Profile

Experienced web application developer, system administrator, devops engineer, development team lead, open source contributor and business founder.
With over 25 years in the internet industry, beginning in customer service, moving to development and then leading teams and managing projects, I remain passionate about software craftsmanship and the user experience, and care deeply about clean code, well-tested systems and thoughtful service design.

Skills Summary

Software Development

Many years of professional experience using Ruby, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and Bash. Formally trained using Smalltalk and Java. Have worked with numerous other languages. Well versed in user interface design principles, object oriented principles & patterns, relational theory and database design. Strong experience with automated testing, performance optimisation, quality assurance, and collaboration with service and user experience designers.

Cloud Infrastructure

Battle scarred Linux system administrator, with hands-on experience managing web servers, mail systems, and database systems, ensuring compliance with standards, designing for scalability and reliability, security testing, intrusion prevention & detection, backup systems & disaster recovery. Extensive experience with AWS and infrastructure as code, continuous delivery, Python and Bash scripting. Some experience with Docker and containerisation.

Technical Leadership

I have held senior positions for over 20 years, providing technical leadership and guidance for development teams and businesses, and have a reputation for delivering successful outcomes for software projects, despite the challenges that come with working in an ever changing and innovating industry. With experience working at all stages of the software development lifecycle, I am very comfortable working with business stakeholders and industry specialists.

Career Snapshot

2020 - 2025	Application Architect	Oxford University Press
2017 - 2020	Software Development Consultant	Oxford University Press
2016 - 2017	Platform Development Manager	Oxford University Press
2011 - 2016	Technology Lead	FutureGov
2009 - 2011	Senior Developer & System Administrator	Jobsgopublic
2006 - 2009	Lead Developer & System Administrator	Ionic
2005 - 2006	Lead Developer & System Administrator	MediaSpace
2002 - 2005	Lead Developer	Odyssey Internet
2000 - 2002	Senior Developer	DigiServe / IrishAbroad
1999 - 2000	Web Developer	Media2
1998 - 1999	Web Developer	Ireland On-Line
1996 - 1998	Customer Service	Ireland On-Line
1995 - 1996	Customer Support	Internet Éireann
1994 - 1995	Computer Sales	Harry Moore

Education

Software Development for Networked Applications using Java (Open University, 2006)

Covered Java 2 to the standard required for the Sun Certified Developer exams.

Advanced Database Technology (Open University, 2005-2006)

Distributed data management, object and object-relational databases, databases with multimedia, multi-dimensional data modelling and data warehousing.

Distributed Applications and E-Commerce (Open University, 2005-2006)

Internet protocols, web and database servers, XML, Servlets, JSP, JDBC, CORBA, RMI, JavaSpaces, concurrency and transactions, security technologies.

Object Oriented Software Development (Open University, 2004)

Programming with Smalltalk, domain modelling with UML, software specification and design, software architectures and design patterns.

User Interface Design & Evaluation (Open University, 2004)

Design principles and rules, psychological principles, requirements gathering and analysis, work re-engineering, prototyping and usability evaluation.

Relational Databases (Open University, 1998)

Relational theory, SQL, entity-relationship modelling, normalization, database design, management & administration, data warehouses and data mining.

Fundamentals of Computing (Open University, 1997)

Programming with Pascal, operating systems, information systems, software design & management and an introduction to machine architecture.

Career History

Application Architect - Oxford University Press, Oxford October 2020- Current

Guided the application architecture on a range of projects, across platforms, teams, and divisions, and at various stages of development, to successfully deliver simple solutions. Worked closely with development teams, cultivating a testing culture, mentoring and pair programming with developers, often taking direct responsibility for core elements of delivery, and regularly collaborated with specialists to ensure compliance with organisational standards.

Software Development Consultant - Oxford University Press, Oxford May 2017 - September 2020

After hiring my replacement to manage the MyMaths team, I was asked to stay and run the platform, while supporting the rest of the team working on a major content project. I improved the infrastructure, the application code, and the release process, managed stakeholder involvement, developed new features and services, enhanced the performance, security, scalability and availability of the platform, and mentored other team members.

Platform Development Manager - Oxford University Press, Oxford May 2016 - April 2017

Interim manager for the MyMaths development team. I introduced lightweight agile processes and tools, hired new team members, added documentation, fixed numerous issues with the application code, stabilised the infrastructure, automated processes, improved system monitoring, led the initial phase of a multi-million pound project to convert legacy e-learning content from Flash to XML and JavaScript (React), and then finally hired my own replacement.

Technology Lead - FutureGov, London November 2011 - April 2016

Initially a 9 month contract, I remained at FutureGov for over 4 years, during which time I grew the development team from just me to 8 developers, led development on 3 major projects (Patchwork, CasseroleClub, Lantern), developed a SaaS hosting platform with UK Government security accreditation (CESG PGA) for services sold via G-Cloud CloudStore, and established a strong culture of continuous improvement within the development team.

