Professional Bio
Natasha is a Chartered IT Professional and TOGAF Certified Domain Architect with 10 years IT Architecture experience and a track record of excellence. Holding a wealth of expertise, Natasha has been recognised as one of Drapers 30 Under 30, named on DTX Top 50 Tech Leaders List in 2024 and received Highly Commended in the Women in Engineering Society Karen Burt Memorial Award. 

Holding a range of qualifications including a Masters Degree in Digital and Technology Solutions, Natasha’s academic background complements her practical achievements. Currently working in Matalan’s IT function as a Domain Architect, she drives IT Strategy, spearheads Innovation and Thought Leadership, and designs new solutions - working as the lead architect on multi-million-pound projects supporting business and digital transformation. She also has experience in Project Management, Business Analysis and Security Architecture which has supported her rapid career progression.

Passionate about fostering diversity in tech, Natasha actively supports initiatives including Elevate Women in Tech, DigitalHER and is a mentor, aiming to empower women and young professionals in the field, as well as working closely with local Universities and alumni networks. Additionally, she is recognised across the industry and frequently is a speaker or panellist at events to share her insights and experiences as well as serving as a Board Member in the British Computing Society (BCS) Influence Board. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture, and how has your journey been so far? 

Every day is different - it is such a broad role and also a fantastic way to get involved in so many aspects of a business, including a range of projects and initiatives as well as shaping the future direction via strategy. There is always a new problem to solve, which I love!

What skills and traits do you think make a great architect?
The ability to convey complex, technical topics to senior leaders and people that aren't techies is key; talking about the business outcome and impact rather than using too much technical jargon.

How do you navigate leadership, influence, and impact as a woman or ally in architecture?
I am passionate about encouraging more women and young people to consider a career in tech and hope to be a role model for any women thinking about a move into IT Architecture. I take part in campaigns, interviews, panel discussions and appear on walls of influence to aid this and I am a mentor for women in tech. 

What’s one myth about being a woman in architecture that you’d like to debunk?
Women can often be seen as the organised one, so often we end up recording the actions and organising meetings. We're also seen as creative, so might pull together great slides. But don't let that shine away from your amazing technical ability too! Architects often need to be great all-rounders, having a mix of soft and technical skills and we should embrace this!

What skills, tech, or certifications are you investing in this year, and why?
This year, I'm keen to grow my leadership skills even more and get more experience in mentoring others and giving back to the women in tech communities and working with universities. I'm exploring agile architecture and what this means / what aspects could be adopted. And I'm continuing my work with the BCS, working towards fellowship in the future. 

How can leaders and organisations build a more inclusive pipeline for women entering and growing in architecture?
Entering Architecture can be tough - so having structure, development opportunities and career paths in place is crucial to help this transition. That then needs to be maintained so women have opportunities for growth, progression and development in order to keep them in architecture. We don't want to lose great talent because the opportunities simply aren't there! 

What future trends in architecture and technology should architects prepare for to stay ahead in the industry?

AI goes without saying - but eventually it will be part of pretty much every tech implementation, so how can we consider it securely, amend our policies, standards and principles to factor this in and make sure it is considered as we evaluate new, future solutions. As IT delivery models change and organisations look to become more agile in their delivery, we need to think about what this means for architecture and how agile architecture could work.

Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn