Meet Our Team
Building software for specialist life science projects demands more than strong engineering, it requires a team who genuinely understand the science, the regulatory landscape, and the stakes involved.
Your software team for hire…
Enhance your internal team with our domain knowledge.
Many of us have worked in laboratories, published peer-reviewed research, or built careers at the interface of science and technology before specialising in software; which means we speak your language from day one!
Whether you need custom medical device software or SaMD development, instrumentation software for a biotech instrument, GxP-compliant life sciences software, or AI-powered tools for research workflows, we have the depth of experience to deliver solutions that are reliable, scalable and meet end users requirements.
Meet the team
Darren Troy
Director
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With 18 years of software development experience, Darren brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and hands-on life science industry knowledge.
Alongside a decade working at Lab901/Agilent on automated gel electrophoresis platforms building software at the intersection of hardware, imaging and science, he has spent a further 8 years at Firefinch delivering software across a wide range of life science applications.
Darren’s technical strengths lie in image and signal processing, instrument control, machine learning, and UI/UX design, and he has co-authored peer-reviewed research in chromatographic imaging published in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Auckland.
A firm believer that simplicity in design leads to long-term maintainability, day to day, Darren oversees project quality and technical direction at Firefinch, ensuring that software meets users’ real-world needs at every stage of development. Outside work, what time isn’t spent with family tends to be spent in the kitchen or at the gym.
Barry McHoull
Director
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Barry brings 18 years of software engineering experience and a background as a software project manager at a biotech company to the Firefinch team, giving him a thorough understanding of the full lifecycle from concept to delivery in a regulated, science-driven environment.
His particular passion is algorithms and the elegance of well-crafted software architecture. He holds a BEng from the University of Edinburgh and has contributed to peer-reviewed published research titled “Multi-Snapshot Imaging for Chromatographic Peak Analysis” alongside fellow Directors Darren and Matt. Barry’s blend of curiosity and commercial pragmatism makes him a trusted guide for clients navigating complex technical decisions.
When not thinking about software, Barry can be found watching horror films.
William Acton
Director
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Will has 16 years of experience writing software, largely within life science environments. His particular expertise is in instrumentation interface and control, and colour science, and he has built a reputation as the team’s UI/UX champion: ensuring that every piece of customer-facing software is elegant, intuitive and genuinely pleasant to use.
Will’s work typically bridges the gap between R&D scientists and end-users, translating complex instrument behaviour into elegant interfaces. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Manchester and is a strong advocate for thoughtful, detail-conscious design.
Outside work, Will’s great pleasure is culinary exploration, seeking unfamiliar flavors and traditional local cuisine on his travels.
Ruaidhrí Primrose
Director
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Ruaidhrí is an experienced software architect and developer with 19 years in the industry and a record of leading Agile teams across the full development lifecycle, from product design through to production deployment and ongoing maintenance. He has broad expertise across cloud platforms (Azure and AWS), medical device software and heavily regulated environments, and is comfortable at every level of the stack.
His experience at Firefinch across life science software projects, underpinned by his BSc in Computer Science & AI from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc in Science, means he brings both deep technical rigour and a strong appreciation for the scientific context his software operates in. He is Firefinch’s go-to authority on cloud architecture and operations.
In his spare time Ruaidhrí unwinds by running, gaming, and reading.
Matt Connelly
Director
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Matt is a unique presence in life science software: a director who has spent 14 years as an industrial biochemist developing and validating assays before making the move into software engineering. He brings 9 years of software development experience and holds an MSc with Distinction in Bioinformatics from Sheffield Hallam University as well as a BSc in Plant Sciences, a genuinely rare combination of wet-lab and computational expertise.
His particular strength is data analysis: he is happiest sifting through complex datasets to find real-world solutions, calling on his breadth of experience and is a committed R advocate. He has co-authored peer-reviewed work in chromatographic imaging for IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering and brings a scientist’s rigour to everything he builds.
Outside work, Matt plays mandolin, Irish bouzouki, guitar, and analogue synthesisers.
Isabel Vincent
Market Development Manager
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Isabel’s background spans academic research, pharmaceutical drug discovery, and life science innovation management which gives her an unusually deep understanding of the scientific world Firefinch serves. Her PhD at the University of Glasgow and post doc from the Université Laval focused on microbial metabolomics and mechanisms of drug resistance in parasitic diseases, and she subsequently held postdoctoral positions in collaboration with major pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer, Novartis, AstraZeneca and GSK.
She later completed a Master of Public Health with a focus on infectious disease epidemiology and spent 7 years in innovation management roles in biotechnology, deep tech and the circular economy. Isabel is a prolific researcher with more than two dozen peer-reviewed publications and extensive citations across metabolomics, drug discovery and tropical disease diagnostics.
