Micheal Garner
Solution Design Authority · Enterprise SD-WAN Architecture
Profile
With over 30 years in enterprise networking and more than 8 years as a Solution Design Authority, I specialise in end-to-end SD-WAN architecture, design, and delivery for large-scale enterprise customers — from complex single-country deployments to global multi-national networks spanning hundreds of sites.
I hold deep, hands-on expertise across the four major enterprise SD-WAN platforms: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN (formerly Viptela), Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, Juniper SD-WAN, and VMware VeloCloud / Arista — giving me the vendor-agnostic perspective that enterprise customers need when selecting, designing, and deploying WAN transformation programmes.
As a Solution Design Authority I lead the technical direction of complex WAN programmes — owning Low-Level Design, guiding delivery teams through migrations, managing customer technical relationships at senior level, and acting as the authoritative subject matter expert across all phases from pre-sales through to live operations.
Programme Highlights
1,500-site Juniper SD-WAN
Major UK retail customer. One of the largest Juniper SD-WAN footprints delivered in the UK. Full LLD ownership and migration governance.
400-site Fortinet Secure SD-WAN
Retail group rollout architected as a fully sovereign, on-premise delivery to meet strict data governance and regulatory requirements.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN — Critical National Infrastructure
Implementation for a large UK power sector organisation. Zero-downtime migration approach across critical operational technology.
Palo Alto SD-WAN & SASE
Second UK power sector customer. Integrated security and networking architecture aligned to zero-trust principles.
VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN
Multiple deployments including SASE-integrated architectures across retail, professional services, and public sector.
Skills
SD-WAN Platforms
Security & SASE
Routing & Switching
Legacy & Transport
Linux & Automation
Cloud & Virtualisation
Voice & Services
Design & Governance
Career Timeline
Technical authority and design lead for enterprise SD-WAN programmes — owning end-to-end architecture, Low-Level Design, and delivery governance for complex WAN transformation projects across large enterprise and multinational customers.
Senior technical voice in customer-facing design reviews, executive briefings, and PoC sessions. Providing 3rd/4th line escalation support and technical consultancy across WAN, SD-WAN, and network security domains. Recent deliveries include the 1,500-site Juniper SD-WAN, 400-site sovereign Fortinet, Cisco Catalyst for UK power, Palo Alto SASE, and multiple VMware VeloCloud programmes.
Technical authority and design lead for large-scale WAN transformations, specialising in the architecture of complex multinational networking environments. Focus on building resilient, security-integrated infrastructures aligned with rigorous enterprise governance.
Expert-level design authority across the SD-WAN ecosystem — Juniper (Mist), Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, Cisco Catalyst (Viptela), Palo Alto (Prisma/SASE), and VMware VeloCloud. Led end-to-end LLDs with a focus on zero-downtime migration strategies and high-scale deployments (1,500+ sites). Championed SASE and Zero-Trust integration; specialised in sovereign on-premise architectures for highly regulated sectors (Power, Utilities, Public Sector). Provided 4th-line technical escalation and acted as the senior voice in executive briefings and PoC validation.
Integrated solutions and delivery support across complex IP Data, IP Voice, and wireless networks. Project-based involvement on new-build and hardware/software upgrade programmes for enterprise customer solutions.
High-level integrated solutions and delivery support across complex IP Data and IP Voice networks. Lead technical contributor on new-build and upgrade projects spanning routing, switching, and converged voice/data customer solutions.
Senior data-network solution specialist, taking complex enterprise requirements through technical design and into delivery on the C&W IP and MPLS estate.
Technical specialist across the carrier transmission estate — SDH/PDH, optical transport, and the evolving IP/MPLS underlay supporting the IP-VPN business.
Principal engineer providing high-level technical support across enterprise data and voice services, covering Frame Relay, X.25, ATM, ISDN, and the early IP backbone.
Early career in analogue, TDM, and digital transmission engineering — the formative years that shaped the breadth of underlay and protocol experience I still draw on today.
Full role-by-role detail and references available on request via the contact form, or connect on LinkedIn.