Experience

Chief Executive Officer, Nearfield.ai

Nov 2023 - Present

Leading technical strategy and operations focused on the practical deployment of intelligent agent systems for enterprise — built to run securely on local infrastructure where data sensitivity, accuracy, and control are non-negotiable.

PIIQ (Enterprise Compliance): Leading development of a desktop application that automates DSAR and FOIA workflows using local AI models for PII discovery and redaction — cutting processing time and operational cost while maintaining strict data sovereignty.

Agent Infrastructure: Architecting internal systems — OS/A (Operating System for Agency), the Contextualiser (episodic machine memory), and Agent Markdown — to support reliable multi-agent execution.

Developer Tools (Scope): Led the creation of Scope, a next-generation software engineering environment designed to guide and constrain code produced by autonomous agents. Nearfield is now preparing to open-source core components of this infrastructure as it moves toward a broader developer platform.

Co-CEO & Chief Technology Officer, Aucoda

Jun 2010 - Present

Invented the Au programming language and built its compiler — a declarative system where code is written once and automatically transformed into multiple target languages, including C++, Rust, Swift, Java, JavaScript, and Python.

Led a decade-long R&D programme to develop a full ecosystem — Autron (specialising compiler output), the Automic IDE, and the Au Knowledge and Learning Engine (KLE) for training and development. Built a fully browser-based development environment with native support for debugging Au applications within the language itself.

Directed commercial deployment, automatically generating millions of lines of cross-platform code for enterprise and public sector clients including the NHS, PwC, HM Revenue & Customs, the Metropolitan Police, Marks & Spencer, the Charity Commission, and the DVLA.

Transitioned the company from R&D into commercial deployment, including building training pathways that enable developers — often graduates with little prior experience — to move into cross-platform engineering roles.

Chief Technology Officer, Cara Digital

Jun 2010 - Jan 2021

A services business building bespoke software for household-name clients, using Au to deliver full-stack systems with graduate and undergraduate developers. A trusted resource for complex systems, business systems integration, front-end systems and data processing.

Also delivered Digital Transformation — business applications, CRM and process automation on Microsoft Dynamics 365, plus Rapid Application Development for POCs and MVPs. As CTO I drove the adoption of Au into the delivery methodology, enabling less experienced resource to deliver for clients.

CEO, So Protect Me Limited

Jul 2006 - Sep 2011

Designed and developed consumer software focused on credit card security, parental controls, and online child safety — uniquely aimed at the 4–12 year-old market.

Steered the company through several rounds of pre-revenue funding and established distribution partnerships with respected names across the UK and USA. Products were well received by users and the technology press.

Principal Lead Consultant, ABB

Jan 2000 - Jun 2006

Led technology initiatives across system integration, e-business, knowledge management, process analytical technologies, and supply chain optimisation.

Responsible for core products, knowledge management, and software standards. Held a number of positions managing technology developments to create innovative products for ABB — including technology strategy and vision leadership, development of business strategy, management of multiple development teams, and publication of research papers on key innovations.

Research and Development, ICI

Aug 1994 - Dec 1999

Research and development across 3D systems, compiler technology, and early intranet web technologies, in distributed, international teams.

Built Viper 3D, a 3D engine (inverse kinematics, B-spline interpolation, plant visualisation), and used it to build the Distillation Column Installation & 3D Plant Walkthrough — an augmented reality demonstrator shown at the Keele Symposium (1996). Also worked on plant-simulation software and early intranet web technologies, across C/C++, Visual Basic, DHTML, and Java.

ADEPT — Intelligent Agents Research

Mid-1990s

Contributed to ADEPT (Advanced Decision Environment for Process Tasks), an early multi-agent system that managed business processes using negotiating, service-providing, autonomous agents.

ICI was an industrial partner on the project. I built its agent demonstrator using Viper — the agent compiler and language I designed for creating intelligent agents distributed over a network.

Early Career — Miller Starr & Applied Decision Systems

Sep 1991 - May 1994

Developer roles focused on database-driven systems and early commercial software development.

Developer — Miller Starr (1993–1994). Developer — Applied Decision Systems (1991–1993). Marketing database development.