I am an IT professional with over 30 years of commercial experience in software development, system architecture, and full-stack engineering. My career spans from early programming on a Vic 20 through to modern web and mobile application development, consistently delivering production-ready solutions for diverse business requirements.
Beginning my professional journey at Selby MillSmith, I progressed to IT Manager while developing expertise in Visual Basic and transitioning legacy MS-DOS systems to Windows-based applications. I successfully migrated these systems to web-based platforms, evolving from PERL and vanilla JavaScript implementations to modern PHP and jQuery architectures, demonstrating adaptability and technical evolution throughout my career.
Hands-on building production features with AI agent workflows in Cursor, using decades of architecture and delivery experience to steer automated coding runs, review diffs, and land reliable updates quickly.
Proficient in end-to-end solution development using LAMP stack and modern equivalents, including deploying scalable workloads on AWS (EC2, RDS, S3, CloudFront). Capable of delivering complete applications independently or collaborating effectively within cross-functional teams.
Languages: JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, HTML, CSS/SASS
Frameworks & Tools: React 19, NextJS, Express.js 5, Laravel, VueJS, Drizzle ORM, Prisma/tRPC, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Capacitor 7, Passport.js, Stripe Connect, Server-Sent Events, ViteJS, Bootstrap
Expertise in creating responsive, mobile-first interfaces that adapt seamlessly across devices. Skilled in implementing responsive layouts using modern frameworks and best practices to ensure optimal user experience.
Proficient in transforming large datasets from legacy systems and databases into modern formats. Experienced in data migration, reverse engineering file formats, and database transformation strategies.
Comprehensive understanding of SEO best practices and ranking factors. Proven track record of implementing strategies that improve search visibility and drive organic traffic for client websites.
Developed a full-stack local food marketplace platform connecting home cooks and local food producers with customers in their community. Built a production-ready e-commerce platform with real-time features, payment processing, mobile app support, and comprehensive seller/buyer management systems.
The platform was developed using a modern tech stack including React 19 with TypeScript, Express.js 5, PostgreSQL with Drizzle ORM, and Stripe Connect for multi-party payment processing. Implemented real-time order updates using Server-Sent Events, comprehensive authentication with Passport.js, and mobile applications for both iOS and Android using Capacitor 7. The application includes advanced features such as distance-based product discovery using postcode geocoding, real-time inventory tracking, availability scheduling with recurring time slots, and a complete order management system with email notifications.
Fish in a bottle sub contracted me to Pixel Toys and then they employed me directly so I have an overlap on my dates.
I have been working on a web portal for a very large entertainment company to create their games web portal. Written in node.js stack using react, postgres, nextjs with help from prisma/tRPC.
Working on large client sites such as the BBC and BOSE. using Laravel and front end technologies we delivered content management systems and apps to support them.
3-month contract to upgrade their entire systems to work on PHP 7.4 and review API's. A further 3 months to upgrade speed tests and other services while working with oracle developers.
I have been working on several websites and supporting existing clients. An example is a charity group website for plant enthusiast's that needed to be upgraded. I used Laravel, vue and latest technologies to create a new better looking and responsive website with a plant database so that users can easily find the plant they are interested in.
Created a content management system called anteater CMS. It now uses Vue3 for the front end with bootstrap 5/elements-UI and PHP (Laravel) with MySQL.
I worked on a European Space Agency funded project called iFishSat that was a feasibility study to try to solve the problem of selling fish before they have been landed bypassing local auctions and selling direct to the end buyers. I was mainly working on the front-end e-commerce system that was written from scratch to address the issues. JAVA/angularJS front end.
I also worked on a system called CAPITALS. The front end was developed to show a vast amount of data on an OpenStreetMap API. Truck movements were shown in real time (within minutes) along with vessels and container information.
Sept 2014 – 2015
Using AngularJS, I have created a full 360° review system allowing Organisers to setup participants. The participants can then setup their review and add responders who upon receiving an email click on a link to complete the questionnaire. Once the system detects they have enough responses a report button appears that then sends the organiser a report.
During this time, I have also been working with AdvantaPro on their CSS and HTML for word press templates ensuring they work responsively and with best practices.
I was employed to re-factor and develop the front end of their e-commerce system called b2x/one white box. I successfully did this by re doing all of their front-end smarty templates so they worked in a logical succinct and easy to develop manner. I managed to accomplish this as my PHP/backend knowledge allowed me to work with the back-end programmer effectively. The ecommerce system took a spare bedroom company to a multi-million-pound multinational. http://www.welovefrugi.com.
2001 – 2010
Symantec E-Publishing solution, online graduate database for Penna Holdings plc, programmed for Selby & Mills a complete online psychometric questionnaire system that allows them to generate complex biographic forms and store their results with an online configuration/administration interface. Reports are then automatically generated and emailed with HTML psychometric content.
2000 – 2001
At Every Software my time was mainly used to further learn C++ and help with the class specifications, class testing and setting up the company infrastructure. This role enabled me to gain more knowledge of C++, on a GNU environment and to learn UNIX platforms and the development process on these systems. I also learnt PERL to produce some scripts that create HTML indexed documents and automatically generated C++ code.
1994 – 2000
At Selby MillSmith Limited I was mainly employed as a Programmer producing psychometric assessment software using Visual Basic. This comprised of programming and maintenance of databases, technical support for client's software and sales people. I created their first web site with notepad for windows!