Thomas works as an EMEA Global Black Belt (GBB) for Sovereign Cloud at Microsoft, focusing on Azure sovereign cloud solutions including hybrid cloud, multicloud, and edge computing. In this senior technical leadership role within Microsoft’s Commercial Solution Area (CSA), he partners with enterprise customers, CxOs, and technical decision-makers across EMEA to accelerate digital transformation with Microsoft’s sovereign and trusted cloud platforms. He helps organizations address complex technical challenges, remove roadblocks, and ensuring that our customers can take full advantage of Microsoft’s trusted cloud platforms and Microsoft’s comprehensive spectrum of digital sovereignty capabilities such as Sovereign Public Cloud, Sovereign Private Cloud, and National Partner Clouds. This includes solutions such as Azure Arc, Azure Local, M365 Local, Windows Server, SQL, and more.
As part of his responsibilities in Cloud & AI Platforms, Thomas advises executives, shapes strategic direction, and drives competitive differentiation of Microsoft Cloud solutions in sovereign scenarios. He contributes to incubation projects, builds scalable technical accelerators and reference architectures, and provides feedback to engineering teams to influence product roadmaps. He also acts as a trusted advisor and thought leader, sharing insights through technical engagements, speaking, and publishing to inspire adoption across the industry.
Before taking on his current role, Thomas worked as a Principal Program Manager & Chief Evangelist for Azure Hybrid in the Azure engineering team (Cloud + AI). There, he led global community and customer engagement for Azure’s hybrid, multicloud, edge, and sovereign cloud platform, driving adoption through advocacy, events, technical demos, and engineering-focused enablement.
Prior to joining Microsoft engineering, Thomas worked as a Lead Architect and executive team member at itnetX in Switzerland, collaborating closely with Microsoft as a Partner Cloud Solutions Architect (CSA) and Azure Advisor.
From 2012 to 2019, Thomas was recognized as a Microsoft MVP in Microsoft Azure and Cloud & Datacenter Management, and he also received awards as a Cisco Champion (2014), Veeam Vanguard (2015), and Windows Insider MVP (2019) for his contributions to the broader technology ecosystem.
From 2012 to 2019, Thomas was recognized as a Microsoft MVP in Microsoft Azure and Cloud & Datacenter Management, and he also received awards as a Cisco Champion (2014), Veeam Vanguard (2015), and Windows Insider MVP (2019). More recently, Thomas has been honored as one of the Top 20 Azure Influencers (Whizlabs, 2024), named among the Top Microsoft Azure Bloggers to Follow (2023 & 2024), and included in Onalytica’s Who’s Who in Cloud Top 50 Influencers (2023). He was also recognized with the Digital Revolution Award 2023 – Outstanding Contribution to the Microsoft Community.
Beyond written contributions, Thomas also produces technical video content and reached a major milestone in 2024 with the YouTube Silver Creator Award for surpassing 100,000 subscribers on his channel.
Thomas is a passionate community advocate and frequently speaks at industry events such as Microsoft Ignite and Microsoft TechDays. He shares his expertise through his Cloud and Datacenter Blog at www.thomasmaurer.ch and on LinkedIn and X.com.
About Thomas Social Media Profiles
Professional experience
- EMEA Global Black Belt (GBB) for Sovereign Cloud (Full-time employee)
Microsoft, http://www.microsoft.com
Industry: Information Technology & Services - Blogger
Thomas Maurer Cloud & Virtualization Blog, https://www.thomasmaurer.ch
Industry: Information Technology & Services - Public Speaker
Thomas Maurer Cloud & Virtualization Blog, https://www.thomasmaurer.ch
Industry: Information Technology & Services - Lecturer
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW
Hybrid & Multicloud in the Cloud Computing CAS
Industry: Information Technology & Services - YouTuber
Thomas Maurer Cloud, https://www.youtube.com/c/ThomasMaurerCloud
Industry: Information Technology & Services
Educational background
- March 2013
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, FHNW
Certificates of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Business Engineering Management, CAS- CAS Process Management
- CAS Business Management
- CAS Corporate Management
Qualifications
- Microsoft Certified: Microsoft AI Product Manager (2025)
- Microsoft: Product Strategy and Roadmapping (2025)
- Microsoft: Enterprise Product Management Fundamentals (2025)
- Microsoft: Market Research and Competitive Analysis (2025)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (2025)
- Microsoft Certified Trainer 2025-2026 (2025)
- Microsoft Certified Trainer 2024-2025 (2024)
- Microsoft Certified Trainer 2023-2024 (2023)
- Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (2022)
- Microsoft Certified Trainer 2022-2023 (2022)
- Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (2021)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate (2021)
- Microsoft Certified Trainer 2021-2022 (2021)
- Microsoft Azure Architecture Center Contributor – Gold FY21 (2021)
- Microsoft Certified Trainer 2020-2021 (2020)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (2019)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (2019)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (2019)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (2019)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (2019)
