Experience

TL;DR

I currently work as React developer for Chetwood Financial, a startup bank in Wrexham, Wales. Previously I was a frontend developer for The Realbuzz Group for over 7 years. Throughout this time I have always pushed to learn more and develop myself and those around me.

Read on for a high level overview or visit LinkedIn for a more in depth overview of my career.

Career overview

React.js & JavaScript developer - Chetwood Financial

  • Building lightweight & robust consumer-facing Web Apps using React Redux, Gatsby, REST APIs and OAuth
  • Building React component libraries, Redux store handlers and Node
  • Building marketing websites using Python/Django/Wagtail
  • Creating tooling and ops utils using Webpack, Gulp and Node
  • Building email comms using Gulp! and MJML
  • Managing DNS, hosting and deployment pipelines on Netlify, Heroku and AWS
  • Writing unit tests with Jest and end 2 end tests with Playwright
  • Configuration of services including Sentry, PagerDuty and Pingdom
  • Improving the platform with accessibility enhancements
  • Creating multi-branded applications using internationalisation
  • Working with designers and backend developers to advance the platform

Freelance

  • Responsive, mobile-first websites using HTML5 and CSS3
  • Backend development with PHP, WordPress, Python and Django
  • Icon, logo, illustration and character design for print and web using Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.
  • Web advertising work has used both Flash and gifs for animation
  • Interactive games, portfolios and animated logos using Flash
  • SEO, optimisation and accessibility

Senior frontend developer - The Realbuzz Group

  • Front end development of multiple client websites, internal projects, and flagship brands
  • Building rich features including comments and user chat using React and REST APIs
  • Enhancing the UX using JavaScript and jQuery to create dynamic and interactive elements
  • Lead frontend developer of the flagship Realbuzz.com website including building a bespoke SCSS framework & React comment system
  • Sole developer of the Realbuzz Group corporate website, written in Django with an SCSS framework and jQuery frontend
  • Illustration and graphic work including vector icons and anatomical diagrams
  • Managed a team of frontend developers (internal/contractors) building Realbuzz.com
  • Leading a multi-disciplined team including frontend developers, web designers and designers including managing time, workload and personal commitments
  • Guiding team members on best practices and feedback (via design critique and code reviews)

Web developer & designer - The Realbuzz Group

  • Major contributor to the Virgin Money London Marathon, adidas Half Marathon, World Marathon Majors, World Running, Paris Half and Tough Mudder charity websites - Django, JavaScript/jQuery & SCSS
  • Built numerous charity fundraising and partner websites - HTML5, PHP, JavaScript/jQuery & CSS/SCSS
  • Rebuilt My50.com frontend, with backend PHP changes to templates
  • Use of Sass, Gulp, Grunt and other pre-compilers to enhance the range of browsers supported.
  • Advertising banners, HTML5, Flash and Gif.
  • Print & multimedia work including interactive CD-Roms
  • Supporting and mentoring junior team members

Migrate carl-topham.com from Gatsby to Next.js

Rebuild my portfolio site (carl-topham.com) in Next.js, migrating from Gatsby


Running kit bag

Interactive kit bag checklist app to ensure that I always have the right running kit for training, races and all weather!


SmartSave & LiveLend WebApps

React.js Redux WebApps using REST APIs with Auth.


Chord generator script

Generates note combinations for different keys & chords


Advanced Strava Stats

Sync your Strava data and analyse it in extra ways than the official app. React, Redux, Saga, Axios & D3