Our Team
Meet our Experts
We have a growing high-calibre team of experienced software engineers, solutions architects and developers, as well as a quality management team.
Meet some of our experts below.
Nick Jennings
Management - CEO & Founder
Nick graduated with a degree in Engineering from Durham University and then gained a master’s degree in Industrial Software Design and Implementation at ETGL in Paris. That led him to Thomson-CSF where he applied his knowledge of software engineering principles to aircraft simulators. Nick moved to London where he worked in a consultancy which focused on peer-to-peer technology, before working with Netonomy which specialises in self-service systems for the telecoms industry. Since founding Separate Reality over 20 years ago, Nick has focused on creating an innovative product stack which transforms and optimises digital ecosystems.
Jill Simpson
Operations - Operations Director
After gaining a BA Hons Law degree at Nottingham University, Jill started her career in advertising on the Saatchi & Saatchi graduate placement scheme. She worked across blue chip accounts such as Visa International, Tesco, Orange, HSBC and Diet Coke, as well as award winning pro bono accounts such as NSPCC. After her maternity leave, when she also became a qualified nutritionist and spent time renovating properties, Jill is enjoying life back in the business world and the challenges of developing a fast-paced technology business. Jill oversees our business operations including HR, finance, new business and client services.
Steven Burns
Delivery - Senior Developer
Steven graduated from Newcastle University in 2012 with a BSc Hons Computer Science degree and started working for Separate Reality the same year. Joining the team as a Junior Developer Steven has built up nearly a decade of experience across many projects in the company spanning the globe, from Australia to Mexico. Most recently, as Senior Software Engineer, Steven has been heavily involved in the development of the SR-SSB Platform as well as our apps and portals, giving him a full-stack technical overview, which helps to deliver the visions of our clients.
Yassire Elhani
Solutions - Principal Solutions Architect
After a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Science, Yassire got his master’s in Information Technology and Software Development. He made a professional start as a Senior Software Developer for Maroc Telecom then acquired a worldwide experience in Africa, Europe, America and Australia for a diversity of customers, he was responsible for building and designing complex and top-quality software. A certified Java Programmer and Architect, Yassire was a member of the team who initiated and designed the SR-SSB.
Matthew Burtenshaw
Support - Software Engineer
Matthew took a roundabout way into the tech industry – graduating from Lancaster University with a BA Hons in Geography. After taking a year out and rediscovering his passion for computers and technology, he signed up for and completed an MSc in Computer Science at Newcastle University. After completing his studies, Matthew joined Separate Reality in 2014 as a graduate and never looked back! His work has been mainly focused on front-end application frameworks for our projects around the world.
Nicholas Athanasopoulos
UX Design - Software Engineer
After graduating from the University of Sunderland with a bachelor’s degree in Web and Mobile Development with First Class Honours, Nicholas began his career at Separate Reality. Nicholas has helped with the design and implementation of a number of web and mobile applications for projects around the world, including Brunei, Mexico, and the UK.
Nick Jennings
Management - CEO & Founder
Nick graduated with a degree in Engineering from Durham University and then gained a master’s degree in Industrial Software Design and Implementation at ETGL in Paris. That led him to Thomson-CSF where he applied his knowledge of software engineering principles to aircraft simulators. Nick moved to London where he worked in a consultancy which focused on peer-to-peer technology, before working with Netonomy which specialises in self-service systems for the telecoms industry. Since founding Separate Reality over 20 years ago, Nick has focused on creating an innovative product stack which transforms and optimises digital ecosystems.
Jill Simpson
Operations - Operations Director
After gaining a BA Hons Law degree at Nottingham University, Jill started her career in advertising on the Saatchi & Saatchi graduate placement scheme. She worked across blue chip accounts such as Visa International, Tesco, Orange, HSBC and Diet Coke, as well as award winning pro bono accounts such as NSPCC. After her maternity leave, when she also became a qualified nutritionist and spent time renovating properties, Jill is enjoying life back in the business world and the challenges of developing a fast-paced technology business. Jill oversees our business operations including HR, finance, new business and client services.
Steven Burns
Delivery - Senior Developer
Steven graduated from Newcastle University in 2012 with a BSc Hons Computer Science degree and started working for Separate Reality the same year. Joining the team as a Junior Developer Steven has built up nearly a decade of experience across many projects in the company spanning the globe, from Australia to Mexico. Most recently, as Senior Software Engineer, Steven has been heavily involved in the development of the SR-SSB Platform as well as our apps and portals, giving him a full-stack technical overview, which helps to deliver the visions of our clients.
Yassire Elhani
Solutions - Principal Solutions Architect
After a bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Science, Yassire got his master’s in Information Technology and Software Development. He made a professional start as a Senior Software Developer for Maroc Telecom then acquired a worldwide experience in Africa, Europe, America and Australia for a diversity of customers, he was responsible for building and designing complex and top-quality software. A certified Java Programmer and Architect, Yassire was a member of the team who initiated and designed the SR-SSB.
Matthew Burtenshaw
Support - Software Engineer
Matthew took a roundabout way into the tech industry – graduating from Lancaster University with a BA Hons in Geography. After taking a year out and rediscovering his passion for computers and technology, he signed up for and completed an MSc in Computer Science at Newcastle University. After completing his studies, Matthew joined Separate Reality in 2014 as a graduate and never looked back! His work has been mainly focused on front-end application frameworks for our projects around the world.
Nicholas Athanasopoulos
UX Design - Software Engineer
After graduating from the University of Sunderland with a bachelor’s degree in Web and Mobile Development with First Class Honours, Nicholas began his career at Separate Reality. Nicholas has helped with the design and implementation of a number of web and mobile applications for projects around the world, including Brunei, Mexico, and the UK.