My CV is available to download below:
Simon-Lawrence-CV.pdf
| E-mail: | simon [at] thisdomain |
|---|---|
| Telephone: | Available on request |
| Date of Birth: | 02/07/84 |
| Marital Status: | Single |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | British |
| Address: | Available on Request |
My main area of expertise is Java J2EE programming, developed both through my degree and 5 years in industry. Alongside this I have 2 years of commercial experience with PHP5 working largely on the Drupal CMS. I have an extensive knowledge of MySQL database querying and administration.
I am currently a key member of the development team at Wu-Wo. I joined the company to bring my specialist knowledge and experience to the launch of a new online insurance business. I was required to aid the development of a completely new system from design to implementation. After completing much of the work on this platform, I was given the lead role in developing their new logistics ordering system. This required a lot of information gathering and design meetings with clients. I really thrived in this project management role.
When I joined the company in 2008, I was an accomplished agile Java developer, this was crucial for working on the insurance system, but through my other work with Wu-Wo, I have developed a fluent and confident knowledge of PHP5 to a high commercial standard.
I have obtained many additional responsibilities over the last two years including presenting and demonstrating on client sites, providing front line support for the projects I have worked on, as well as maintaining office equipment, company servers and the office network infrastructure.
I joined Chemical Records to help facilitate a period of expansion as work went under-way on a complete rewrite of their complex e-commerce system. My chief responsibility was to develop and launch an innovative new platform called "YouSell". This portal allowed users to upload, price and distribute their own music in MP3 format, with the money being passed back to the users on a monthly basis.
Being the leading force in the development and launch of a new system was exciting, it demanded excellent time management, as well as the ability to work efficiently in a team to promote and debate new ideas. The company anticipated a very high up-take within the new system, and so I had to spend a lot of time identifying bottlenecks, and analysing slow queries and other performance related issues before the project could be released.
Alongside developing this new system, I was required to maintain and update the on-site customer listening stations - which consisted of a bank PCs running a re-shelled version of Windows 2000, written in C. Working on this unique setup required me to quickly identify, document and fix a number of problems with the systems, which really challenged my adaptability and determination.
Following my graduation, I was employed as a Java developer for The Halvor Partnership. I started work supporting and further developing their existing Java based insurance platform. As a member of a small team, I quickly became familiar with every aspect of web development, from front end UX and SEO considerations to Linux server management. It was an ideal role for someone as enthusiastic and keen to learn as myself, as I took a great deal from this position.
Throughout the years I worked on the InsuredRisks platform, I played a key role in developing the online payment systems, utilising direct XML exchange models and keeping both myself and the system up-to-date with changing standards, including implementing 3D secure technologies and adding MOTO payment functionality to the site.
By the end of my time with InsuredRisks I was enjoying a position of responsibility as the team leader of 3 developers; I was personally involved in hiring them as well. I held regular development meetings with the company management, as well as meeting with representatives from our service providers and business partners, greatly increasing my confidence both as a developer and a leader.
First Class BSc (Hons) in Computer Science at Essex University 2005
Final Year Project:
"The Design and Implementation of a Virtual Workspace using Java Servlets"
Understanding the importance of a healthy work/life balance, I am careful to manage my time between work commitments and engaging in a wide range of social pursuits. In my free time I enjoy rock climbing and mountaineering, as well as pursing a hobby as a photographer.
Page correct as of 14/02/2011