Lead Developer & Senior Software Engineer.
I provide technical leadership for enterprise content platforms, AI integrations, analytics, payments, and high-stakes digital projects. I help charities, publishers, and commercial organisations improve the platforms that run their business, whether that means untangling inherited codebases, implementing machine learning, or optimising global fundraising systems. With 20 years of experience across Drupal, WordPress, and custom architecture, I step into existing environments to stabilise, scale, and innovate whilst providing ongoing maintenance and support without the design agency price tag.
"Calm, clear thinking in moments where we needed quick wits to solve an urgent issue." — Fernando Zarur, UNICEF
A Trusted Architect & Technical Consultant
Leading charities, enterprise e-commerce brands, and creative studios value my two decades of cross-sector experience. I don't just write code; I integrate with your team to cleanly align technical architecture with your commercial growth, fundraising milestones, and agency delivery pipelines.
A Steady Hand for Difficult Digital Projects
Most projects do not start from a blank sheet. They start with legacy systems, technical debt, analytics nobody trusts, migrations that have drifted off course, or teams carrying too much delivery pressure. I step into these environments, understand exactly how things work, and help move projects forward. My work sits at the intersection of enterprise CMS engineering, analytics, payments, and practical AI implementation.
AI Integration & Intelligent Content Systems
I add practical AI capability to platforms already in use, implementing semantic search, vector embeddings, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and Azure/OpenAI integrations without requiring expensive rebuilds. My recent work includes building a custom machine-learning proof of concept inside Drupal for UNICEF using RubixML to dynamically optimise donation amounts based on real-time visitor signals. For FedEE, I engineered an OpenAI-powered compliance tool that combines internal knowledge bases with retrieval workflows against government policy data, and I am currently developing NavLayer, a tool focused entirely on semantic search and intelligent content discovery.
Platform Rescue & Enterprise CMS Engineering
I am typically called in when projects become difficult. I take ownership of inherited systems, technical debt, and complex integrations, providing the senior capacity needed to untangle difficult migrations and modernise legacy Drupal and WordPress architecture. This includes delivering technical leadership and platform rescue for complex enterprise platforms, ensuring robust API integrations, accessibility improvements, and scalable editorial workflows for organisations like the Society for Academic Primary Care and APC Workwear.
Analytics, Fundraising & Digital Performance
I build the data infrastructure and payment flows that make commercial growth possible, focusing heavily on GTM implementations, custom data layers, checkout optimisation, and technical SEO. For UNICEF, I successfully implemented Apple Pay and Google Pay across their global fundraising systems, alongside a standardised analytics infrastructure that supported growing their digital fundraising performance from thousands to millions of dollars annually.
Front-End Performance & UX Architecture
I bridge the gap between heavy commercial logic and a seamless user experience. I design and engineer fast, universally accessible (WCAG) front-end interfaces, optimising Core Web Vitals and resolving complex UI performance bottlenecks on high-traffic platforms. My recent work includes developing the front-end architecture for the Save the Children International global donation platform. I engineered complex solutions for localisation, personalisation, and ActiveCampaign integration, while proactively identifying UX improvements during their RaiseNow payment rollout to ensure a frictionless, high-converting donor journey.
How I Work
Most engagements involve joining an existing team to provide technical leadership, additional senior engineering capacity, or the expertise needed to untangle systems that have become difficult to maintain. I work closely with developers, product owners, agencies, and non-technical stakeholders to translate complex requirements into maintainable solutions.
Three separate clients have independently described working with me the exact same way: Calm.
That matters when deadlines are close, systems become fragile, or delivery pressure increases. I favor maintainable code over clever code, clear communication over jargon, and simple solutions wherever possible. Based in the UK, partnering with organizations globally.
Core Technical Skills & Services
- AI Integration & Semantic Search
Implementing practical AI capability, vector embeddings, RAG, and Azure/OpenAI/Anthropic integrations into existing ecosystems. - Platform Rescue & Stabilisation
Taking immediate ownership of inherited technical debt, failing migrations, and fragile legacy codebases. - Enterprise CMS Architecture
20 years of experience scaling and securing bespoke Drupal and WordPress builds for global organisations. - Advanced Analytics & GTM
Engineering custom data layers, server-side tracking, and robust measurement infrastructure for marketing teams. - Payment Gateway Integrations
Deploying frictionless Stripe, Apple Pay, and Google Pay rollouts for enterprise fundraising and e-commerce. - Core Web Vitals & Accessibility
Designing blazing-fast, WCAG-compliant interfaces and resolving complex frontend performance bottlenecks. - Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)
Optimising checkout pipelines and digital fundraising workflows to actively scale commercial revenue. - Technical Leadership & Strategy
Providing calm, senior-level capacity and strategic guidance for in-house teams, creative studios, and agencies.
