Independent software & AI consultant

Ian Walton

Bringing practical AI into traditional businesses.

I design and build software that helps established organisations modernise systems, automate repetitive work and make better use of their operational knowledge—with a particular focus on property and other process-heavy businesses.

Discuss a project

Technical depth. Commercial context.

I understand both the software and the business it has to serve.

My experience is unusual: enterprise software engineering alongside first-hand responsibility for customers, staff, compliance, finances and day-to-day operations in the property sector.

Engineering

Software engineer

Enterprise and public-sector delivery across microservices, web applications and APIs, using disciplined practices including TDD, pairing and continuous delivery.

Commercial

Business founder

I founded and ran a residential lettings and management company, so I understand the commercial and operational realities behind a software brief.

Industry

Property specialist

My background spans residential management, housing, commercial property, compliance, contractors, client reporting and property-focused software.

How I can help

Modern technology, applied to real business problems.

The aim is not to add AI for its own sake. It is to find where better software can save time, improve consistency, reveal useful information or create a better service.

AI integration and automation

Introduce AI into existing workflows in a controlled, useful way—reducing repetitive work while keeping appropriate human oversight and reliable records.

Best for: communication, triage, knowledge work and operational workflows

Bespoke software development

Design and build web applications, internal tools, services and APIs around the way your organisation actually needs to work.

Best for: processes that generic software handles badly

Modernising existing systems

Improve fragmented or ageing systems through pragmatic integration, incremental replacement and clearer end-to-end workflow design.

Best for: established businesses with valuable legacy processes

Property technology

Apply software and AI to lettings and property management with an understanding of agents, landlords, tenants, contractors and compliance.

Best for: property businesses that need genuine domain understanding

Experience

More than code.

I can speak to technical teams, decision-makers and the people doing the work. That makes it easier to uncover the real requirement and turn it into software that fits the organisation.

Enterprise software at Capgemini

Built and supported public-sector services in regulated, audit-sensitive environments, working across Scala and Play microservices, front-end and back-end delivery.

Founded and led Portmoor

Created a residential lettings and management business, designing its operating processes, compliance controls and workflow systems while winning and retaining clients.

Property operations and analysis

Led property-management and accounts teams responsible for a portfolio of more than 1,300 properties, introduced reporting for directors, and previously produced commercial-property valuations and investment forecasts.

Current product work

Building an AI-assisted property-management platform.

I am currently applying this combination of engineering and industry experience to software built around the real conversations and workflows between agents, landlords, tenants and contractors. The emphasis is practical automation, dependable records and clear human control.

  • AI-assisted communication
  • Operational workflow design
  • Reliable evidential records
  • Human review and control

Education and perspective

Experience

  • Software engineering · 5 yearsEnterprise and public-sector software delivery since 2021
  • Property, housing and lettings · 14+ yearsExperience spanning housing, commercial property and residential management
  • Business leadership and operations · 11+ yearsSenior operational leadership followed by founding and running Portmoor
  • Commercial property and investment analysis · 2 yearsValuation, market analysis and investment forecasting

Qualifications

  • Software EngineeringMakers Academy
  • Master's in Physics with AstrophysicsUniversity of Bristol
  • Postgraduate Diploma in SurveyingUniversity of Reading
  • Certificate in Business AccountingChartered Institute of Management Accountants

Start a conversation

Could your business work better with the right software?

I am available for freelance software development, AI integration and consultancy projects.

hello@ianwalton.net