Meet the Team - Arran Bell

Meet Arran, a Software Engineer here at KUDO. After deciding to switch career paths, he worked his way through university and earned a degree in Software Engineering. Now, he plays a key role in UI design and feature development. We asked Arran a few questions about himself and his development into his role today.

How did you get into this industry?

To be honest, I never thought I’d become a Software Engineer. I originally wanted to be a teacher or lecturer, which is ironic given how poorly I did in school! With barely any grades to show for it, except an A in higher woodworking, I decided at 20 to return to college and pursue a career in software.

Starting with no knowledge of software and no grades, I had to rely on willpower, dedication, and the support of friends and family to get myself through college and then University, ultimately earning a first-class degree in Software Engineering. It’s been a challenging journey, but one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.

What does a typical day of work look like for you?

My day revolves around feature-based development. I’m one of the few masochists in the team who enjoys UI design, so my experience with features is a bit broader as I’m either:

• Designing the UI for the new features working closely with stake holders and business analysts to ensure all our requirements are captured.

• Implementing new features and improving existing ones in our apps.

• Sometimes it’s both!

What was your career path to the role you are in now?

I started out as an intern at Natural Power in January 2022. By June of the same year, I was offered a full-time role at Natural Power, and when KUDO spun out in January 2024, I transitioned to a full-time position at KUDO, where I’ve been ever since!

What is an after-work hobby of yours?

My evenings usually involve sitting at my desk playing games, whether I’m any good or not is up for debate! But before that, for seven years, my main after-work hobby was amateur boxing. I trained for years, but injuries meant I never got the chance to compete. My shoulder and pectoral muscle were pretty messed up, and they just kept holding me back.

What do you enjoy most about working for KUDO?

The culture. We have a great, diverse team at KUDO, and from the top down, we all work to the best of our abilities whilst still finding the time to enjoy ourselves in the process.

What career advice would you give someone wanting to be in your role?

It’s important to know that it’s okay to “stand still”. Coming from a high-paced work environment where taking a small breather was often scrutinised, I find it hard not to work as quickly as possible and dislike stopping. But sometimes, it’s necessary to pause, take in your surroundings, regroup and approach a problem with a clear mind. Just because you’re “doing nothing” doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I’d love to visit Austria or France for the chance to snowboard again. Back in my teens, I used to really enjoy it, but all my snowboarding was indoors at Xscape in Braehead’s indoor snow centre. I’ve never actually had a full day on real slopes, so it would be amazing to finally experience that.