A designer, developer
and founder with a
lifelong instinct for building.
I'm John Walker — a multi-disciplinary designer, software engineer and entrepreneur based in the North East of England. Today I run Designed by John Walker, an independent design and software development practice crafting striking, considered websites and software with the patience of a true craft practice. I previously founded Cannyworks and SaaSGood, and have spent the last four years shaping national AI and social mobility policy alongside Microsoft, EY and the UK government.
A lifelong instinct for building — from age twelve to today.
I launched my first online business at twelve — reselling limited-supply clothing for a real return — and have been building, investing and creating ever since. By fourteen I was actively managing a diversified investment portfolio, learning to evaluate opportunities through fundamental research and a commercial lens that still shapes how I work today.
Today I run Designed by John Walker, an independent design and software development practice in the North East of England — crafting striking, considered websites and software with the patience of a true craft practice. I work directly with every client, from first sketch to launch and beyond, carrying forward the performance-first tech stack and AI integration expertise I built at my previous companies.
Before founding this practice I ran Cannyworks, a web design agency built on a unique tech stack that delivered performance faster than anyone in the country, and SaaSGood, a SaaS company where I developed and patented a revolutionary AI learning platform alongside a cost-effective lead generation tool bringing state-of-the-art AI to small businesses.
Alongside the companies I've founded, I've spent four years working with EY Foundation on national social mobility and AI policy — collaborating with Microsoft on the AI Skills Passport, shaping policy with the Social Mobility Commission and DSIT, and engaging with senior MPs, CEOs and government bodies at Parliamentary receptions and live panels.
I'm currently reading BSc (Hons) Finance and Investment Management at Northumbria University, and I bring the same obsessive attention to craft to every project I take on — whether it's a website, a SaaS product or a national policy initiative.
Companies & roles.
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2017 — 2019
E-commerce
Online Business Owner
Established and managed an online store at age 12, reselling high-demand, limited-supply clothing for significant ROI — the first spark of a lifelong entrepreneurial mindset.
- Developed foundational skills in market research, entrepreneurship and e-commerce.
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Four-plus years working with EY Foundation on national social mobility and AI initiatives, currently serving as Digital Representative on the Youth Advisory Board.
- Shaped national AI policy through the AI and Social Mobility Grand Challenge Discovery Phase with the Social Mobility Commission and DSIT.
- Collaborated with Microsoft and EY to launch a new AI Skills Passport qualification.
- Engaged with senior MPs, charities, think tanks, funders and the EY UK CEO at a Parliamentary reception.
- Featured on a live panel discussion with the EY Foundation CEO and Chief of Data & AI at BT for Digital Leaders week.
- Co-authored articles with the EY Foundation CEO on AI in recruitment.
- Represented youth perspectives in round table discussions with CEOs of EY, Centrica and Linklaters on EDI strategy and the future of work.
-
2023 — 2024
Newcastle upon Tyne
Northumbria University
Student Inclusion Consultant
Partnered with senior university leadership to advise on and advance social mobility and EDI strategies across the institution.
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2024 — 2025
Newcastle upon Tyne
Apple
Sales Specialist
Achieved the #1 ranking in business sales in the final month by identifying client needs and positioning the right solutions.
- Received a store-first "ovation award" for significant contributions to business sales performance.
- Maintained a perfect 5-star customer feedback record throughout tenure.
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2025 — Q1 2026
Cannyworks
CEO & Founder
Founded a web design agency focused on tech-heavy websites complete with AI chatbot integrations, superior design and performance speeds faster than anyone in the country.
- Built a unique tech stack delivering best-in-class performance.
- Integrated AI chatbot and automation capabilities into client sites.
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2025 — Q1 2026
SaaSGood
CEO & Founder
Founded a Software-as-a-Service company building purpose-built software products for clients and their workflows.
- Developed and patented a revolutionary AI learning platform.
- Built a comprehensive, cost-effective lead generation and outreach tool for SMEs — bringing state-of-the-art AI technology to small businesses at low cost.
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Now running an independent design and software development practice in the North East of England — crafting striking, considered websites and software with the patience of a true craft practice. Working directly with every client, from first sketch to launch and beyond.
- A focused, hands-on studio — no account managers, no hand-offs, just considered design and honest engineering.
- Carrying forward the performance-first tech stack and AI integration expertise built at Cannyworks and SaaSGood into a dedicated craft practice.
Organisations I've worked with.
From FTSE 100 and S&P 500 leadership to government departments and global tech companies — a network built through real, hands-on collaboration.
Articles, podcasts & panels.
Unlocking Potential: AI in Recruitment
EY Foundation Blog
Co-authored with the EY Foundation CEO on how artificial intelligence is reshaping recruitment and what it means for social mobility.
View PodcastCareers Unlocked Podcast
EY Foundation
Featured guest discussing the future of work, AI and social mobility — first as an Ambassador, then returning for a follow-up episode with Joanne Murphy, COO of the Chartered Banker Institute.
View VideoAI & Social Mobility Panel
YouTube
Live panel discussion on the future of AI and social mobility, alongside senior figures from EY Foundation and BT.
ViewLearning & certifications.
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne · 2023 — Present
BSc (Hons) Finance and Investment Management. First year in Accounting, Economics and Finance passed; Foundation Year in Accounting, Economics and Finance passed.
Wyke Sixth Form College
Hull · 2021 — 2023
A-Levels: Business, Core Mathematics, Economics. Extended Project Qualification: Bitcoin and Blockchain.
Certifications
- AI Skills Passport Microsoft · 2025
- Level 3 Award in Leadership & Management ILM · 2023
Selected programmes.
Competitive development programmes and assessment centres completed alongside formal study.
- Bank of America — front-office Global Markets role (offer received, passed all assessment centres)
- J.P. Morgan — reached final assessment stage (2023)
- Exeter Scholars Programme (2022)
- EY Foundation Smart Futures with 2 years mentorship (2021–2023)
- PwC Virtual Insight Week (2022)
Interests
Active personal investor with a keen interest in global economics, financial markets and emerging technologies — particularly AI.
Let's build something worth the detail.
If you have a project in mind, I'd love to hear about it. I work directly with every client — no account managers, no hand-offs.
Start a conversation