I'm Derek Henderson, a Lead Front End Web Developer and React Applications Engineer focused on building accessible, scalable web applications. I have a proven track record across fintech, telecommunications, energy, insurance, ecommerce, and beyond, delivering high-performance user experiences and measurable business impact for clients in industries like retail, healthcare, government, and education. I’m a resourceful problem-solver and natural communicator who enjoys mentoring teams to raise quality and efficiency. I thrive in fast-paced environments, embrace innovation, and love collaborating with product, design, and operations to drive value while maintaining clean, accessible code.

DEREK HENDERSON

I'm Derek Henderson, a Lead Front End Web Developer and React Applications Engineer focused on building accessible, scalable web applications. I have a proven track record across fintech, telecommunications, energy, insurance, ecommerce, and beyond, delivering high-performance user experiences and measurable business impact for clients in industries like retail, healthcare, government, and education. I’m a resourceful problem-solver and natural communicator who enjoys mentoring teams to raise quality and efficiency. I thrive in fast-paced environments, embrace innovation, and love collaborating with product, design, and operations to drive value while maintaining clean, accessible code.

Available to hire

I’m Derek Henderson, a Lead Front End Web Developer and React Applications Engineer focused on building accessible, scalable web applications. I have a proven track record across fintech, telecommunications, energy, insurance, ecommerce, and beyond, delivering high-performance user experiences and measurable business impact for clients in industries like retail, healthcare, government, and education.

I’m a resourceful problem-solver and natural communicator who enjoys mentoring teams to raise quality and efficiency. I thrive in fast-paced environments, embrace innovation, and love collaborating with product, design, and operations to drive value while maintaining clean, accessible code.

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Experience Level

Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate

Language

Spanish; Castilian
Fluent
English
Fluent
Italian
Beginner
German
Beginner
Russian
Beginner
French
Beginner
Japanese
Beginner

Work Experience

Senior Front End Developer (Contract) at First Three Things (FTT)
August 1, 2025 - October 24, 2025
Modernised the Easons.com website, delivering new product detail pages and a streamlined checkout flow with faster builds and improved performance. Enhanced visibility by applying SEO best practices and improving key website metrics. Achieved accessibility compliance ahead of EU legislation, expanding reach and reducing risk.
Senior Front End Developer (Contract) at Proton
November 1, 2024 - October 24, 2025
Developed a mobile smart banner to promote native app adoption for web-based mobile users. Implemented an upsell path to convert paid users to free plans, increasing revenue. Improved calendar performance through prefetching to provide a smoother, faster user experience.
Senior Front End Developer (Contract) at HeidiPay
February 1, 2024 - October 24, 2025
Automated access to core business services by building portals for customers, merchants, and internal staff. Increased business reach by implementing customisations based on locale, branding, and user permissions. Improved user experience and reduced operational costs by optimising code and journeys. Recognised for code quality, attention to detail, and mentorship.
Senior Front End Developer (Contract) at HeidiPay
August 1, 2024 - October 24, 2025
Automated access to core business services by building portals for customers, merchants, and internal staff. Increased business reach by implementing customisations based on locale, branding, and user permissions. Improved user experience and reduced operational costs by optimising code, user journeys, and testing practices. Recognised for code quality, attention to detail, and mentorship.
Senior Web Developer (Contract) at INSIG AI (formerly INSIGHT CAPITAL)
August 1, 2021 - October 24, 2025
Raised business profile by building a dashboard with rich data visualisations, giving prospective clients insight into how machine learning informs portfolio investments. Helped diversify offerings by developing a tool to convert Excel spreadsheets into JSON data for portability and scalability. Engaged with data scientists to drive product innovation.
React Engineer (Contract) at NEARFORM
January 1, 2020 - October 24, 2025
Helped launch a client business in the construction industry by delivering an ecommerce platform and contributing to Open Source projects.
Senior JavaScript Engineer (Contract) at CENTRICA
July 1, 2019 - October 24, 2025
Boosted sales of Home Services products and reduced manual exceptions and abandoned journeys on the British Gas website through UX and code improvements. Mentored teammates and promoted collaboration. Enabled WCAG 2.0 AA compliance and increased conversions by raising accessibility standards.
Senior Front End Developer (Contract) at First Three Things (FTT)
August 1, 2025 - October 24, 2025
Modernised website for Easons.com, delivering new product details pages and a streamlined checkout with faster builds and improved performance; increased visibility through SEO improvements and ensured accessibility ahead of EU regulations.
Senior Front End Developer (Contract) at Proton
November 1, 2024 - October 24, 2025
Increased customer retention by delivering a mobile smart banner to promote native app adoption, implemented an upsell path for downgrades, and improved calendar performance via prefetching for a seamless user experience.
Senior Front End Developer (Contract) at HeidiPay
February 1, 2024 - October 24, 2025
Automated access to core business services by building portals for customers, merchants, and internal staff; implemented locale, branding, and user-permission customisations to broaden reach; improved UX and reduced operational costs through code and journey optimisations.
Senior Front End Developer (Contract) at HeidiPay
August 1, 2024 - October 24, 2025
Continued contributions across BNPL platform improvements, with a focus on performance, accessibility, and maintainable code as part of ongoing contract work.
Senior Web Developer (Contract) at INSIG AI (formerly INSIGHT CAPITAL)
August 1, 2021 - October 24, 2025
Built dashboards with rich data visualisations to demonstrate how machine learning informs portfolio investments; created a tool to convert Excel spreadsheets to JSON for portability and scalability; collaborated with data scientists on research-driven product development.
React Engineer (Contract) at NearForm
January 1, 2020 - October 24, 2025
Helped launch an ecommerce platform for a construction client and contributed to open-source software initiatives to raise company profile.
Senior JavaScript Engineer (Contract) at Centrica
July 1, 2019 - October 24, 2025
Boosted Home Services product performance by UX and code improvements; mentored team members, promoting collaboration and leadership; enabled WCAG 2.0 AA compliance and improved conversions.

Education

Udacity Nanodegree: React, Redux, and React Native at Udacity
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Linux/Unix System Administration Certificate at University of Illinois
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Introduction to Computer Science at Boston University Metropolitan College
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Database Management at Boston University Metropolitan College
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Advanced Database Management at Boston University Metropolitan College
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Introduction to Web Technologies at Boston University Metropolitan College
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
BA cum laude in Music at Amherst College
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Udacity Nanodegree: React, Redux, and React Native at Udacity
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Linux/Unix System Administration Certificate at University of Illinois
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Introduction to Computer Science, Database Management, Advanced Database Management and Introduction to Web Technologies at Boston University Metropolitan College
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
BA cum laude in Music at Amherst College
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025

Qualifications

Udacity Nanodegree: React, Redux, and React Native
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Linux/Unix System Administration Certificate
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Introduction to Computer Science
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Database Management
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Advanced Database Management
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Introduction to Web Technologies
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
BA cum laude in Music
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Udacity Nanodegree: React, Redux, and React Native
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Linux/Unix System Administration Certificate
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Introduction to Computer Science, Database Management, Advanced Database Management and Introduction to Web Technologies
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
BA cum laude in Music
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025

Industry Experience

Financial Services, Telecommunications, Energy & Utilities, Software & Internet, Retail, Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Real Estate & Construction, Education, Government, Other, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services