I am an Experienced Software Engineer based in Manchester, UK, with 30 years of experience designing, building, and operating production software at scale.
Full-stack engineer contributing across both flagship product engineering and mission-critical business platforms in an agile, flat-hierarchy engineering culture.
Designed and shipped new features in Java for PortSwigger's flagship security testing desktop toolkit, including an AI feature integrating an LLM service and validated with DeepEval, used daily by over 80,000 penetration testers and security professionals worldwide.
Practiced rigorous Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Extreme Programming (XP) with continuous pair programming, engineering concurrent, performant Java code integrated into complex security workflows.
Engineered and maintained high-availability backend services and platforms in .NET (C#) and SQL Server/PostgreSQL, powering automated software licensing, global payment processing, and subscription renewals.
Adopted AI-assisted development with Codex and Claude Code, moving from using generative, text-based AI to a fully AI-native approach across the software development lifecycle.
Worked as sole developer on the in-house feedback and performance review system, trusted with highly confidential data and processes and accountable for delivering them alone.
Co-led the graduate coaching programme, mentoring early-career engineers and running multiple Grad Boot Camps.
Worked closely with the kitchen team to design and build their own app in Lovable for managing the weekly menus, taking it from requirements through to a tool they use.
Collaborated across cross-functional squads to uphold high code-quality bars, collective code ownership, and continuous integration.
Java
.NET
C#
SQL Server
PostgreSQL
MySQL
MongoDB
AWS
TDD
XP
CI/CD
Docker
Lead Software Engineer
Made Tech Contract
August 2022–November 2022
Rapidly onboarded across a modern cloud-native stack, delivering full-stack features and automated testing across multiple technologies.
Engineered cloud infrastructure and services using AWS, Terraform, Ruby on Rails (with RSpec), Python, Apache Spark, and Elixir.
Designed and implemented a Google Add-On with Google Apps Script using TypeScript, Rollup.js, Babel, and Jest.
AWS
Terraform
Ruby on Rails
RSpec
Python
Apache Spark
Elixir
TypeScript
Apps Script
Principal Software Developer
CMap Software
March 2010–July 2022
Principal engineer and tech lead on a field-service SaaS platform — from a single client to 400+ customers, 22,000 users and £7m ARR.
Engineered and scaled a SaaS platform from an initial prototype to over 400 clients, 22,000 active users worldwide, and £7m ARR.
Created and implemented departmental engineering standards, architectural guidelines, branching strategies, and pull requests/peer reviews.
Successfully instituted Unit Testing and TDD on a large legacy codebase (500k lines), raising coverage from 0% to 25%+ over 2 years.
Automated CI/CD pipelines to build and run unit tests using Jenkins and Azure DevOps, removing error-prone manual processes.
Transitioned from a Waterfall process to Agile and Kanban, releasing builds nightly.
Established static analysis tooling (SonarQube) to raise code quality and security standards.
Directed source control migrations, transitioning legacy repositories through TFS, Git, and Azure DevOps.
Led database development including schema design, indexing, and query optimization for enhanced user experience.
Architected and delivered web applications using ASP.NET MVC (2–5, Razor), OpenXML, jQuery, Redis, Dapper, LINQ, TypeScript, and SignalR.
Developed and maintained mobile applications using Xamarin Forms, Ionic Framework, and React Native.
Facilitated daily Scrum meetings, sprint planning, and retrospectives on large seasonal releases.
Led the architectural migration from on-premise infrastructure to managed servers and Microsoft Azure cloud architecture.
Progressed from Software Developer, to Senior Software Developer, Team Lead, and Principal Software Developer.
Mentored and line managed a team of 12 developers across 4 squads at various levels of skill and experience.
Interacted regularly with enterprise clients, third-party partners, department heads, and the board on product delivery and strategy.
ASP.NET MVC
C#
.NET
TypeScript
jQuery
SignalR
Redis
Dapper
SQL Server
Azure
Jenkins
Azure DevOps
SonarQube
Prior Career History (1997–2009 · 10 roles)
Developer
Intec
September 2009–March 2010
Reporting work for a Delphi-based software house.