Recommendations
What more can I say apart from Justin is the best in the business, bar none. Having worked with a number of web developers in my time, it's the attention to detail that sets him apart from all others.
His approach is both clinical and creative. He will listen to all requests, make suggestions where relevant, and - more importantly - never shy away from a challenge when others would. From the over-coded mess that was to be our new website, Justin helped us unravel and develop an ecommerce store that was ready for launch in less than half the time we’d already accrued with our previous developer.
Put simply, to choose anyone else over Justin would be a bad business move. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Kev Bailey
Marketing Manager at APC Workwear
I had the pleasure of working with Justin as an external vendor during the integration of RaiseNow within our Drupal platform. Collaborating with him was always easy and smooth, he’s professional, reliable, and a great communicator.
Justin consistently identified potential issues early on, suggested thoughtful improvements to the user experience, and delivered on time. His proactive approach, especially in spotting opportunities for enhancements, made a significant positive impact on our project’s quality and efficiency.
I highly recommend Justin to anyone looking for a skilled, solutions-oriented, and collaborative development partner.
Maite Cervera Ceberio
New Markets Senior Specialist at Save the Children
Justin was part of the consulting team that helped take a part of UNICEF's digital global operations to new heights. We are talking about a digital platform that helped grow fundraising results for children from a few thousands to millions of dollars per year for humanitarian projects.
From a professional point of view, Justin is one of those special people that is able to combine technical knowledge with simple and effective design. It was equally a joy to have his calm, clear thinking in moments where needed quick wits to solve an urgent issue. I do hope we have a chance to collaborate together again in the future. I can only say you'd be lucky to get a chance to do the same.
Fernando Zarur
Fund Raising Specialist (Digital Engagement & Fintech) at UNICEF
It’s been a real pleasure working with Justin over the past three years at UNICEF. Together, we’ve achieved some truly meaningful milestones from building an innovative, scalable, and standardized analytics implementation, to launching new payment methods like Google Pay and Apple Pay, and introducing form enhancements to improve the donor experience, just to name a few.
I could go on about your professional accomplishments, but what truly stands out is your integrity, work ethic, and personality. You’ve always been incredibly helpful, proactive, and willing to go the extra mile, often without even being asked. Every complex project we tackled together was delivered so smoothly thanks to your calm and solution-oriented approach.
I genuinely hope our paths cross again in the future. Thank you so much for all your hard work and contributions!
Marianna Saiti
Senior Digital Data Analyst | Global Digital Data, Insights & CRO at UNICEF
The quality of Justin's work has always been exceptional, exceeding every brief given to him. His knowledge of a wide variety of platforms and programming languages makes him one of the most versatile web designers / developers I know and an incredible asset to any organisation.
James Morell
Head of Search at Future Publishing
Justin is a wonderful web developer, and more importantly, a flexible one. As with lots of the best agencies, we need to continually shift and adapt with technology and the changing face of client needs. Justin has continually been a valued member of the team and his ability to shift with those requirements, be they industry, or client based, is testament to his ability and passion for producing great work.
Highly recommended.
Paul Goodenough
CEO at Aer Studios
Having worked with Justin on a number of projects his work has always been of the highest standard. His skills are versatile and flexible, and his consistent understanding of the details as well as the bigger picture really makes him a valuable addition to the team. From a technical and creative perspective I would gladly recommend him to anyone.
Jake Manion
Creative Producer at Aardman Animations
Justin was a Drupal/front-end developer on the donation platform for Save the Children International. He notably helped us with some clever solutions around ActiveCampaign integration, localisation and personalisation. He is a strong communicator and problem-solver, quick, professional, and a pleasure to work with - an easy recommendation.
Jonathan Trout
Global Web Optimisation Specialist at Save the Children
I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside Justin for over eight years, and in that time, he has consistently proven himself to be not only a highly skilled developer, but also a calm, thoughtful, and reliable presence — even in high-pressure situations.
One of Justin’s standout qualities is his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and accessible way, making collaboration with non-technical stakeholders smooth and effective. He is solutions-oriented, proactive in conducting research when needed, and always willing to go above and beyond expectations.
I would not hesitate to recommend Justin for any project requiring a talented and dependable Drupal developer. His technical expertise and collaborative mindset make him a valuable asset to any team.
Keryn Wheeler
Project Manager at Motherlode Media
Justin led Fast Car Magazine's move and tricky migration from a complicated bespoke website to our current WordPress website / CMS. We found him articulate, highly-skilled and a great communicator. He delivered the project on time and fully fulfilled our expectations and more.
Glenn Rowsell
Fast Car Online Editor at Future Publishing
