Microsoft MVP | AI & Fabric Specialist for Business Transformation | Helping Enterprises Unlock ROI with Azure, Copilot & Power BI | Forbes Tech | Keynote Speaker | CEO, Onyx Data

Strategic Data & AI Leader | Microsoft MVP | Oxford AI Strategist 

I bridge the gap between technical complexity and Board-level strategy. With nearly 15 years of experience, I have delivered over £93M in revenue growth for global enterprises by transforming data estates into high-velocity strategic assets.

Global Authority & Scalable Insight: 

LinkedIn Learning Instructor: Author of "How to Build and Execute a Successful Data Strategy," an industry-standard framework used by 10,000+ global learners (4.5/5 rating). 
Industry Recognition: Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Forbes Technology Council member, and Gartner Community Ambassador. 
Academic Rigor: Currently calibrating enterprise AI risk and leadership at the University of Oxford (Saïd Business School).

The "Onyx Methodology" in Action:  I help organisations move past "AI Hype" to achieve Operational Utility. Whether leading a global practice of 60+ consultants or advising the C-suite on £200TB+ migrations, my focus is on de-risking technology investments to drive EBITDA.

Core Specialisms:  AI Strategy & Governance (Purview) | Microsoft Fabric & Databricks Architecture | Data Monetisation | High-Performance Team Scaling.

Let’s connect,  I’m focused on the intersection of AI Ethics, Enterprise Strategy, and high-stakes Data Leadership. Always open to discussing the future of our industry with fellow Partners and Architects.

Leon Gordon

CHANEL

- Enabling RPA , LCAP and ML capabilities 
- Fostering innovation and exploring opportunities to drive efficiencies 
- Evangelizing Engineering Community and driving in-sourcing

Principal Architect

The OR Society

Co-Chair - The Analytics SIG

Meal Corp.

- Explore the new realms with Low Code and Machine Learning
- Fostering, evaluating and collaborating the innovation mindset
- Working with the marketing team to communicate the organization's innovation efforts to customers and stakeholders

Chief Innovation Ninja

The TJX Companies, Inc.

- AI governance Framework
- Supply Chain IT Roadmap for TJX Global (Modernization Initiative)
- Enabling RPA , LCAP and ML capabilities for TJX Global
- Fostering innovation and exploring opportunities to drive efficiencies 
- Evangelizing Engineering Community and driving in-sourcing

Principal Architect | Director - Intelligent Automation, Innovation and Supply chain

-- Global Supply Chain Capabilities
-- Robotic Process Automation Capabilities
-- AI Capabilities

Lead Solutions Architect

DevOpsEnterpriseSummit (DOES) EU 2022 - Journey to a Continuous Everything (https://videos.itrevolution.com/watch/707352002/)

DevOpsInstitute LCNC (Low-Code/No-Code) - Nov 2021/
Challenges with Low-Code/No-Code Application Platforms (https://vimeo.com/644407307)

Data Engineering - Tips and Tricks 2021 Sep 
BostonR meetup (https://rstudio.wistia.com/medias/wmirtsq916)

Industry Panel Machine Learning Retail
Meetup LBAG- Mar 2018

Technology Meetup Presentation

TJX Europe

- IT Roadmap for Supply Chain & Logistics capability 
- Technology roadmap for supply chain application 
- Solution engineering for the Modernisation with TJX Europe (Cloud Implementation, COTS WM implementation)
 - Solution design for BREXIT (Logistics, Customs)
- implementation for PaaS solution for logistics routing
- solution design for a COTS WMS capability’s for European business (Manhattan WMoS)

Solution engineer / System Architect / Solution Architect - Supply Chain & Logistics

Tata Consultancy Services

In order to make entire General Merchandise E2E supply chain more flexible, agile and reliable to meet customer needs better IT landscape of M&S was integrated with JDA product. This initiative helped the business with better manage stock levels and DC stock management flows to maximise availability of products and to replenish stores and other channels. A business benefit of £40m was realised.

Retail Functional Consultant - Assurance /  Architect - GM4 Initiative

Working with understanding the Business requirements and work with the development architect to translate requirements into solution architecture designs. 
Provide technical and Strategic Direction to the Testing Assurance group and formulate the Test Strategy.
Review requirements and seeks clarity as required, actively participate in product design review's and works with the development architect and development team to make any design improvements and refinement as needed. 
Consulting for the pre Sales for New business

Retail Functional Consultant  Architect TCS - Assurance

I am an experienced Test Manager - Accountable for various testing phases for business changes made to very complex IT Retail landscape which involves interacting with multiple vendor

Test Manager Retail

Testing Consultancy for ERP integration implementation program for the M&S International Business

EDI System Architect / Integration Manager - International Business

Testing Consultancy for Payment Cards Industry Standard implementation

Program Test Manager - PCI implementation

Testing  Consultancy for ERP implementation program

Integration Test Manager - Legacy

I am currently working as a Test Anslyst for the retail business solution which was focused to integrate retail business process maintained across 26 different legacy applications and migrate the same to SAP.  
I am co-ordinating the work arcoss for a team based offshore with a strength of 18 people.

