About
Hey, I’m Chris. 👋
I’m a London-based Laravel developer and fractional CTO with 25+ years in the digital industry. I’ve spent the last 13 of those as a full-time independent, working with everyone from tiny startups to national and global brands.
I started out building websites, then web and mobile applications, and over time found myself doing more and more of the thinking that happens before the building: what’s worth making, who should make it, and how to do it without wasting money. Now I help founders and business owners do exactly that, and I still get stuck in and build when it’s needed.
I work with tech-focused businesses, startups and SMEs to help them reach their audiences better, streamline repetitive work and make confident technical decisions, without needing to become technical themselves.
How I work
What it’s like working with me.
The honest version: here’s what you can expect.
Full stack, strategy to shipping
I can run a project from concept to production on my own, and I can slot into your existing team. That means I understand both the boardroom and the codebase.
A limited number of clients
I usually work on one major project at a time, so your business gets my full attention, not whatever’s left over after the account managers.
Dependable
You’ll always know what’s happening: a clear plan, regular updates and no surprises. If something changes, you’ll hear it from me first.
Built for you, not off a template
I’m not a WordPress developer and I don’t use themes or templates. What I build is tailored to your business, your users and your goals.
Flexible by design.
From a quick second opinion to a long-term partnership, there’s usually a way to make it work.
- 01
Fixed-scope projects
A defined deliverable, such as an MVP, an upgrade or an audit.
- 02
Embedded senior developer
I join your team for a period to ship features and raise the standard.
- 03
Fractional CTO retainer
Ongoing senior technology leadership at a rhythm that suits you.
- 04
Support and maintenance
Keeping your software secure, fast and evolving.
- 05
Agency partnerships
White-label senior capacity for agencies, under NDA.
Under the bonnet
The tools I use.
You don’t need to know any of this, but your developers (or investors) might want to. Tools come and go; I choose proven ones that keep your options open.
Languages
- PHP
- TypeScript
- JavaScript
- Python
- SQL
- Bash
Frameworks
- Laravel
- Vue
- Nuxt
- React
- Next.js
- Inertia
- Tailwind CSS
Data
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- Redis
- MongoDB
- Elasticsearch
- Algolia
Cloud & delivery
- AWS
- Google Cloud
- DigitalOcean
- GitHub Actions
- Sentry
- PHPUnit / Pest
Integrations
- Stripe
- Twilio
- SendGrid
- Mailgun
- Microsoft Graph
- Google APIs
Get in touch
Tell me about your project.
No sales script and no pressure. Share a few details and I’ll reply personally, tell you honestly whether I can help and, if I can’t, point you to someone who can.
- hello@chris-mackie.co.uk
- +44 7593 182227
- London, UK