Independent technology consultant
Experienced, practical and hands-on
I'm a software engineer, technical leader and consultant with more than 25 years of experience building software, designing systems, leading technical teams and solving complex technical problems.
I work with organisations that need experienced technical expertise, whether that's making an architectural decision, modernising a system, improving security, or helping a technical team find its direction.
A career shaped by technology
It all started in 1987 when my Dad came home from the bookshop with a programming book. We didn't have a computer at the time, so I wrote the programs down on paper and worked out what they would do in my head. It wasn't long before we got a TRS-80 Color Computer, and I was able to run the programs I'd been writing.
What started as a hobby grew into a passion and eventually a career.
I have always been fixated on finding ways to use technology to solve real-world problems. Over the course of my career, I have survived the Dot Com boom and bust, the rise of cloud computing, the mobile epidemic, the emergence of DevOps and the rise of AI, and have been fortunate to work with some amazing people along the way.
Technology has come a long way since the 1980's but in a lot of ways, nothing much has changed. Technology can be overwhelming but when used well, it can allow us to achieve our goals in ways we never imagined.
In a lot of ways, the fundamental challenge is still the same:
Understand the problem, work out what technology can realistically do about it, and make good decisions about where to invest effort.
And that perspective is what I bring to consulting today.
Experience that spans technology and leadership
I've spent my career moving between hands-on software engineering, architecture, technical leadership and security.
- Software & systems
Decades of hands-on experience building and evolving software systems. - Cloud & modernisation
Helping organisations make sensible use of modern technology. - Technical leadership
Leading teams, mentoring engineers and providing senior technical direction. - Security & compliance
Practical experience managing technical security and compliance requirements.
My approach
Understand the problem first
Technology decisions don't exist in isolation. I start by understanding what you're trying to achieve, the constraints you're working within, and where the actual problem lies.
Practical over fashionable
The newest technology isn't necessarily the best technology. I prefer solutions that are appropriate to the problem, maintainable by the people who will operate them, and realistic within the organisation's constraints.
Make complexity understandable
Technical decisions often have significant business consequences. I aim to explain the options, trade-offs and risks clearly so that everyone involved can make an informed decision.
Leave teams stronger
When I'm working with an existing engineering team, the goal isn't to become indispensable. I want to share knowledge, mentor people and improve the team's ability to solve problems themselves.
Why work with me?
You don't get passed between salespeople, account managers and consultants.
You work directly with me.
As an independent consultant, I can provide focused senior expertise without the overhead of a large consulting organisation. I can work alongside your existing team, provide an independent perspective on an important decision, or take responsibility for a defined technical problem.
And if I'm not the right person for what you need, I'll tell you.