Projects | Skills | Education | Experience | Interests
An energetic and values-driven full stack developer at The Victoria and Albert Museum currently working on a complete rebuild of the museum's Explore the Collection website. This was my first coding role since graduating from Makers, a developer bootcamp in London.
I am passionate about data and the ability to delve into databases to reveal stories about peoples lives (NHS) or culturally significant objects (V&A). I enjoy continuous learning and development and love the challenges that are an everyday part of a coding career.
I am also a qualified CIMA accountant and have previously held a number of Senior Finance roles within the NHS. I have extensive experience in technical healthcare roles, covering areas such as acute finance commissioning, income reporting, PbR, reference costing, SLR, patient level costing and financial planning. All my previous roles have had a strong technical slant and I have developed strong skills in VBA and tSQL.
I have multiple interests such as ice-swimming and powerlifting that occupy me in my spare time - see Hobbies and Interests for more details.
Tech Skills : Ruby, Ruby on Rails, Python, Javascript, Node.js, React, ElasticSearch, Docker, tSQL, MS Excel, VBA
 Anagram-React |
 Multi Route Text Game |
 Shuffle Decider |
| Producing a frontend implementation of a simple anagram app created. This was produced in React and showcased my progress with css Grid | Creating a multipath text based story | A Simple Poker Card Game. A good test of TDD, OOP skills and the ability to create a full web app |
 BHG |
 Census Test |
 paddlr |
| A rails app to generate Bridge hands for remote play - inspired by a world where we aren't allowed to gather around a table with a pack of cards | First post Makers tech test. Given login details for an AWS DB, the task was to create an API and display Census statisitics on a single page react app | Final team project at Makers. A live ping pong scorer with restful API and Slack Integration |
A concise, logical thinker with an ability to exploit technical skills to solve problems rapidly and clearly. My joy of solving problems has been well tested at Makers where I've faced implementation and logic problems on a daily basis, my prior experience has helped me remain calm and apply a logical, scientific approach to resolving the current issue. It is this rollercoaster of frustration and reward that makes coding so appealing for me.
- Ruby and Ruby on Rails which is the framework for the V&A CMS.
- Python which is the scripting language behind Search the Collections website at the V&A. I am using python to build an elasticsearch API and a number of data importers for our extensive data pipeline.
- Elasticsearch and search relevance
- JavaScript, Node and React
- IIIF (International image interoperability framework)
- Advanced Excel and SQL data skills with a proven ability to transform vast, complex data into meaningful management reports.
- tSQL / MS Query / SSIS - writing queries and procedures to automate processes. Large scale project examples include, NHS NWL Whole Systems a multi organisation patient costing project.
Ability to impart technical information clearly, to a range of specialists and senior managers. Honest approach resulting in trusted relationships with senior colleagues. Run regular lunch and learn sessions at work to encourage debate and knowledge share. I host a number of technical blogs where I write tutorials on key analytical skills. If I had a mission statement it would probably be Learn cool things and share.
Provide strong, value driven leadership. Brought the NCL Acute Finance team through three major reorganisations and ensured continuity and quality of departmental output. I have a strong reputation for being delivery-focussed and efficient.
Improvement focused - value continuous development both individually and departmentally. I love a challenge and am becoming ever more comfortable with feeling very uncomfortable!
The Victoria and Albert Museum (Jan 2019 to present) Full Stack Developer
- Development responsibility for the main V&A website Content Management System built with Ruby on Rails, ensuring the admin section reflects the requirements of the content team
- Backend development for the rebuild of Explore the collections. Working predominantly in Python to create new elasticsearch APIs and data pipeline scripts
Barts Health NHS Trust (May 2017 - June 2018) Associate Director of Finance - Income
- Responsible for the reporting and billing of £1.3bn of patient treatment income
NHS Central London CCG (Feb 2015 - May 2017) Senior Project and Planning Accountant for the NWL Collaboration of CCGs
- Financial lead on large scale transformational projects across North West London, including GP Federations and Whole Systems cross-pathway costing
- Planning lead for 5 CCG's
Croydon University Hospital (Mar 2013 - Feb 2015) Head of Costing
NHS North Central London:
- (Sept 2011 - Mar 2013) - Head of Finance - Acute Commissioning
- (April 2011 - Sept 2011) - Senior Finance Manager - Acute Commissioning
- (Sept 2010 - Apr 2011) - Finance Planning Manager
South West London and St Georges NHS Trust (Sept 2009 - Sept 2010) - Costing Manager
NHS Shared Business Services (Sept 2006 - Sept 2009) - Graduate Finance Trainee
Marketforce (Sept 2002 - Sept 2003) - Retail Channel Analyst
Cork International (Apr 1998 - Sept 2002) - Manager of Sales Based Ordering System
Makers - A 16-week intensive development bootcamp (June 2018 - October 2018)
BPP London - CIMA full accountancy qualification (2006 - 2009)
University College London - PhD Chemistry (Astrochemistry) (2003 - 2006)
- Thesis title: Formation of Alcohol on Interstellar Dust Grain Analogues
- This was an experimental PhD involving serious spanner skills. I maintained a huge vacuum chamber that enabled me to recreate interstellar conditions (extremely low temperatures and pressures) and performed gas bombardment experiments on a small piece of graphite suspended in the middle of the chamber. This experience taught me very high levels of patience and the ability to process large volumes of data.
Open University - BSc in Natural Sciences with Chemistry 1st Class Hons (1995 - 2000)
Sheffield University - 2nd MB Medicine (1989 - 1993)
Headlands School Bridlington - A levels in Chemistry (A), Physics (B), Biology (A) and AS Maths (1989)
I’m a medically and accountancy trained full stack developer with a PhD in Astrochemistry but I could also be described as a serial dabbler with multiple full time interests. I document almost all of these interests in one or more blogs.
My health and sporting exploits are featured on my warriorwomen blog
- Powerlifting - I have competed in a number of regional competitions and qualified for the All England Championships.
- Ice Swimming - Having been inspired by Wim Hof I have taken to swimming outdoors throughout the winter months. I take great pleasure in cracking the ice at Tooting Bec Lido and have been delighted to swim during snow flurries.
I have a number of blogs for sharing tutorials on technical issues of for training people in specific skills.
- Whatapalaver Blog - assorted technical trickery explained. It's also where I have been documenting my coding journey with Makers
- NHS Excel Blog - designed to share specific excel tips and tricks for other NHS Accountants
- Excel Pivots Blog - tips and tricks focussed on the marvellous pivot table