- Microsoft Certified Trainer 2019-2020 (2019)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (2018)
- MCSA: Windows 10 (2018)
- MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure (2018)
- MCSA: Office 365 (2018)
- MTA: Administrating Windows Server Fundamentals (2017)
- MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure (2016)
- MCSA: Windows Server 2016 (2016)
- MCSA: Cloud Platform (2016)
- MCSD: Azure Solutions Architect (2015)
- MCSE: Server Infrastructure (2012)
- MCSA: Windows Server 2012 (2012)
- MCSE: Private Cloud (2012)
- MCTS: Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 (2012)
- MCSA: Windows Server 2008 (2012)
- MCTS: Center Data Protection Manager, Configuring (2012)
- MCITP: Enterprise Administrator (2010)
- MCTS: Windows 7, Configuring (2010)
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring (2010)
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring (2010)
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration (2010)
- MCITP: Virtualization Administrator 2008 R2(2010)
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization (2010)
- MCTS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization (2010)
- MCTS: Configuring Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 (2010)
- Symantec Sales Expert (2008)
- Informatiker FA (2007)
- Certificate in Business English ESOL (2003)
- Certificate in English ESOL (2003)
Honors and Awards
YouTube Silver Creator Award
Oct 2024
I’m super excited to announce that I’ve hit a major milestone—receiving the YouTube Silver Creator Award for reaching 100,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel! It’s been an incredible ride filled with hard work, dedication, and loads of passion.
Top Microsoft Azure Bloggers to Follow in 2024
Sep 2024
Following Azure blogs and bloggers is crucial to fuel growth and staying updated in the Azure ecosystem. These experts serve all deep insights about the cloud platform on your plate. This blog will explore the top 8 Microsoft Azure bloggers to follow in 2024.
Whizlabs Top 20 Azure Influencers in 2024
Aug 2024
Azure influencers are the people who have either done a significant job in Microsoft Azure or putting their efforts to help people learning and moving to Azure. The case of improvements in features and services provided by Microsoft Azure has contributed to the best azure influencers. This article aims at illustrating a list of the most notable Microsoft Azure thought leaders. The information about the experience of the top azure influencers in Microsoft Azure as well as their body of work is the prime highlight of this article.
Whizlabs Top Microsoft Azure Bloggers to Follow in 2023
Jul 2023
Following Azure blogs and bloggers is crucial to fuel growth and staying updated in the Azure ecosystem. These experts serve all deep insights about the cloud platform on your plate. This blog will explore the top 8 Microsoft Azure bloggers to follow in 2023.
Digital Revolution Award 2023 – Outstanding Contribution to the Microsoft Community
Apr 2023 – Digital Revolution Awards
The Digital Revolution Awards is a global cloud IT awards and fundraiser that recognizes and celebrates the very best individuals and businesses working in the cloud tech ecosystem.
Onalytica Who’s Who in Cloud? Top 50 Influencers 2023
Apr 2023
The OnAlytica “Who’s Who in Cloud? Top 50 Influencers to Follow” list for 2023. This is a prestigious recognition that honors the most influential voices in the cloud computing industry. Onalytica have been creating influencer lists for the last 10+ years, curating an influencer database of 1M influencers across 500+ topical communities within industries such as tech, finance, healthcare, education and many more.
Who’s Who in Cloud highlights the top 50 thought leaders and influencers who drove the most engagement across LinkedIn & Twitter over a 6 month period on the topic of cloud. Most of these people are industry practitioners who oftentimes speak at events, write books and articles, and create video and audio content to advance the industry forward.
Veeam Vanguard 2023
Jan 2023 – Veeam
A Veeam Vanguard represents the Veeam brand to the highest level in many of the different technology communities in which we engage. These individuals are chosen for their acumen, engagement, and style in their activities on and offline.
The Onalytica Who’s Who in Cloud Report
Apr 2022
Onalytica just released their Who’s Who in Cloud Report. It is a great honor to be listed twice in the report, as brand employee and int the sub-topic hybrid cloud. Onalytica have been creating influencer lists for the last 10+ years, curating an influencer database of 1M influencers across 500+ topical communities within industries such as tech, finance, healthcare, education and many more.
Brand Employees
These are the influential Exec Leaders and Subject Matter Experts working for large Enterprise brands that are delivering solutions in the sector. They are visibly driving external engagement on their social channels around the topic of Cloud.
Hybrid Cloud (Sub-topics & Sectors)
The below sample of influencers amplify a lot of industry content, including third party content, on Hybrid Cloud. The topic is also one their main thought leadership topics, as per their Onalytica profile
Veeam Vanguard 2022
Jan 2022 – Veeam
A Veeam Vanguard represents the Veeam brand to the highest level in many of the different technology communities in which we engage. These individuals are chosen for their acumen, engagement, and style in their activities on and offline.
