Colleague spotlight: say hello to Josh Allen
In August’s colleague spotlight, Josh Allen, Technical Lead at Leighton shares insights into his role, his journey into web development and what keeps him inspired in his work and beyond the screen.
As a Technical Lead, my responsibilities include defining and maintaining the team’s current technical vision and standards, while guiding key design and architectural decisions. On my current project with British Airways, where I’ve been contributing for over seven years, I focus on ensuring consistency with the company’s style guide and design language. This involves close collaboration with Product Owners and Designers to align technical implementation with user experience goals.
Much of my current work centres around modernising and reskinning the management program flow, updating it with the latest global experience language components, and ensuring it reflects British Airways’ evolving design system. By doing so, I help maintain a seamless, high-quality user experience that aligns with both business and brand standards.
I’ve been at Leighton for just over eight years, before joining I felt somewhat stagnated in my previous role as a Software Engineer at an oil and gas firm. This was my first position after graduating from university and lasted just under two years. While the experience was valuable, it involved a lot of introductory work with Word Press and JavaScript, without exposure to frameworks or more complex projects.
Joining Leighton was a deliberate move to broaden my horizons, deepen my technical skills, and work with a wider range of technologies with the promise of opportunities for growth and development. It also offered the added benefit of being closer to home, making it the right step forward in both my professional growth and personal circumstances.
I fell into it more than anything. I studied Computing at university and developed a strong interest in web development during that time. Throughout the course I focused heavily on JavaScript and jQuery, along with the fundamentals of HTML and CSS. Those early interests grew into a genuine passion for building engaging, user-focused applications.
Those same interests stayed with me ever since. I enjoy being able to showcase my work, and I take pride in creating solutions that not only function well but also look and feel great for the end user. For me, web development has always been about combining creativity with problem-solving, and that’s what continues to drive me today.
Earlier on in my career it was the ability to use Google effectively. It may sound simple, but it’s really about knowing where to find the right information and how to apply it. It’s impossible to memorise every single JavaScript function or CSS selector, and early on at university I used to be a bit of a purist – I saw using Google as almost “cheating.” Over time, I’ve learned that leveraging the right resources is not just acceptable, it’s essential to working efficiently and solving problems.
Equally as important are people and listening skills. It’s obvious but being able to take in what others are saying, evaluate their perspectives against your own, and adapt is crucial in this line of work. At the same time, it’s just as important to speak up at the right moments and ensure your voice is heard. Striking that balance – listening thoughtfully while contributing confidently, is what enables strong collaboration and ultimately leads to better outcomes to the team and the product.
When we initially launched the ‘Manage My Booking’ beta for British Airways, a self-service feature that allows passengers to view and manage their travel details online after making a reservation. At the time, the existing system was very outdated, and this was the first major global experience project the team had done. We were fortunate enough to have a Project Manager with a design background, which meant we had clear expectations for how the experience should look and feel from a customers’ perspective.
The beta was released internally, and the initial buzz among staff was really encouraging. Once we gathered their feedback and rolled it out publicly, the impact was incredible. Within just two weeks, hundreds of thousands of customers were using the new system – finally experiencing the improvements we had been working hard to deliver. Seeing that level of adoption and knowing the scale of the customer base benefitting from our work was a real career highlight.
My team and the people I get to work with. The nature of the work may often be similar but it’s the talented individuals I collaborate with each day that make it truly enjoyable. Even on the tougher days, it only takes one person to crack a joke to lift the mood and remind us that we’re all in it together. That sense of camaraderie makes a huge difference and is a big part of why I enjoy what I do.
One of the things I value most is the flexibility. Leighton is a genuine advocate for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and that makes a huge difference day to day. As a parent with two young children, the ability to adjust my schedule so I can both look after them and continue progressing in my career is invaluable. That level of trust and support is one of the many reasons Leighton is such an attractive place to work – it allows me to give my best both at home and at work.
I’ve had loads of great memories over the last eight years, with plenty that stand out. The last company day at Spanish City was definitely a highlight, but looking back some of my favourite moments were actually pre-covid. While working from home and having that flexibility has been a real positive, some of the best times were spent in our old office, the banter and the shared laughs are the things that stay with me the most.
I would love to complete some AWS certifications. I already have a number of accreditations under my belt, but I’m eager to take the next step and sit the full certifications. There’s a big internal push to get as many Leighton colleagues as possible certified with AWS, which is a huge benefit for the business as a whole.
