Matt Isherwood

Here I had a bit of time focusing on technical work, primarily working in typescript, CSS, React, Storybook, strawberry, python, tortoise & SQL.

This pivotal role really grew my leadership and development capabilities. I was instrumental as one of the first developers on the new stack, where I led a squad of 10-15 engineers in partnering with Dutch specialists to create and pioneer the next-generation multi-tenancy web platform, designed to power over 50 of their major e-commerce brands, including prominent names like Sports Direct, Flannels, Frasers, 18Montrose, Amara Living, Evans Cycles, Game, Gieves & Hawkes, I Saw It First, Jack Wills, Slazenger, Studio, USA PRO and USC. It was a privilege to be able to shape the code, architecture and technical setup from the ground up, based on MACH-architecture principles and microservices.

Technically, I gained deep proficiency in a modern stack, working daily with JavaScript and TypeScript, React and Next.js, and GraphQL. My responsibilities included unit testing with Jest/Vitest and working with e2e Cypress tests, and building custom component libraries with Storybook within a multi-tenancy setup. I also furthered my exposure to work in technologies like Node.js, Terraform and pnpm mono-repositories, on top of C# and SQL from the existing platform, enabling me to work effectively across the full stack. I am used to implementing evolutionary architecture, continuously improving scalable systems based on measurable statistics and A/B testing, including with Dynamic Yield and Optimizely. While the primary cloud hosting was with AWS & Vercel, we were also planning to transition to Azure.

Beyond hands-on development, I demonstrated strong leadership by providing line management for my squad, fostering a positive team culture, and mentoring and developing team members for professional growth. My commitment to leadership was formally recognised through the completion of a Leadership & Management apprenticeship with distinction. I am comfortable with Agile sprint/scrum-based management, regularly utilising tools like Jira, Linear, and Confluence for capacity planning, managing OKRs, and DORA health metrics. I also initiated a 'frontend guild' for knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the engineering teams as well as an internal Team API website to foster seamless collaboration across the squads.

My experience at Frasers Group also sharpened my commercial acumen, allowing me to optimise web performance, understand SEO best practices and Core Web Vitals, and implement conversion rate optimisation (CRO) strategies. I was adept at translating client needs into detailed estimated user stories & bug tickets, hosting meetings and presenting technical updates and solution demos.

A notable achievement was being named 'Frasers Champion,' the company's employee of the month equivalent. Furthermore, I gained exposure to AI content management with a pilot workshop with Amplience CMS, exploring highly personalised content at scale.

I started at Frasers as a frontend developer but was quickly promoted to Website Squad Lead.

During this period at Vivid Creative, I put my design-work aside to focus on development and I even advanced onto a lead fullstack role being entrusted as the tech lead on projects and their solutions & architecture, managing and mentoring two other developers and actively improving internal processes to enhance efficiency and quality. This involved leading the technical direction and ensuring the delivery of complex digital projects for a diverse range of larger clients within demanding timeframes. Our websites continued to contain a lot of custom WordPress development, but also started to build on my foundational skills to tackle more intricate challenges, including working with headless websites utilising the WordPress REST API. I consistently delivered high-quality, scalable solutions in a fast-paced agency environment, contributing to the firm's strong reputation.

Clients included:

• British Exploring Society
• CATRA
• Eastern Adaptations
• Henderson's Relish
• Informi (from AAT)
• LongITools
• Morgan Highfield & Land
• Serenity Parks
• Shorts Chartered Accountants
• Thornbridge Brewery
• Ward CNC

In my initial role at Vivid Creative, I leveraged my prior experience from running my own business to contribute to a fast-paced digital agency. My work involved delivering broader digital projects for larger clients under tight deadlines, all while maintaining a high standard of quality. I was doing some digital design work using Sketch and Figma and a lot of hands-on custom WordPress development - primarily utilising HTML, SCSS, and JavaScript on the frontend and PHP and MySQL on the backend (LAMP).

Clients included:

• British Exploring Society
• CATRA
• Eastern Adaptations
• Henderson's Relish
• Informi (from AAT)
• LongITools
• Morgan Highfield & Land
• Serenity Parks
• Shorts Chartered Accountants
• Thornbridge Brewery
• Ward CNC

I worked a spell at Hydra as a web designer/developer, mainly in Adobe Illustrator, HTML, CSS, JS & PHP. This was a short transitional period for me whilst moving to the area before I subsequently settled into a longer-term position at Vivid Creative.

I ran Mishmedia for six years as a full-service agency, positioned to provide Brand, Print and Web services to SMEs. I did most of the work myself, but also collaborated with other freelancers where required. Here I gained invaluable experience taking on the full spectrum of responsibilities inherent in operating a design/digital studio. This included everything from managing business admin & finances, through the creation of the work itself through to overseeing the final delivery of projects. It was during this period that I taught myself enough programming to provide my clients with a custom professional online presence, which proved to be a pivotal step in my career. This entrepreneurial journey instilled in me a strong self-starting drive and initiative that I continue to apply in my work today. And as a digital designer & developer, I developed extensive hands-on expertise in custom WordPress sites, themes, and plugins, and became proficient in core web technologies such as HTML, SCSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL. My clients (including shops, breweries, B2B organisations, theatres, schools and churches to name a few) were pleased to spread the word, so I had more than enough work from word-of-mouth and networking to keep me busy. This comprehensive foundational experience was crucial in shaping my subsequent career.

At M.ology, I began my career as a junior graphic designer. This period was instrumental in developing my design and project management skills. When the senior designer left, I quickly stepped up to take on client and project management responsibilities for our small inter-disciplinary team. M.ology primarily focused on communications for science and technology companies, meaning I frequently worked on branding, design for print, and website/interface design. Although my 3D CAD modelling skills were occasionally utilised, my main focus was on broader digital and print design, with the occasional Flash project. This role provided me with valuable early career experience in a client-facing, creative environment.

I currently serve as one of the two foundation governors for two of our local schools, and chair the Resource & Finance sub-committee.

As governors, our aim is to be a critical friend to the school - providing support and accountability, and lending our varied skills & experience where we can.

As well as the foundation governor's Christian perspective, I also bring particular experience in the areas of IT, AI, music and online communications.

The Frontier Project was a voluntary year out working for the Church.

It involved helping the local community at the food bank and improving the Church's website & online communications, as well as receiving leadership & theology training at a hub based in Newcastle.