Software developer & technical lead
I build software, enjoy a difficult problem, and usually have something new to learn.
I'm based in the North East of England, with over 24 years' experience developing software. These days, my work centres on back-end systems, C#/.NET and Azure, and helping teams turn complex requirements into software people can rely on.
I'm also building Perfect Tradesmen, my own idea for fairer trade matching.
Also a keen fisherman, amateur photographer and lifelong IT nerd.
My own project · In development
My idea for a fairer way to find the right tradesperson.
I'm building Perfect Tradesmen to help homeowners find suitable tradespeople, understand the work they offer and make informed choices. For trade businesses, it's a way to show their services and completed work.
This is a long-term project of my own, starting in Sunderland. The full marketplace is still in development, but you can already explore the service guides and register early interest.
Explore Perfect Tradesmen
Where it started
It started with an Atari ST and BASIC. I liked finding out how things worked, and what I could make them do. That curiosity has stayed with me through running my own IT business and working on large systems across retail, finance, government, utilities and healthcare.
I enjoy getting to grips with an unfamiliar system: understanding the people who use it, working through the difficult parts and finding a practical way forward. Sometimes that means building something new; sometimes it means making an existing system more reliable, easier to maintain or less expensive to run.
Alongside hands-on development, I've taken technical ownership of projects, made architectural decisions and mentored other engineers. I value clear conversations, shared understanding and giving people room to learn.
Some of my work
BJSS → CGI · 2021 onwards
Back-end and platform development for enterprise and UK government clients. My work has included APIs, cloud services, modernising legacy systems and improving reliability, performance and running costs.
STCS · 2021
A web platform for NHS lung health screening programmes, built with C#/.NET Core and Azure. I worked with clinical stakeholders on patient data, reporting and automated communications.
Pulman Group · 2015–2021
Technical ownership of business-critical applications, a move to .NET Core and an API-driven architecture, and automation that saved hundreds of manual hours each year.
I've also kept a few of my earlier website projects, including work from when I ran my own IT business.
Away from the keyboard
Outside work, I enjoy fishing and amateur photography. These photos are a few of the things that have caught my eye. I share more on @trabumpaline_pics.
Say hello
For more about my work, a copy of my CV, or just to get in touch.