Kirsty Burgoine

Kirsty is an Engineering Manager leading a high-performing team of engineers in the EMEA region. Based in Shropshire, UK, she brings over 15 years of experience in the web industry, having started her career as a PHP developer. Throughout her journey, she has worked with a variety of platforms, including bespoke CMSs, eCommerce solutions, and off-the-shelf CMS options, ultimately specializing in WordPress. With over six years at HM, she previously served as a Senior WordPress Engineer and the long-term technical lead for a large enterprise client.

Kirsty has consistently focused on frontend development and is dedicated to enhancing accessibility and creating truly inclusive web experiences. As an Engineering Manager, she channels this passion for inclusivity into her team, fostering a culture of cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement while mentoring engineers and nurturing strong teams.

This commitment extends beyond her professional role; for over 10 years, Kirsty has dedicated herself to building inclusive tech communities in Shropshire. Her efforts have fostered a vibrant local scene that hosts a range of events, including monthly socials, evenings of talks, and full-day web conferences.

Kirsty is also active in the WordPress community, where she helps organize meetups and WordCamps and speaks at various events. Her favorite topics revolve around accessibility and inclusivity, sharing techniques for achieving these through code. Recently, she has expanded her focus to address inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community specifically within tech.