If I were stranded on a desert island, I'd probably want long rave radio cos I love listening to music. My name is Luke Wakeling and I'm a technical sport developer for KaarbonTech. Prior to joining KaarbonTech, I did 16 years hospitality management, running restaurants, pubs, hotels. That experience I found useful in my day job because it was working with the public, working with customers, solving problems, keeping people happy. I joined the company in 2017. My first role within KaarbonTech was highway surveying. I then moved into technical support and did some CCTV data work, and then I've been writing code. What I enjoy most about working here is that no two days are the same. There's always fresh challenges. The way I've been able to develop myself, I've moved through different roles and I've gained new skills and experiences and knowledge. Some of the things I'm looking forward to are our upcoming upgrade of APIs like Open layers that will make future developments more streamlined. Outside of work, I walked my little dog Hoover. I adopted him, he came with a name, you can't change their name. If I had a fiver to spend on myself today, I might buy an ice cream. You see, I normally get a 2 scooper, like a rum and raisin and salt caramel.
Introducing Luke Wakeling, Technical Support Developer
From public-facing pub management to problem-solving behind the screen, Luke’s career path has been anything but ordinary; and that’s exactly what makes him such a key part of the KaarbonTech team.
From Hospitality to Highways
After more than 16 years managing restaurants, pubs and hotels, Luke joined KaarbonTech in 2017, initially working as a highway surveyor in Dorset. His people-focused background gave him a strong foundation for working with clients and handling the unexpected, whether out in the field or online.
A Journey Through Roles
Luke’s path through the company has taken him from CCTV data work to technical support, and now into a hybrid developer role. Today, he supports our tech team by configuring system settings, refining database functionality, and shielding the core developers from support-related tasks, a role that keeps the entire engine running smoothly.
Learning by Doing
One of Luke’s favourite parts of life at KaarbonTech is the opportunity to keep growing. Moving between roles, building his skills, and taking on new challenges has been a defining part of his journey.
Looking Ahead
Always with one eye on the future, Luke is currently focused on helping upgrade our APIs, including OpenLayers — developments that will streamline future features and open the door to even smarter tools.
Beyond the Keyboard
When he’s not refining backend functionality, Luke can be found walking his dog Hoover (a rescue pup who arrived pre-named), indulging in his love for music, or treating himself to a well-earned two-scooper ice cream - rum and raisin with salted caramel, if you’re asking.
In Luke’s Words:
“I enjoy the variety and challenges here; and the fact that I’ve been able to learn new skills and keep moving forward."