Hi, I'm Barrie Millar
I'm a Data Automation Developer working for Crowe UK with broad programming and IT technical experience
I started my technology journey early in life, learning to program in BASIC at a young age on an old Amstrad CPC464. I had only an instruction manual and a curious mind, but I was inspired by the possibilities I could see in the words. My interest in technology only grew from there and after school, I embarked on a university education in the field and attained a degree and a master's degree.
However, my life did not progress as I had envisaged, family responsibilities came to the fore and I spent a number of years in a caring role, first informally, and then formally. Despite this, my life circumstances have recently changed and after completing full-stack web development training with Code Institute, I started work for Crowe UK as an Alteryx Developer.
From there, I gained Designer Core and Advanced certifications while working on a variety of projects at Crowe, both big and small. My role has since expanded beyond Alteryx into Python and KNIME. More recently, I'm now working on end-to-end web platform development using FastAPI. I continue to follow a professional development plan, building my software portfolio and expanding my skills in key technologies including data engineering, Azure and Power BI.
Qualifications
| Course | Institution | Date Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Alteryx Designer Advanced Certification | Alteryx | March 2025 |
| Alteryx Designer Core Certification | Alteryx | February 2025 |
| Alteryx Foundation Micro-Credential | Alteryx | January 2025 |
| Full Stack Software Developer: Skills Bootcamp | Code Institute | August 2024 |
| MSc E-Commerce (Technology) | Swansea Institute of Higher Education | March 2008 |
| BSc Software Engineering | Swansea Institute of Higher Education | July 2002 |
| A-Levels (A to B grades) in Information Technology and Electronics | Bro Myrddin | August 1999 |
| 6 GCSEs (A to C grades) including Mathematics and English | Bro Myrddin | August 1997 |
| Alteryx Designer Advanced Certification from Alteryx (Completed March 2025) |
| Alteryx Designer Core Certification from Alteryx (Completed February 2025) |
| Alteryx Foundation Micro-Credential from Alteryx (Completed January 2025) |
| Full Stack Software Developer: Skills Bootcamp from Code Institute (Completed August 2024) |
| MSc E-Commerce (Technology) at Swansea Institute of Higher Education (Completed March 2008) |
| BSc Software Engineering at Swansea Institute of Higher Education (Completed July 2002) |
| A-Levels (A to B grades) in Information Technology and Electronics at Bro Myrddin (Completed August 1999) |
| 6 GCSEs (A to C grades) including Mathematics and English at Bro Myrddin (Completed August 1997) |
Individual Software Portfolio
BMChecksum
A file hashing program to store and later verify the checksums of files
Technology: Python
Status: Command-line and Tkinter GUI editions functional, development continues
Analytics Lab
A demonstration and exploration of data analytics, science and engineering
Technology: Python (may expand to others)
Status: Early stages, likely to be expanded in various ways into the future
Carrier Directive
A text-mode strategic game inspired by the 1988 game Carrier Command
Technology: Python
Status: Progressing
Collaborative Software Portfolio
Technical Courses
| Course | Institution | Date Completed |
|---|---|---|
| ETL and ELT in Python | DataCamp | February 2026 |
| Microsoft Azure Virtual Training: Fundamentals | Microsoft | February 2026 |
| Introduction to Data Engineering | DataCamp | January 2026 |
| TypeScript for JavaScript Developers | LinkedIn Learning | August 2025 |
| Learning PowerShell | LinkedIn Learning | July 2025 |
| Power BI Essential Training (2024) | LinkedIn Learning | July 2025 |
| Learn CSS - Responsive Design | Codecademy | May 2023 |
| Learn CSS - Box Model and Layout | Codecademy | May 2023 |
| Learn CSS - Flexbox and Grid | Codecademy | March 2023 |
| Building Interactive JavaScript Websites | Codecademy | May 2022 |
| Learn JavaScript | Codecademy | March 2022 |
| Learn CSS | Codecademy | March 2022 |
| Learn HTML | Codecademy | February 2022 |
| ETL and ELT in Python with DataCamp (Completed February 2026) |
| Microsoft Azure Virtual Training: Fundamentals with Microsoft (Completed February 2026) |
| Introduction to Data Engineering with DataCamp (Completed January 2026) |
| TypeScript for JavaScript Developers with LinkedIn Learning (Completed August 2025) |
| Learning PowerShell with LinkedIn Learning (Completed July 2025) |
| Power BI Essential Training (2024) with LinkedIn Learning (Completed July 2025) |
| Learn CSS - Responsive Design with Codecademy (Completed May 2023) |
| Learn CSS - Box Model and Layout with Codecademy (Completed May 2023) |
| Learn CSS - Flexbox and Grid with Codecademy (Completed March 2023) |
| Building Interactive JavaScript Websites with Codecademy (Completed May 2022) |
| Learn JavaScript with Codecademy (Completed March 2022) |
| Learn CSS with Codecademy (Completed March 2022) |
| Learn HTML with Codecademy (Completed February 2022) |
Employment
| Analyst - Data Automation Developer at Crowe UK (August 2025 onwards) |
| Transitioned from a Junior Alteryx Developer role to a Data Automation Developer, expanding into multi-platform automation. |
| Designing and maintaining data automation workflows using Alteryx, KNIME and VBA. |
| Extending low-code automation by developing standalone Python solutions to provide enhanced flexibility and capability. |
| Building a scalable full-stack web-based platform using Python, FastAPI and HTML/CSS to host and deploy current and future automation capabilities. |
| Delivering technical training to new team members to share best practices and improve overall capability. |
| Providing ongoing support and guidance to stakeholders to ensure smooth adoption and effective use of automation tools. |
| Analyst - Junior Alteryx Developer at Crowe UK (December 2024 to August 2025) |
