How I Work

I've spent close to two decades building production software, and most of it was as a salaried employee. Five years at the University of St Andrews, then six and a half as CTO of SUMAC, taking the platform from first commit through to acquisition. I stayed because the work was worth staying for.

I set up my consultancy after the acquisition because I wanted to choose what came next rather than rush into something. I wasn't trying to become a permanent contractor. I was being deliberate.

The arrangement matters less to me than what I'm working on. Permanent role, contract, fractional engagement. The question I ask is whether the problem interests me, whether the people are serious about solving it, and whether I'll have a real stake in the outcome. If the answer is yes, I'm fully committed regardless of how the paperwork is structured.

My history reflects this. I tend to stay a long time when the work is good. Six years at SUMAC. Five years growing a platform from two clients to twenty. I'm not someone who cycles through short engagements by choice.

I'm open to permanent roles and longer-term contracts. If you're building something you care about and need someone senior who will care about it too, get in touch.