Turning "this should be simple" into shipped products
For founders, small businesses, and agencies who need it done right.
Every project starts with a real problem. Here's how I help founders, agencies, and small businesses move forward.
"Your current site is slow, outdated, or impossible to update"
I build on modern CMS platforms so you control your content, and pages load in under a second. No more waiting on a developer for every text change.
Built with this approach: Chill Stays, Casefile
"You have a product idea but no technical co-founder"
I take your concept from wireframe to working product — architecture, development, deployment, and ongoing support. You stay focused on the business.
Built with this approach: Pigeonhole, Chill Stays, Casefile
"Your agency needs reliable dev capacity without hiring"
I work as an embedded developer on your client projects — same standards, your brand, no recruitment headaches. Retainer or project-based.
Built with this approach: Avidity RevOPS, Velora Health
"Your hosting, domains, and security are a mess"
I manage the full stack of infrastructure — hosting, DNS, SSL, backups, monitoring — so you never think about it. One point of contact for everything.
Currently managing 50+ domains and hosting accounts
Real feedback from people I've worked with.
Responsive - polite and a good crack!
"Not only is Rich an extremely experienced and knowledgable digital expert, he's also a pleasure to work with. I'd recommend his company, Astro Agency, to anyone looking to grow their brand."
Phil Storey
WordPress Founder
"I got in touch with Richard after receiving a request for a Developer who could work at short notice on a project building an API for a Wordpress website. Richard moved quickly to make himself available and was able to find a solution and implement it quickly. He worked well, kept me updated and completed the assignment on time. I will be utilising him again next time I need a freelancer."
Alex Murrell
Founder at Veritrec
Real problems solved for founders, agencies, and growing businesses. Every project has a live URL.
Full-stack virtual post box SaaS for UK businesses — branding, colour palette, tone of voice, marketing site, subscriptions, and same-day mail scanning to a secure dashboard.
AI event matchmaking — goal-based onboarding, explainable pairing, personal agendas and white-label tools for conferences from 50 to 50,000 attendees.
Wiltshire lettings, sales, and maintenance — Directus CMS, tenant onboarding, and Max, their in-house AI assistant for enquiries and ops.
Governance-first digital health for non-surgical aesthetics — VeloraPRO for clinics, VeloraApp marketplace, and compliance-grade product prototypes.
RTS game marketing site with user login, community feature board, and custom email — built for beta sign-ups and player feedback.
Holiday let platform with custom CMS, booking, owner and cleaner ops, laundry apps — and Scout, their in-house AI with memory across calls, email, helpdesk, and WhatsApp.
Custom WordPress build for a white-label agency — housing, YASC, children's home, Roots 2 Resilience, The Y Theatre. ACF, flexible content, PHP API, SASS.
AI-powered UK company intelligence: Firecrawl web scraping, Companies House API, director networks, and AI-ready data extraction. Turns government data into a fast, usable platform.
Premium digital presence for one of the UK's leading bottled water brands. Sustainable messaging, product ranges, and People & Planet content from the Ochil Hills.
Premium digital presence for Exton Park — award-winning English sparkling wine, Exton Hall venue hire, wine club, tours and tastings. WordPress, custom theme, ACF, SASS.
Custom WordPress build for Marwell Wildlife — 140-acre zoo, tickets, membership, events, education. Built with their in-house design team. ACF, flexible content.
React and Node support for The Crystal Maze — London and Manchester. Ongoing stabilisation of their payment and booking system.
Book a free 30-minute call. No sales pitch — just an honest conversation about what you need and whether I'm the right fit.
The tools and platforms I use daily — grouped by what they mean for you.
I build beautiful sites that work
Bespoke software for your needs
Apps for your pocket
The engine room sorted
Your online address
Keep your site live 24/7
Keep the bad guys out
Keep things running smoothly
Thoughts on development, business, and the occasional personal deep-dive.
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