Richard Bonk

I am a flexible and adaptable employee, with strong IT skills across Web design, Project Management & Training. I have coordinated national teams of up to one hundred engineers and line managed teams of designers, developers and technicians. I enjoy exploring new fields of technology and I am looking for a role where I can build on my existing experience. 

I am skilled in HTML, CSS, PHP, SQL, JavaScript, jQuery, VB and other programming languages with expert knowledge of WordPress. I have developed wide range of WordPress plugins, themes, child themes and add-ons.

I was Invited as a speaker at WordCamp 2014 in Prague

Key Skills

• 20+ Years experience in Website Design and Development
• 15+ Years experience in WordPress development (Including custom bespoke theme and plugin development)
• 15+ Years experience in PHP development (under WordPress framework)
• 15+ Years experience in Project Management
• Extensive knowledge of WooCommerce, ACF and many other WP plugins
• Experienced in PHP, HTML, CSS, javascript, jQuery and MySQL
• Version control using Git / Bitbucket
• Custom Gutenberg blocks creation
• Knowledge of templating with Timber / Twig
• Following W3C WCAG Accessibility Standards
• Google SEO Certified
• Fluent in Czech, Slovak, Polish and Russian
• Can read and write basic Hindi and Punjabi 
• Full Clean UK Driving License

Short Term WordPress Development Contracts:

BlueFrontier, April 2023 - June 2023

Hush Digital, February 2023

TPX Impact, October 2022 – November 2022

Senior WordPress Developer                                                Investis Digital, October 2021 – August 2022

• Working with range of API services
• Creating bespoke WordPress plugins, themes, child themes and add-ons
• Creating custom Gutenberg editor blocks
• ACF
• Front End and Back End development
• Responsive Design
• Git version control utilising Bitbucket
• Project management
• Utilised PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL and JavaScript (jQuery)

Short Term WordPress Development Contracts:

Head Read Ltd, June 2021 – August 2021

The Hideout Ltd, May 2021

Digitalbox plc, April 2021

Senior PHP Developer                                                                EDGE Creative, July 2020 – January 2021

• Working with range of API services
• Creating bespoke WordPress plugins, themes, child themes and add-ons
• WooCommerce
• ACF
• SEO optimisation
• Front End and Back End development
• Responsive Design
• Full LAMP stack and hosting server maintenance
• Git version control + Codeship deployment
• Project management
• Utilised PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL and JavaScript (jQuery)

Senior PHP Developer                                                                  Health Education England, 2018 – 2020

• Developing and maintaining Genomics Education Programme website (using WordPress framework as CMS)
• Working with range of API services
• Creating bespoke WordPress plugins, child themes and add-ons
• Migrating content from other Joomla and WordPress websites
• Setting up server environment on Azure and Hyve
• SEO optimisation
• ACF
• WooCommerce
• Utilised PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL and JavaScript (jQuery)

Senior PHP Developer                                                           G4S, 2017 – 2018

• Developing intranet-based learning platform (using WordPress framework as CMS)
• Working on various projects both front-end and back-end utilising PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and MySQL
• Creating WordPress themes, plugins, add-ons and child themes
• Front End and Back End development
• Responsive Design
• Ensuring project deadlines were met
• Utilised PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL and JavaScript (jQuery)

Senior PHP Developer                                                              2020 Innovation Training Ltd, 2016 – 2017

• Developing and maintaining company membership website (using WordPress framework as CMS)
• Working with range of API services
• WooCommerce, ACF
• Creating WordPress themes, plugins, add-ons and child themes for premium WordPress frameworks such as PremiumPress, WooThemes and AppThemes
• Ensuring project deadlines were met
• Utilised PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL and JavaScript (jQuery)

Senior PHP Developer Blacberry Design, 2015 – 2016

• Developing WordPress based websites (using WordPress framework as CMS)
• Creating WordPress themes, plugins, add-ons and child themes for premium WordPress frameworks such as PremiumPress, WooThemes and AppThemes
• WooCommerce
• Managing a team of Web Developers and Designers creating bespoke websites
• Liaising with customers both commercial and private individuals
• Identifying customer needs and translating these into workable website designs, within the customer’s budget
• Supervising projects from data gathering to completion
• Project management
• Utilised PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL and JavaScript (jQuery)