Whizlabs 150+ Top Global Cloud Thought Leaders and Next Generation Leaders of 2021
Apr 2021
It is loud and clear that Cloud Computing is fundamental to the new wave of digital transformation. In the year of 2021, with everyone working from home, better cloud storage and computing strategies have helped many organizations to grow higher while some were struggling to adapt to the changes. This is where the Cloud Thought Leaders and Next Generation Leaders stepped in. With immense presence in social media and public forums, many of the leaders have shared their views, the struggles they have faced and the ways they have overcome professionally as well as personally.
Veeam Vanguard 2021
Jan 2021 – Veeam
A Veeam Vanguard represents the Veeam brand to the highest level in many of the different technology communities in which we engage. These individuals are chosen for their acumen, engagement, and style in their activities on and offline.
Whizlabs Top 20 Azure Influencers in 2020
Aug 2020
Azure influencers are the people who have either done a significant job in Microsoft Azure or putting their efforts to help people learning and moving to Azure. The case of improvements in features and services provided by Microsoft Azure has contributed to the best azure influencers. This article aims at illustrating a list of the most notable Microsoft Azure thought leaders. The information about the experience of the top azure influencers in Microsoft Azure as well as their body of work is the prime highlight of this article.
Veeam Vanguard 2020
Jan 2020 – Veeam
A Veeam Vanguard represents the Veeam brand to the highest level in many of the different technology communities in which we engage. These individuals are chosen for their acumen, engagement, and style in their activities on and offline.
Windows Insider MVP 2019
Jan 2019 – Microsoft
Exceptional Windows Insiders have the opportunity to earn recognition for their leadership in making the Windows Insider Program inspiring, creative, and collaborative. The Windows Insider MVP Program – the new home for our MVPs focused on Windows and Devices for consumers.
The Windows Insider MVP Program allows us to work more closely with MVPs via more focused, direct interactions with various Windows and Devices product teams.
Veeam Vanguard 2019
Jan 2019 – Veeam
A Veeam Vanguard represents the Veeam brand to the highest level in many of the different technology communities in which we engage. These individuals are chosen for their acumen, engagement, and style in their activities on and offline.
Microsoft MVP 2018-2019 Microsoft Azure & Cloud and Datacenter Management
Jul 2018 – Microsoft
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real world problems.
Microsoft MVP 2017-2018 Cloud and Datacenter Management
Jul 2017 – Microsoft
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real world problems.
Microsoft MVP 2016
Oct 2016 – Microsoft
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real world problems.
Cisco Champion 2016
Jan 2016 – Cisco
The Cisco Champion Program was created to nurture a network of people who are passionate about Cisco and enjoy sharing their knowledge, expertise, and thoughts across the social web and with Cisco.
The Cisco Champion program encompasses different areas of interest and geographical areas, providing a variety of opportunities for Champions to participate in the program.
Veeam Vanguard 2016
Jan 2016 – Veeam
A Veeam Vanguard represents the Veeam brand to the highest level in many of the different technology communities in which we engage. These individuals are chosen for their acumen, engagement and style in their activities on and offline.
Microsoft MVP 2015
Oct 2016 – Microsoft
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real world problems.
Cisco Champion 2015
Jan 2015 – Cisco
The Cisco Champion Program was created to nurture a network of people who are passionate about Cisco and enjoy sharing their knowledge, expertise, and thoughts across the social web and with Cisco.
The Cisco Champion program encompasses different areas of interest and geographical areas, providing a variety of opportunities for Champions to participate in the program.
Veeam Vanguard 2015
Jan 2015 – Veeam
A Veeam Vanguard represents the Veeam brand to the highest level in many of the different technology communities in which we engage. These individuals are chosen for their acumen, engagement and style in their activities on and offline.
Microsoft MVP 2014
Oct 2016 – Microsoft
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real world problems.
Cisco Champion 2014
Jan 2014 – Cisco
The Cisco Champion Program was created to nurture a network of people who are passionate about Cisco and enjoy sharing their knowledge, expertise, and thoughts across the social web and with Cisco.
The Cisco Champion program encompasses different areas of interest and geographical areas, providing a variety of opportunities for Champions to participate in the program.
Microsoft MVP 2013
Oct 2016 – Microsoft
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real world problems.
Microsoft MVP 2012
Oct 2016 – Microsoft
Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals, or MVPs, are technology experts who passionately share their knowledge with the community. They are always on the “bleeding edge” and have an unstoppable urge to get their hands on new, exciting technologies. They have very deep knowledge of Microsoft products and services, while also being able to bring together diverse platforms, products and solutions, to solve real world problems.