At Firefinch, Isabel works with clients to connect them with the team’s expertise, with a particular interest in diagnostics, medtech and regulated software. Outside work, she sews, grows vegetables, and enjoys speaking her second language, French.
Lauren McHoull
Executive Assistant
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Lauren plays an integral role keeping Firefinch running smoothly behind the scenes. With a BA (Hons) in Business Management and a background in operations management, she brings strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills to everything she does. Lauren is conscientious, adaptable and has a keen eye for detail that ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
Outside work, she enjoys swimming, travelling, and has recently taken up gardening.
Lesley Smith
Marketing Executive
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Lesley brings an unusual combination of scientific training and marketing expertise to the Firefinch commercial team. She holds an MSc in Ecology and Conservation and an undergraduate degree in Conservation Biology, and has contributed to peer-reviewed academic research, including a publication in the European Journal of Entomology on thermal stress responses in freshwater invertebrates.
She has close to seven years of experience in marketing roles, complemented by certifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in Search Engine Optimisation and B2B Lead Generation.
At Firefinch, Lesley plans, creates and publishes marketing materials, from brochures and website copy to long-form articles and ensures that Firefinch’s vision and values are reflected consistently across all communications. She supports strategic department planning and helps upskill colleagues.
Outside work, Lesley can be found camping, visiting art exhibitions, or at punk gigs.
Adam Ostrowski
Project Manager
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Adam brings an exceptional breadth of life science expertise to his project management role at Firefinch.
Holding a PhD in Molecular Microbiology and an MSc in Biotechnology, he has worked across academic research, SME-based biotechnology, and as a Field Applications Specialist for bioprocessing equipment, giving him 10 years of laboratory experience in microbiology, molecular biology and protein biochemistry, 6 years in biotech industry R&D, and a further 6 years in field applications, client support and project delivery.
With several peer-reviewed publications covering topics including biofilm formation, bacterial hydrophobins, flagellar signalling and O-GlcNAc systems, Adam speaks the language of the scientists and founders Firefinch supports. He serves as a critical link between clients and development teams, translating scientific requirements into clear engineering briefs and keeping projects on time and on budget.
Adam is a self-described technology geek with a soft spot for Arkham Horror and big-story PC games.
Steven Swan
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Steven is a lead software engineer with 12 years of development experience and a particular focus on UX and web development. He holds a BEng with Honours and works primarily in C#/.NET, JavaScript, TypeScript and Azure — a stack well-suited to the cloud-based, data-driven applications Firefinch builds for its life science clients.
Steven’s interest in UX means he approaches development with the end user firmly in mind, with a focus on building interfaces and systems that are intuitive as well as technically sound.
Outside work, he plays piano and is an enthusiast of combat games.
Richard Addison
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Richard is a Technical Lead with 16 years of software development experience, specialising in designing scalable, maintainable systems and leading cross-functional teams. He holds an MEng in Software Engineering and has particular expertise in the .NET ecosystem, RESTful APIs, cloud platforms, microservices architecture and CI/CD pipelines.
His strengths lie in translating complex business requirements into robust technical solutions, mentoring engineers, and improving development practices across teams. At Firefinch, he has built up significant life science software experience and plays a central role in shaping the technical direction of projects.
Outside work, Richard enjoys keeping up with technology trends and staying active outdoors.
Noura Elhakim
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Noura is a full-stack engineer with 6 years of experience and a particular passion for UI/UX design. She holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and a Professional Development Award from CodeClan, and brings a keen eye for intuitive, visually polished interfaces to her work at Firefinch.
She works across the full stack in JavaScript, TypeScript, C#, React, GraphQL, Entity Framework Core and Node.js, and has experience working on LIMS systems alongside broader enterprise web applications. Her combination of commercial training and technical skill gives her a natural affinity for understanding how software fits into the real workflows of the people who use it.
Outside work, she enjoys photography, drawing, and spending time with her family.
Jonny Reading
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Jonny is a full-stack engineer with 5 years of experience and a particular strength in front-end engineering, component design and UX. He works across TypeScript, React, C#/.NET, Java, Python and Azure, and is especially motivated by building interfaces that feel intuitive and well-crafted.
Outside work, Jonny hikes, travels, is devoted to his cat, and plays video games.
Andrew Kirkwood
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Andrew has 5 years of professional software development experience, built on a prior decade in technical roles spanning architectural design and subsea project engineering. His BSc in Architecture informs a passion for elegant, well-structured software and a particular enjoyment of the UX/UI refinement work that makes programs a joy to use.
He works across C#, ASP.NET, Entity Framework Core, TypeScript, React, Docker, Python and more, and has developed specialist skills in areas including ANTLR4 grammar parsing and Plotly data visualisation. Andrew is drawn to software that solves problems simply without unnecessary complexity, just clean and purposeful design.
