clive.theportman.co
- full-stack developer
- tech lead + mentor
- ui designer
- ultrarunner
- employee of the year
Web, mobile, the whole stack
The best teams use the right tools for the right job at the right time. I take a framework-agnostic, polyglot approach, staying up-to-date with what's available and making decisions based, not on what's just familiar, but on thorough analysis of technical requirements and available resources.
Having run my own client-facing dev shop, I lean towards prioritising business needs over coding perfectionism. I'm really good at owning the big picture, delivering from start to finish, and have the requisite communication skills.
My drive and obsession with personal development, extends to influencing colleagues at all levels. I try to inspire others to push beyond their comfort zones, leading by example and raising the bar for entire teams.
My bread and butter for years was working with brand guidelines and designers to help them bridge the gap between their creative vision and technical reality, translating beautiful design concepts into pixel-perfect, responsive implementations.
During a long-term collaboration with one of Norwich's best graphic designers, a UX designer partner and various contracts working alongside agency designers, I've developed UI skills that go well beyond what most developers possess. My approach is based on a deep understanding of user needs and behavior, and while I'm pragmatic about the constraints of time and budget, I much prefer to deliver UI that delights rather than just functions.
Running is my meditation, my therapy, my passion and my obsession. My Strava profile reads: a 'mountain goat masquerading as a gazelle', and that pretty much sums it up. There is nothing I enjoy more than bombing down a gnarly mountain descent, as difficult as it is living in flattest part of the UK.
My UTMB index peaked at 668 a few years ago, but after a period of niggling injuries and non-UTMB qualifiers it's now down to zero. My favourite distance is 100km, something like Ultra Trail Snowdonia with lots of elevation change and technical terrain. I typically finish in the top 5-10% and have several race wins and podiums.
I'm currently training for the 2025 Dragon's Back.
Well... I thought I had no chance but Ric and Liam did an awesome job in their presentation, and somehow I gathered the most votes and won Mobilityways EOTY award. It's the second time I've been nominated.
Personally, I just think I'm doing my job properly.