ConclaveAI
A context-first AI platform focused on durable, auditable interactions and programmable context/state.
Next.js 14 · TypeScript · Tailwind CSS · Python · Django · Django REST Framework · Postgres · Supabase · OpenAI APIs
Available for freelance & contracts
Michael Leese
Full Stack Developer
Delivery + Platform Engineering
I’m a hands-on full-stack developer with a practical focus on shipping reliable software.
Alongside building features, I help teams improve delivery discipline · reproducible builds · clear documentation · governance-first practices so releases are easier to trust in regulated environments.
Sicily, Europe (GMT+1)Remote-friendlyProduct & platform delivery
Theme
How I Work
Reliable delivery with quiet craft.
I focus on calm execution, strong documentation, and clean handoffs. Every feature is built with the next maintainer in mind.
I work across the stack and across teams, bridging build systems, test strategy, and delivery so regulated environments can ship with confidence.
For regulated or high-stakes teams, documentation, governance, and traceability are part of engineering — so the product is not only built, but defensible.
Governance-first software means auditability, determinism, and evidence are designed in — not added later.
- Neo-minimal interface, technical depth on demand.
- Clear, maintainable code with pragmatic delivery.
- Calm leadership and reliable execution for teams and clients.
- Evidence-driven delivery: decisions produce artifacts (ADRs, test charters, release notes) that stand up to audit.
- Determinism over drama: reproducible builds, pinned dependencies, documented toolchains, predictable releases.
- Cross-team orchestration: align dev/test/legal/IP so governance isn’t a bolt-on—it’s the workflow.
- Systems thinking for AI products: context design, audit trails, and clean interfaces that scale with complexity.
Stack Overview
Built for clarity and longevity.
A modern stack with emphasis on maintainability, performance, and thoughtful UX.
Core Stack
Modern, production-ready web apps with strong typing and clear UI.
Next.js 14ReactTypeScriptTailwind CSS
Backend & Data
API design, data modeling, and pragmatic server-side delivery.
PythonDjangoDjango REST FrameworkNode.js
Platform
Cloud, deployment, and developer tooling for reliable releases.
SupabaseAWS (Cloud Practitioner)GitPostman
Governance & Delivery
Evidence-led delivery, deterministic builds, and release discipline for regulated environments.
Deterministic builds / reproducibilityEvidence artifacts (ADRs, release notes, traceability)Test governance (charters, ratification)Multi-repo orchestrationGit (clean history, tags, change control)CMake / Ninja (native toolchains)
Experience
Proven delivery across product, consulting, and community.
A track record of shipping meaningful software and leading with steadiness.
- Feb 2026 — Present
ConclaveAI
Product & Platform Lead · UK (Remote)
- • Product & Platform Lead for ConclaveAI, a context-first AI application platform.
- • Defining the context/memory architecture to support traceability, auditability, and reliable system behaviour.
- • Leading data modelling and schema evolution (Postgres + migrations) to keep rapid delivery maintainable.
- • Driving platform standards across architecture, implementation patterns, and documentation for fast, safe iteration.
- • Lead Architect / Principal Engineer — AI Platform & Context/Data Architecture.
- 2025 — Present
Kompr-s
Delivery Lead / Solution Architect (Governance-First) + Platform Engineering Lead · Europe (Remote)
- • Leading governance-first delivery across engineering and testing, with an emphasis on reproducibility and audit-ready outputs.
- • Bridging architecture, release discipline, and platform engineering to keep delivery consistent across multiple repos and toolchains.
- • Driving deterministic build practices and dependency control to support reliable, repeatable releases.
- • Producing clear evidence artifacts (documentation, decisions, test governance) to support compliance and stakeholder assurance.
- Jan 2026 — Present
SecureGRC Pro
Freelance Full Stack Developer · Australia (Remote)
- • Full Stack Developer for an Australian start-up consultancy.
- • Building SecureGRC Pro, a modular Governance, Risk, and Compliance platform.
