The whole team at HeadRed would like to say a big welcome to our new SEO Manager, Paul Thewlis.

Paul joins us from British transport institution, National Express, where for the last 2 years he worked as their E-Communications Manager. During his time client-side, he actively managed National Express’ online presence, improving their visibility through both paid and organic channels.

Paul possesses a wealth of hands-on SEO knowledge and is even a published author with his book on blogging and social media, “WordPress for Business Bloggers” - available in all good bookshops now.

Welcome to the team Paul!

The team at HeadRed would all like to say a big congratulations to PHP developer, Paul, for the arrival of his new baby daughter, Jessica, earlier this month. So far it all sounds like plain sailing with jammy Paul getting over 6 hours of sleep each night. Now back in the office following his paternity leave, Paul has a spring in his step and a smile on his face, but just how long will his luck hold out? 

Plus, it seems like the kids are catching us up. With Jessica’s arrival that makes 11 HeadRed offspring compared to our 12 full time team members. All we need to do now is train them up and we can all retire early – no pressure kids!

All of the team here at HeadRed would like to say a massive congratulations to PHP Developer, Matt, as his wife Shelley recently gave birth to twin boys, Harry and Sam.

This will no doubt mark the end of sleep as Matt knows it, but we’re confident his PHP skills won’t suffer as a result. And if they do, then there’s always Red Bull!

Congratulations Matt!

Contrary to popular belief we’re not just a bunch of out-of-shape web geeks.  Exercise and fitness aren’t dirty words at the HeadRed offices and Liam set out to prove the point this past weekend when he took part in the Coventry Half Marathon.

The annual event follows a 13.5 mile route through Coventry city centre and represents a significant personal achievement for all those who finish.

Liam trained long and hard in the weeks leading up to the event and his dedication and perspiration paid off as he succeeded in clocking a very respectable 2 hours and 7 minutes – a fantastic effort on what was his very first half marathon.

So a big congratulations to Liam. We’re all very proud of his achievement. And who knows – maybe come April we’ll be reporting further success in the prestigious London marathon. Watch this space!

Details of this year’s half marathon, including the race results in full, can be found on their website at http://coventryhalf.com/

This past Thursday I was a guest on BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire. I spoke as part of a feature called “Going for a Song” on the Mark Powlett show.

The feature, which runs daily on Mark’s show, connects with local businesses and in exchange for a song request asks that a member of staff leave the office early.

I talked to Mark about HeadRed’s past, present and future and decided to send James, our SEO Guru, home early for all his good work. In exchange Mark played my requested song “Mr Blue Sky” by the Electric Light Orchestra.

I must say that the show itself was great fun to be involved with. Mark and Sarah, his producer, were very welcoming and a real pleasure to talk to.

For those interested, Thursday’s show can still be found on BBC iPlayer, but hurry as I’m only on there for one more day!

Here at HeadRed we count ourselves thankful that 2009 has seen a big increase in the demand for PHP programming. In response to these demands we take great pleasure in introducing our new PHP developer – the man with three names, Paul David Martin.

Paul’s arrival means that, with both Danny and Chris already in situ, we possess a mighty triumvirate of PHP expertise to offer our clients.
Paul has considerable experience in the world of programming and is unique in the fact he likes to use an Apple Mac to work his magic (we’re all PC boys here).

Plus, we all reckon he looks a bit like Gaz Coombes from Supergrass!

It might be three months late, but the HeadRed team are making a concerted effort to look fine in 2009 with a new local gym membership. With the summer holidays fast approaching the lads are keen to strut their new, buff image on the beaches of the Copa Cobana and Bondi alike.

Liam has already donned his swimming cozzy and taken to the pool, whilst Rich has sampled the full force of the weight room in his new, early morning fitness regime.

I’m sure the rest of the lads will soon follow their lead, but with what must already rank as a physique comparable to Arnie in his prime I rather suspect all that needless exercise will have little effect on me.

Besides, I’m allergic to hard work. I have a note from my Mum.

Educated in the sun and sand of Bournemouth University Rob achieved his degree with BSc Hons and quickly turned his hand to development as an IT Systems Developer at the National Merchant Buying Society.

His duties at the NMBS included developing a variety of different web-based applications for both members and suppliers alike.

Leicester born and bred, Rob is a keen supporter of Leicester City, but don’t let that put you off. We’re sure that his commitment and ambition will be massive contributors in both his and HeadRed’s success in the years to come.

The successful applicant will need to hit the ground running and be able to jump straight in to our existing projects.

The position requires strong team working skills, an ability to meet deadlines, good problem solving ability and a great eye for detail.

Your programming capabilities should include some, if not all, of the following:

• • ASP or ASP.NET
• • HTML / CSS (Handcoding)
• • Dreamweaver
• • Photoshop / Fireworks
• • Javascript
• • MySQL / MSSQL

Main Responsibilites:

• • E-commerce – site builds and maintenance
• • Custom Content Management Systems (CMS)

The position is easily commutable from Birmingham, Rugby, Leamington and the surrounding Midlands areas.

This is a full-time vacancy and you will be required to work from our office in Coventry. Remote working is not applicable.

ONLY APPLICANTS WITH PERMISSION TO WORK IN THE UK WILL BE CONSIDERED.

NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE. WE HAVE A STRICT NO AGENCY POLICY.

To apply send a CV, details of your project experience along with examples/URLs to jobs@headred.net

Yes, that’s right folks. The chequered flag has been waved and the champagne thoroughly sprayed and at the end of it all it was Phil who stands as newly crowned champion of the HeadRed Grand Prix.

Granted, there were 40 other Chamber-based competitors taking part, but for us the only result that mattered was who finished top of the HeadRed pile and ensured bragging rights in the office for many weeks to come.

Besides, I have my suspicions over the eventual winner of the event as a whole. Anyone who brings their own helmet and gloves to what is largely an amateur race surely has to be put forward to the FIA for further investigation.

As it was, Phil actually finished 6th overall in a pool of over 50 drivers. Despite his valiant efforts in the final race he found it hard going from the back of the grid and had to settle with an honorable mention but no podium finish.

But what of the other HeadRed racers? Let’s have a look at the leaderboard:

1. Phil
2. Richard
3. Danny
4. James
5. Chris
6. Liam
7. Bev
8. Carl

So despite not owning a legitimate driving license James still managed to finish higher than four of us! It was very tight down the bottom with Liam, Carl and myself all separated by hundredths of seconds. Thankfully though the good Lord spared me further embarrassment as I banished the Clay Pigeon stigma with a stoic, if unspectacular, 7th place.

Hard luck Carl, but I’m afraid the dunces cap now passes to you. Make sure you keep it warm for me, because no doubt I’ll be claiming it back at the next event!