| Produced and maintained Alteryx Designer and Alteryx Server workflows to meet business requirements and streamline manual processes. |
| Gained Alteryx Designer Foundation, Core and Advanced certifications. |
| Built VBA-based desktop solutions to complement automated workflows where appropriate. |
| Developed complementary Python-based solutions to extend capabilities inside the Alteryx framework. |
| Delivered training and provided ongoing support to stakeholders to ensure effective use of workflows. |
| Personal Assistant with IT Support (November 2011 to April 2024) |
| Providing day-to-day care to an individual with complex medical and social needs. Includes administering medication, PEG feeding, record keeping and medical testing. |
| Responsible for leading the design and implementation of policies and procedures as required. |
| Leading teams and training new staff members. |
| Responsible for providing all IT support required including administrative, technical and creative tasks. These include hardware and software maintenance, management of portable devices, IT backup and security and document management. |
Technical Skills
I'm currently developing a full platform to run Python based
workflows by using a
FastAPI based web server. This is being produced end-to-end from
conception to
platform choices, software programming, user interface construction, system
configuration, organisation, support and so on.
I work with Python, Alteryx Designer and
Server as well as KNIME to develop
and maintain analytical solutions. This involves both small and large projects for
analysis and automation, often in situations where the accuracy of
information is very important. I've also learnt Power BI and can
create informative
reports and dashboards as well as transform semantic models as needed. Recently,
I've taken three courses in
data engineering and Azure and intend to expand my
skills in both areas.
My main programming stack at the current time is Python, FastAPI,
JavaScript,
CSS and HTML while I regularly use the
Git version control system.
I have extensive programming experience over a long length of time and have past
experience with
C++, Java, PHP, SQL and Bash
among others as part of both my university education and also further projects in
some cases.
I am proficient in the use of Microsoft Windows, Linux, ChromeOS and
Android along with
commonly used applications in each. I also have expertise in how to set each of them
up
as well as maintain and secure them. PowerShell, basic batch programming and
Linux
shell-scripting
are things I have some experience of.
I have Microsoft Office 365, LibreOffice and Google Docs
experience,
particularly with the word processor and spreadsheet applications. I also have
VBA macro programming experience with Excel.
I have run my own Linux servers for many years and have some
commercial experience with Windows web servers, I'm familiar with
setting up, maintaining and securing both. I'm familiar with the
Virtualbox
application for virtual servers and have some experience using
Docker. I also have
a historical understanding of virtualisation through OpenVZ, Xen
and QEMU/KVM.
I have knowledge of common networking concepts and am used to working with standard
TCP/IP networks, both in a configuration sense and with the
knowledge to provide security. I also work with remote connections and desktops,
using SSH clients and servers in combination with VNC and
Microsoft Remote Desktop.
I am very familiar with many security concepts including firewalling,
antivirus and encryption and have practical experience using them. I've
also gained further experience at Crowe with recent training on the application of
data protection and cybersecurity in a
professional services firm.
I take a keen interest in AI developments and frequently use associated technology
including ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini. I have developed workflows in
Alteryx using machine learning and also use GitHub
Copilot as a programming aid. My master's degree dissertation was in
the use of machine learning in customer support environments and
therefore I also have a long-term grounding in this technology.
I have some experience building and upgrading computer systems and
have a
good grounding
in this area. I feel comfortable that I would be up to speed working with a wide
array
of modern hardware in a short space of time.
I have worked recently with SQL databases, mainly programmatically
and would welcome a chance to gain more experience in this area.
Working Approach
I'm a very driven, self-motivated person who works well independently
and does not require supervision to stay productive. I take pride in producing work of a
high standard and hold myself accountable for the results. In addition to this, I have a
strong belief in professionalism, treating others respectfully and helping to maintain a
positive collaborative environment.
I'm committed to a path of continuous learning, progressively
developing my skills over time through study, courses and certifications. This includes both
areas related to my work and others of personal interest to me.
I have experience explaining complex concepts and technical
systems to individuals with varying levels of domain knowledge. This
includes both direct communication and written
documentation.
I am confident in assuming leadership roles and have done so many times
in my education
and professional life. I was a senior team leader in my Personal
Assistant role,
responsible for training and integrating new staff members into the team. At Crowe, I
have taken on mentoring responsibilities for new team members. My aim
when leading is to
set a positive example, remain supportive, and
provide clear direction when needed.
Personal Interests
| Technology in general, including programming, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, etc. |
| Formula 1 racing |
| World affairs |
| Strategic gaming, both traditional and computerised |
| Flight, including gliders, powered aircraft and drones |