Hello World 👋

After spending several years building a comprehensive platform from the ground up, I'm ready for new technical challenges. Through my new company Strathcode Ltd, I'm available for both permanent roles and consulting projects.

I'm particularly interested in companies tackling interesting technical challenges - whether that's modernising legacy systems, building new platforms from scratch, or optimising existing architectures. Remote work preferred, but I'm open to hybrid arrangements for the right opportunity.

Technology should solve real problems without creating new ones. After working across startups to enterprise, from mobile commerce to facility management, here's what I've learned works:

My journey to becoming a software developer wasn't the conventional route. Before diving into the world of code, I enjoyed a fulfilling career as a personal trainer and health club manager - roles that taught me the value of communication, adaptability, and problem-solving.

When a few good friends found success as software developers, they sparked my curiosity about this field - being a personal trainer was great - but it didn't exactly pay well... I'd always had an interest in solving puzzles and tackling complex problems, so I decided to give programming a shot. I'm of an age where we had absolutely no education on programming in school, so I bought a book my friend recommended - 'Head First Java' - and stayed up all night reading it. The satisfaction of creating even basic software, and seeing my very first 'Hello World' in the console proved incredibly rewarding - even now I still get that feeling when I'm learning a new language or framework - although now I like to throw in a little 👋 at the end.

After earning my First Class Honours degree from Glasgow Caledonian University, I threw myself into building everything from e-commerce platforms to enterprise management systems. Each project taught me something new about balancing technical complexity with real-world usability.

What I love most about this field is that every problem is different. One day you're optimising database queries, the next you're designing user interfaces or figuring out how to migrate legacy systems without breaking anything. It's that variety—and the satisfaction of building things that actually work—that keeps me excited about what I do.

Life isn't all about writing code. When I'm not developing software, you'll find me spending quality time with my kids, who keep me grounded and remind me why I do what I do. I'm also an avid guitarist who enjoys making music whenever inspiration strikes.

I believe in maintaining balance, so I make time for the gym when I can. There's nothing better than clearing your head with a good workout after a day of solving complex problems. On sunny days, you might spot me in a west-end beer garden enjoying a pint or a coffee, soaking up the rare Scottish sunshine.

I also enjoy rolling up my sleeves for DIY projects around the house - I've also unintentionally become my street's resident fencer, repairing all the recent storm damage. There's something satisfying about working with your hands and seeing immediate, tangible results - a nice contrast to the digital world where I spend most of my professional time.