About Me

AIG – Investments AI – LondonLead UI Engineer (Contractor) March 2020 – Present

Tech used: Typescript, Node/Express, React, Redux, Saga, Webpack/Rollup, ChartJS, ESRI/ArcGIS, Geoserver/Google Maps, Jest, Cyprus, Storybook.

• Spearheaded development of their UI (React) Component Library, leveraged across multiple teams and projects.
  • Developed the core UI component library, including over 30 key components, all customisable within Storybook.
  • Fostered close collaboration with UX/Design to meet stringent Design System Doc requirements, guaranteeing high-quality output.
  • Established and documented comprehensive Development/QA/Release processes, facilitating smooth onboarding for all teams.
  • Managed future releases/updates, ensuring adherence to standards/processes and maintaining project timeline accuracy.
• Enhanced the recruitment process, from sourcing and interviewing candidates to onboarding new hires.
• Contributed significantly to the development of their flagship data visualisation platform for real-estate investment analysis, integrating data with ML.
  • Overhauled the legacy codebase, modernising it in accordance with current standards and tools.
  • Instituted Node Microservices to handle complex functions such as automatic generation of documents (xls, pdf, doc) based on Chart/Map data.
  • Developed custom ChartJS plugins to enable advanced features.
  • Assisted in migrating the entire codebase from ESRI/ArcGIS to Geoserver/Google Maps.

BEYOND – Design & Technology Agency – LondonTechnical Lead/Creative Technologist (Permanent/Contractor) September 2017 – November 2019

Part of the Global Technical Leadership Team, work included:

• Google Digital WorkshopManaged a multidisciplinary team of 10+ engineers, running Agile Ceremonies, liaising with Google’s stakeholders and technical teams, defining requirements, hiring, providing scoping/estimations and creating all relevant process and technical documentation. Results include 14 million new users in 2018, reaching 53 countries and helping secure Beyond onto Google’s agency roster leading to further work opportunities.
• Set up and led the Creativity Chapter, a platform to encourage, foster and develop new ideas within Beyond, the most successful being a voice app developed for Google, which picked up a Silver Davey Award following release.
• Validated technical feasibility through POC Prototypes, supporting projects and pitch work. One of these led to Beyond being awarded a year long engagement with a key client and the opportunity to lead a team, developing a 3D streaming platform with a fully customisable UI using a combination of React, WebAssembly, gRPC, Protobuf and Unity.
• Other key projects include a Native iOS Voice App for Qantas, an internal Native iOS Running App and various CMS builds for Tobacco Free CA including Flavors Hook Kids which won a Hermes Creative Platinum Award for Social Good.

Beyond – LondonHead of Front End Development (Permanent) September 2013 – September 2017

Part of London’s Senior Leadership Team, managing a team of engineers inc. contractors and leading development of key projects for clients inc. Google, Facebook, Sainsbury’s, NSPCC, Novartis, Lebara. Work included:

• NSPCC Little StarsFully responsive web application developed with React/Redux, SCSS/BEM and Node. Was awarded .Net Magazine’s inspirational site of the month.
• Novartis CommunityDigital platform developed with Angular, SCSS/BEM and DjangoCMS. Resulted in 5+ minutes user engagement, 2000+ posts from members and 150+ new members each month.
• Maggi YouTubeDeveloped with Angular, SCSS and DjangoCMS. Results saw 10x increase in YouTube Channel subs, 4 million impressions, 39% view through rate and featured as one of Google’s key case studies.
• Mentored and developed the team, with regular clear, constructive feedback and tailored progression plans, providing structure, training and opportunities for their continued learning and growth.
• Other responsibilities included scoping/estimating, solution architecture, defining/documenting engineering standards, investigating/sharing new technologies, resourcing, recruitment, supporting pitches, facilitating workshops, knowledge sharing sessions, giving lightning talks and presenting regularly at company meetings.
• Received the Above & Beyond award 3 times for outstanding achievement in the workplace (company record), playing a pivotal role in helping grow Beyond’s reputation and client roster as the company quadrupled in size, expanding globally.

