Meet the Build Team
Get to know our Build Team and what they get up to at GOSS.
Get to know the team behind the successful delivery of our client's online and digital projects. Find out what the Build Team enjoys about working at GOSS, how they build online services, and how they deliver high-quality services and websites tailored to our client's requirements.
Luke Taylor
Technical Team Leader and Senior Software Engineer
How long have you been at GOSS?: Just over seven years.
What do you do at GOSS?: My day to day includes:
- Liaising with, and building systems for, our clients.
- Improving and/or fixing our products.
- Defining and actioning new internal processes.
- Attempting to automate things that bother me and the team.
- Line management.
Languages used can vary but mostly I'm jumping between JavaScript/NodeJS or C#, but I often find myself writing a fair bit of PowerShell and some Bash which is always exciting.
What are you looking most forward to doing at GOSS?: Releasing, and iteratively enhancing, the STAN API. More info to come soonish. Am I allowed say I'm looking forward to various holidays?
What's the best thing about working at GOSS?: The people (cliché I know) they keep me semi-sane and make GOSS a positive place to work. I've made life long friends here, so much so I actually see some of them outside of work, they might not think this is a good thing. Also, each day is never really the same as we are dealing with ever evolving systems, and challenges, that keep things fresh and exciting. Sometimes a tad too exciting!
Favourite motto/quote?: I'm a fan of "Malaphors" and my go to is "We'll burn that bridge when we get to it." Colleagues often frown at me when I drop slightly modified phrases such as "a different kettle of cheese", their disdain brings me great joy.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?: Ron Livingston (Ideally as Peter from the Office Space)
What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?:
- My Fiancée, she isn't getting rid of me that easy and she's far more capable in a survival situation than I am.
- My Cats, someone's got to feed them and they'll keep morale high.
- Spotify (somehow), everything's better with a little bit of background music.
Dave Bennett
Technical Team Leader and Senior Software Engineer
How long have you been at GOSS?: At the time of writing this, almost 15 years!
What do you do at GOSS?: I'm a Tech Lead in the build team; a senior developer who will often oversee our client facing projects from a technical perspective, and help to guide the other developers in the team.
What are you looking most forward to doing at GOSS?: It's an ongoing process, but I'm looking forward to seeing some of our recent efforts on the Standardised Site project come to fruition. Hopefully the automated scheduled rollout of product updates will bring immediate benefits to the team and our clients.
What's the best thing about working at GOSS?: Firstly the people, they're a great bunch to work with. I also really enjoy the general work culture at GOSS; the flexible working and relaxed atmosphere is nicely balanced with some healthy pressure, it's always interesting!
What is your guilty pleasure?: Rebecca Black, Friday.
Top 3 things on your bucket list?:
- Run the London Marathon
- Skydive
- Visit Japan
Favourite place in the world?: I love the Canadian Rockies, can't really beat it. For somewhere I visit much more frequently though; I live very close to the Western Beacon on Dartmoor, and love heading up there on a run to take in the view. On a nice day you can see for miles across the South Hams and the sea in one direction, and a very different view of Dartmoor in the other; amazing at sunset!
David Cassidy
Digital Platform Developer
How long have you been at GOSS?: I have been at GOSS for 7 and a half years.
What do you do at GOSS?: I'm a Digital Platform developer.
What are you looking most forward to doing at GOSS?: Continuing to work on some great projects and working towards a senior position.
What's the best thing about working at GOSS?: I love the culture and enjoy working on a range of different projects.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?: I don't think anyone can capture my essence on the big screen, but maybe I'll just play myself and get an Oscar for my outstanding acting skills!
What three items would you take with you to a deserted island?: A GPS device, a solar charger, and a boat.
Kev White
Digital Platform Developer
How long have you been at GOSS?: Just over three years, five years if you include my placement term.
What do you do at GOSS?: I'm a Digital Platform Developer
What are you looking most forward to doing at GOSS?: Continuing to build my knowledge base and to get involved in even more interesting projects.
What's the best thing about working at GOSS?: The atmosphere. GOSS is the friendliest place I've ever worked and the people are fantastic. Our clients are great, and the work is always varied and interesting. Our multiple company social events per year are an absolute blast too.
Favourite motto/quote?: The Dude abides.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?: Seth Rogen
What's your go-to karaoke song?: Lionel Richie - Dancing on the ceiling
Ronald Middelkoop
Senior Software Developer
How long have you been at GOSS?: A good two years
What do you do at GOSS?: I'm a Senior Software Developer. I'm also involved in the development of our payment integrations quite a bit.
What is your greatest achievement so far at GOSS?: The addition of a reconciliation mechanism for payments where the customer does not return to us after the payment process at the third party.
What's the best thing about working at GOSS?: Definitely the culture. Great set of people with a real love for their product.
If you could become any animal, which animal would it be?: I have to say that cats seem to have it pretty good.
What is your guilty pleasure?: Long Showers
Favourite place in the world?: That must be New Zealand. If only it wasn't so far away...
Avy Gurung
Junior Digital Platform Developer
How long have you been at GOSS?: I have been working for just over 2 years now.
What do you do at GOSS?: I'm a Junior Digital Platform Developer.
What are you looking most forward to doing at GOSS?: Using my self dev time to build something useful. I've started on something but have been waiting to get some time to work on it again.
What's the best thing about working at GOSS?: The people. Everyone is so friendly and helpful.
If you could become any animal, which animal would it be?: I would become an orca.
What is your guilty pleasure?: Gaming and reading Mangas.
George Kombostiotis
Graduate Developer
How long have you been at GOSS?: I've been at GOSS for just 7 weeks as a graduate developer.
What do you do at GOSS?: I help build solutions for clients.
What are you looking most forward to doing at GOSS?: Learning from my peers and improving my skills as I continue to learn about the products offered by GOSS.
What's the best thing about working at GOSS?: The great work culture and getting to work with experienced developers.
If you could become any animal, which animal would it be?: An owl.
Favourite place in the world?: Greece.