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. Nando’s
    Nando’s

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 a major browser vendor explore AI‑driven tools for clearer, more useful browsing experiences;
  • helping develop the online identity of Volvo's emerging premium EV brand;
  • ... and creating a digital home and web shop for a fledgling Sussex vineyard.
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

    Virgin Atlantic
    & Holidays

    Lead engineer on this massive replatforming project, unifying twelve disparate applications under a new headless architecture with React and Next.js.

    Screenshot of the Virgin Atlantic & Holidays website; part of John Kavanagh's selected project work.
  3. 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.

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.

Want to find out more?

If you need senior hands‑on support with a complex React or Next.js platform, migration, performance issue, or technical SEO problem, send me the context and I'll tell you where I can help.

Get in touch