Carlton McFarlane

About

I’m a CTO and hands-on builder who helps founders ship, fix, and scale web products. I’ve worked across startups, agencies, and large organisations, leading delivery from discovery through to launch and iteration. These days I do a mix of web development and fractional CTO support - practical strategy, clean execution, and calm decision-making. I’m a small business owner and investor too, so I focus on value-add over “nice-to-have” and that perfection is the enemy of progress.

Experience

• CTO · På(fyll) / Orkla Home and Personal Care11-01-2022 – 08-01-2025

  In-sourced product and engineering capability fully within four months. Scaled prototype to production with 100x increase in users and 30x increase in active customers. Built culture, workflow and processes from scratch including company handbook and values. Cultivated a cohesive, high-performing team working remotely across 10 time zones and 11 countries.

• Software Engineer · BRYTER10-01-2020 – 11-01-2022

  Acted as Performance Lead for a product unit of 11 people, driving efforts to improve working processes, the stability of E2E tests and the CI pipeline. Increased release cadence from 1-2x per week to continuous deployment. Appointed to founders' DEI sounding board and drove initiatives that improved employee wellbeing.

• Lead Developer - Front End · Rare Recruitment07-01-2017 – 04-01-2019

  Technical lead in development of UIs for various web apps and websites. Pair/team programming with backend developers. Scrum master for a remote, cross-functional team of nine. Managed roadmap with product owners and board; provided technical guidance to clients.

• Web Developer · Rare Recruitment05-01-2016 – 07-01-2017
• Policy Advisor, Quality Assurance Team · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government09-01-2014 – 01-01-2015

  Quality assurance reviews of key policy areas evaluating delivery against planned outcomes; engaging with senior staff; presenting findings to internal committees and stakeholders.

• Deputy Event Manager · Outlook Festival09-01-2008 – 09-01-2014

  UK Festival Awards - Best International Festival 2011. Outlook Festival is widely recognised as Europe’s premier festival of bass music and sound system culture.

• Associate · Rare Recruitment07-01-2013 – 07-01-2014

  Editor - Rare Rising Stars 2014.

• Director, Operations · Soundwave Croatia Music Festival01-01-2009 – 12-31-2019

  Oversaw production, operations, HR and finances for an international festival praised by publications including The Independent, The Guardian and Time Out.

• Founder / Operator · Self-Employed - Consulting and Ventures01-01-2007 –

  Founded and scaled a UK serviced accommodation business to six-figure revenue, 80%+ occupancy and a 4.93 Airbnb rating in year one.

• Consultant | Project Manager · Ilić McFarlane01-01-2007 –

  Event management, web development and consulting services provided on a pro-bono or freelance basis: • Web development • Digital product development • Project management • Event management, safety and control • Account/relationship management • Budget management and forecasting • Artist Liaison services • Street and direct marketing, promotions and press releases

Education

• SOAS University of LondonMSc Development Studies, Development Economics and International Development
• Leeds Beckett UniversityBA (Hons) Global Development and International Relations, Development Economics and International Development
• Fatih UniversityInternational Relations, International Relations
• Kingsdale ComprehensiveGCSE Mathematics, Mathematics

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