Oliver Binns

Lead Mobile Developer

A photo of Oliver in a yellow sweater

Biography

Oliver is an experienced software engineer who mainly focusses on native iOS development in Swift. He has worked on a number of mobile apps, across a range of sectors including travel, healthcare and productivity, for both the general consumer and enterprise markets. Oliver was awarded a scholarship to attend Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference in both 2015 & 16.

As well as a deep understanding of the native Apple software development, Oliver has wide-ranging knowledge of Web and wider mobile platforms. He has worked on native (Java, Kotlin) and Unity (C#) applications for Android, and has developed for a range of web-based systems (Angular, PHP, JavaScript, Python).

Oliver has an IET accredited master's degree in Computer Science from the University of York. Drawing on this background, he is able to ensure his work has a strong grounding in first principles, while observing best practices from industry. Oliver draws on his deep theoretical knowledge to quickly learn new tools and frameworks.

Posts

Jan 4, 2022

Some thoughts on Xcode Cloud

Dec 26, 2021

What I've learnt from Advent of Code 21

Dec 18, 2021

Attempting SonarQube Analysis on Xcode Cloud

Apr 28, 2021

Gitflow with Automation for Mobile Apps

Mar 26, 2021

Creating Great Enterprise Apps for iOS

Nov 25, 2020

Going iOS native with WordPress

Sep 5, 2020

Going for Gold—Taking full advantage of Apple Platforms

Jul 23, 2020

Constructing Data with Swift Result Builders

Jul 3, 2020

Building (almost) anything on Bitrise using Docker

Jun 27, 2020

Create a Tube Status home-screen Widget for iOS 14

Positions

2024

Manager

Deloitte Digital

Since Jun 2022

As a Manager at Deloitte, I have led development teams to deliver a range of products including a proof-of-concept app for the Apple Vision Pro and scaling a public-sector mobile app from the first line of code to peak at #1 Free App in both the App Store and Google Play Store with over three million downloads across both platforms.

About the Deloitte | Apple Alliance | Open Source on GitHub

Host

SwiftLounge

Since Jun 2024

SwiftLounge is the official podcast from SwiftLeeds, presented by Anna Beltrami and Oliver Binns.

Tune in for all the behind-the-scenes talk as we prepare for the next edition of the SwiftLeeds conference this October.

Available on Spotify for Podcasters | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

Speaker

App Talks Manchester

Jan 2024

Presented a talk called "What could possibly go wrong?" at App Talks Manchester.

The talk covered some historic disasters caused by software, how to design safe IT systems and creating a psychologically safe environment in development teams.

2023

Speaker

Design System Day

Oct 2023

We talked about the design system we created for GDS’s first mobile app: GOV.UK ID Check. We covered our work to adapt the GOV.UK Design System for web into a native mobile world, taking guidance from Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines, Google’s Material Design Guidelines and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Design System Day 2023 sessions

Speaker

iOSDevUK

Sep 2023

Spoke at iOSDevUK about "Turn-based games using SharePlay". A 30 minute talk on the GroupActivity API showing how to play a card game across multiple devices.

Sample code available on GitHub.

Speaker

plSwift

May 2023

Spoke at plSwift about "Scaling Mobile during a Global Pandemic". While the UK was in the grip of the unprecedented global COVID-19 crisis, we developed and ran a suite of apps deployed across 12,000 centrally managed iPhones to increase testing capacity x100, while also reducing wait times for results.

Oliver spoke about the technical details of how these apps were built and how we managed technical debt.

2022

Senior Consultant

Deloitte Digital

Sep 2020 — May 2022

As a Senior iOS Developer I led teams of developers on enterprise projects for a number of high-profile clients across the public and private sectors, including the NHS Test and Trace programme.

Outside of project roles, I am the Apple Alliance Development Lead for Deloitte North and South Europe. In this role I have been responsible for facilitating the learning of our internal development community and working with our Alliance contacts at Apple to communicate the latest platform changes to our clients.

About the Deloitte | Apple Alliance | BIMA10 Winner - COVID-19 National Testing Programme - Mobile Apps by Deloitte

Speaker

NSLondon

Jun 2022

While the UK was in the grip of the unprecedented global COVID-19 crisis, we developed and ran a suite of apps deployed across 12,000 centrally managed iPhones to increase testing capacity x100, while also reducing wait times for results.

Oliver spoke about the technical details of how these apps were built and how we managed technical debt.

2021

Lead Developer

wwdc.community

Apr — Jun 2021

As Web Lead for WWDC Community Week, I oversaw a team of developers to create the website for a major iOS community conference which coincided with the official annual Apple Worldwide Developer Conference. The website was built in React.js using Firebase and AirTable for authentication and data storage.

Under strict timelines, we were able to use agile development principles with an automated continuous integration and delivery strategy to support one of the most wide-ranging iOS community events of the year.

Go to WWDC.community

2020

Tech Lead

Little Sparks Hospital

Jun 2018 — Sep 2020

At Little Sparks Hospital, I was responsible for rebuilding the Little Journey app from the ground up using native technologies for iOS (UIKit, SceneKit, SpriteKit, Lottie) and Android (AndroidX, Lottie, Unity). I also built a bespoke backend for the Little Journey app, using the Vapor server-side Swift framework, which allows us to edit in-app content dynamically.

Consultant

Deloitte Digital

Sep 2019 — Aug 2020

As an iOS Developer in the Mobile Team at Deloitte Digital, I worked on enterprise projects for a number of high-profile clients across the public and private sectors, including the NHS Test and Trace programme.

About Deloitte's support of NHS Test & Trace

2019

App Developer

General Election 2019

Nov 2019, May 2017

Unsure who to vote for?
Use this helpful app to decide based on policies, not people.

