--- title: "About Me" description: "Alex Khaerov — technology leader with 15+ years in cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, and AI-driven automation. Director, Head of GTIS Cloud at Prudential plc, Singapore. Guest lecturer, speaker, patent holder, open-source contributor." url: https://hayorov.me/about/ markdown_url: https://hayorov.me/about/index.md json_url: https://hayorov.me/about/index.json type: page author: Alex Khaerov author_url: https://hayorov.me/ date: 2021-07-03 lastmod: 2026-10-04 language: en word_count: 1442 --- # About Me > Alex Khaerov — technology leader with 15+ years in cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, and AI-driven automation. Director, Head of GTIS Cloud at Prudential plc, Singapore. Guest lecturer, speaker, patent holder, open-source contributor. Technology leader with 15+ years building cloud infrastructure, developer platforms, and engineering organizations. I specialize in large-scale distributed systems, cloud-native architectures, and AI-driven automation — with a focus on turning platform engineering into a competitive advantage. I lead global teams, ship self-service infrastructure platforms, and bridge the gap between technical execution and business outcomes. Holder of 3 US patents in cloud integration, active open-source contributor, and a regular speaker at international conferences. ## ⭐️ Core Competencies - **Cloud Infrastructure & Platform Engineering** – Designing and operating multi-region cloud foundations, networking, and developer platforms. - **AI-Driven Automation & GenAI** – Applying AI/ML to infrastructure operations, cost optimization, and self-service workflows. - **Engineering Leadership** – Building and scaling global engineering teams with strong DevOps culture and delivery discipline. - **Strategy & Business Alignment** – Connecting infrastructure investments to measurable business outcomes and competitive differentiation. - **Cloud-Native Architecture** – Kubernetes, IaC, multi-cloud, SaaS/PaaS/IaaS design with resilience and security built in. ## 👔 Professional Experience - **Director, Head of GTIS Cloud** [Prudential plc](https://www.prudential.com.sg/), Singapore\ _Dec 2019 – Present_\ I lead multi-cloud infrastructure, AI platforms, and developer experience across 12 Asia-Africa markets at Prudential plc. My responsibilities span platform engineering, Internal Developer Platforms (IDPs), cloud governance, and engineering culture at Fortune 500 scale. Key achievements include architecting the Prudential Global AI Lab infrastructure (2024) in partnership with Google Cloud and Singapore MDDI, establishing unified developer platforms serving 15,000+ employees, and maintaining 99.85% platform availability while optimizing infrastructure costs by 15%. I serve as HashiCorp Customer Advisory Board (E-CAB) Singapore representative and Google Cloud Innovators member, bridging industry advisory roles with hands-on platform engineering leadership. Additionally, I contribute as a guest lecturer in platform engineering and cloud architecture, connecting Fortune 500 practice with academic computing programs. - **Software Engineering Manager** [Chainstack](https://chainstack.com) ([Acronis'](https://acronis.com) spinoff), Singapore\ _Sep 2018 – Dec 2019_\ I had the unique opportunity to shape the direction of a nascent engineering team focused on infrastructure-intensive cloud services for digital ledger technology. My responsibilities ranged from talent acquisition and team management to the strategic planning and execution of our technology road map. I successfully assembled and led a high-performing global engineering team, guided by the principles of cloud-native and micro service-oriented platform architecture. We worked in close collaboration with product managers and owners to align our technical initiatives with the company's strategic priorities. Over a span of just 9 months, we successfully brought our vision to life by releasing the first version of the service. This accomplishment was a testament to our effective teamwork, meticulous attention to core architecture, and close collaboration with early adopters, ensuring their needs and feedback were integrated into our development process. Through this role, I honed my ability to work under pressure and deliver exceptional results within tight deadlines. I was instrumental in driving the projects from conception to successful launch, proving my capacity to operate strategically, shape robust technology solutions, and contribute significantly to the company's growth plans. In essence, I led from the front, uniting leadership skills, technical expertise, and strategic foresight to achieve remarkable results. - **Software Engineering Manager** Ingram Micro Cloud, Irvine, CA\ _Dec 2015 – Sep 2018_\ I oversaw both the technical and operational aspects of a dynamic Software Development Unit consisting of approximately 35 developers across three teams, including one remote. My day-to-day responsibilities encompassed comprehensive project management – from planning and architectural design to execution of development projects in coordination with program managers and various other departments. I