Dean Weston CMS architect, web developer & East Midlands Hat Wearer of the Year (1993).

Under the hat

About me

I’m a confident hat wearer (despite a statistically small head). Not just physically — professionally too.

I move comfortably between strategy, system design and hands-on engineering, helping organisations build digital platforms that are both elegant and sustainable.

With over a decade in the industry, my focus has shifted from pages to systems — from visuals to governance.

I design scalable CMS architectures, accessible component libraries and data-driven web experiences that perform under real-world pressure.

Good digital work isn’t just how something looks on launch day. It’s how well it functions, adapts and survives in year three.

Hats worn

What I can offer

Dean's Trilby Hat

Architect

Designing the structure behind the interface.

  • CMS ecosystems
  • Content modelling & information architecture
  • Component systems
  • Governance frameworks
Dean's Bowler hat

Engineer

Building systems that perform under pressure.

  • Component libraries
  • Performance optimisation
  • Analytics & data layer integration
  • Structured data implementation
Dean's Stetson hat

Sheriff

Keeping platforms compliant, consistent and sustainable.

  • Accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA)
  • Design system governance
  • Editorial workflows
  • CMS lifecycle risk management

Hard-Hat

Past work

I've spent the majority of my career within higher education digital teams, working inside complex CMS ecosystems and multi-stakeholder environments.

University of Leicester

Front-End Developer 2022 – Present

Reengineering and evolving features within a large-scale higher education CMS estate, with a focus on accessibility, performance and data-informed decision making.

Selected contributions
  • Modernised legacy components to improve accessibility compliance and Core Web Vitals performance
  • Designed reusable CMS components aligned with structured content and design system principles
  • Implemented analytics enhancements using GA4 and GTM to support measurable outcomes
  • Delivered maintainable front-end solutions within a complex enterprise environment
  • Improved user experience for University Chat bot interface
  • Sitecore
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • ASP.Net
  • Razor
  • React
  • Node

De Montfort University

Web Designer & Developer 2019 – 2022

Contributed to the evolution of the university’s digital estate, delivering accessible and responsive web solutions within a CMS-driven platform.

Selected contributions
  • Developed and maintained CMS templates and front-end components
  • Improved accessibility and usability across key journeys
  • Delivered recruitment and campaign-focused microsites
  • Supported structured CMS workflows and platform enhancements
  • Contributed to performance optimisation initiatives
  • Contensis
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • ASP.Net
  • Razor
  • Google Analytics

Birmingham City University

Web Interface Designer 2012 – 2019

Led user interface design and front-end standards across public websites, intranet platforms and internal systems.

Selected contributions
  • Designed and implemented a cross-platform design system
  • Authored front-end standards and documentation
  • Delivered bespoke CMS components and features
  • Balanced brand, accessibility and technical constraints across teams
  • Improved user journeys across student-facing mobile app, website and other digital systems
  • ASP.Net
  • Razor
  • Javascript
  • CSS
  • LESS
  • GIT
  • Xamarin.Forms
  • Scrum

Coventry University

Web Designer 2007 – 2012

Joined during a major transition to Microsoft SharePoint as the platform for internal and external communications.

Selected contributions
  • Extended web content management capabilities within SharePoint
  • Delivered scalable internal and external communication platforms
  • Conceptualised and implemented digital marketing campaigns across web and emerging media
  • Bridged marketing objectives with technical constraints
  • HTML
  • Javascript
  • CSS
  • Sharepoint
  • XSLT
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Tag Manager

VIS Communications Ltd

Web Designer 2000 – 2007

Worked across website and web application development during the company’s transition from agency work to education-sector product development. The company was later folded into the research arm of UCAS Media.

Selected contributions
  • Designed and developed application interfaces and branded themes
  • Defined project briefs and conducted functional analysis
  • Built database-driven ASP and SQL websites
  • Developed standards-compliant XHTML/CSS front-end systems
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Javascript
  • ASP
  • SQL
  • ActionScript

Thinking Cap

Notes & Musings

I am currently in the process of creating a micro blog.

Check back soon for a short read...

Hi-Hat

Noteable Achievements

  • Part of a Coventry University team that was Highly Commended at HEIST AWARDS 2010 for ‘Best Innovation and Creative Thinking Campaign’ for the Integrated Use of Emerging Media Platforms Project, which involved early adoption of Apples iTunesU platform and YouTube channel marketing.
  • Educational based careers advise CD-ROM, that I designed and developed while working at VIS Communications called “Moving On”, received a BECTA ICT Excellence Award.
  • When I was 10 I won a competition to design a poster for the “Keep Leicester Tidy” campaign. The poster was mass-produced for use by Leicester City Council. I got my picture in the local paper and I got to lord it over Sean Greenwood - In your face Sean Greenwood!