Matt Watson Email & Phone Number

Sheffield, Gb

Global

Human Made helps organisations drive customer engagement, reinforce brand value and improve operations with digital solutions powered by Altis, our WordPress digital experience platform. Over the past 10+ years, we’ve helped brands such as TechCrunch, CapGemini and USA Today build and deliver their digital strategies, transforming the way people interact with some of the most visited websites in the world. We have deep expertise and investment in using WordPress as a tool to create large-scale platforms, websites, and applications that drive transformational business value. Our decade of experience in agile delivery and passion for open source solutions supports clients in their journey to embrace the edge of innovation. Human Made is a fully distributed company, with employees based remotely around the world.

Global

At Iconic WP, I served as a WordPress Developer, where I was responsible for managing and enhancing a portfolio of commercial WooCommerce plugins. My role was pivotal in ensuring that our plugins not only met but exceeded client expectations in terms of functionality and performance.One of my key responsibilities was Plugin Management, overseeing the development and maintenance of WooCommerce plugins that catered to a wide range of e-commerce needs. This involved writing clean, efficient code, conducting thorough testing, and implementing updates based on user feedback and evolving market trends. By maintaining a high standard of quality, I contributed to a significant reduction in support requests and increased user satisfaction.I also focused on Process Improvement, introducing and facilitating sprint ceremonies that enhanced team collaboration and productivity. By adopting Agile methodologies, I helped streamline our development processes, ensuring timely deliveries and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This approach not only boosted team morale but also improved our ability to respond swiftly to client needs and market changes.In the realm of Feature Development, I played a pivotal role in planning and implementing new features based on client feedback and emerging trends. This proactive approach ensured that our plugins remained competitive and aligned with the latest industry standards. My ability to anticipate and address client needs resulted in the successful launch of several high-impact features that drove business growth and user engagement.

Global

I co-founded Make Do in 2013, leading the engineering team to deliver bespoke WordPress-based solutions for a diverse range of clients, including those in Health Care and Local Government. My role involved strategic architectural planning, overseeing the entire project lifecycle from initial consultations to final delivery, and ensuring high standards of performance, security, and user experience.I built and mentored a talented team of developers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. By implementing Agile methodologies and optimizing internal processes, I enhanced team productivity and streamlined project workflows, significantly contributing to the company’s growth and success.Passionate about community engagement, I organized events such as WordCamp Sheffield and Front End North, strengthening our presence in the WordPress community and promoting knowledge sharing among developers. These initiatives not only built a strong network but also positioned Make Do as a thought leader in the WordPress ecosystem.Throughout my tenure, I focused on creating custom WordPress plugins and themes tailored to client needs, ensuring scalable and efficient solutions. My dedication to continuous improvement and fostering a culture of excellence played a key role in Make Do’s achievements and enduring success. Leading high-profile projects and maintaining strong client relationships, I ensured that our solutions consistently exceeded expectations and delivered tangible business value.

Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

At Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, I served as a Senior Developer and played an essential role in a major digital transformation project focused on modernising the council’s website to be both mobile-first and digital-first. My work aimed to make council services more accessible, user-friendly, and responsive to the needs of residents, empowering them to access services and complete transactions online. Using WordPress as the foundation, I developed a prototype for a task-based government website, which helped to transition the council’s legacy Umbraco CMS platform to a more flexible and functional WordPress environment.Beyond the main council site, I built additional departmental websites, including those for Health and Social Care Services, Things to Do, Housing Services, and a dedicated platform for the local 2012 Olympics.In this role, I worked with a broad range of technologies, including ASP.NET C#, Razor, XSLT, HTML5, CSS3, LESS, and jQuery, to create solutions that met high standards of performance, security, and scalability. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams and various stakeholders, I ensured each website was tailored to meet the specific needs of the department while maintaining consistency with modern web standards. To ensure sustainable content management, I provided training for non-technical staff, enabling them to update and maintain site content independently. My work at Barnsley Council significantly contributed to a more efficient, accessible, and engaging digital presence, aligned with the council’s commitment to delivering high-quality services to the community.

Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

I served as an Information Systems Developer, delivering a range of web and data solutions for both internal and external stakeholders. My responsibilities included the full project lifecycle — from planning and development to management and support — using the PRINCE2 project management methodology to ensure projects were completed on time and met high standards.One of my key projects was developing the Trust’s main website (rdash.nhs.uk) using WordPress as the CMS, which allowed for efficient content management and provided a more accessible interface for public engagement. Leveraging a diverse tech stack that included JavaScript, SQL, ASP, ASP.NET, ADO, ADO.NET (C#), XHTML, XML, PHP, and CSS, I built dynamic websites and custom web applications tailored to specific user needs. I implemented both front and back-end logic using SQL programming techniques like stored procedures and custom functions to ensure robust data management and streamlined functionality.My role also included migrating legacy DataEase systems to custom-built web applications, modernising the Trust’s operations and improving data accessibility for staff. Additionally, I supported legacy systems while simultaneously overseeing the integration of new technology, ensuring continuity and minimal disruption during the transition period.In addition to development work, I conducted data analysis and reporting for “Payment by Results” (PBR) initiatives. This required accessing data from multiple systems, importing it into SQL Server, running complex queries, and producing detailed financial reports in Microsoft Excel. These reports directly impacted Trust income by determining funding levels based on patient care activities, contributing to the organisation’s financial strategy. My work at RDaSH reinforced my ability to deliver comprehensive technical solutions while managing complex data and reporting requirements, ensuring a high standard of service delivery and operational efficiency.

United Kingdom

As a System Specialist with Capex Health Ltd., I contributed to the successful rollout of critical IT solutions across the NHS, working as part of the National Programme for IT. Subcontracted to Accenture and Perot Systems, I delivered technical expertise and managed forward planning across multiple projects. This role required extensive travel to NHS trusts throughout the UK, where I conducted IT configuration workshops, managed system implementations, and provided end-user training to ensure smooth adoption of new technologies.Utilising PRINCE2 methodology to manage each project phase, I was involved in configuration, testing, and implementation of healthcare applications such as iSoft iPM, CSE Servelec’s RiO, and Map of Medicine. These systems provided vital support for patient administration, clinical workflows, and decision support within the NHS. My forward planning efforts ensured that each rollout aligned with local needs while adhering to national standards.This role provided me with valuable experience in Health Informatics, where I developed a deep understanding of how to implement, configure, and support health information systems that meet rigorous standards for security, accessibility, and user satisfaction. My contributions to the National Programme for IT helped to enhance patient care and streamline healthcare processes across various NHS trusts.

Education record

Courses Passed / Certification Gained: - M255 Object-oriented programming with Java - Certificate in Web Applications - Cert Web Apps.

Education record

Certification Gained: - Certificate of Higher Education - Health Informatics

Diphe, Music Technology, Multimedia

Activities and Societies: Music Group - Additional Jazz Recording - Year Representative Certification Gained: - DipHE (Diploma of Higher.

Education record

Certification Gained: - M6427 Configuring and Troubleshooting Internet Information Services in Windows Server 2008 (Microsoft) - Effective.