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Job history

Hey, I would grab a coffee before you read this, sorry its so long but I wanted to cover everything.

🚀 Now at 49, with over two decades immersed in UI development, I've orchestrated an extensive range of web projects. These span from modest £200 ventures to ambitious undertakings valued at a whopping £2 million.

With the birth of AI, a fresh and exhilarating dimension has emerged in web development, breathing new life into how we design and interact online. Behind my hundreds of websites is an unwavering commitment to innovative design, cutting-edge functionality, and now, the possibilities AI brings.

As the digital realm has evolved, so has my passion for crafting web experiences that both resonate and captivate. Eager to learn about the tales behind each design decision and line of code? Dive into my job history and journey through the evolution of my digital craftsmanship. I am Google Certified on SEO/Search.

Technical Guru

Urban Extreme

2023

Urban Extreme was an axe and knife throwing venue based in war tunnels in Colchester.

I was brought in to do the light, the sound, the wiring, the visuals on the wall, the website, the booking system, the internet connection, the branding, the t-shirts, the rest of the clothing, internal branding, and everything about the business.

This company is still running and very successful.

It was a great project..

Photographer & Social Media Manager

Mannings amusements

2022

Working with Mannings was a pleasure.

They are a family oriented casino that wanted to showcase the fact that they still have penny pusher machines and great visuals.

I was brought in to do photography, editing of videos, video children playing machines, and then all the social media management to build up the account.

The account was built from around 500 followers, which they'd had for around five years, to well over a thousand.

This was completely natural, and it was done by looking at things like the weather and deciding whether to advertise things outside or inside.

And the project was very interesting and expanded over a period of time.

And then they added another business as well, and I also assisted with that business and got it off the ground..

Social Media Manager

SD Martial Arts Gym

2021

Having a martial arts background, this one was a great job.

It basically involved me turning up at the gym.

It was a very large gym that had everything from Thai boxing to MMA, and I would film whatever needed to be done at the time, whether it was a karate class where I was physically fighting the other fighter to get the best content, or interviewing parents about their experience at the martial arts academy, managing the social media presence within the internet, and gearing in on the fact that obviously new sign-ups were the thing that they wanted the most.

So things like class times and sign-up packages were used for new members, and it was a successful project, and it's still running and looks great..

Lead Developer

Ipswich Town Football Club

2020

At Ipswich Town Football Club, I was the lead developer for a group of eight developers.

We were responsible for everything from the football club, the football club's website, ticketing systems, various events that were held around the world.

It was an extremely stressful position, but although very interesting, although I'm not a football fan myself, obviously there's a lot of money involved, so things need to be done on time correctly.

And I worked there for a period of a few years and worked with a great team..

Lead Developer

CallConnection

2019

Call Connection was a very unique company.

They basically bought and sold telephone calls that were overflow for other businesses.

This involved a very large call centre, so web development was key because web can be rolled out to 300 people in a call centre very quickly.

And on day one when I joined the company and there was only 8 people, and I saw that they were running desktop applications, within a couple of weeks I developed something that was web-based.

A great number of years later the company was worth £63 million, it had 300 people in the call centre, and I was one of five lead developers answering to the technical director.

It involved travel throughout Europe because the software was resold, and we eventually ended up working with companies like Confuse.com in the UK, and doing high-level insurance, aggregated car insurance.

I was involved in writing one of the first mobile versions, in a white-label format so that it could be sold on to other companies, and rebranded so they could also sell insurance.

The company did very well, but I left for new pastures..

Creator

Global Groove

2018

Global Groove was a project on the back of VinylSearcher.com which I developed many, many years ago.

I met the owner of Global Groove and he was having problems with his website and consider that I had one of the most successful vinyl record sites at the time.

It was obvious to help another music company would be a great thing to do.

It formed a great friendship that still lasts to this day.

The website is still running and one of the top dance music websites selling vinyl records, although a few people have had a go at the CSS since I left.

The website is very complicated, involves a backend barcode system for the shop.

The front end has a very elaborate media player, tracks everything that you listen to, gives recommendations.