When not developing, Andrew plays instruments and synthesisers and spends time cycling and outdoors.
Jimi Wills
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Jimi brings a genuinely exceptional blend of scientific and engineering expertise to Firefinch. He holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics & Anatomy and a BSc (Hons) in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Glasgow, and spent over a decade as a postdoctoral researcher and Mass Spectrometry Lab Manager at the University of Edinburgh before moving into full-time software development. His academic work spanned synthetic biology, systems biology, and metabolomics wher he co-founded the Scottish Metabolomics Network’s EDI Group.
With over 20 years of coding experience alongside his scientific career, Jimi is a highly versatile engineer working across C#/.NET, TypeScript/React, Python, R, and AWS, among others. He has published research contributions across multiple disciplines and is recognised for his public engagement work, winning an IGMM Achievement Award in 2016.
At Firefinch, Jimi is known as a strong team player who is deeply motivated by delivering genuine client value and maintaining high product quality. He also attends TabletopScotland and Edinburgh Pride, makes music with his kids, and crochets.
Phil Tolland
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Phil holds an MEng in Chemical and Process Engineering and has spent 11 years in software development, bringing an engineer’s problem-solving mindset to every project. He has built software for digital forensics, medical imaging and petroleum thermodynamics, and has 4.5 years of hands-on experience in regulated medical device and medical imaging environments.
His technical strengths include software architecture, test-driven development and cross-platform development across C#, SQL, JavaScript/TypeScript, WPF, Avalonia, React, React Native and Azure. Phil describes himself as thinking about data flowing through software the same way an engineer thinks about fluid in pipes, a mental model that lends itself well to building robust, high-throughput systems.
Outside the office, he boulders, plays board games, and runs tabletop RPG sessions.
Hansel Kang
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Hansel is a software engineer with 3 years of experience and a background in architecture, bringing a distinctive design sensibility to his technical work. Holding a B.Arch, he is drawn to building user-friendly digital experiences where visual design and functional elegance go hand in hand.
He works across JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, Java, Python, React, WPF and CSS, with particular skills in Figma and front-end UI/UX design. Hansel’s architectural training gives him a natural eye for structure, space and usability, all of which translate well to software interface design.
Outside work, he is a talented photographer who enjoys travelling and hiking.
George Trenev
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George has 4 years of software development experience alongside a prior career as a physiotherapist. His BSc in Physiotherapy gave him strong analytical and diagnostic skills that translate directly into a pragmatic, user-centred approach to software, he’s used to thinking carefully about how systems behave under real-world conditions.
His technical interests span IoT devices, GUI development, system and UX design, and Linux, and he works across JavaScript/TypeScript, C#/.NET, Java, Python, React, React Native and Azure.
Outside work, George woodworks, does leathercraft, and has a fondness for repairing things that may or may not be broken.
Katy Smith
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Katy brings a distinctive combination of scientific depth and software engineering skill to Firefinch. She holds an MChem and a PGDE, and spent 10 years in industrial biotechnology developing lateral flow devices for medical and defence applications, giving her a thorough grounding in regulated product development. She then decided to transition into software and has since accumulated 3 years of professional development experience.
She works in C#/.NET, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, React and Azure, with a strong interest in design principles, usability, and the intersection of data science, machine learning and life science. Katy has contributed to peer-reviewed research in materials science and is a committed advocate for greater diversity in tech.
Outside work, she plays hockey, sings in a choir, and travels.
Savan Agrawal
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Savan holds an MSc in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence from the University of Glasgow as well as a B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering, and brings 3 years of professional development experience alongside an ongoing role as an Honorary Research Assistant at the University of Glasgow.
His technical strengths lie in AI, machine learning, LLM development, image processing and embedded systems, working in Python, C, C++, C# and Azure DevOps with Docker. Savan’s combination of academic research and practical development experience makes him particularly well-suited to projects involving complex algorithms, sensor systems or AI-powered applications.
Outside work, he hikes, explores nature, and enjoys time with friends and family.
Matt Probert
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Matt brings 20 years of software development experience alongside a PhD in Experimental Particle Physics and an MSci in Physics. His research career produced peer-reviewed publications in nuclear physics instrumentation, and his technical interests now centre on remote sensing, data processing and visualisation — applying a scientist’s precision to real-world software challenges.
He is a versatile engineer comfortable across Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C++, C#, Java, React, AWS and Azure, and has experience spanning technology start-ups and the civil service. Matt’s scientific background gives him a particular aptitude for data-intensive, analytically demanding projects.
Outside work, he plays ultimate frisbee and mountain bikes.
