Technical Lead & Senior Software Engineer

I'm an independent software engineer and technical lead based in Brighton. I build and improve React, Next.js and TypeScript applications for businesses across the UK, from hands‑on development to complex digital transformations.

  1. Virgin Atlantic & Holidays
    Virgin Atlantic & Holidays

I'm John Kavanagh, an award‑winning software engineering specialist based in sunny Brighton, UK.

I am an enthusiastic senior software engineer and technical leader with over twenty‑three years of hands‑on experience.

I help teams and clients design, build and improve websites, applications and web platforms, pairing architecture, delivery judgement and hands‑on TypeScript, React, HTML, and CSS.

I also founded Kavanagh Digital, where I lead independent programme assurance, recovery, and web‑platform due diligence.

My portfolio is diverse; I work with global clients, solving real-world problems, including:

  • leading the modernisation of the online portfolio of one of Britain's largest airlines;
  • helping prospective car buyers find just the right configuration for their next sports car;
  • engaging businesses, politicians, academics, and world leaders to shape global agendas;
  • ... and optimising the online ordering system of Brighton's last independent milkman.
More about me

Featured Case Studies

  1. Featured case study

    Selfridges

    Lead front‑end developer within Selfridges' e‑commerce Customer Experience team, delivering new features, considerable refactoring, and platform performance improvements.

    Screenshot of the Selfridges website; part of John Kavanagh's selected project work.
  2. Featured case study

    IMG
    Licensing

    Long‑term technical direction and hands‑on development for IMG Licensing's digital platform, spanning its original rebuild, ongoing evolution, major redesign, and migrations to Next.js, Sanity, and Vercel.

    Screenshot of the IMG Licensing website; part of John Kavanagh's selected project work.
  3. Featured case study

    HSBC Corporate
    Banking

    Lead UI development across several HSBC digital transformation projects, spanning commercial banking, React platform development, legacy integration, and complex global banking workflows.

    Screenshot of the HSBC Corporate Banking website; part of John Kavanagh's selected project work.

How I Usually Help

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Previous Clients

Availability

I'm leading a global digital transformation, with limited availability for longer engagements until early 2027. Short‑term consultancy is still available sooner by agreement.

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Have a complex web platform issue?

Tell me what is blocked, what has changed, and what needs to be true after the fix. I'll come back with a practical next step.

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