Dare – Design & Technology Agency – LondonFront End Developer (Contractor) July 2013 – September 2013

Contracted to work on Tu – Sainsbury’s, developing key pages including the Homepage using JS, HTML and Less.

Beyond – Design & Technology Agency – LondonFront End Developer (Contractor) April 2013 – July 2013

Contracted to work on several key projects including:

• Virgin.comFront End Lead responsible for all UI development across their new website. Created a custom responsive grid that fluidly resizes across breakpoints. Paired structured SCSS with Twig templates for a modular, scalable and maintainable codebase. Developed custom CKEditor and JS plugins to enhance functionality within the CMS. Following the launch, saw 90,000+visits in the first month, 32% page view increase and 107.27% uplift in time-on-site.
• Moda
  Developed a mobile version of their YouTube Channel using JS, HTML and CSS.
• Viacom Global
  Involved in the development of Viacom Global’s intranet site

Camelot (The National Lottery)Front End Developer: Apr 08 – Apr 13

Contracted as a Front End Developer for two years, before becoming permanent. Work included:

• National LotteryDelivered the Front End for this large-scale website using a bespoke PHP framework to provide valid, accessible, cross browser HTML, CSS and JS. Involved in the full project life cycle, liaising with JSP, CMS, Test and Content teams, ensuring all code was compliant and matching requirements
• Playing Our PartDeveloped both the Front and Back End of this highly configurable, responsive, CMS driven website. Customised WordPress to meet the clients content requirements and performance expectations.
• Streamlined HTML production/delivery of external Email campaigns with the creation of a custom built PHP framework whilst adhering to the standards and limitations of the various Email Clients/Browsers.
• Rebuilt the AS3 Flash Framework to decrease production time for Design/Production Teams.
• Coded AS2/AS3 for internal assets and external Flash Campaigns including their online Video Player and various Particle effects.
• Awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars for outstanding achievements including going above and beyond to ensure projects met their deadlines

P&O FerriesLead Creative and Front End Developer: Jan 06 – Mar 08

Started as a Designer before being promoted to Lead Creative

• P&O Ferries.comResponsible for a customer centred redesign of an accessible online travel booking service. Ensured XHTML/CSS was W3C compliant, adhering to strict accessibility and web guidelines. The site achieved a 70 % increase in sales conversion following launch.
• P&O Ferries FreightApplied a similar redesign to their online B2B freight booking application with a strong emphasis on maintaining consistent brand identity, delivering a project that resulted in a 40% increase in sales.
• Assisted P&O Marketing with the planning and development of its Online Campaigns, Microsites and White-labelled services.
• Created and maintained a wide range of documentation including the creative brief and web guidelines, used by P&O as a constant reference to ensure all work reached consistent standards.

Syzygy – Design Agency – LondonWeb Designer and Production Developer: January 2007 – February 2007

• Worked for this well-established London agency as part of P&O’s agency/client programme.
• Involved in a variety of digital media projects for a number of their top clients, including Mazda.

Quirksmode LimitedDirector: August 2005 – Present

Developed projects for various clients including:

• Destiny ArtsRedevelopment of Destiny Arts’s content platform, a Non Profit based in San Francisco.
• The World Famous PPDatabase driven Football Prediction Website built using Codeigniter PHP framework.
• SellabikeResponsive CMS driven website built using WordPress to promote mobile app.
• Delta Force PaintballFlash game created using AS/PHP/MySQL for Europe’s largest Paintball Company.

Millennium Desktop Services (Cape Town)Webmaster/Engineer: September 2002 – September 2003 & February 2005 – June 2005

• Worked as web master designing and developing websites for key clients.
• Trained as a field engineer, carrying out hardware/software repairs, upgrades and installs.