Test Analyst

I had been working for The Nielsen Company projects (a US based client) as a Test Lead for Software Quality Assurance (SQA) group. The projects worked on invovled the testing and quality assurance for the software which were developed and enhanced for the market research and reporting. I had been leading a team of 3 people during this period.

Software Quality Analyst SQA

At CHANEL, my role as Principal Architect involves spearheading initiatives in RPA, LCAP, and ML, with a focus on innovation and efficiency. We're working on in-sourcing and fostering a community of engineering excellence. My competencies in IT strategy and architecture management have been honed through these efforts, culminating in the receipt of the MVP honor in 2024.

Previously, as the Chief Innovation Ninja at Meal Corp., I played a pivotal role in exploring new avenues in Low Code and Machine Learning, collaborating across teams to nurture an innovation-centric culture. Our team's efforts in communicating innovation to stakeholders have set a benchmark in the industry, reflecting our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancement.

Balagopal M.

Had an amazing learning from the Microsoft AI Tour in London yesterday —and what an inspiring experience! 🚀

Some quick takeaways:

1) AI is no longer just a tool; it's becoming the foundation for businesses, hospitals, governments, and even justice systems.
2) Microsoft is making big moves with AI infrastructure, empowering individuals and organizations to work smarter, faster, and more securely—including options for fully sovereign, disconnected operations.
3) The focus is shifting from flashy features to real outcomes: better productivity, stronger trust, and more efficient processes across every sector.

It was amazing to see how AI is helping in healthcare, research, finance, civil service, and the courts—bringing real, positive change.

Satya Nadella  presentation was so smooth—it honestly felt like a rock concert fanboy moment! What made it even more special was seeing my friend Marlene Mhangami co-present the demo on stage alongside Satya. So happy and proud to see someone I know share the stage with a legend.

The highlight for me was meeting peers and MVP community members face-to-face. After so many virtual calls, connecting in person, exchanging ideas, and learning together was truly energizing.


Swipe through some photos I took—capturing the moments, the people, and the excitement of the event! 📸
Alice Piras, Sharon Smith, Claire Smyth, Chris Huntingford 🚀,Leon Gordon, Pragati Jain, EY Kalman, Josh Giles, Reshmee Auckloo, William Dorrington 🤘, Adam JacksonRishi Sapra ACA, MCT, Microsoft MVP

#MicrosoftAITour #AI #Innovation #Community #London #Learning #Networking #FanboyMoment #MVPBuzz

2x Microsoft MVP | Technology Speaker | Principal Architect @ CHANEL | Enabling RPA, LCAP, ML capabilities

MSFT AI tour London 2026

Sometimes, a hiccup in travel (like a missed flight!) turns into a golden opportunity. For me, it meant catching up on the profound discussions from the India AI Impact Summit. From sovereign AI to talent pipelines and compute, the insights were too good not to share. My reflection from all the video on demand, it is clear AI isn't just software; it's the next infrastructure of intelligence.

Focused on the "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" (welfare for all) theme.

#AI #IndiaAI #AIStrategy #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #Statecraft #FutureofWork #Innovation #IndiaAIImpactSummit2026 ##AIImpactSummit #AIForGood

The India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi showed a big change in how we think about AI. It wasn't just about small AI tools like chatbots. Instead, it w

Open article: India's AI Imperative – From Statecraft to Citizen Empowerment by Balagopal M. • 6 min read

India's AI Imperative – From Statecraft to Citizen Empowerment

Too often, we celebrate quick wins in app development without questioning the long-term design.  True impact comes from designing solutions that are scalable, resilient, and ready for tomorrow’s challenges.. Here are my perspective based on interaction with peers and learnings from all my previous implementations

https://lnkd.in/ePNHxstF

#systemdesign #powerplatform #designprinciples #powerfuldevs #architecture

Open article: Building Beyond the Basics: 10 Architectural Principles for Power Platform by dev.to

Building Beyond the Basics: 10 Architectural Principles for Power Platform

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Leon Gordon

Balagopal M.

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