wide intelligent search platform. At Google Cloud I served as Principal Architect for the Financial Services and Telco practice, working directly with Tier 1 banks including Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank to design and deliver cloud transformation at scale. That depth of engagement with Deutsche Bank led directly to my appointment as IT Director within their Cloud Programme in 2023.
I specialise in the intersection of cloud infrastructure, enterprise knowledge management, and regulated financial services delivery. Particularly focused on building technology strategies that are not only technically sound but commercially viable and compliant within the tightening European regulatory landscape — including data sovereignty, DORA, and EBA frameworks.
Earlier in my career I co-founded KiteEdge, a London-based SearchaaS startup where as CTO I built an AI-powered cognitive search platform for asset managers — applying semantic analysis, NLP, and knowledge graph technology to financial research data years before these capabilities became mainstream.
Based in Vienna. Focused on senior technology leadership opportunities across European financial services.
Professional Timeline
2023–Present · Deutsche Bank · Frankfurt / Vienna
Cloud Programme — IT Director
Senior technology leader within Deutsche Bank's Cloud Programme, responsible for strategic infrastructure modernisation and enterprise knowledge management initiatives across the organisation. Led large-scale cloud migration from legacy infrastructure to modern container-based platforms and drove architecture of an enterprise-wide intelligent search and observability platform.
2020–2023 · Google Cloud · Munich
Financial Services & Telco Principal Architect
Principal Architect within Google Cloud's Financial Services & Telco practice, serving as the most senior technical authority for Tier 1 banking clients across Europe including Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank. Designed secure multi-cloud architectures aligned with EBA guidelines and European data sovereignty requirements. The depth of engagement with Deutsche Bank led directly to appointment as IT Director within their Cloud Programme.
2017–2020 · KiteEdge Ltd · London
Founder & Chief Technology Officer
Co-founded and led the technology vision for KiteEdge, a London-based SearchaaS startup delivering next-generation cognitive search for the financial services industry. Built an enterprise AI platform applying semantic analysis, NLP, and knowledge graph technology to financial research data. Winner of the Investment Association Engine Fintech Growth Programme 2020.
2017–2020 · HSBC · London
Director, Head of Cloud Engineering & Operations
Recruited to establish HSBC's central Azure cloud engineering function from the ground up. Built the capability, team, and operating model that enabled cloud adoption across all four of the bank's major global business units. Defined architectural standards, governance frameworks, and engineering practices underpinning HSBC's enterprise Azure strategy.
2016–2017 · ING · Netherlands
Director — Cloud Transformation
Engaged as part of ING's Think Forward transformation strategy to establish a dedicated technology transformation function, operating in an internal management consultancy capacity. Responsible for private cloud infrastructure build-out and enterprise application migrations delivering operational efficiencies across 33 countries. Worked cross-functionally with HR and Finance at board level.
2010–2016 · Barclays · London
VP — KYC/AML Technology Strategy
Recruited to build Barclays' KYC/AML technology function from the ground up. Built and led a large cross-functional technology team delivering enterprise-wide systems supporting KYC, CDD, and AML obligations across multiple global divisions. Recipient of Barclays Capital CIO Technology Award for Innovation and Excellence.
How I Can Help
Cloud Infrastructure & Migration
Large-scale cloud transformation programmes for regulated financial institutions. Architecture design, migration planning, GKE and Azure platform delivery, and operational model design. From strategy through to implementation at enterprise scale.
Enterprise AI & Knowledge Management
Enterprise-wide intelligent search, observability platforms, and knowledge graph implementations. Semantic analysis, NLP, and AI-driven knowledge discovery for complex financial services environments.
Regulatory Technology Strategy
Technology strategy aligned with European regulatory frameworks — DORA, EBA guidelines, data sovereignty requirements. Helping institutions navigate the tightening EU compliance landscape without compromising delivery velocity.
Technology Leadership & Interim CTO
Senior technology leadership for organisations requiring experienced interim or fractional CTO capability. Board-level technology strategy, team building, and executive stakeholder management in complex regulated environments.
Digital Sovereignty Advisory
Advisory for European institutions navigating the shift away from US hyperscaler dependency. Cloud sovereignty strategy, EU data residency architecture, and alignment with emerging European digital infrastructure standards.
AML / KYC Technology Transformation
Design and delivery of enterprise-grade AML and KYC technology platforms for Tier 1 financial institutions. Drawing on direct experience building compliance technology functions from scratch at Barclays and across the European financial sector.
Awards & Credentials
2020
Investment Association Engine Fintech Growth Programme Winner
IAEngine · KiteEdge Ltd
2017
Innovify Ventures Selection Day Winner
Innovify & SEEDRs · KiteEdge Ltd
2012
CIO Technology Award — Innovation and Excellence
Barclays Capital
Certifications & Education
Cert
TOGAF 9 Certified Enterprise Architect
The Open Group
Cert
Zachman Certified Enterprise Architect
Zachman International
Edu
Cranfield University
Cranfield School of Management
Get in Touch
Available for senior technology leadership roles, consulting engagements, and advisory positions across European financial services.
- Location
- Vienna, Austria
- linkedin.com/in/derekewing
- Focus
- Cloud Infrastructure · Enterprise AI · Financial Services