Full‑Stack Software Engineer
Tech-agnostic full-stack engineer with an accessibility-first mindset. Friendly, conscientious, and curious. I learn fast, design inclusively, and ship dependable web apps.
Weston‑super‑Mare, UK
Working with businesses across Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, Bristol, and remotely across the UK.
thomas.burton.lawl@gmail.comAbout me
I'm Tom - a dad, curious maker, and space nerd by the sea in Weston-super-Mare. I'm the friendly, conscientious type who takes things apart to understand them and puts them back together tidier. Off-screen you'll find me fly-fishing at dawn, skating like I'm 15 again, or making chainmaille and useful little wooden things. I love weird, textured music, deep conversations about how minds and systems work, and designing for people who aren't always listened to.
I'm ADHD-powered in the best ways, endlessly curious, and happiest when I'm learning and building something that makes someone's day easier.
Experience
Software Engineer (Full‑stack)
Source Insurance ltd · 2024 — 2025
Built and maintained Node/Express microservices and customer journeys across IntroducerUX, CustomerUX and SMR‑API. Rebuilt the Customer Dashboard to be mobile first responsive and accessible. Delivered integrations with third‑party broker APIs and RICS rebuild‑cost enrichment.
- Built REST endpoints and internal services used across the quoting + policy stack.
- Improved page performance and accessibility with Lighthouse‑driven refactors.
- Worked across Mongo/SQL data stores; added pragmatic tests.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams in an Agile/Scrum environment.
Software Engineer (Full‑stack)
Empyrean Digital ltd · 2022 — 2024
Wore many hats in a small, fast-paced digital agency. Built accessible, performant front-ends and integrated with custom and off-the-shelf CMS back-ends for clients including Genomics England, Sports Wales, and NHS Wales. Supported internal IT and DevOps needs as part of a small team.
- Built accessible, fast front‑ends and integrated custom CMS features.
- Took ownership of 8 support desks, resolving issues quickly and communicating clearly with clients.
- Worked with the development team using Agile methodologies to deliver high-quality software on time.
- Led the company's cyber Essentials certification process, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
Web Developer
Freelance · 2018 — 2025
Working with various clients on projects such as broshure sites for professionals, web analytics and data scraping, and working on production crews to facilitate live streaming of widely recognized events such as Crufts and Henley Royal Regatta
- Worked directly with clients to gather requirements, propose solutions, and deliver high-quality web applications on time and within budget
- Collaborated with designers to create modern and accessible products
- Using my knowledge and expertise across the web stack to improve businesses and facilitate the smooth operation of live events
Projects
I've worked on many projects I can't publicly show (internal apps, member areas, vendor platforms). I'm happy to walk through the problems, constraints, and results if you'd like to chat! You can see my publically available work below
ConEng — Construction Quality Management Platform
A quality management platform for construction site teams, co-founded with Sam Phelps (Construction Director). ConEng turns Inspection Test Plans (ITPs) into structured Quality Inspection Records (QIRs) — a guided, mobile-first inspection workflow with audit-ready records, built around how site engineers actually work rather than a generic form builder.
View constructioneng.co.uk
Read case study →No Man's Son — Author Website
Strapi + Next.js relaunch for a historical-fiction series. I designed and built this site myself as a solo project, working with the client and publishing team to create a site that fits the brand in time for the book launch. This site will be further developed in the future according to needs — adding features like a blog, a 'behind the scenes' section for the author's books, a mailing list for fans and more...
View simonphelps.co.uk
Read case study →Genomics England — Generation Study Website
As part of a 3 dev team, while working at Empyrean Digital ltd, I contributed significantly to building the front-end of this CraftCMS site to pixel-perfect specifications using the designs provided in Figma. This site demonstrates the passion our team had for building modern, accessible, and user friendly sites for large well respected clients in situations where big influxes of traffic would be expected.
View generationstudy.co.uk
Read case study →Twisted Thorn — Editing House Website
I've been the sole developer for Twisted Thorn, a small editorial business, since December 2025 — starting with a security-focused takeover of an existing AI-generated site, and continuing since as an ongoing engagement. That's since grown into a services and pricing redesign, an SEO programme built on real Search Console data, a newsletter-backed News page, and performance and analytics work.
View twisted-thorn.com
Read case study →Services
Whether you're building an online presence, need your site to actually get found in search, or want an independent second opinion on a technical decision, I offer friendly, professional, bespoke work to get you live — and keep you running. Use my contact form to get in touch for a chat and a quote.
Web Development
Bespoke, accessible websites and web apps — from a 5-page brochure site to a full-stack build.
- Up to 5 custom pages in the Brochure package (larger builds quoted individually)
- Mobile-responsive, accessible design (WCAG-aware)
- Contact forms and other simple integrations
- Optimised for speed & accessibility from the start
SEO Optimisation
Technical and on-page SEO so your site gets found by the people searching for what you offer.
- Technical SEO audit (crawlability, indexing, Core Web Vitals)
- On-page optimisation — titles, meta descriptions, headings, internal linking
- Structured data (schema.org / JSON-LD) so search engines understand your content
- Sitemap and robots.txt configuration
Web & Technical Consultancy
Independent, tech-agnostic advice on your stack, architecture, or a specific problem.
- Technology and stack recommendations
- Code and architecture review
- Accessibility (WCAG) audits
- Security review — authentication, data access, hosting