Full-Stack & Backend Development

I specialise in backend-first, full-stack development, with over 20 years of PHP experience and 10+ years of Laravel expertise. I build and maintain production-grade, enterprise-level systems that are reliable, scalable, and well-documented. While my focus is backend engineering, I deliver best-practice code across the full stack - from APIs and databases through to interactive Vue front-ends.

Core skills:

• PHP & Laravel – 20+ years of PHP, 10+ years with Laravel; architecting modular systems and APIs, leading migrations, and guiding long-term platform evolution.
• Vue.js, JavaScript, TypeScript – delivering modern, interactive front-ends integrated with Laravel backends.
• API Design – designing and standardising APIs (REST, JSON:API, GraphQL); ensuring they are secure, versioned, and well-documented.
• Database Architecture & Optimisation – schema design, data modelling, performance tuning, and scaling high-volume MySQL 8 / PostgreSQL / SQL Server systems.
• Testing & Quality – establishing robust test suites (PHPUnit, Pest) and shaping TDD/BDD workflows across teams.
• Accessibility & Standards – delivering WAI/WCAG 2.x AA/AAA-compliant systems and embedding best practices from the ground up.

Infrastructure & DevOps

I design and maintain infrastructure that scales, applying Infrastructure as Code, automation, and modern DevOps practices. Alongside Terraform and CI/CD pipelines, I bring hands-on experience with servers and services - meaning I understand the environment beneath Docker and Vagrant, not just how to spin them up.

Core skills:

• Infrastructure as Code – Terraform modules for Azure and AWS; modular, reusable provisioning.
• Cloud Platforms – Azure, AWS; VM setup, networking, load balancing, storage.
• Containers & Virtualisation – Docker and Vagrant; environment standardisation with a deeper focus on underlying system config.
• CI/CD Pipelines – GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Azure Pipelines; automated testing, build, and deployment flows.
• Server & OS Administration – Linux (preferred) and Windows Server; Apache, NGINX.
• Database Operations – scaling, replication, and recovery planning.

AI & Automation

I design and implement AI-driven, agentic solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing systems. Rather than simply “dropping in” an API call, I build workflows that combine automation, orchestration, and compliance - delivering real business value. My approach ensures AI isn’t a gimmick, but a reliable, auditable part of production infrastructure.

Core skills:

• Agentic AI Solutions – utilising LLMs (Azure OpenAI, OpenAI API) to create autonomous workflows by chaining tasks and decisions.
• Workflow Automation – document parsing, email triage, claims processing, and content classification.
• System Integration – embedding AI into Laravel backends, APIs, and microservices; orchestrating processes across services.
• Data Preparation & Exposure – designing clean, structured datasets and knowledge bases that allow AIs to retrieve accurate, contextual, and high-quality information.
• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Pipelines – building workflows that retrieve operational data in real time and feed it into AI prompts, ensuring responses are grounded, accurate, and auditable.
• Privacy & Compliance – GDPR-safe pipelines with automated redaction and audit logging.

Professional Leadership & Delivery

I’ve led development across a spectrum of responsibility, from embedded "buddy leadership" within small teams to full CTO-level ownership of technical strategy, architecture, and delivery governance.

My focus is always on combining hands-on coding with clear technical direction: stabilising critical projects, modernising legacy platforms, aligning engineering with business objectives, and ensuring delivery remains consistent without compromising long-term scalability.

Core skills:

• Technical Leadership – leading development teams of varying sizes; setting coding standards, reviewing codebases, guiding architectural decisions, and defining technical direction at platform level.
• Modernisation – evolving legacy systems into clean, testable architectures, introducing modern patterns and practices (e.g. DTOs, service layers, request classes) while ensuring live operations remain stable.
• Agile Delivery – experienced with Scrum, Kanban, and hybrid workflows; pragmatic about process while keeping projects moving.
• Stakeholder Communication – translating technical risks and decisions into business terms; supporting roadmapping, prioritisation, and securing management buy-in for technical improvements.
• Documentation & Knowledge Transfer – writing clear, maintainable docs at all levels; ensuring effective handovers and long-term sustainability.
• Mentoring & Coaching – upskilling developers in modern practices, tools, and workflows through code reviews, peer learning, and coaching.