Senior Developer & System Administrator - Jobsgopublic, London October 2009 - September 2011

Worked as a Ruby developer on the team building the recruitment management system that runs Jobsgopublic.com and over 100 other job boards. Also shared the responsibility for managing all Linux based web, database, email and name servers, built a reporting system using MongoDB, made huge improvements to the deployment process and other elements of project automation, and contributed significantly to increased cross-team collaboration.

Lead Developer & System Administrator - Ionic, Dublin October 2006 - September 2009

Co-founded Ionic with David Sharpe, my manager at Odyssey Internet. Developed the hosting infrastructure, expanded the Speck framework for Ionic's use, built a number of web sites, including my first Rails application, Propertyswap.ie, led the development team on key projects including web sites for ICGP and ERA Real Estate, an e-commerce solution for Albany Office Supplies, a social networking application, and a CRM system for the motor trade.

Lead Developer & System Administrator - MediaSpace, Dublin September 2005 - September 2006

Initially a short term contract to redevelop Fashion.ie using Speck, I remained to lead the development of new projects including WeddingsIreland.com, Sports.ie, IrishConstruction.com, Novadance.com and Muse.ie. I also developed the Linux hosting infrastructure necessary to support the new projects.

Lead Developer & System Administrator - Odyssey Internet, Dublin March 2002 - August 2005

Led a team of 7, introduced the company to open source tools and frameworks, developed a content management solution and a webmail system for large web portals, a CRM application for healthcare professional associations, and assisted with the development of many other web sites and applications.

Senior Developer - DigiServe, Dublin November 2000 - February 2002

Senior developer for IrishAbroad.com. Also worked on projects for Online.ie and Hotpress.com and developed e-commerce solutions using Interchange.

Web Developer - Flunk.net, Dublin September 2000 - October 2000

Flunk.net was an irreverent guide to student life in Ireland. Planned funding fell through, so my employment ended much sooner than expected.

Web Developer - IrishAbroad.com, San Francisco May 2000 - August 2000

Developed applications using ASP, ColdFusion, JavaScript and SQL Server, and helped with system administration and other IT issues as necessary.

Web Developer - Media2, Dublin April 1999 - May 2000

Worked on a number of projects for RTE, BuyandSell.ie, Ireland On-Line and Flunk.net. Developed ilike.net, and learnt some Perl, for my sins, ouch!

Web Developer - Ireland On-Line, Dublin December 1998 - May 1999

Redeveloped customer support sites, developed a call tracking system for corporate sales and began work on the channel sales extranet.

Customer Service Technical Coordinator - Ireland On-Line, Dublin February 1998 - November 1998

Developed and successfully implemented a plan to improve customer service satisfaction levels and reduced costs during a period of rapid growth.

Senior Technical Support Engineer - Ireland On-Line, Dublin March 1997 - January 1998

Led a team of 8 support engineers, created internal and external customer support web sites, trained new staff, wrote technical documentation.

Technical Support Engineer - Ireland On-Line, Dublin February 1996 - March 1997

I started my employment with Ireland On-Line supporting Windows and Mac customers having trouble with their dial-up internet connections.

Customer Support Technician - Internet Éireann, Dublin November 1995 - January 1996

Crazy days in a basement surrounded by servers and a pile of modems. I did what I could with a BSD terminal and some printed screenshots.

Department Manager & Sales Assistant - Harry Moore, Dublin November 1994 - October 1995

Managed the computer software department at a busy branch of Harry Moore, now Dixons. Also sold computer hardware and hi-fi equipment.

Referees

Neil O'Connell - Head of Technology at Jobsgopublic, Head of Platforms SDC at Oxford University Press

A couple of months after starting at JGP, Mark asked for some feedback on his performance, and my answer was simply that I would clone him if I could. Almost two years later, my answer remains the same. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending him to any future employer.

Barry Flanagan - Founder of Ireland On-Line, Creative & Technical Director at DigiServe

Mark has, over the course of many years and in multiple roles, proven himself to be a capable, conscientious and thorough worker and colleague. I would not hesitate to recommend him for any role which he chooses to undertake.

Bill Hanafin - Founder of IrishAbroad.com, IT Director for USA at DigiServe

Mark's initiative and ability to work independently was highly valued at IrishAbroad. His care and attention to detail has left us with code that we are still using unchanged, up to four years after it was developed. I would be more than happy to recommend him to any future client or employer.

David Sharpe - Technology Manager at Odyssey Internet, Founder & Managing Director of Ionic

Mark's high standards and ability to identify, and avoid, potential problems with development projects means that everything he turns out works and keeps working. His interest in technology means his range of expertise continues to expand, despite chalking up many years of experience already. He also has a great influence on the people he works with, as his attention to detail and reluctance to waffle rubs off on everyone around him. (Except me).

Hugh Durkin - Founder of MediaSpace

Mark played a pivotal role in getting a large number of projects off the ground. He was instrumental in developing our hosting infrastructure and portal development system, and also helped us develop data collection and analysis tools, which were ahead of their time in terms of feature set and usability. If you're looking for a thorough individual with the ability to think of every possible outcome resulting from the delivery of a project, Mark is your man!