Senior Software Engineer & Technical Lead

Hands‑on technical leadership across complex Next.js and React platforms, digital transformations, technical SEO, performance, migrations and platform architecture.

  1. Macmillan Education
    Macmillan Education

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

I am a friendly and enthusiastic senior engineer and technical leader backed by 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.

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

  • leading the headless replatforming of a much loved chain of restaurants, modernising its UK & Ireland web estate;
  • helping develop the online identity of Volvo's emerging premium EV brand;
  • helping prospective car buyers find just the right configuration for their next sports car;
  • ... and enhancing the website of a local toyshop so that they could continue trading during lockdown.
More about me

Featured Case Studies

  1. Featured case study

    HSBC Corporate
    Banking

    Lead UI development for a set of HSBC digital transformation projects, including a React, TypeScript, Node.js, and AEM rebuild of commercial banking applications.

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

    Lotus
    Cars

    Long‑running front‑end development for Lotus Cars, supporting its WordPress website, vehicle configurators, model pages, pre‑owned sales, and dealership tools.

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

    The World Economic
    Forum

    Senior JavaScript developer heavily involved in delivering a React‑based rebuild of the World Economic Forum online platforms, including leading the introduction of new user features.

    Screenshot of The World Economic Forum website; part of John Kavanagh's selected project work.

How I Usually Help

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Previous Clients

Availability

I am currently leading a new digital transformation engagement, with availability for selected consulting and engineering delivery from September 2026. Short diagnostics or urgent work may be possible sooner.

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Latest Articles

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  1. AI is Making Technical Debt Cheaper to Create.
    Read article
    AI is Making Technical Debt Cheaper to Create.

    AI is Making Technical Debt Cheaper to Create

    AI coding tools make code faster to produce, but technical debt still needs review, ownership, tests, documentation, and senior engineering judgement.

Need a senior engineer involved?

I can work directly in the codebase, review the architecture, or support the team through delivery when the work needs more than extra hands.

Get in touch