I have over 25 years experience as an IT professional. During my career I have performed many roles, both hands-on and managerial. My interest leans to the technical and practical aspects of IT.
My focus for the last 17 years has been the financial sector. Prior to that, I had worked on the development and support of large and small systems in a variety of industries.
I currently develop Java-based server-side systems on Unix and NT using MOM communication. SQL is used for persistence; at present I'm working with Oracle in the past it's been mainly Sybase.
Sun Certified Programmer for the Java 2 Platform (84%) this certification tests for a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the Java language including multithreading, AWT and IO.
Sun Certified Developer for the Java 2 Platform (92%) this certification involves an assignment and test to prove the ability to create a well-documented (technical and user), multi-tiered, networked application.
Sun Certified Web Component Developer for the J2EE Platform (86%) this certification tests for the ability to create web front-ends using Servlets, JSPs, JavaBeans and custom tag libraries.
Sun Certified Enterprise Architect for J2EE (95%/74%) this examination tests knowledge of EJB, UML, Design Patterns, Security, Internationalisation and Protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, IIOP and JRMP).
2006 to present - Permanent
I am the technical lead planning new systems to support the bank's fund derivatives business.
2003 to 2005 - Permanent
I worked on Autobahn FX, the bank's e-commerce FX trading platform for spot, outrights and swaps. I had development responsibilities for the system's APIs which provided access for both internal and external client applications.
Previously, I wrote a system to make a market in FX Futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). A server, implemented in Java, communicates with the exchange using the CME's iLink 2.0 (FIX 4.2) protocol. Pricing and positional information are interfaced from other systems within the bank using message oriented middleware solutions. Oracle is used for static data and persistence. The software was developed using Test Driven Development using JUnit to achieve this.
2002 to 2003 - Permanent
I worked as a project leader on DSTi's HiInvest, HiWealth and MAP products. My main involvement was leading a team in the development of server-side processes to run in BEA's WebLogic J2EE container. This entailed the development of EJB's and Servlets to expose business functions to a web tier that communicates to the server using XML over HTTP. JUnit was used in conjuction with in-house developed testing tools.
In addition to working on DSTi's products, I ran a project to address the software development approach used and to develop tools to support improved working practices. Furthermore, I conducted a series of Technical Workshops to spread knowledge and stimulate a greater technical awareness throughout the team. These addressed the use of Design Patterns along with more general design principles.
1996 to 2001 - Contract
I worked in the Asset Management division of Goldman Sachs. My major project here was the creation of an information system for the equity fund managers. The purpose of the system is to present account holdings and asset allocations measured against benchmarks and models. Fund managers then use this information to shape trades which are then transmitted to the trading desk.
The system has two Java front-ends: a GUI in Swing running on Windows NT and a web interface using JSPs, Servlets and Custom Tags running under Tomcat. The business logic is captured in Java and runs as an application server under Unix (Solaris). Client-Server communication uses RMI. Data for the system is gathered from a number of Sybase databases, using JDBC, and via XML over HTTP. Communication to the trading desk is via JavaMail. The application is automatically tested using JUnit
Whilst at Goldman Sachs I also worked on many other projects including:
1988 to 1996 - Contract
My main involvement here was in the full-life-cycle development of a front-and-back-office portfolio management system. This was implemented on MDISL equipment running Reality (Pick) fronted by PC's.
After successfully running for a number of years, the system was replaced by DST's HiPortfolio package. I worked on the deployment of HiPortfolio and developed a number of subsidiary systems to interface with it. These systems provided additional functionality that was not provided by the package and were implemented in Visual BASIC.
In addition to my work on the portfolio management system, I developed software for: fund performance analysis, client reporting, and graphical presentation of securities information.
1985 to 1988 - Permanent
I joined Northgate, a medium-sized software house specialising in the 4GL ALL (MDISL's version of PRO IV), as a consultant. In addition to developing, I advised clients and internal teams on performance, design, and coding techniques for ALL systems. I also created courses and lectured for the company's training division.
I devised standards for the company's tendering process that covered the content and style of the company's proposition documents along with the administration surrounding their production. To accompany this I produced a set of guidelines covering the formulation and estimation of proposed solutions.
Finally I was responsible for the formation of a central support group to provide technical support to the rest of the software house and take operational control of the London office's hardware. Here I helped devise a methodology for use by the company to formalise design practices and to provide a standard of documentation that would facilitate easier maintenance.
1982 to 1985 - Permanent
I maintained the legacy fixed assets system in COBOL and wrote its replacement in ALL and DataBASIC. I also supported and programmed a Rediffusion key-to-disc system. I was then involved in accounting system selection for the company's manufacturing subsidiaries for which I later assumed sole responsibility.