Kevin McHugh
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Kevin brings 14 years of commercial software development experience across a wide range of industries including finance, animal health, human resources and motor trade. He holds a BEng (Hons) in Software Engineering and specialises in software architecture, back-end and database development, working primarily across the Microsoft stack, React, SQL and MongoDB.
Kevin’s broad industry background means he is well-practised at picking up new domains quickly and delivering solid, reliable software in contexts with demanding data and compliance requirements.
Outside work, Kevin reads comic books, follows punk rock, and enjoys horror films.
Bryan Ghosh
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Bryan is a full-stack engineer with 13 years of experience across a wide variety of industries and technologies. Holding a BSc and BA from the University of Cambridge, he brings both technical breadth and a consistent focus on simplicity.
He works primarily in C# .NET, Azure, Angular and React, and has a strong track record in delivering maintainable, scalable systems. Bryan’s philosophy of clean code and clear communication means he works well in teams and client-facing roles alike.
Outside work, Bryan writes and performs stand-up and sketch comedy, and plays cricket (self-described: pretty badly).
Harry Maxwell
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Harry has 8 years of consultancy experience delivering full-stack software solutions across a range of sectors including life science, manufacturing and gemology. He holds a BSc in Computer Science and has co-authored a publication in the ACM CHI conference proceedings on human factors in computing systems, reflecting his strong interest in UX and system design.
Harry’s technical stack centres on C#, SQL, React, Angular and WPF, and his collaborative, client-focused approach makes him well-suited to projects where understanding user needs is as important as technical execution.
Outside work, Harry is chair of his village hall committee, treasurer of the PTA, a keen DIYer and gardener, and enjoys cooking and festival production.
Matt Brammall
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Matt has over 21 years of software engineering experience, underpinned by a PhD in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics and an MMath in Mathematics. His career has spanned a wide range of domains including urban planning, energy modelling, finance and 3D data visualisation, and his technical strengths lie in data engineering and DevOps.
He works primarily in C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, React, AWS and Azure, and brings a mathematician’s love of rigour and clarity to his work. Matt’s deep quantitative background makes him particularly well-suited to analytically complex or data-intensive projects.
Outside work, he reads widely, learns languages, and has a keen interest in music.
James Carter
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James is a senior developer with 17 years of experience, with a background that spans defence and renewable energy sectors alongside 2.5 years in life science software development. He specialises in desktop and Linux development, GUI design and embedded systems, with expertise in C++, C#, Python, Bash, WPF, Avalonia and Yocto.
James’s experience in demanding, safety-critical industries gives him a rigorous and methodical approach to software quality. He holds a BSc (Hons) and has built a career on tackling technically complex problems across a range of platforms and environments.
Outside work, James is an avid television lover.
Our board of advisors
We asked the mentors who guided the development of our careers to help oversee and advise the Firefinch enterprise. With strong backgrounds and expertise in product and business development, engineering, marketing, and academia, our board of advisors continue to provide us with their insight and wisdom.
Dr. James Hopgood
Director of Electronics and Engineering, University of Edinburgh
James is the Director of Electronics and Engineering at the University of Edinburgh. He works in the disciplines of Data Science and Machine Learning within the field of Statistical Signal Processing. Since September 2011, James has been the Editor-in-Chief for the IET Journal of Signal Processing. James has worked closely with the Firefinch team since 2014 on a Data Science research project.
Dr. Donna McDade Walker
Vice President, Global Marketing & Product Management, biomodal
Donna is Vice President, Global Marketing & Product Management at biomodal. She is an accomplished Commercial Leader with nearly 20 years’ experience in the biotechnology & life science industries. Skilled in go-to-market strategy, product commercialisation and brand development within fields such as molecular diagnostics, sequencing, and synthetic biology, Donna has worked with the Firefinch team since 2020.
Thinking of joining us?
We are always on the lookout for talented individuals to join our dynamic team.
Our team of problem solvers and innovators not only possess a deep knowledge but also know what a good solution looks like for a customer – and how to deliver it. At Firefinch, you’ll find lots of opportunities to use and develop your skills and contribute to interesting and impactful projects.
Direct applicants only. No recruitment or outsourcing agencies please.
Benefits of working for Firefinch
Flexible working hours
A family (and life) friendly environment with flexible working of 32-36 hours per week within core hours. You can also compress your hours into 4 days rather than a 5 day working week.
In person, remote, or hybrid working
The opportunity to work flexibly that is either fully remote or at our fantastic city centre office in Edinburgh – or take a hybrid approach.
Charitable giving
Matched charity donations of up to £500 per year.
Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
Supporting you in balancing your professional and personal lives, ensuring the time and resources to nurture your family.
Continual support and development
Providing you with the right tools for the job – high-performance laptops and licenses as well as a generous training budget.
Plus the usual
Including 32-days holiday per year (including bank holidays), a company pension, and cycle to work scheme.
