Looks like you have JavaScript disabled. For the full Twine experience, you will need to re-enable it.

I'm a WordPress specialist with the perfect combination of back-end know-how, design flair and ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical clients. I have more than 20 years' web experience in a huge range of projects: From large public sector websites to small businesses; from online fashion marketplaces to charities; from the BBC to local gyms; I've worked with them all. My name is Neil Sayers (my company is called ScreenCandy) and I am a developer who has been building sites on Wordpress since about 2010. I started out as a freelancer who designed and built many websites for small local businesses as well as larger organisations/charities including the RNIB. For the last 8 years I've been in two rolling, long-term contracts that involved using Wordpress as a headless CMS working on rebuilding the international bbc.com website. I take great pride in my work and do not usually use off-the-shelf themes: I like to custom code as much as possible for the performance benefits... And also because it's fun!…I'm a WordPress specialist with the perfect combination of back-end know-how, design flair and ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical clients. I have more than 20 years' web experience in a huge range of projects: From large public sector websites to small businesses; from online fashion marketplaces to charities; from the BBC to local gyms; I've worked with them all. My name is Neil Sayers (my company is called ScreenCandy) and I am a developer who has been building sites on Wordpress since about 2010. I started out as a freelancer who designed and built many websites for small local businesses as well as larger organisations/charities including the RNIB. For the last 8 years I've been in two rolling, long-term contracts that involved using Wordpress as a headless CMS working on rebuilding the international bbc.com website. I take great pride in my work and do not usually use off-the-shelf themes: I like to custom code as much as possible for the performance benefits... And also because it's fun!

Neil Sayers

Web Developer, Front-End Developer, Full Stack Developer, +1





I'm a WordPress specialist with the perfect combination of back-end know-how, design flair and ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical clients. I have more than 20 years' web experience in a huge range of projects: From large public sector websites to small businesses; from online fashion marketplaces to charities; from the BBC to local gyms; I've worked with them all. My name is Neil Sayers (my company is called ScreenCandy) and I am a developer who has been building sites on Wordpress since about 2010. I started out as a freelancer who designed and built many websites for small local businesses as well as larger organisations/charities including the RNIB. For the last 8 years I've been in two rolling, long-term contracts that involved using Wordpress as a headless CMS working on rebuilding the international bbc.com website. I take great pride in my work and do not usually use off-the-shelf themes: I like to custom code as much as possible for the performance benefits... And also because it's fun!…I'm a WordPress specialist with the perfect combination of back-end know-how, design flair and ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical clients. I have more than 20 years' web experience in a huge range of projects: From large public sector websites to small businesses; from online fashion marketplaces to charities; from the BBC to local gyms; I've worked with them all. My name is Neil Sayers (my company is called ScreenCandy) and I am a developer who has been building sites on Wordpress since about 2010. I started out as a freelancer who designed and built many websites for small local businesses as well as larger organisations/charities including the RNIB. For the last 8 years I've been in two rolling, long-term contracts that involved using Wordpress as a headless CMS working on rebuilding the international bbc.com website. I take great pride in my work and do not usually use off-the-shelf themes: I like to custom code as much as possible for the performance benefits... And also because it's fun!

Available to hire

I’m a WordPress specialist with the perfect combination of back-end know-how, design flair and ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical clients.

I have more than 20 years’ web experience in a huge range of projects: From large public sector websites to small businesses; from online fashion marketplaces to charities; from the BBC to local gyms; I’ve worked with them all.

My name is Neil Sayers (my company is called ScreenCandy) and I am a developer who has been building sites on Wordpress since about 2010. I started out as a freelancer who designed and built many websites for small local businesses as well as larger organisations/charities including the RNIB. For the last 8 years I’ve been in two rolling, long-term contracts that involved using Wordpress as a headless CMS working on rebuilding the international bbc.com website.

I take great pride in my work and do not usually use off-the-shelf themes: I like to custom code as much as possible for the performance benefits… And also because it’s fun!

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Senior Developer at UIC Digital

February 1, 2023 - May 1, 2026

Redeveloped the BBC.com international website by building a headless WordPress CMS from the ground up as part of a cross-functional team. Engineered a content system that generates collections based on complex tag metadata and manual curation, enabling flexible publication workflows. Built numerous custom Gutenberg React components aligned to Figma designs, delivering an editor-friendly interface. Advised on data structure and architecture, collaborating with BBC teams in the UK and USA to plan features and ensure robust performance. Mentored junior developers, performed code reviews, and presented progress at fortnightly show-and-tell sessions. Integrated multiple CMSs with the WordPress REST API and ingested 1M+ articles to support international coverage.

Senior Developer at The Sole Supplier

April 1, 2018 - February 1, 2023

Helped grow a rapidly expanding fashion site by advocating a move to a headless WordPress CMS with a React frontend to improve security and performance, then drafted a road-map. Built a complex Advanced Custom Fields page builder for content pages and a large product interface supporting colour variations, multiple retailers and sizes. Supported launching a fashion marketplace with a React admin dashboard. Implemented Google Tag Manager and set up Google Analytics (V3 and V4). Created a custom instant messaging plugin inside WordPress to improve internal communications and reduced reliance on third-party plugins.

Web Developer (contract) at Third Space Learning

February 1, 2018 - April 1, 2018

Added new website functionality as a suite of custom WordPress plugins for an existing site. Built a completely new website with a custom WordPress theme based on Roots Sage. Advised on WordPress setup, configuration and hosting for new websites. Integrated website forms with marketing and CRM databases (DotMailer, Spirit, SumoMe and Unbounce) to increase open rates and conversions.

Web Applications Integration Engineer at London Borough of Greenwich

October 1, 2017 - January 1, 2018

Mainly worked on a website migration project in the Jadu CMS, including database migration from Windows/Microsoft SQL to CentOS/MySQL with extensive unit and end-to-end testing.

Web Developer at University of Arts London

June 1, 2015 - October 1, 2017

Created a portfolio website for students with custom-built search and messaging APIs. Worked on a React.js mobile app. Migrated UI from Bootstrap to Foundation; used Hotjar and Google Analytics to assess user journeys and inform UI/UX decisions. Produced wireframes in Moqups, InDesign and Zeplin. Automated tests with Selenium and Travis CI. Mentored junior developers.

Freelance Web Developer at Freelance

January 1, 2009 - Present

Worked closely with non-technical clients to translate ideas into functional web apps. Built 100+ WordPress sites, including Gutenberg-based editors and custom themes; implemented AJAX and React interactions; built multi-site and multilingual setups with WPML; provided hosting and ongoing support. Proficient in Photoshop and Illustrator for graphics.

Senior Web Officer at Islington Council

January 1, 2007 - January 1, 2013

Delivered web-based communications projects and enhancements as part of corporate digital services.

Corporate Communications Officer at The Electoral Commission

January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2007

Supported digital communications and education-focused site work, coordinating content and stakeholder communications.