About
Hey, I’m Andy B – a Senior Data Engineer based in the UK, specialising in SQL Server, data platforms, and real-world engineering challenges across the Microsoft ecosystem.
I focus on getting data where it needs to be – quickly, reliably, and without surprises. That usually means working across database development, integration tools, and the awkward edge cases that show up in real systems.
I enjoy the problem-solving side of data work most: designing resilient solutions, fixing performance issues, wrestling with legacy processes, and making things behave consistently under pressure.
Alongside the hands-on work, I’m also interested in the broader data landscape – how individual solutions come together as a complete data estate, and how early decisions shape performance, reliability, and long-term maintainability.
What I work on
My core areas include:
- Database design and development
- Designing and building robust data integrations
- Data orchestration, automation, and scheduling
- Performance tuning and optimisation
- Troubleshooting complex or obscure issues
About the blog
This blog is where I share practical lessons from my experiences in those areas.
Most posts come from real-world problems – the ones I find interesting, enlightening, or slightly unusual. The focus is on what works, why it works, and where it can go wrong.
I’ve been writing consistently for a number of years, building up a library of posts covering SQL Server, SSIS, and Azure-based tooling. The aim is to share useful, real-world approaches that others can apply.
Outside of work
I’m based in the UK, so expect the occasional dry humour – along with a mix of gaming, country music, and a potentially unhealthy relationship with pizza 🍕
Andy Brownsword 