Mike Thomas

About me

I’m a team leader with over 15 years web programming and infrastructure experience. The majority of this experience has been in creative digital marketing agencies and recruitment marketing, while more recently I have been managing a software development team in the professional services sector.

I help build and shape high-performing teams by working closely with developers and senior management to ensure that processes, systems and people are performing effectively.

Who I work with

I work effectively with small to medium-sized businesses who, usually as a result of rapid growth, require a technical leader to take the helm of their engineering team in order to optimise processes, and provide the motivation required to meet changing business goals.

With broad skills in digital technologies, I can also help entrepreneurs to build business-ready MVPs, proof of concepts and teams.

I prefer short to medium-term contracts, although I’m always happy to discuss any type of opportunity.

What can I do for you?

These are just some of the technical and people challenges I have recently helped overcome;

• Technical debt (specifically several EOL PHP projects)
• Infrastructure automation
• Software deployment strategies
• Service provider migrations
• Performance management (timekeeping, negativity, bullying)
• Unity vs Factionalism

I work to resolve these issues by introducing (or improving) internal communication processes such as frequent one-to-ones and retrospectives, and by ensuring that there are safe environments where everybody feels able to contribute. Technical debt, for example, can have up-stream blockers, and it's important that senior management teams are accessible and willing to contribute.

This communication enables teams and individuals to identify and reflect upon their common goals and personal ambitions, and helps them understand how these can lead to successful outcomes for themselves and the business.