Richard Ruff
About Me
I'm a Freelance Web Developer working in Leeds as Owner and Director of Code Train Ltd. I work with clients to build custom web applications which meet their individual needs. To learn more about the technologies I work with, check out the tools section below.
As well as web development, I've spent much of my career in data visualization, industrialisation, and business intelligence roles. I present actionable insight beautifully, and get systems with millions of rows working together in harmony under the bonnet.
I'm a serial skill-stacker who's aggressively learning new technologies, languages and frameworks. Outside the office I love to dance.
Experience
Code Train Ltd
Director / Developer Feb 2020 - Present
Freelance Web Developer and Owner / Director of Code Train Ltd. Working with clients to build bespoke web solutions to improve their sales and make running their business easier.
Barclays UK
Senior Data Visualisation Developer (Oct 2014 – Feb 2020)
Getting datasets with millions of rows joined together from systems across the organisation. Data storytelling through beautiful, fast dashboards with actionable insight.
Root Cause Analyst (Mar 2013 – Oct 2014)
Recommending and tracking policy and process changes based upon trends analysis of PPI complaints escalated to the Financial Ombudsman. Acting as an SME to project managers and supporting the implementation of new technologies.
Business Analyst (Feb 2012 – Mar 2013)
Lead on the design, development and maintenance of the business’ primary reporting scorecard for the Mortgage and Consumer Lending councils. Supporting the communications team in developing intranet sites, creating web applications to run colleague surveys, polls and assist events management.
Equiniti Ltd
Task Controller (Nov 2009 - Jul 2011)
Development of a contact management database; automating external communications management activities; routine data management and account reconciliation activities; focus on employee share plans, SIP and SAYE.
Tools
NodeJS
I love JavaScript and NodeJS, and I've custom-built this site in NodeJS.
On the front-end, I've designed several microsites consuming various REST APIs.
I'm relatively new to learning NodeJS, but I've got a passion for learning it that's hard to match.
React
I've been learning React and using it to build web toys as personal projects, like this Spotify playback history viewer. I'm also starting to use it at work to prototype some internal management tools.
Nginx
I've a good understanding of Nginx. And I'm using it to run this website, and some of my other projects.
My experience is mostly in using it as a reverse proxy for multiple web applications. I've used it to host multiple projects on different domains on the same server.
I'm also familiar with how to configure it to use and enforce HTTPS, as I am on this site, and my other projects.
SQL Server
I've been responsible for the design, maintenance and performance of SQL Server databases to support highly-available business applications.
I've built Extract, Transform & Load jobs with SQL Server Integration Services.
I'm Experienced in building Visual Studio Windows Applications to consume SQL Server databases.
Tableau
I've been using Tableau in my role at Barclays as one of the first developers in the organisation.
As a result, I have a wealth of experience managing large sites, with huge datasets in a highly controlled, regulated environment.
I've also been the administrator of many on-premises Tableau server sites.
Some other things I can do...
- Build web applications, and REST APIs using JSON
- Write JavaScript (front & back end), HTML, CSS etc.
- Use Bootstrap, React, Vue and AngularJS
- Implement SSL (HTTPS) with Letsencrypt on NodeJS and Apache running PHP.
- Basic Linux server administration tasks. Some experience with Amazon Web Services and Linode deployments.
- Communicate effectively, with technical, and non-technical stakeholders.
- Document code and business processes with strong governance best practices.
- Use Git Version control
- Learn new things... fast!
- Project manage, especially in agile environments.
- Write VBA, and interface with SQL server using ADO.NET
- Build simple, elegant, micro websites, like this one!
- Build basic VB.NET Windows Form Applications