Software Engineering

Originally from Birmingham, I studied at Coventry University, becoming a software engineer then an avid (thru-)hiker and a - part-time - amateur radio operator going by the callsigns M7ETJ, 2E0IUY and M0KXG. I’m currently working as a Senior Software Engineer at Couchbase leading a team working on their DBaaS offering with a primary focus on the Backup/Restore functionality. I enjoy challenge (thru-)hiking, having done most of the notable three peaks challenges and completing a walk from Land’s End to John o’ Groats in 2025; I’m currently working through the Wainwrights with an eye on the PCT in 2026. ...

Acknowledgement Those that knew me earliest in my career would call me a liar, to them I say I’m sorry, and eternally grateful for reviewing my mega-patches; it’s a testament to your thorough reviews that we didn’t break anything too severe! ...

We’re often faced with - what feel like - insurmountable problems; complexity can be daunting, leaving us paralysed by the irrational need to have a perfect solution before even writing any code. Over the years, I’ve gravitated to creating patches in a style that I term “progressive coding” where I iterate on small - atomic - pieces of functionality, with the understanding that solutions rarely emerge fully formed. I don’t believe it’s about being lazy, or settling for something that “works”1 it’s about recognising that programming - like life - is iterative. By breaking down large problems into small, manageable, chunks we progress forward at a consistent rate. ...