Find out which political party you agree with the most.
You can then share your match with your friends iMessage stickers.

Download on the App Store

Full-stack developer

Amadeus

Sep 2018 — Aug 2019

In September 2018, I returned to Amadeus as a full time developer. I worked in the Data Migration team, a full stack development team working using the Scrum agile methodology to produce software using C++, Java, Angular and Python. Our aim to facilitate the transfer of new customers' PNRs, eTickets and Frequent Flyer Profiles onto the Altéa Suite, ensuring zero-downtime for travellers.

In February 2019, I joined another project working to create an iOS application written in Swift in close partnership with a major European airline.

2018

Master's Student

University of York

Sep 2013 — Jun 2018

I studied a wide-range of topics through out my degree including both hardware and software. More recently I have been studying a large amount of AI modules including neural networks and evolutionary computing. Alongside modules in Functional Programming, Software Testing and Model-Based Engineering, this year I will be completing my dissertation on using General Purpose GPU programming to enhance an existing biological simulation of immune system development.

Find out more about my Final Year (Dissertation) Project | Software Testing | Machine Learning | Evolutionary Computation Group Software Engineering Projects: Final Year | Second Year

Conductor

Vanbrugh Chamber Choir

Sep 2017 — Jun 2018

Throughout my final year at the University of York, I co-conducted the Vanbrugh College Chamber Choir alongside Sam Gavin-Pitt.
The choir performed several concerts during the year, including at the college's 50th anniversary celebration weekend.

Film Coordinator

York Student Cinema

Nov 2016 — Jun 2018

As Film Coordinator at York Student Cinema, I was responsible for arranging the film schedule and liaising with the distributer was able to deliver films on time for the 4K Cinema projector. I also planned and managed a number of immersive film events, including for Paddington 2 which won the award for Best Event at the YUSU Media Awards.

At the event, cinemagoers were submerged into the film right from their purchase of a “plane ticket” from Darkest Peru to York Student Cinema. A collaboration with SocieTEA provided “travellers” with a fantastic tea-tasting experience before the screening. This partnership gave SocieTEA exposure to YSC members and also produced an increased turnout at the cinema. The event also saw the cinema decorated with union flags and London Underground signage including the iconic “Quote of the Day”. Finally, attendees had the opportunity to indulge in Paddington’s favourite snack, marmalade sandwiches.

Support York Student Cinema

2017

App Developer

York Colleges

Aug 2015 — Sep 2017

York Colleges is the follow up from the Vanbrugh College app from September 2014. I currently have 4 out of 9 colleges at York involved, so there is still plenty of room for expansion. The app is currently available on Android, iOS and the Web.

The colleges have a back end admin panel so that they can edit their own data with regards to events, contacts and FAQs.

Hackathon

Google Hash Code

Feb 2017

2 person team with Jack Mehmet. Ranked top of hub, #685 worldwide.

More about Hash Code | See our work

2016

Developer

WWDC Scholars

May 2015 — Jun 2016

We created an app and website to showcase our WWDC Scholarship entry apps. We also gave the other scholarship winners a chance to upload their open projects onto the site.

Download on the App Store | View the Website

WWDC Scholar

Apple Developer Programme

May 2016

I was awarded a scholarship by Apple to attend their annual developer conference (WWDC) in San Francisco this June. The scholarship requirement was to make an app in Swift for any Apple Platform, demonstrating creative use of Apple technologies. This year I submitted my new app, Sunscreen, available on the app store which demonstrates integration with Apple's HealthKit, Safari View Controller, push notifications and more.

2015

WWDC Scholar

Apple Developer Programme

May 2015

I was awarded a scholarship by Apple to attend their annual developer conference (WWDC) in San Francisco this June. The scholarship requirement was to make an app in Swift for iOS.

See my code on GitHub

W/W (Waiter)

TGI Fridays

Aug 2012 — Apr 2015

While working as a waiter, I developed strong interpersonal skills as I regularly had to identify guest needs, adapting my service style for each table in order to make every individual leave the restaurant happy.

I demonstrated my ability to work independently and multitask in busy environments while not losing sight of the fact I am part of a team, noticing when colleagues were out of their depth and helping out accordingly.

2014

Web Developer

Dribble & Dabs

Jun 2014 — Jul 2014

Developed a webstore using OpenCart, an existing open source solution, for Dribble & Dabs, a baby shop in York.
Unfortunately the website has now been taken down as the store has closed down.

2013

Student

The North Halifax Grammar School

Sep 2006 — Jul 2013

A Levels: Electronics - A | Maths - A | Further Maths - B | Physics - B
AS Levels: Computing - A | Chemistry - B

2012

Company Secretary

cloud-nine

Sep 2011 — Jun 2012

I started a Young Enterprise company along with several other students from my Sixth Form college. The company was aimed at reducing the large amount of time that small children spend on computers and increasing motor skills and creativity. At the West Yorkshire Young Enterprise Final in May 2012, cloud-nine was awarded for Best Report and Accounts and Innovation and Enterprise. At the national Young Enterprise Final, cloud-nine was awarded the Human Networking Award for the best use of IT, sponsored by Cisco.

As Company Secretary, I was mainly responsible for taking minutes during board meetings, but also organised the creation of our end of year Company Report. As an IT Consultant, I was responsible for the creation and maintenance of the company’s website and various other graphic design aspects, including transforming the company’s own typeface from a paper sketch to a final true-type font.

Throughout the year I was part of a sales team on our trade-stand at various high-profile shopping centres including The Corn Exchange, Leeds and The McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, York, where we won the award for Best Sales Team.

cloud-nine on Facebook | Cisco Human Networking Award