Robert Stokes

Work Experience

• Freelance Web Development & Consultancy

  Self-Employed

  2019 - PRESENT

  Oxfordshire & Lancashire

  Duties include:

  • Full-stack development and database administration utilising HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP and MySQL;
  • Implementing the transition of a large website to a new content management system;
  • Improving clients' ROI with search engine optimisation and pay-per-click advertising.

• Different Snow

  Co-Founder

  2015 - 2019

  Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

  Duties included:

  • Creating bespoke skiing/snowboarding and cultural touring holidays to Japan;
  • Marketing (PR, print, PPC and social media) and conversion rate analysis to boost sales and improve ROI;
  • Controlling finances – eg. supplier payments, forex contracts – and business administration tasks;
  • Installing and maintaining the IT, telecoms and website requirements of the organisation.

• Oxford Brookes University

  Web & Digital Media
  Manager

  2009 - 2015

  Oxfordshire

  To broaden my skills after largely technical roles, I joined the Marketing Department within the Faculty of Business at Oxford Brookes University.

  Duties included:

  • Front-end development of the various Business School websites and digital media channels;
  • Coordinating marketing projects with academics and department heads;
  • Copywriting for various media and search engine optimisation;
  • Social media marketing and overseeing domestic and international pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns;
  • Data analysis of marketing campaigns to define KPIs and achieve goals – eg. increase student applications, improve ROI.

• Audley Travel

  IT Manager

  2003 - 2009

  Oxfordshire

  I joined Audley Travel at the beginning of a period of rapid expansion; the company grew from 30 staff to nearly 250 within five years.

  Duties included:

  • Responsibility for all IT and telecoms support, budgeting and procurement;
  • Managing a small support team;
  • Project management skills; examples include:
    • designing and implementing a comprehensive infrastructure disaster recovery plan;
    • introducing a company-wide intranet to simplify document sharing, room allocation, calendaring and support requests thereby increasing productivity and efficiency;
    • upgrading to a software-based VOIP telephone system to handle growth and minimise issues;
    • designing and overseeing the build of a dedicated server room in preparation for future expansion;
    • a company-wide office relocation in 2006 for which I was responsible for the budgeting, procurement and installation of all IT and telecoms infrastructure as well as ensuring the successful relocation of over 150 people during one weekend to minimise disruption to business activities.

• Interesource

  Web Developer

  2000 - 2003

  London

  Whilst studying at University, I secured my own industrial placement as a full-stack web developer for my third year and worked on projects for several clients including the London Stock Exchange, the BBC, Honda and The Telegraph. During my final year, I continued to work for the company part-time and upon graduating, I returned to London to accept a full-time position.

  Duties included:

  • Developing a help-desk system to monitor job requests, allocate resources and provide updates to clients to improve efficiency and communication;
  • Responsibility for the maintenance of the London Stock Exchange website;
  • Facilitating the transition of the LSE website to a new content management system;
  • Liaising directly with clients, attending meetings and training a new staff member.

• Lancashire County Council

  Web Developer &
  Content Editor

  1998 - 1999

  Preston, Lancashire

  Duties included:

  • Front-end development and content editing for a new county-wide, web-based kiosk system;
  • Meeting with key stakeholders, council members and the general public to define requirements;
  • Continued to assist with the project on a part-time basis during my first year at University.