About
A Developer Who Thinks Like a Business Owner
A commercial career spanning 28 years, the last 17 building web products, digital marketing systems and server infrastructure that actually perform.
The Story
In the complex world of web development, it's rare to encounter a professional who seamlessly blends creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and a strong technical skill set. I am proud to embody these characteristics.
My career began not in a server room, but in sales, specifically in technology and online advertising. From selling Cisco and Microsoft certifications at Informatics Group, to the ECDL qualification at Learndirect, to seven years at Yell selling digital advertising on yell.com, I built a deep instinct for what businesses need from their online presence long before I wrote a line of code.
In 2009 I left Yell and taught myself web development. That commercial grounding is something no bootcamp can replicate. I understand ROI, lead generation and conversion because I've sold those outcomes to businesses for years. I founded my agency in 2010, growing it to six staff before refocusing as a specialist freelancer after the pandemic.
I operate Host Dada, a Nominet-accredited hosting provider and Microsoft Channel Partner, managing Apache servers, cPanel, WHM, Plesk and full hosting infrastructure end to end. I also run Lead Stack, generating over 30,000 qualified leads annually for the automotive salvage industry. I also built Vehicle Data Information, a live consumer platform for vehicle valuations, MOT history and HPI-style checks, built on the same API infrastructure as Lead Stack. I don't just build for clients. I build and run businesses myself.
In 2022 I enrolled in the University of Birmingham's Full-Stack Coding Bootcamp, not as a beginner, but as an experienced developer looking to formalise and deepen existing knowledge across the MERN stack, algorithms, API design and server-side development. That foundation is precisely why I graduated with an A+ grade and received the Anna Lebiedziewics Outstanding Student Award. The bootcamp validated what I already knew and sharpened the edges.
Career Timeline
Commercial & Technology Sales
Over a decade selling IT training (Cisco, MCSE, ECDL) and digital advertising at Yell, seven years helping businesses understand and invest in their online presence on yell.com. The commercial instincts built here inform every project I take on today.
Into Web Development
Left Yell and taught myself web development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, SEO. Armed with a commercial background no bootcamp can replicate.
Agency Founder
Founded and grew a digital agency (KandeShop) to six members of staff, delivering websites and digital marketing for clients across the UK.
Strategic Refocus
Downsized during the pandemic and refocused as a specialist freelancer, bringing agency-level expertise with greater agility.
Host Dada & Lead Stack
Relaunched Host Dada as a Nominet-accredited hosting provider and domain registrar. Grew Lead Stack to 30,000+ leads per year for the automotive salvage industry.
University of Birmingham Outstanding Student Award
Completed the Full-Stack Coding Bootcamp, graduating A+ and receiving the Anna Lebiedziewics Outstanding Student Award.
Vehicle Data Information
Launched Vehicle Data Information, a live consumer platform delivering vehicle valuations, MOT history and HPI-style checks, built on the same API infrastructure as Lead Stack.
Recognition
University of Birmingham, 2022
The Anna Lebiedziewics Outstanding Student Award
Awarded in recognition of outstanding performance in the University of Birmingham Digital Boot Camp programme. Final grade: A+. I enrolled not as a newcomer to development, but as an experienced practitioner seeking to formalise my skills and stay sharp across modern full-stack technologies. The result speaks for itself: top of the cohort, highest grade available.
Certifications & Awards
- Google Certified Display Ads
- Google Certified Search Ads
- Nominet Accredited Partner
- Microsoft Channel Partner
- Anna Lebiedziewics Outstanding Student Award, A+
Tools & Platforms
Ready to Work Together?
Whether it's a new website, server setup or a full digital marketing strategy, let's talk.
Get In TouchHow I work
I Start With the Business Problem
Most projects arrive as a request for a website. I don't assume that is the whole answer until I understand what the business is trying to do.
Understand
How the business makes money, where time goes, and what is actually getting in the way.
Challenge
Whether the thing you asked for is the thing you need. Sometimes it is; sometimes it is half of it.
Recommend
A plain-English plan: what to build, what to keep, what to leave alone, and why.
Build
I write the software, set up the hosting and connect the services myself.
Grow
Search, ads, improvements and support afterwards, from the same person who built it.
What I do
One Expert. The Full Picture.
Development, software, AI, hosting, SEO and paid search aren't separate services to me. Knowing all of them means that when you ask for a website, I can look at the commercial problem underneath it. You might need better enquiry capture, customer accounts, an internal dashboard, an integration, a payment flow or AI on one repetitive task, as well as, or instead of, new pages.
Build
When you need something that does not exist yet.
Let's Work Together
Ready to Build Something Remarkable?
Whether you need a bespoke website, a full digital marketing strategy or a technical partner who understands business, I'm here.