Senior WordPress Developer   Codeable, 2013 – 2014

• One of the selected WordPress developers to work on Codeable.
• Working on various projects both front-end and back-end utilising PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript and MySQL.
• Developing for WooCommerce, PremiumPress, AppThemes and other WordPress frameworks
• WooCommerce, ACF, Visual Composer

Director / Senior PHP Developer                                                 PremiumWebServices Ltd, 2011 – 2015

• Developing WordPress based websites (using WordPress framework as CMS)
• Creating WordPress themes, plugins, add-ons and child themes for premium WordPress frameworks such as PremiumPress, WooThemes and AppThemes
• Developing plugins and extensions for WooCommerce 
• Managing a team of Web Developers and Designers creating bespoke websites
• Liaising with customers both commercial and private individuals
• Identifying customer needs and translating these into workable website designs, within the customer’s budget
• Supervising projects from data gathering to completion
• Project management
• Utilised PHP, HTML, CSS, MySQL and JavaScript (jQuery)

Project Manager / Senior Web Developer                                                      Aimpro UK Ltd, 2008 – 2010

• Managing a team of Web Developers and Designers creating bespoke websites
• Front End and Back End development
• WordPress development
• Supervising projects from data gathering to completion
• Ensuring project deadlines were met  
• Utilised HTML, CSS, PHP, ASP.NET, VB.NET 

Web Designer & ICT Teacher                                                                Gopal Education Ltd, 2006 – 2008

• Providing ICT training in schools, educational organisations and charities
• Graphical design using Adobe Photoshop
• Website development using Dream Weaver
• Used a range of programming tools

Web Designer & ICT Teacher                                           Benson Community School, 2005 – 2006

• Designed and developed a primary school website
• Teaching KS1 & KS2 ICT
• Providing technical support to staff: resolving printer issues, setting up user names 

Project Manager                                                   Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe, 2003 – 2004

• Remedial works on BT Telephone exchange equipment 
• Recording faults reported by surveyors
• Identifying parts required and placing purchase orders for parts not in stock
• Working collaboratively with a national team of repair staff
• Diary management to coordinate repairs across the UK
• Booking repair staff and issuing them the correct parts to complete the repair
• Required a high level of organisation, multi tasking and prioritisation skills
• Developed a management application tool for recording works outstanding and completed, which increased productivity and efficiency in handling repairs
• Also provided ICT training to staff

Project Manager                       Satnam Training and Education Project (STEP), 2001 –2003

• Coordinating Training courses for both adults and children in a range of subjects
• Responsible for recruiting tutors: Appraising applications, interviewing and inducting new tutors 
• In charge of Payroll for 20 employees, using Sage payroll software
• Working in partnership with Sandwell College, City College and South Birmingham College to gain accreditation for courses
• Creating funding applications 
• Teaching Level 1 & 2 ICT courses to adults and children 
• Specialised in teaching Level 1 ICT with language support for learners with ESOL needs

Senior IT Support Manager                 ISKCON & BBT (Bhaktivedanta Book Trust), 1998 – 2001

• Pre-press and DTP (desktop publishing) 

Director of the Service Department                                                Pike Computers, 1994 –1997

• Managing a team of five IT Engineers
• Providing support to businesses and private individuals 
• Solving hardware and software issues
• Ensuring a high level of service was provided
• Managing waiting times and project deadlines 

ICT Teacher                                                                     Electro-technical College Havirov, 1992 –1994

• Teaching basic computer skills to College teaching staff 

IT & Education Studies Diploma of Higher Education            Newman University College, 2004 – 2009  

Including: CISCO Networking & ECDL 

Networking & Telephone Exchange Training                           Panasonic & Bosh Telecommunications

BTEC National Diploma                                              Electro-technical College Havirov (SPSE Havirov) 

Including: English, Maths, Electronics, IT

Level 3 Sage Accounting