For me though, it’s not just about the business impact –it’s about continuously improving my own skills. AWS is constantly evolving, and I want to make sure I’m staying up to date, pushing myself technically, and positioning myself to take on more complex challenges in the future.
I can solve a Rubik's Cube in under 42 seconds.
I have two young sons, so I try and spend as much time with them as possible. Away from that, I love to cook. My signature dish is a carbonara.
How many different people I need to communicate with on a daily basis. It’s not just about writing code, I’m in constant contact with Business Analysts, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and other stakeholders across the business and project. The amount of collaboration and communication involved is much bigger than most people would expect, but it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of the role because it keeps everything aligned and moving in the right direction.
Don’t be afraid to break it. If you can break it, you can put it back together and figure out why it’s broken.
Absorb as much as you can from people who know more. It’s a lesson I learned very quickly when I first joined Leighton. We had a lot of experienced developers on the team, so I made a point of staying close to them, asking questions, and observing how they approached problems. By doing that, I picked up not just technical skills in web development, but also a deeper understanding of the project I was working on, best practices for collaboration, and ways to approach challenges efficiently. It taught me the value of learning from others and how much faster you can grow when you take every opportunity to absorb knowledge from those around you.
In August’s colleague spotlight, Josh Allen, Technical Lead at Leighton shares insights into his role, his journey into web development and what keeps him inspired in his work and beyond the screen.
As a Technical Lead, my responsibilities include defining and maintaining the team’s current technical vision and standards, while guiding key design and architectural decisions. On my current project with British Airways, where I’ve been contributing for over seven years, I focus on ensuring consistency with the company’s style guide and design language. This involves close collaboration with Product Owners and Designers to align technical implementation with user experience goals.
Much of my current work centres around modernising and reskinning the management program flow, updating it with the latest global experience language components, and ensuring it reflects British Airways’ evolving design system. By doing so, I help maintain a seamless, high-quality user experience that aligns with both business and brand standards.
I’ve been at Leighton for just over eight years, before joining I felt somewhat stagnated in my previous role as a Software Engineer at an oil and gas firm. This was my first position after graduating from university and lasted just under two years. While the experience was valuable, it involved a lot of introductory work with Word Press and JavaScript, without exposure to frameworks or more complex projects.
Joining Leighton was a deliberate move to broaden my horizons, deepen my technical skills, and work with a wider range of technologies with the promise of opportunities for growth and development. It also offered the added benefit of being closer to home, making it the right step forward in both my professional growth and personal circumstances.
I fell into it more than anything. I studied Computing at university and developed a strong interest in web development during that time. Throughout the course I focused heavily on JavaScript and jQuery, along with the fundamentals of HTML and CSS. Those early interests grew into a genuine passion for building engaging, user-focused applications.
Those same interests stayed with me ever since. I enjoy being able to showcase my work, and I take pride in creating solutions that not only function well but also look and feel great for the end user. For me, web development has always been about combining creativity with problem-solving, and that’s what continues to drive me today.
Earlier on in my career it was the ability to use Google effectively. It may sound simple, but it’s really about knowing where to find the right information and how to apply it. It’s impossible to memorise every single JavaScript function or CSS selector, and early on at university I used to be a bit of a purist – I saw using Google as almost “cheating.” Over time, I’ve learned that leveraging the right resources is not just acceptable, it’s essential to working efficiently and solving problems.
Equally as important are people and listening skills. It’s obvious but being able to take in what others are saying, evaluate their perspectives against your own, and adapt is crucial in this line of work. At the same time, it’s just as important to speak up at the right moments and ensure your voice is heard. Striking that balance – listening thoughtfully while contributing confidently, is what enables strong collaboration and ultimately leads to better outcomes to the team and the product.
When we initially launched the ‘Manage My Booking’ beta for British Airways, a self-service feature that allows passengers to view and manage their travel details online after making a reservation. At the time, the existing system was very outdated, and this was the first major global experience project the team had done. We were fortunate enough to have a Project Manager with a design background, which meant we had clear expectations for how the experience should look and feel from a customers’ perspective.
The beta was released internally, and the initial buzz among staff was really encouraging. Once we gathered their feedback and rolled it out publicly, the impact was incredible. Within just two weeks, hundreds of thousands of customers were using the new system – finally experiencing the improvements we had been working hard to deliver. Seeing that level of adoption and knowing the scale of the customer base benefitting from our work was a real career highlight.