- • Developing with Next.js 14, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and Supabase.
- • Contributing to architecture, feature delivery, and ongoing platform evolution.
- Jun 2024 — Jan 2026
Career Sabbatical
Planned Sabbatical & Personal Development · Sicily, Italy
- • Took a planned sabbatical following redundancy to reset and refocus professionally.
- • Relocated to Sicily, purchased a property, and completed a full renovation independently.
- • Continued self-development through personal software projects and technical learning.
- • Returned to the industry refreshed and actively freelancing.
- Aug 2020 — Jun 2024
PwC
Full Stack Developer · London, UK (More London Office)
- • Delivered enterprise web applications in Agile teams using Python (Django), React, APIs, and cloud services.
- • Part of a team involved in PwC’s initial corporate test launch utilising OpenAI technologies.
- • Contributed to a real-world AI-driven customer complaints system built with React.
- • Acted as lead developer supporting TAMHI on a voluntary basis alongside core duties.
- Jun 2019 — 2020
Vuepoint Solutions Ltd
Junior Software Developer · UK
- • Worked across front end and back end using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, ASP, and VB.NET / PL SQL.
- • Developed new functionality, carried out bug fixes, and supported production systems.
- • Used issue tracking and version control across multiple environments.
- • Maintained productivity while working independently during Covid-19 restrictions.
- May 2019
OWOW Innovations
Software Developer · UK
- • Developed a proof-of-concept platform for locating lost children with autism.
- • Focused on UI/UX design and interactive front-end development.
- • Presented the solution at an autism conference on behalf of the company.
- • Delivered a working prototype within a 10-day deadline for a pitch.
- May 2019
The Big IoT Hack
Front End Developer (Winning Team) · Basingstoke, UK
- • Built front-end landing and data pages for an IoT prototype.
- • Integrated Microsoft Azure Maps into the user interface.
- • Delivered a functional prototype within 48 hours.
- • Part of the overall winning team at the event.
- 2019 — 2020
Community & Volunteer Experience
Committee Member / Technical Support · UK
- • Committee member of Picket Piece Residents Association.
- • Frontend support on community website with the creator.
- • Initiated and led one of the largest Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Hampshire.
- • Coordinated volunteers and worked with local authorities.
Projects
Selected work with detail on demand.
Tap a project to explore the delivery context, constraints, and outcomes.
Private
Kompr-s
A governance-first platform initiative focused on deterministic delivery and audit-ready evidence.
TypeScript · Python · Git · CMake / Ninja · CI/CD (vendor-agnostic)
SecureGRC Pro
A modular Governance, Risk & Compliance platform for an Australian consultancy.
Next.js 14 · TypeScript · Tailwind CSS · Supabase
Enterprise Compliance Platform (PwC)
Confidential enterprise Django applications delivered within Agile teams.
Python · Django · Django REST Framework · React · Web Components · REST APIs
CharityFund
Full-stack charity fundraising platform with authentication and backend workflows.
Python · Django · HTML · CSS · JavaScript
ReciPys
A Flask-based recipe sharing web application.
Python · Flask · HTML · CSS
Galactic Gunners
A browser-based Space Invaders-style game.
JavaScript · Phaser 3
Skills
Specialist depth with practical range.
Filter by focus area or scan the full toolkit.
Next.js 14ReactTypeScriptJavaScript (ES6+)Tailwind CSSPythonDjangoDjango REST FrameworkNode.jsREST APIs / JSONSupabaseAWS (Cloud Practitioner)OpenAI (enterprise pilot)GitPostmanLLM OrchestrationContext ArchitectureStructured Memory DesignRetrieval Design (RAG patterns)Prompt EngineeringTraceability & Audit TrailsPostgreSQLDatabase MigrationsData ModellingDeterministic builds / reproducibilityRelease discipline & change controlAudit-ready evidence artifactsTest governance (charters, ratification)Traceability & documentation discipline
Contact
Let’s build something measured and durable.
Open to freelance, contract, and advisory conversations.