Implemented a custom report builder using ASP.NET and Crystal Reports for a Delphi-based software house.
ASP.NET
Crystal Reports
Developer
Athletic Logic
July 2008–September 2009
Owned web application development and SDLC for sports-sector clients.
Responsible for all web-based application development and the SDLC.
Increased expertise in .NET, working with .NET 3.5 (C# and VB.NET), SQL 2008, Silverlight media streaming, IIS7, and Windows applications.
Fostered relationships with key clients, including world leading sports associations and clubs.
.NET 3.5
C#
VB.NET
SQL Server 2008
Silverlight
IIS7
Developer
J-Media
February 2006–June 2008
Full SDLC across a portfolio of external clients for a bespoke software agency.
Created, expanded, and maintained websites and applications for a bespoke software agency.
Direct involvement in the full SDLC, leading delivery for multiple external client projects.
Expanded expertise in .NET 1.1 and 2.0 (C# and VB.NET), Microsoft SQL Server 2000 and 2005 database design, development and administration.
Engineered Office document generation solutions using .NET, SharePoint, AJAX, COM+, Dundas Charts, and XML.
Supported and advised customers by email, telephone and face-to-face.
.NET 1.1/2.0
C#
VB.NET
SQL Server 2000/2005
SharePoint
AJAX
XML
Software Developer
Affinity Healthcare
July 2005–February 2006
Large scale web application for a hospital spanning two campuses.
Developed and maintained a large scale Web Application for use by a hospital across two campuses.
Full SDLC experience from requirements gathering to software design, inception, testing and bug-fixing.
Shared responsibility in creation and maintenance of a complex relational database in SQL Server.
SQL Server
Web Applications
Technical Team Member
Leigh's Paints
May 2005–July 2005
Port of a VB6 application to VB.NET, refactored for performance and scale.
Worked on a new VB.Net version of an existing VB6 application for use in laboratories and internal departments, refactoring and reorganising code for performance and scalability.
VB.NET
VB6
Software Developer
DCML Ltd
August 2002–May 2005
Maintained and developed a dealership internet application used across 300+ sites.
Maintained and developed an ASP (VBScript) internet application used in over 300 car dealerships across the UK and Ireland.
Direct involvement in the full SDLC.
Built software using Microsoft Visual Studio .NET (C#), XML, SQL Server Reporting Services, ASP.NET, Web Services, and Windows applications.
Designed and maintained Microsoft SQL Server databases, developing stored procedures, triggers, and Data Transformation Services (DTS) using T-SQL and VBScript.
ASP
VBScript
C#
ASP.NET
SQL Server
SSRS
DTS
T-SQL
Senior New Media Developer
iSOFT plc
November 2001–April 2002
Built and ran a high-specification extranet used across four continents.
Developed and maintained an innovative extranet used throughout the business across four continents — using HTML, DHTML, ASP (VBScript), JavaScript, SQL Server 7.0/2000, and VB6 (inc. ActiveX and COM).
Supervised and trained junior developers and managed maintenance of the corporate website.
HTML
DHTML
ASP
VBScript
JavaScript
SQL Server 7.0/2000
VB6
COM
Systems Developer
Wax Digital Ltd
March 2000–October 2001
Broad web and CD-ROM software development for a digital content agency.
Developed, modified and tested software for use via the internet and CD-ROM using HTML, DHTML, ASP, VBScript, JavaScript, VB6 and T-SQL.
HTML
DHTML
ASP
VBScript
JavaScript
VB6
T-SQL
Helpdesk Support Officer
Alpha Business Computers Ltd
October 1999–March 2000
IT helpdesk support.
Desktop Support Technician
Blemain Group Plc
September 1997–October 1999
Desktop support — the foundation of a 30-year career in software and systems engineering.
Projects
Featured Project
Family Assistant
A self-hosted pipeline that turns a family’s Gmail into a shared calendar, using a language model running on a Raspberry Pi.