My team and the people I get to work with. The nature of the work may often be similar but it’s the talented individuals I collaborate with each day that make it truly enjoyable. Even on the tougher days, it only takes one person to crack a joke to lift the mood and remind us that we’re all in it together. That sense of camaraderie makes a huge difference and is a big part of why I enjoy what I do.
One of the things I value most is the flexibility. Leighton is a genuine advocate for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and that makes a huge difference day to day. As a parent with two young children, the ability to adjust my schedule so I can both look after them and continue progressing in my career is invaluable. That level of trust and support is one of the many reasons Leighton is such an attractive place to work – it allows me to give my best both at home and at work.
I’ve had loads of great memories over the last eight years, with plenty that stand out. The last company day at Spanish City was definitely a highlight, but looking back some of my favourite moments were actually pre-covid. While working from home and having that flexibility has been a real positive, some of the best times were spent in our old office, the banter and the shared laughs are the things that stay with me the most.
I would love to complete some AWS certifications. I already have a number of accreditations under my belt, but I’m eager to take the next step and sit the full certifications. There’s a big internal push to get as many Leighton colleagues as possible certified with AWS, which is a huge benefit for the business as a whole.
For me though, it’s not just about the business impact –it’s about continuously improving my own skills. AWS is constantly evolving, and I want to make sure I’m staying up to date, pushing myself technically, and positioning myself to take on more complex challenges in the future.
I can solve a Rubik's Cube in under 42 seconds.
I have two young sons, so I try and spend as much time with them as possible. Away from that, I love to cook. My signature dish is a carbonara.
How many different people I need to communicate with on a daily basis. It’s not just about writing code, I’m in constant contact with Business Analysts, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and other stakeholders across the business and project. The amount of collaboration and communication involved is much bigger than most people would expect, but it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of the role because it keeps everything aligned and moving in the right direction.
Don’t be afraid to break it. If you can break it, you can put it back together and figure out why it’s broken.
Absorb as much as you can from people who know more. It’s a lesson I learned very quickly when I first joined Leighton. We had a lot of experienced developers on the team, so I made a point of staying close to them, asking questions, and observing how they approached problems. By doing that, I picked up not just technical skills in web development, but also a deeper understanding of the project I was working on, best practices for collaboration, and ways to approach challenges efficiently. It taught me the value of learning from others and how much faster you can grow when you take every opportunity to absorb knowledge from those around you.
In August’s colleague spotlight, Josh Allen, Technical Lead at Leighton shares insights into his role, his journey into web development and what keeps him inspired in his work and beyond the screen.
As a Technical Lead, my responsibilities include defining and maintaining the team’s current technical vision and standards, while guiding key design and architectural decisions. On my current project with British Airways, where I’ve been contributing for over seven years, I focus on ensuring consistency with the company’s style guide and design language. This involves close collaboration with Product Owners and Designers to align technical implementation with user experience goals.
Much of my current work centres around modernising and reskinning the management program flow, updating it with the latest global experience language components, and ensuring it reflects British Airways’ evolving design system. By doing so, I help maintain a seamless, high-quality user experience that aligns with both business and brand standards.
I’ve been at Leighton for just over eight years, before joining I felt somewhat stagnated in my previous role as a Software Engineer at an oil and gas firm. This was my first position after graduating from university and lasted just under two years. While the experience was valuable, it involved a lot of introductory work with Word Press and JavaScript, without exposure to frameworks or more complex projects.
Joining Leighton was a deliberate move to broaden my horizons, deepen my technical skills, and work with a wider range of technologies with the promise of opportunities for growth and development. It also offered the added benefit of being closer to home, making it the right step forward in both my professional growth and personal circumstances.
I fell into it more than anything. I studied Computing at university and developed a strong interest in web development during that time. Throughout the course I focused heavily on JavaScript and jQuery, along with the fundamentals of HTML and CSS. Those early interests grew into a genuine passion for building engaging, user-focused applications.
Those same interests stayed with me ever since. I enjoy being able to showcase my work, and I take pride in creating solutions that not only function well but also look and feel great for the end user. For me, web development has always been about combining creativity with problem-solving, and that’s what continues to drive me today.
Earlier on in my career it was the ability to use Google effectively. It may sound simple, but it’s really about knowing where to find the right information and how to apply it. It’s impossible to memorise every single JavaScript function or CSS selector, and early on at university I used to be a bit of a purist – I saw using Google as almost “cheating.” Over time, I’ve learned that leveraging the right resources is not just acceptable, it’s essential to working efficiently and solving problems.