It was a very successful project and it was run for a great number of years and I still occasionally speak to him to this day..

Technical Manager

Callscripter

2017

When Tony Blair came to power, one of the first things he did was trying to get call centres back to the UK.

Callscriptor was formed on the back of this.

So, the software we wrote allowed us to sell it to other companies that were then able to pull their call centres back to the UK.

It was a very clever concept.

overnight we were asked to take millions of calls the next day.

The company did not have software that would do this, so we worked overnight and we created a piece of software that was web-based, and this did the job, on the back of this accompany was formed, and now some of the biggest Call centres worldwide run this software.

We dealt with big companies like News international in Europe and in the UK also smaller call centres throughout the UK.

It involved doing installs in all sorts of scenarios using predictive dial and teaching staff how to use the software.

We also developed an editing app and eventually the product was floated on the stock market.

The company is still running today and very successfull..

Head Web Developer

CountyWeb

2016

When the dot-com bubble hadn't burst, the company CountyWeb decided they were going to take on YellowPages.com and sell enhanced listings.

So on day one of joining the company, I was handed a DVD with 4.2 million businesses and asked to get those searchable on the web in less than 0.5 seconds.

This was way beyond my technical ability at the time.

It involved a lot of database work, a lot of learning, but within a few months we had the data on the web searching within the correct speed.

This was then seen to be the next big thing to make money on enhanced listings.

Like a lot of dot-com ideas, it failed terribly.

Hence why the company formed into CoolScriptor, which is the company above.

But working for CountyWeb was interesting.

The dot-com bubble was a strange time.

There was a lot of money about and it was amazing to see how much money was ploughed into projects that even we knew as technical people was unlikely to succeed.

But nevertheless, we gave it our best shot.

It was a great product and it did hold up well..

Systems Engineer

Ford Motor Company

2015

Working for Ford Motor Company was a pleasure.

On day one that I joined the company I was shipped first class to America and spent three months in Detroit.

This was a great experience and I learned a lot learning with the Americans.

I stayed with the company for quite a period of time and travelled around to various different Ford plants.

My role was fixing PCs, software, and generally whatever needed to be done.

I covered things like the year 2000, various server installs, connection between US and UK, and also the internet was just breaking at that time and implemented one of the first timesheet systems within Ford Motor Company, saving them millions of pounds just on that project..

owner and creator

Vinylsearcher

2014

FinalSearcher was my first website.

It was my own personal website.

We stocked 4.2 million records and were the only place on the internet at the time where you could go and buy records from multiple suppliers.

We had a backend system that did screen scraping when the person did a search.

It was much like dropshipping but with a much better concept where the records were brought in clean, repacked, and sent out directly to the DJ that needed them.

We also provided a service where the DJ could ring up and speak to us directly.

This gave some great contacts over the year and put me in great stead for working with other music companies.

The website was very complicated, tracked what the people looked at, made suggestions.

There was even an app, and this was before apps were even available on phones.

This was an app for a desktop that allowed them to know when new releases had come in.

The website was profitable from day one, ran for around 4 years, and only closed due to marital breakup.

I still own all the domains and still have all of my contacts, and one day maybe she'll come back to life as the web has changed a lot since then.

It was a great project..

Fundraiser

hadleigh Skate Park

Ongoing

Around 8 years ago, some children were trying to get a skate park built, so I decided to help them.

Over a period of 8 years, we raised £250,000, and the skate park has been built.

It's a great success; the children love it, and it's named the Smile Factory.

I'm actively involved and maintain a connection between the council and skateboarders.

I do this on a voluntary basis, serving as a bridge for issues and maintenance, ensuring the project's ongoing success.

Do I skateboard, yes!.

My Technical Odyssey

From local projects to global adventures, my dedication to the world of technology has been both vast and profound.

A Tapestry of Diverse Projects

Over the years, I've spearheaded both massive and more intimate projects.

Regardless of the scale, each has been tackled with an unwavering commitment to excellence.

From the intricacies of Vinylsearcher vast music database to crafting user experiences for enthusiasts at Urban Extreme, every project receives my full attention.

