Dean Simmons

Full Stack Web Developer

I build robust and reliable software
and systems for the web.

About Me

I am a web developer specialising in building bespoke web applications and systems. I can build web applications on any scale with any functionality that's needed in a way that is robust, backed with tests, maintainable, and easy to scale in the future.

In order to achieve this I like to produce simple, reliable and modular code, as I find this to be the best way of avoiding technical debt. This also allows to more easily include automated validation on changes in the form of tests, and leads to very few bugs.

I prefer working in active roles where I have responsibility, where I'm challenged and am able to learn and improve my skillset. I like working with people that are able to discuss technical details and ideas constructively in order to achieve the best outcome. I feel this benefits the project and the team and helps both grow.

Recently I've been working a lot with Laravel, which is a very good PHP framework, allowing for quick and easy development of web apps. I can however pick up frameworks or programming languages as needed.

Employment History

May 2022 - February 2025

Senior Full Stack Web Developer

Remote contract work with continuously renewed periodic contracts for Ricorocks Digital Agency

Ricorocks are a digital agency specialising in travel, hospitality and startups. Providing custom platforms, travel tech solutions and travel digital marketing.

I'm not able to give specifics as it's under a non-disclosure agreement, but I was working on tasks for clients to produce various systems including checkouts, credit management, API integrations, quoting systems, booking systems, data import, customer control panels, interactive front ends and Statamic plugins.

  • Laravel
  • Livewire
  • PHP
  • JavaScript
  • Tailwind
  • AlpineJS
  • Git
  • React
  • MySQL
  • Statamic
  • Filament
  • Forge
  • Envoyer
  • Linux
  • DevOps
  • Azure Pipelines
September 2009 – January 2022

Systems Programmer

Working for Freeola in Braintree. Originally working in Support, helping customers with any issues they were encountering over the phone but changed role to become a Systems Programmer in September 2014.

Freeola are an Internet Service Provider who offer a range of services from web hosting and email to broadband internet connections.

I worked on various projects including code maintenance, integrating new services with third party APIs, developing a new interactive WYSIWYG format for an online website builder, dynamic PDF generation, automatic SSL deployment, DNS tools, dynamic website screenshots, internal timesheets, etc.

  • Procedural PHP
  • JavaScript
  • MySQL
  • Kohana
  • JQuery
  • SCSS
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • MJML
  • Vagrant
  • Docker
  • Python
  • Doctrine
  • Git
  • Jenkins
  • Linux

Sample Project

To give a sample of my work, I've put together the following small project. It's a draughts game which is rendering using Vue, and running via backend PHP code in Laravel. It's not finished yet as it's missing some required functionality, and I have some ideas for some interesting features, but I've put it up now so I have something to show.

Contact Me

If there's anything I can help with, please feel free to get in touch. Your message will come to me by email and I usually respond within a day.

Message Sent

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