About
From Battlefield to Boardroom
A Royal Marines Commando's Journey to Silicon Valley Leadership
The Unconventional Path
My journey to technology leadership began not in a computer science classroom, but in the Royal Marines Commandos. At 17, I enlisted and spent the next decade learning what true leadership means – often in the most challenging conditions imaginable.
The Marines taught me that leadership isn't about rank or title; it's about earning trust, making decisions under pressure, and putting your team's success above your own. These principles have guided every step of my technology career, from my first role as a developer to leading engineering organizations of nearly 200 people.
Military Precision Meets Silicon Valley Innovation
The transition from military to technology wasn't immediate. After leaving the Marines, I immersed myself in software development, quickly realizing that the discipline, strategic thinking, and operational excellence I'd learned could transform how engineering teams operate.
What I bring to technology leadership is unique: the ability to maintain calm under extreme pressure, to plan meticulously while adapting rapidly, and to build teams that perform like elite units. In the Marines, mission failure isn't an option. I've carried that mindset into every company I've led.
Leadership Philosophy
Mission First, People Always
Success comes from aligning individual growth with organizational objectives. When people know their work matters and feel supported, exceptional results follow.
Operational Excellence
Military operations demand flawless execution. I apply the same rigor to engineering: clear objectives, defined metrics, and relentless focus on delivery.
Lead from the Front
Real leaders don't just direct; they participate. Whether it's diving into architecture reviews or debugging production issues, I believe in hands-on leadership.
Continuous Adaptation
The battlefield and the tech industry share one certainty: constant change. Success requires continuous learning, rapid adaptation, and strategic flexibility.
The Track Record
My approach has delivered consistent results across different companies and industries:
- Team Growth: Scaled engineering from 10 to 187 while maintaining culture and velocity
- Operational Efficiency: Reduced deployment times from 4.5 hours to 2 minutes
- Cost Leadership: Cut cloud infrastructure costs by 70% while improving performance
- People Development: Achieved 40% internal promotion rate and industry-leading 4% attrition
- Business Impact: Technical leadership that underpinned a $3.25B valuation
Beyond the Code
Technology is a means to an end – building products that matter, creating opportunities for talented people, and solving problems that impact millions. My military background gives me a unique perspective on what truly matters: the mission, the team, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Today, I work with companies navigating hyper-growth, helping them build engineering organizations that can scale without breaking, deliver without compromising quality, and innovate while maintaining operational excellence.
Core Values
Integrity
Do the right thing, especially when no one is watching
Excellence
Good enough never is – strive for exceptional in everything
Courage
Make tough decisions, have difficult conversations, take calculated risks
Humility
Stay curious, admit mistakes, and never stop learning
Let's Build Something Exceptional
Whether you're scaling a team, transforming technology, or navigating complex challenges, I'd love to explore how we can work together.