In the ever-evolving world of tech, few have navigated the industry’s highs and lows with as much depth and adaptability as John Duckworth. A seasoned software developer, team leader, writer and creative thinker, John brings not only technical expertise to Ministry of Work but also a thoughtful perspective on communication, growth and balance.
“I’ve gone from coding on a ZX Spectrum to managing software development for a large multinational e-commerce business. But I’ve always come back to the craft of building things—and helping people.”
The Accidental Beginning
Like many in the tech space, John’s journey began with a spark of curiosity.
“It started with the ZX Spectrum and coding exercises from magazines. Then I forgot all about it—until uni.”
That “accidental” rekindling came via a degree in Electronic Imaging and Media Communications—an eclectic course that combined film, photography, maths, and programming just as the dot-com boom was beginning.
“At the time, getting into the web industry was actually easier than anything else. If you had some coding experience, someone wanted you.”
Riding the Rollercoaster of Tech
From his first job in web design to a pivotal role at Bentley Designs, John quickly found himself in the thick of growing development teams. After eight years helping scale that business, he took on his most significant role to date – Head of IT at Parcel2Go – a Manchester-based company that grew rapidly during his tenure.
“When I started, there were six developers. By the time I left, there were six development teams. And I was overseeing them all.”
That role blurred the lines between Head of IT and CTO, requiring him to shape the company’s tech strategy while managing recruitment, compliance and operations. It also highlighted the gap in early-stage best practices for web development.
“Scrum wasn’t the norm. Waterfall was still king. So we were making it up as we went along. Trying to figure out how to performance manage developers when the metrics don’t always make sense.”
From Leading to Crafting
After a decade in high-level leadership, John decided to recalibrate. His current role at Smart Communications sees him back in hands-on development – bug fixing, refactoring code, and supporting a global dev team across Australia and New York.
“It was about stepping back from management and reconnecting with what I enjoy. It’s given me space to think.”
Creative Curiosity and Side Projects
John is not just a developer. He’s also a writer, podcaster and advocate for mental health and communication skills. He co-hosts the sketch comedy podcast Giggle Niblets, available on Spotify, and regularly writes and performs with creatives across Manchester.
Beyond entertainment, he’s deeply interested in social skills coaching—a path driven by personal experience with social anxiety.
“It’s about helping people develop conversational confidence in everyday interactions. It’s what I’d come out of retirement to do.”
With a background in martial arts and public speaking through Toastmasters, John’s coaching approach focuses on embedding skills through practice, not just theory.
“There’s a gap in the market for practical social coaching, particularly for introverts in corporate settings. And I want to fill it.”
How He Can Help
John brings a unique perspective to the Ministry of Work community. From leading large-scale tech teams to producing creative content and running workshops, he’s a valuable sounding board for:
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Scaling and structuring development teams
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Managing developer performance and navigating tech strategy
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Podcasting, content writing and creative production
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Social skills coaching for introverts and those with anxiety
- Speech writing and presentation skills
“I’ve done the CTO thing. I’ve done the podcast thing. I’ve also made all the mistakes you want to avoid.”
What He’s Looking For
John openly admits that promotion and marketing are not his strengths.
“Marketing’s just not my thing. I hate blowing my own trumpet—but that’s what promotion feels like.”
He’s keen to collaborate with members who can offer advice or support around podcast promotion, personal branding and service design for his future coaching work.
Outside the Office
When he’s not coding or writing, John plays badminton at a local club in Boothstown and is passionate about community engagement.
“It’s not competitive, which is good because I’m not very good. And I don’t want to be. I’m just there for the joy of it.”
Best Advice He’s Ever Had
“What job would you come out of retirement to do? That’s the question I ask myself. And for me, it’s social skills coaching.”
Connect with John
You can reach John through Ministry of Work, or connect with him directly at on LinkedIn. And don’t forget to check out his podcast, Giggle Nibblets, available on Spotify and all major platforms.
