With over 15 years of experience in software testing and quality engineering, I’ve worked across a variety of roles including Test Engineer, Test Lead and Agile Coach. This journey has given me a well-rounded perspective on leadership, collaboration, and what it really takes to deliver high quality products in environments of uncertainty.
I design and implement scalable test strategies tailored for Agile and DevOps teams. My approach balances automation, exploratory testing, shift-left/shift-right practices and non-functional quality to ensure both product excellence and engineering maturity.
Beyond the technical side, I’m deeply invested in cultural change. I mentor individuals and teams to embed quality practices that accelerate delivery without sacrificing what’s “good enough.”
I’m an established conference speaker and host for events, speaking on a number of topics and also running practical workshops about diversity, exploratory testing, agile testing and testing tools.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TALKS:
- Quality Radars
- Diversity in Testing
- Selling testing into projects
- How D&D made me a Better Tester
- LGBTQIA+ History
- Exploratory Testing Workshop
WANT TO SEE MORE?
You can watch recordings of my old talks on my talks page.
I’ve been a DM for the last 15 years, running D&D campaigns across multiple editions (most recently 5th edition). By engaging players as characters and weaving narrative through descriptions and storytelling, I ensure my players have full autonomy in the worlds I create.
I was the first Dungeon Master hired by a UK charity (SurvivorsUK) to use Dungeons and Dragons in group therapy sessions.
Meet Ramone the Testing Otter
He talks about usability, acts as an awesome testing mascot and juggles rocks by the side of the river. Ramone can usually be found alongside me at events and on stage as a host and moderator.
Callum Akehurst-Ryan's Testing Blog 