was deeply involved in the technical aspects, participating in code reviews and acceptance testing to ensure the delivery of high-quality software solutions. Despite an intensive meeting schedule, which covered everything from ongoing projects to new initiatives and ideation sessions, I was able to maintain a keen focus on strategic execution and team productivity. I was at the helm of a talented software development team dedicated to designing, developing, and implementing the APS Connect service. Our technology stack included Python/Django-Flask, JS/Vue-Angular, and we leveraged the capabilities of cloud hosting in GCP/AWS. Throughout my tenure, I effectively combined leadership skills, technical acumen, and strategic planning to drive progress, innovation, and team growth. - **DevOps Manager & Sr. Software Developer** [Parallels](https://parallels.com), Moscow, Russia\ _May 2011 – Dec 2015_\ I had the unique opportunity to work on the Parallels Business Automation product. In my dual role, I led a multi-disciplinary team of engineers to develop and enhance the infrastructure and virtualization aspects of the product. I contributed both as a hands-on engineer and a strategic leader, focusing on the seamless integration of development and operations for efficient workflows and high-quality software solutions. As a DevOps manager, I implemented strategies and processes to foster a culture of continuous integration and deployment, which expedited the development cycle while maintaining high standards of reliability and stability. I worked closely with other teams to bridge gaps and improve communication, fostering an environment of collaboration and collective problem-solving. As a Senior Software Engineer, I leveraged my technical prowess to contribute to the design, development, and deployment of key features. I also played a vital role in problem-solving and code optimization, striving to maintain the product's performance at an optimal level. ## 🎓 Education 2025-2026 Master of Business Administration, _MBA_ Quantic School of Business and Technology, US. 2006-2011 M.Eng (Master of Engineering), _Communication networks and systems_ Volga State University of Telecommunications and Informatics, Russia. ## 🎖️ Professional Qualifications - [GCP Professional Cloud Architect](https://google.accredible.com/4db3ac85-6442-45d5-8cc7-e6087fbe98a1) - [GCP Professional Cloud Security Engineer](https://www.credential.net/b92ced5a-134b-4aa5-b216-53c74fd6027b) - [GCP Associate Cloud Engineer](https://www.credential.net/f0c6c335-ddcd-4e66-a657-88964970ffa9) - [HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate](https://www.credly.com/badges/16331cd7-3c14-41f9-afd0-717f5a216485) - [Kubernetes Networking and Security using Calico](https://courses.academy.tigera.io/certificates/39ae5d6f9dc748fd8946d8e7632bb00a) ## 📜 Patents - US20180300115A1: [Technologies for creating and distributing integration connectors in a cloud service brokerage system](https://patents.google.com/patent/US20180300115A1/en?inventor=Khaerov) - US20180191718A1: [Technologies for securely extending cloud service APIs in a cloud service marketplace](https://patents.google.com/patent/US20180191718A1/en?inventor=Khaerov&oq=inventor:Khaerov) - US20190132410A1: [System and method for integrating cloud applications into a cloud service broker platform using an automated, universal connector package](https://patents.google.com/patent/US20190132410A1/en?inventor=Khaerov&oq=inventor:Khaerov) ### See Alex Khaerov’s profile on [Google Scholar](https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pphTJAoAAAAJ) --- ## 🎓 Academic & Research I serve as a **guest lecturer** in platform engineering and cloud architecture, bridging Fortune 500 infrastructure practice with university computing programs. My academic interests focus on Internal Developer Platforms (IDPs), multi-cloud architecture, AI infrastructure, and socio-technical systems at enterprise scale. **Research Contributions**: - 3 US Patents in cloud automation and platform integration - 3 Academic publications in Next Generation Networks - 15+ Technical articles (50,000+ cumulative views) - 14 Conference presentations (2019-2025) For a comprehensive overview of my academic credentials, research interests, patents, publications, and professional contributions, see my [**Academic Profile**](https://hayorov.me/academic/). --- ## 📢 Public Speaking I speak regularly at international conferences and industry panels on cloud infrastructure, platform engineering, AI adoption, and DevOps leadership. Recent engagements include keynotes and panels at Tech Week Shanghai, HashiDays Singapore, Cloud Expo Asia, F5 AppWorld, and DevOps Summit Singapore. I have had the privilege to speak at numerous conferences and meetups across the globe. Here are some of my contributions: | Year | Topic | Conference | Location | | ---- | ----- | ---------- | -------- | | 2026 | [From Zero Trust to Autonomous Containment: Engineering Cyber Resilience in Multi-Cloud](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/cswaconference1080-x-13501-1-share-7503633373848854528-FtB5/) | [Cyber Security World Asia 2026](https://www.singaporetechnologyweek.com/cyber-security-world) | Singapore | | 2026 | [Design an Automation Fabric for the Agentic Era](https://www.ibm.com/events/think/singapore) | [IBM Think Singapore](https://www.ibm.com/events/think/singapore) | Singapore | | 2026 | [Panel: Enabling High-Velocity Engineering with Cloud Platforms and AI](https://chinatechbridge.com/shows/21/38.html) | [Tech Week Shanghai](https://techweeksh.digitalexpo.com/pc/micro-page?microPageId=10011052025072300017532510497859728597511753186&channelId=0021927269967692611584&contentId=10011052025072300017532510497859728597511753186&eid=10015032025071600017526323194428928557583597996&tohome=true) | Shanghai | | 2026 | [Advisory Board Member](https://exito-e.com/devopssummit/singapore/#speakers) | [Exito DevOps Summit Singapore](https://exito-e.com/devopssummit/singapore/) | Singapore | | 2025 | [Automating Infrastructure Management with Cloud-Native Services](https://www.singaporetechnologyweek.com/tech-week-singapore-mainstage-2025) | [Cloud & AI Infrastructure Asia](https://www.singaporetechnologyweek.com/tech-week-singapore-mainstage-2025) | Singapore | | 2025 | [Panel: AI & Automation: Enhancing and Streamlining DevOps Workflows](https://forefrontevents.co/event/devops-summit-singapore-2025/) | [DevOps Summit Singapore 2025](https://forefrontevents.co/event/devops-summit-singapore-2025/) | Singapore | | 2025 | [Anatomy of Self-Service Enterprise Infra Platforms](https://www.hashicorp.com/en/conferences/hashidays/singapore) | [HashiDays 2025 in Singapore](https://www.hashicorp.com/en/conferences/hashidays/singapore) | Singapore | | 2025 | [Panel: Shadow AI and LLM Security – Risks, Governance, and the Innovation Balance](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tsangstanley_cybersecurity-aisecurity-aigovernance-activity-7334120539227115520-6mXb/) | [F5 AppWorld 2025](https://www.f5.com/appworld) | Singapore | | 2025 | [Panel: Unpacking the Cloud & Infrastructure Foundations Needed to Thrive in the AI Age](https://forefrontevents.co/event/cloud-it-infrastructure-summit-sing/) | [Cloud & IT Infrastructure Summit](https://forefrontevents.co/event/cloud-it-infrastructure-summit-sing/) | Singapore | | 2024 | [GenAI Adoption Path for Self-Services & Internal Developer Platforms](https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnRTaPU_RuJRtDe0sk7HLLGjS8zh?e=K24d4D) | [Cloud Expo Asia](https://web.archive.org/web/20240911192904/https://www.cloudexpoasia.com/2024-conference-programme/genai-adoption-path-for-self-services-internal-developer-platforms) | Singapore | | 2023 | [Terraform and ArgoCD: Managing k8s Lifecycle](https://1drv.ms/b/s!AnRTaPU_RuJRrkpFEP2YS6fGPbJg?e=AVbNz9) | [Kubernetes User Group Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/k8s-sg/events/292826519/) | Singapore | | 2022 | [Facilitating and Simplifying AIOps Platform Adoption with Chaos Mesh](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQSYyAGtJaM) | [Bay Area Cloud Native Infra Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/Bay-Area-Cloud-Native-Database-Meetup/events/283613507/) | San Mateo, CA | | 2020 | [Workshop: Cloud-Native Pipelines with Tekton](https://summit.fossasia.org/event/schedule.html#6088) | [FOSSASIA Summit](https://summit.fossasia.org/) | Singapore | | 2020 | [Pouekhavshie - Singapore (Russian)](https://linkmeup.ru/blog/541.html) | [Linkmeup Podcast](https://linkmeup.ru) | Singapore | | 2019 | [Securing Containers: A Necessary Precaution](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QltHmfevCo8&list=PLtFn4-Uxnqyn2ZnJ8iaCBTvTzuMvnGQeb&index=16) | [DevOps Conference](https://devopsconf.io/) | Moscow | | 2019 | [Entangled in Dependencies: A Look at Pipenv & Poetry](https://speakerdeck.com/hayorov/entangled-in-dependencies-pipenv-and-poetry) | [Python User Group SG](https://pugs.org.sg/) | Singapore | | 2019 | [Creating a "Family Budget" in Minutes with Chainstack](https://speakerdeck.com/hayorov/family-budget-in-minutes-with-chainstack) | [Law Blockchain Festival](https://www.meetup.com/Legal-Technology-Singapore/events/261249518/) | Singapore | | 2019 | [Entering the Service Mesh Era: Our First Experience with Istio](https://speakerdeck.com/hayorov/welcome-to-the-service-mesh-era) | [Singapore Kubernetes User Group](https://www.meetup.com/Singapore-Kubernetes-User-Group/) | Singapore | | 2019 | [Quick Start to Quorum with Chainstack](https://speakerdeck.com/hayorov/quorum-in-minutes-with-chainstack) | [DApps Dev Club](https://dappsdev.org/blog/2019-04-12-dapps-dev-club-4th-session-roundup/) | Singapore | ## 🧩 Beyond Work Engineer at heart — I maintain open-source projects like [helm-gcs](https://github.com/hayorov/helm-gcs) (Helm chart repositories on GCP, Helm 4 compatible) and stay close to the tools I advocate for. Outside of work, I ride road bikes across Singapore and beyond, build FPV drones, and collect laptop stickers — see my [devlids](https://devlids.com/lids/hayorov). Strava profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/39930728 (the HTML page embeds a ride heatmap and activity summary). --- Canonical HTML page: https://hayorov.me/about/ Structured JSON: https://hayorov.me/about/index.json Site index for AI agents: https://hayorov.me/llms.txt