Equally as important are people and listening skills. It’s obvious but being able to take in what others are saying, evaluate their perspectives against your own, and adapt is crucial in this line of work. At the same time, it’s just as important to speak up at the right moments and ensure your voice is heard. Striking that balance – listening thoughtfully while contributing confidently, is what enables strong collaboration and ultimately leads to better outcomes to the team and the product.
When we initially launched the ‘Manage My Booking’ beta for British Airways, a self-service feature that allows passengers to view and manage their travel details online after making a reservation. At the time, the existing system was very outdated, and this was the first major global experience project the team had done. We were fortunate enough to have a Project Manager with a design background, which meant we had clear expectations for how the experience should look and feel from a customers’ perspective.
The beta was released internally, and the initial buzz among staff was really encouraging. Once we gathered their feedback and rolled it out publicly, the impact was incredible. Within just two weeks, hundreds of thousands of customers were using the new system – finally experiencing the improvements we had been working hard to deliver. Seeing that level of adoption and knowing the scale of the customer base benefitting from our work was a real career highlight.
My team and the people I get to work with. The nature of the work may often be similar but it’s the talented individuals I collaborate with each day that make it truly enjoyable. Even on the tougher days, it only takes one person to crack a joke to lift the mood and remind us that we’re all in it together. That sense of camaraderie makes a huge difference and is a big part of why I enjoy what I do.
One of the things I value most is the flexibility. Leighton is a genuine advocate for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and that makes a huge difference day to day. As a parent with two young children, the ability to adjust my schedule so I can both look after them and continue progressing in my career is invaluable. That level of trust and support is one of the many reasons Leighton is such an attractive place to work – it allows me to give my best both at home and at work.
I’ve had loads of great memories over the last eight years, with plenty that stand out. The last company day at Spanish City was definitely a highlight, but looking back some of my favourite moments were actually pre-covid. While working from home and having that flexibility has been a real positive, some of the best times were spent in our old office, the banter and the shared laughs are the things that stay with me the most.
I would love to complete some AWS certifications. I already have a number of accreditations under my belt, but I’m eager to take the next step and sit the full certifications. There’s a big internal push to get as many Leighton colleagues as possible certified with AWS, which is a huge benefit for the business as a whole.
For me though, it’s not just about the business impact –it’s about continuously improving my own skills. AWS is constantly evolving, and I want to make sure I’m staying up to date, pushing myself technically, and positioning myself to take on more complex challenges in the future.
I can solve a Rubik's Cube in under 42 seconds.
I have two young sons, so I try and spend as much time with them as possible. Away from that, I love to cook. My signature dish is a carbonara.
How many different people I need to communicate with on a daily basis. It’s not just about writing code, I’m in constant contact with Business Analysts, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and other stakeholders across the business and project. The amount of collaboration and communication involved is much bigger than most people would expect, but it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of the role because it keeps everything aligned and moving in the right direction.
Don’t be afraid to break it. If you can break it, you can put it back together and figure out why it’s broken.
Absorb as much as you can from people who know more. It’s a lesson I learned very quickly when I first joined Leighton. We had a lot of experienced developers on the team, so I made a point of staying close to them, asking questions, and observing how they approached problems. By doing that, I picked up not just technical skills in web development, but also a deeper understanding of the project I was working on, best practices for collaboration, and ways to approach challenges efficiently. It taught me the value of learning from others and how much faster you can grow when you take every opportunity to absorb knowledge from those around you.
In August’s colleague spotlight, Josh Allen, Technical Lead at Leighton shares insights into his role, his journey into web development and what keeps him inspired in his work and beyond the screen.
As a Technical Lead, my responsibilities include defining and maintaining the team’s current technical vision and standards, while guiding key design and architectural decisions. On my current project with British Airways, where I’ve been contributing for over seven years, I focus on ensuring consistency with the company’s style guide and design language. This involves close collaboration with Product Owners and Designers to align technical implementation with user experience goals.
Much of my current work centres around modernising and reskinning the management program flow, updating it with the latest global experience language components, and ensuring it reflects British Airways’ evolving design system. By doing so, I help maintain a seamless, high-quality user experience that aligns with both business and brand standards.
I’ve been at Leighton for just over eight years, before joining I felt somewhat stagnated in my previous role as a Software Engineer at an oil and gas firm. This was my first position after graduating from university and lasted just under two years. While the experience was valuable, it involved a lot of introductory work with Word Press and JavaScript, without exposure to frameworks or more complex projects.
