Full‑Stack Software Engineer
Tech-agnostic full-stack engineer with an accessibility-first mindset. Friendly, conscientious, and curious. I learn fast, design inclusively, and ship dependable web apps.
About me
I'm Tom - a dad, curious maker, and space nerd by the sea in Weston-super-Mare. I'm the friendly, conscientious type who takes things apart to understand them and puts them back together tidier. Off-screen you'll find me fly-fishing at dawn, skating like I'm 15 again, or making chainmaille and useful little wooden things. I love weird, textured music, deep conversations about how minds and systems work, and designing for people who aren't always listened to.
I'm ADHD-powered in the best ways, endlessly curious, and happiest when I'm learning and building something that makes someone's day easier.
Experience
Software Engineer (Full‑stack)
Source Insurance ltd · 2024 — 2025
Built and maintained Node/Express microservices and customer journeys across IntroducerUX, CustomerUX and SMR‑API. Rebuilt the Customer Dashboard to be mobile first responsive and accessible. Delivered integrations with third‑party broker APIs and RICS rebuild‑cost enrichment.
- Built REST endpoints and internal services used across the quoting + policy stack.
- Improved page performance and accessibility with Lighthouse‑driven refactors.
- Worked across Mongo/SQL data stores; added pragmatic tests.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams in an Agile/Scrum environment.
Software Engineer (Full‑stack)
Empyrean Digital ltd · 2022 — 2024
Wore many hats in a small, fast-paced digital agency. Built accessible, performant front-ends and integrated with custom and off-the-shelf CMS back-ends for clients including Genomics England, Sports Wales, and NHS Wales. Supported internal IT and DevOps needs as part of a small team.
- Built accessible, fast front‑ends and integrated custom CMS features.
- Took ownership of 8 support desks, resolving issues quickly and communicating clearly with clients.
- Worked with the development team using Agile methodologies to deliver high-quality software on time.
- Led the company's cyber Essentials certification process, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
Web Developer
Freelance · 2018 — 2025
Working with various clients on projects such as broshure sites for professionals, web analytics and data scraping, and working on production crews to facilitate live streaming of widely recognized events such as Crufts and Henley Royal Regatta
- Worked directly with clients to gather requirements, propose solutions, and deliver high-quality web applications on time and within budget
- Collaborated with designers to create modern and accessible products
- Using my knowledge and expertise across the web stack to improve businesses and facilitate the smooth operation of live events
Projects
I've worked on many projects I can't publicly show (internal apps, member areas, vendor platforms). I'm happy to walk through the problems, constraints, and results if you'd like to chat! You can see my publically available work below
No Man’s Son — Author Site
Strapi + Next.js relaunch for a historical‑fiction series. I designed and build this site myself as a solo project, working with the client and publishing team to create a site that fits the brand in time for the book launch. This site will be further developed in the future according to needs - adding features like a blog, a 'behind the scenes' section for the authors books, a mailing list for fans and more...
View simonphelps.co.uk
Genomics England - Generation Study Website
As part of a 3 dev team, while working at Empyrean Digital ltd, I contributed significantly to building the front-end of this CraftCMS site to pixel-perfect specifications using the designs provided in Figma. This site demonstrates the passion our team had for building modern, accessible, and user friendly sites for large well respected clients in situations where big influxes of traffic would be expected.
View generationstudy.co.uk
Twisted Thorn - Editing house website
I took over an existing Vite + React + Supabase website used by a small editorial business to handle client enquiries and manuscript submissions. My role focused on stabilising and hardening the production system, particularly around authentication, data access, and file storage. I implemented proper staff authentication using Supabase Auth, redesigned database RLS policies to ensure sensitive data is only accessible to authorised users, and secured private file uploads using signed URLs. Alongside the security work, I refactored, restructured, and improved parts of the codebase, front-end, and deployment setup to support safe, ongoing operation.
View twistedthorn.co.uk
Services
Whether you're building an online presence or upgrading your e-commerce, I offer a friendly, professional, bespoke package to get you live - and keep you running. I can design, build, and maintain your site. Use my contact form to get in touch for a chat and a quote.
Brochure Website Package
A clean, professional 5-page brochure site designed to showcase your business and help new customers find you online. Includes a simple contact form, mobile-friendly layout, and essential SEO setup.