Building a Prototype of Elaira
A look at the early prototype of Elaira - a personal finance app built around spending and saving scores, designed to make budgeting feel intuitive and rewarding.
Tech
Leadership
Problem
Solving
Product
Strategy
System
Design
Haysto
Shift
Shift
Computech
Contractor
Exeter College, University of Oxford
Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge
Torquay Boys Grammar School
Kingsbridge Community College
A look at the early prototype of Elaira - a personal finance app built around spending and saving scores, designed to make budgeting feel intuitive and rewarding.
I built this portfolio using Astro, React, and Tailwind CSS. Astro's island architecture means components only ship JavaScript where they need to — the result is a fast, static site by default with React where it counts.
His technical expertise is top-tier, and he has an exceptional ability to design and implement solutions for even the most complex software challenges ... He is a natural team leader who fosters an environment of collaboration, ensuring that everyone’s strengths are utilised and the team consistently delivers high-quality results ... On top of all this, Ben’s calm and professional demeanour under pressure makes him someone you can rely on in any situation.
Simon Robertson
Senior Software Engineer @ Prospect Path
What sets him apart is his remarkable ability to break down complex solutions into simple, digestible pieces, enabling his team to tackle challenges effectively. As a leader, Ben shines ... His genuine care for his team's results and efficiency is evident in his proactive use of performance monitoring tools and his willingness to experiment with new approaches to optimise team output. Ben's dedication goes beyond his official duties ... His "can-do" attitude and supportive nature significantly contribute to a positive, collaborative team atmosphere.
Steven McGill
Seniod Backend Engineer @ Bumble
I can’t speak highly enough of his leadership and planning skills. He always managed to anticipate projects needs and in turn always ensured our squads consistently met deadlines and exceeded expectations. He was always around to lend a hand or provide some guidance and support, and never failed to boost the team's morale. An approachable attitude combined with his years of experience make him an exceptional team leader that can tackle any challenge.
Ed Stuckey
Backend Engineer @ Chip
Ben is curious, passionate and always on the ball. He was my go-to for helping our juniors skill up and get comfortable in our very high pace technical function at Shift. He was never afraid of giving honest and direct feedback, something I value highly. Ben will be an asset to any team who he works with, I cannot recommend him enough.
Mark Eliasen
Head of Technology @ Peregrine RM
I was very impressed with how he managed and supported his team. He was an active mentor, guiding his colleagues and helping them to gain confidence and independence. In addition, he has very strong technical skills, with an interest and drive to learn new concepts and technologies and he was always willing to help and support during critical times.
Joanne Buxton
Full Stack Tech Lead @ Nourish
Ben is a fantastic Tech Lead who creates collaborative and fun environments, ensuring every pull request adds real value ... he played a key role in disrupting the logistics industry. Ben excels in developing complex React.js front-end applications with Node.js or PHP Laravel backends, and has a knack for choosing the right tool for the job, including innovating with Go or Rust. Ben is passionate about value stream management and dev team efficiency, always eager to share his knowledge and foster continuous improvement. Beyond his technical expertise, Ben is a joy to work with, approachable, respectful, and full of positive energy.
Loïc Fontaine
Senior Backend Developer @ CREApluriel
Monday - Friday
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