I'm a tech lead and senior full-stack developer with 20+ years of experience building for the web; from early HTML to modern TypeScript and Next.js apps. I care about clean code, good architecture, and building products that scale.
About Me
I'm a full stack developer who's been passionate about the web since building my first website for my university radio station over 25 years ago. Since then, I've worked in a range of roles - running my own digital agency, consulting for FTSE 100 companies, and delivering high-impact work as a remote freelancer.
My journey began in the early days of the web, building HTML websites before CSS even existed, with simple ColdFusion and MySQL backends hosted on self-managed servers. I spent my early career at agencies working on projects for brands like Cadbury and Virgin, before founding my own agency in 2004.
Over the next decade, I grew the comapny into a 12-person team, delivering award-winning work for clients such as Tesco and Hotel Chocolat - including recognition for "Property Website of the Year" at the UK Property Awards. Our stack was primarily Microsoft-based (ASP.NET and SQL Server), but as the business grew, I found myself spending more time on operations and client management, and less time coding - which led me to shift back toward hands-on development.
That shift led me into JavaScript full time - starting with AngularJS and later moving to React, which I've specialised in for the past several years. Today, I work exclusively with modern JavaScript and TypeScript-based stacks, most often using React, Next.js, and Postgres for companies like Marks & Spencer and recharge.com
I lead on architecture, engineering standards, and team direction - from mentoring developers to guiding projects from concept to deployment. I bring a clear technical vision, strong communication, and a focus on building maintainable systems that deliver real value. I care deeply about code quality, developer experience, and delivering work that makes a measurable impact.
My Skills
These are the technologies I use for most of my projects and the ones I am most comfortable with. The bar represents my level of experience with each one.
React
Next JS
Typescript
Node JS
Postgres
Sql Server
Styled Components
Figma
I also usually use some combination of these technologies and services in my projects.
Vercel
TRPC
Prisma
Adobe CC
MS Azure
Github
Storyblok
Case Study: M&S
M&S is one of the UK's most iconic retailers, serving millions of customers online. I work in the Core Platform team, responsible for marksandspencer.com and other digital properties used by a wide range of internal teams.
The platform was built with TypeScript and Next.js, supported by Git and Azure. My team maintained the underlying infrastructure and component system, ensuring reliability, performance, and scalability across all projects.
Our work supported over 150 developers, enabling consistent engineering practices and shared tooling across the company's digital ecosystem.
Case Study: DS Smith
DS Smith are a FTSE 100 company and Europe's largest supplier of cardboard packaging.
I lead a team of 5 designers and developers to build internal design tools, including a social design sharing app, used by over 2000 designers in 28 countries.
The app is a single page javascript app with SQL server on the back end and single-sign-on authentication using Microsoft Active Directory.
Q & A
A few of the questions that recruiters ask most often. Of course, if you have more then please contact me.
Q. What kind of work are you looking for?
A. I'm looking for senior roles where I can bring experience to complex problems and help deliver high-quality, scalable products. I'm especially drawn to projects built with TypeScript and modern frameworks like Next.js. I'm used to leading teams and making architectural decisions, but I'm equally comfortable working independently. What matters most to me is contributing to projects where the quality of the engineering really matters.
Q. Do you prefer frontend or backend?
A. I work confidently across the stack, but I lean slightly towards frontend. I enjoy creating elegant, user-focused interfaces, especially for technically complex products that need to feel simple and intuitive. That said, I've spent plenty of time working on backend systems, building APIs, managing databases, and working at scale. I'm just as comfortable writing TypeScript on the server or diving into SQL when needed.
Q. On your own or in a team?
A. I've done both extensively. I often lead projects or mentor other developers, but I also enjoy working independently when a task needs deep focus and fast execution. I think the best outcomes come from clear planning and smart collaboration upfront, followed by periods of focused solo work. I'm very comfortable in remote-first teams where autonomy and strong communication are the norm.
Q. Which part of your job do you enjoy most?
A. I like solving hard problems with clean solutions. The pace of change in our industry keeps things exciting. Every project is a chance to push for better performance, cleaner architecture, or a smoother user experience. I take pride in building things that are robust, fast, and maintainable, and I enjoy working in environments where that level of care is valued.
Q. Where do you see the industry heading next??
A. AI is already starting to change how we build software, and I see it as a massive productivity boost. Just like frameworks and DevOps shifted what a solo developer could accomplish, AI is removing more of the boilerplate and letting us focus on architecture, product thinking, and quality. I've started integrating AI tools into my workflow to speed up routine work and sharpen my focus on what really matters: building great products faster and better.
Contact Me
You can email me at hello@jonhs.dev or fill in the form below. I'll get back to you as quickly as I can.
