# Antonios Pavlakis - Professional Developer Blog

> Lead Developer | PHP Backend Specialist | Software Architect | Team Lead

## About

This is the personal blog and professional portfolio of Antonios Pavlakis (MSc MBCS), a Lead Developer with 17+ years of experience in software development, specialising in PHP backend development, critical safety systems, and scalable architecture.

## Site Structure

- **Home**: Blog posts about PHP, Symfony, software development, and technical topics
- **About**: Personal introduction and community involvement
- **CV**: Comprehensive professional curriculum vitae
- **Blog Posts**: Technical articles on PHP, Symfony, Doctrine, and web development

## Professional Profile

**Name**: Antonios Pavlakis (pronounced Adoni)
**Credentials**: MSc, MBCS (Member of British Computer Society)
**Current Role**: Lead Developer at EcoOnline Global (November 2023 - Present)
**Location**: London, United Kingdom (Remote)
**Years of Experience**: 17+ years (2000-2025)

## Technical Expertise

**Core Technologies**: PHP 8+, Symfony 5/6, MySQL, Redis, Docker, AWS

**Specializations**:
- Backend Development (PHP)
- Microservices Architecture
- RESTful APIs
- Software Security & OWASP
- Performance Optimization
- CI/CD & DevOps
- Team Leadership

**Industry Focus**: SaaS Platforms, EHS (Environment, Health, Safety) Software, Lone Worker Safety Systems, Critical Safety-Critical Systems

## Professional Experience Highlights

**EcoOnline Global** (Nov 2023 - Present) - Lead Developer - Remote
- Helping to keep people safe with StaySafe Lone Worker since December 2017

**StaySafe** (Dec 2017 - Nov 2023) - Lead Developer / Senior Developer - Remote
- Note: StaySafe was acquired by EcoOnline Global in November 2023
- Led development of critical lone worker monitoring systems
- Architected scalable microservices platforms
- Managed remote development teams

**Previous Experience**:
- Senior Software Engineer at Holmes Media (UK) Ltd
- Senior PHP Developer at All Answers Ltd
- Head of Development at Go MAD Technology Ltd
- Technical positions spanning 20+ years

## Education

**MSc in Computational Intelligence and Robotics** - De Montfort University (2004-2005)
**BSc (Hons) in Computer Science** - De Montfort University (1999-2004)

## Community Involvement

- **Chair** - Leicester Greek School Parents and Carers Association (Sept 2024 - Present)
- **Chief Instructor** - Leicester Aikikai aikido martial arts school (2009 - Present, Fourth degree black belt)
- **Co-founder & Organiser** - PHPMinds (2015 - Present)
- **Former Organiser** - PHP East Midlands (5 years)
- **Part-time Lecturer** - De Montfort University (2014-2016)

## Blog Topics

The blog features technical articles on:
- PHP 8+ development and best practices
- Symfony framework implementation
- Doctrine ORM and database patterns
- Multiple entity managers with Symfony
- Doctrine Migrations upgrades
- Behat and BDD testing
- Software architecture
- Backend development patterns

## Sample Blog Posts

- Multiple Entity Managers With Symfony
- Upgrade to Doctrine Migrations 3
- Upgrade to Friends of Behat Symfony Extension

## Contact & Social

- **Website**: https://pavlakis.dev
- **LinkedIn**: https://linkedin.com/in/pavlakis
- **GitHub**: https://github.com/pavlakis
- **Twitter**: https://twitter.com/pavlakis
- **Handle**: @pavlakis

## Technical Stack (This Website)

- **Framework**: Vue.js 3
- **Build Tool**: Vite
- **Styling**: Bootstrap 5
- **Routing**: Vue Router 4
- **Hosting**: Netlify
- **Language**: JavaScript ES6+

## Professional Attributes

- Experienced in distributed teams
- Agile methodologies expert
- Strong focus on software security (OWASP)
- Test-driven development advocate
- Technical leadership and mentoring
- Bilingual: English and Greek (Native/Fluent)

## Open To

- Lead Developer positions
- Engineering Manager roles
- Principal Engineer roles
- Software Architect opportunities
- Technical Leadership positions
- Backend Engineering roles
- Contract/Consulting engagements
- Technical Advisory positions
- Remote-first companies

## Notable Projects

- StaySafe Lone Worker safety-critical monitoring system

## Keywords

PHP, Symfony, Laravel, Backend Development, Software Architecture, Microservices, REST API, Docker, AWS, MySQL, Redis, CI/CD, DevOps, Security, OWASP, Team Leadership, Remote Work, Agile, Scrum, TDD, Software Engineer, Lead Developer, Technical Leadership, EHS Software, Safety Systems

## Last Updated

December 2025

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For the most up-to-date information, visit the CV page at /antonios-pavlakis-cv or connect via LinkedIn.