Joining Leighton was a deliberate move to broaden my horizons, deepen my technical skills, and work with a wider range of technologies with the promise of opportunities for growth and development. It also offered the added benefit of being closer to home, making it the right step forward in both my professional growth and personal circumstances.
I fell into it more than anything. I studied Computing at university and developed a strong interest in web development during that time. Throughout the course I focused heavily on JavaScript and jQuery, along with the fundamentals of HTML and CSS. Those early interests grew into a genuine passion for building engaging, user-focused applications.
Those same interests stayed with me ever since. I enjoy being able to showcase my work, and I take pride in creating solutions that not only function well but also look and feel great for the end user. For me, web development has always been about combining creativity with problem-solving, and that’s what continues to drive me today.
Earlier on in my career it was the ability to use Google effectively. It may sound simple, but it’s really about knowing where to find the right information and how to apply it. It’s impossible to memorise every single JavaScript function or CSS selector, and early on at university I used to be a bit of a purist – I saw using Google as almost “cheating.” Over time, I’ve learned that leveraging the right resources is not just acceptable, it’s essential to working efficiently and solving problems.
Equally as important are people and listening skills. It’s obvious but being able to take in what others are saying, evaluate their perspectives against your own, and adapt is crucial in this line of work. At the same time, it’s just as important to speak up at the right moments and ensure your voice is heard. Striking that balance – listening thoughtfully while contributing confidently, is what enables strong collaboration and ultimately leads to better outcomes to the team and the product.
When we initially launched the ‘Manage My Booking’ beta for British Airways, a self-service feature that allows passengers to view and manage their travel details online after making a reservation. At the time, the existing system was very outdated, and this was the first major global experience project the team had done. We were fortunate enough to have a Project Manager with a design background, which meant we had clear expectations for how the experience should look and feel from a customers’ perspective.
The beta was released internally, and the initial buzz among staff was really encouraging. Once we gathered their feedback and rolled it out publicly, the impact was incredible. Within just two weeks, hundreds of thousands of customers were using the new system – finally experiencing the improvements we had been working hard to deliver. Seeing that level of adoption and knowing the scale of the customer base benefitting from our work was a real career highlight.
My team and the people I get to work with. The nature of the work may often be similar but it’s the talented individuals I collaborate with each day that make it truly enjoyable. Even on the tougher days, it only takes one person to crack a joke to lift the mood and remind us that we’re all in it together. That sense of camaraderie makes a huge difference and is a big part of why I enjoy what I do.
One of the things I value most is the flexibility. Leighton is a genuine advocate for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and that makes a huge difference day to day. As a parent with two young children, the ability to adjust my schedule so I can both look after them and continue progressing in my career is invaluable. That level of trust and support is one of the many reasons Leighton is such an attractive place to work – it allows me to give my best both at home and at work.
I’ve had loads of great memories over the last eight years, with plenty that stand out. The last company day at Spanish City was definitely a highlight, but looking back some of my favourite moments were actually pre-covid. While working from home and having that flexibility has been a real positive, some of the best times were spent in our old office, the banter and the shared laughs are the things that stay with me the most.
I would love to complete some AWS certifications. I already have a number of accreditations under my belt, but I’m eager to take the next step and sit the full certifications. There’s a big internal push to get as many Leighton colleagues as possible certified with AWS, which is a huge benefit for the business as a whole.
For me though, it’s not just about the business impact –it’s about continuously improving my own skills. AWS is constantly evolving, and I want to make sure I’m staying up to date, pushing myself technically, and positioning myself to take on more complex challenges in the future.
I can solve a Rubik's Cube in under 42 seconds.
I have two young sons, so I try and spend as much time with them as possible. Away from that, I love to cook. My signature dish is a carbonara.
How many different people I need to communicate with on a daily basis. It’s not just about writing code, I’m in constant contact with Business Analysts, Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and other stakeholders across the business and project. The amount of collaboration and communication involved is much bigger than most people would expect, but it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of the role because it keeps everything aligned and moving in the right direction.
Don’t be afraid to break it. If you can break it, you can put it back together and figure out why it’s broken.
Absorb as much as you can from people who know more. It’s a lesson I learned very quickly when I first joined Leighton. We had a lot of experienced developers on the team, so I made a point of staying close to them, asking questions, and observing how they approached problems. By doing that, I picked up not just technical skills in web development, but also a deeper understanding of the project I was working on, best practices for collaboration, and ways to approach challenges efficiently. It taught me the value of learning from others and how much faster you can grow when you take every opportunity to absorb knowledge from those around you.
