David Riches

✨ Current Project (2025)

• Delivered a headless e-commerce platform using Next.js 15 and BigCommerce across Retail and B2B channels, built with React, TypeScript, Tailwind, Radix UI, and migrated Storybook components — significantly improving site performance and scalability.

• Implemented geolocation-based personalization, serving localized content, pricing, and tailored user experiences based on detected region.

• Built a custom Algolia integration featuring instant search, product recommendations, and intelligent query suggestions to improve product discovery and engagement.

• Extended BigCommerce's B2B checkout with custom shipping logic, filtered payment rules, and UI refinements to streamline the purchase flow and improve conversion rates.

• Integrated Klaviyo marketing automation with Google Analytics and Tag Manager to enable comprehensive user tracking, segmentation, and engagement reporting.

🎖️ Previous Achievements

• Integrated express checkout via Braintree, supporting Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal to reduce friction and lower checkout abandonment.

• Redesigned the checkout into a streamlined two-step flow using Styled Components and Material UI, improving usability and conversion rates.

• Overhauled the Storybook component library, introducing new components and optimizing existing ones to align with Master of Malt's platform requirements.

• Led cross-functional UI collaboration sessions between development and creative teams, driving faster delivery cycles and more cohesive design outcomes.

• Developed bespoke React components for Builder.io landing pages, enabling the marketing team to create dynamic, personalized content without developer intervention.

Global full-service digital agency (UK-based, EMEA clients). Part of the engineering team delivering scalable solutions for major European brands across fitness, logistics, healthcare, and food & beverage.

Basic-Fit – Leading European Fitness Group

• Built Contentful backend infrastructure for Basic-Fit's mobile app and in-gym digital displays, supporting operations across five countries and improving member engagement throughout their fitness network.

• Designed comprehensive content models and developed custom React apps and UI extensions to streamline content management across their multi-platform digital ecosystem.

Mileway – Europe's Largest Logistics Real Estate Business

• Led a full platform migration from WordPress to a modern Contentful-powered architecture for Mileway, managing 1,700+ logistics properties across Europe.

• Developed custom React applications for automated brochure generation, interactive Google Maps integrations, and detailed site plans — all connected to backend microservices to improve operational efficiency and client experience.

Souvenaid (Danone) – Healthcare Digital Platform

• Built a specialist digital platform for Souvenaid, Danone's dietary supplement for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, with a strong focus on accessibility and clarity for healthcare contexts.

• Developed a comprehensive Storybook component library integrated with a Contentful backend and Next.js frontend, ensuring consistent, healthcare-focused experiences across multiple touchpoints.

Alpro (Danone) – Global Plant-Based Brand

• Optimized multi-market website performance for Alpro's global platform, serving localized content and languages across 32 markets.

• Delivered new features and performance improvements using Contentful, Gatsby.js, TypeScript, and Netlify functions, improving site speed and engagement across international audiences.

Manchester-based digital marketing agency (remote). Delivered high-impact websites and digital experiences for major brands across charity, luxury spirits, and e-commerce.

WaterAid – Toilet Stories Campaign

• Led full-stack development of the campaign website using React and Gatsby.js, creating an engaging digital experience to support WaterAid's global sanitation awareness initiative.

• Delivered a responsive, performance-optimized platform that effectively communicated the campaign message and drove user engagement.

Highland Park Whisky – Premium Brand Experience

• Led frontend development of Highland Park's bespoke brand website, collaborating with a third-party creative agency to deliver a refined digital presence.

• Built an immersive experience that reflected Highland Park's premium positioning while maintaining strong performance across all devices.

Macallan Whisky – Luxury E-commerce Platform

• Enhanced e-commerce functionality on Macallan's luxury platform using React, implementing new features and resolving critical bugs to improve the purchasing journey.

• Maintained high-performance standards across the digital storefront, ensuring a seamless experience aligned with the brand's premium expectations.

Global Digital Agency – Frontend Development Specialist

Frontend specialist within the tech team of a global digital agency, leading development projects for Fortune 500 clients including Facebook, Shell, and major consumer brands. Worked closely with creative and UX teams to deliver digital solutions across diverse industries.

Facebook – Consumer Marketing Platform

• Delivered targeted HTML/CSS solutions for Facebook's Consumer Marketing department.

Shell V-Power – Digital Brand Playbook

• Built a digital brand playbook using React, Gatsby.js, and Contentful CMS, giving Shell's global marketing teams a scalable system to maintain brand consistency across regions.

Mytime Active – Regional Leisure Platform

• Led full-stack development as primary Drupal 8 and frontend developer for Mytime Active's leisure platform, serving communities across south-east England and streamlining facility booking and membership management.

Grolsch – "AS I AM" Campaign

• Developed Grolsch's "AS I AM" brand campaign site, creating an engaging digital experience that reinforced the brand's authentic positioning and drove consumer engagement.

WaterAid – Global Charity Initiative

• Built a digital platform for WaterAid's global water and sanitation programs, with user-friendly interfaces designed to communicate the charity's mission and support community partnership initiatives.

Bayer – Enterprise Content Hub

• Architected a modern CMS using Drupal 8 with a custom Fractal frontend theme layer, applying Atomic Design principles to deliver scalable, maintainable code architecture for Bayer's global content operations.

Drupal Developer & Front-end lead, working on fast turn around projects for various brands such as Scotts Miracle Grow, Make-a-Wish foundation and British Council. Reporting directly to the Head of Production & working closely with creative UX teams and Quality assurance. Supporting junior team members and providing client CMS training.

Worked in the Specialist & Activity sector - building new websites for various brands such as the NFL, Exodus, Quark Expeditions and YMT vacations. After 2 years I made an internal move to the Crystal Ski UX team, working closely with designers and UX researchers creating rapid prototypes, boosting revenue by adding functionality and improving performance in the booking flow.