This passion led me to collaborate with esteemed corporations such as Ford, Jaguar, Ferrari, and even a brief period with eBay.

Processes, procedures, and project management have become second nature to me, especially after collaborating with these industry giants.

Travels of a Global Technologist

My expertise has taken me across most of Europe and America.

Whether implementing web products or providing consultancy, I've always cherished the diverse cultures and landscapes I've encountered.

These travels have not only broadened my professional horizons but have given me a unique global perspective.

Leading with Experience

Collaborating with titans like Ford and Ferrari demands more than just technical know-how.

It's about understanding complex processes and having the prowess to manage substantial resources.

I've honed my managerial skills working with such stalwarts, making me adept at leading teams, overseeing significant budgets, and ensuring optimal resource utilization on extensive projects.

Forever a Learner

Even after decades in the field, my passion for learning remains relentless.

Every day offers a new opportunity to delve deeper, ensuring I'm always ahead of the technological curve.

UI: Crafting Memorable Experiences

Among the vast array of skills I've cultivated, I hold a special reverence for UI.

To me, an interface isn't just a gateway but an experience.

This belief drives me to craft interfaces that stand out, both in functionality and appeal.

Looking Ahead

My legacy in the tech world isn't just about what I've accomplished but also about the path I continue to forge.

With a commitment to excellence and an unquenchable thirst for innovation, I'm excited for the chapters yet to unfold.

Skills List

Web Development and Programming:

Graphic and UI Design:

Video Editing and Photography:

Social Media and Online Marketing:

Miscellaneous:

Mark: The Maverick of AI and Technology

Meet Mark Ward - a tech maverick with an insatiable curiosity for AI and all things technology. From his early adventures on the internet to his deep dive into AI advancements, Mark's journey has been nothing short of exhilarating. With a penchant for pushing boundaries, Mark has harnessed the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, Mid Journey, and Stable Diffusion, setting a course for groundbreaking innovations.

Fueling the AI Revolution

Mark's passion for AI technology has been the driving force behind his continuous learning journey. Embracing the dynamic world of AI, he's explored cutting-edge advancements, envisioning the transformative impact AI will have on diverse industries. With unwavering belief and enthusiasm, Mark has already demonstrated the potential of AI through innovative social media strategies and dynamic script creations.

Education: The Foundation of Excellence

Armed with a Bsc (Hons) in Computer Science and a distinction in H.N.D. Dip. Software Engineering, Mark's educational foundation has been crucial in shaping his expertise. A tech virtuoso with a flair for creativity, Mark excelled in A-levels, topping Computer Studies and Art & Design.

A Trailblazer in the Tech Realm

Mark's professional journey has been one of trailblazing achievements. As a Technical Lead at UrbanXtreme.co.uk, he transformed a building into a multimedia marvel, complete with cutting-edge technologies and booking systems. His career showcased a diverse range of roles, from being a Social Media Specialist for SD Martial Arts to identifying critical security flaws in eBay's system.

Skills that Define Excellence

Mark's skills repertoire is as impressive as it is extensive. A maestro in ChatGPT, Midjourney, Lightroom, and most video editors, he is also a creative out-of-the-box thinker. With expertise in web technologies, SEO, and all Google products, Mark is a true wizard in the virtual realm.

Beyond the Tech Wizard: A Renaissance Man

While Mark's tech prowess is awe-inspiring, there's much more to this maverick. He's an accomplished skatepark designer, qualified photographer, and skilled video editor. His passion for martial arts earned him a third brown belt in EKKA Karate, and he once held the title of UK Champion. A doting father of two boys, a skateboarder, and an aspiring DJ - Mark's multifaceted nature knows no bounds.

Looking Ahead: Making a Profound Impact

Mark's journey has only just begun. Fuelled by an unyielding curiosity, he remains at the forefront of AI and technology, ready to make a profound impact. As he continues to explore, innovate, and learn, Mark Ward is poised to shape the future of technology and lead the charge into the limitless possibilities of AI. So, buckle up for a thrilling ride with Mark - the trailblazer, the tech maverick, and the creative visionary who knows no bounds!

Professional Experience

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