A quick summary:
At Heka, we’re all about empowering organisations and employees to thrive through health-led benefits that make a real difference. We know that healthier teams are more productive, and that’s why we’re dedicated to offering tools and support that prioritise health and wellbeing. Our vision is to create a world where every employee feels empowered to take care of their health and has the resources they need to succeed not just at work, but in life too. None of this would be possible without the amazing people who make it all happen. We believe in building a positive, inclusive culture where innovation and teamwork are key, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can grow and succeed. Our team members are much more than just employees; they’re at the heart of Heka.
We’re excited to introduce you to the incredible people who make Heka what it is. Each team member brings something special to the table, helping us make a real impact. In this blog, we’re spotlighting Daryl Jones, our Senior Software Engineer, who plays a key role in developing the features that power Heka’s platform. His expertise and passion for creating innovative solutions help ensure that we continue to deliver impactful, user-friendly tools for our customers and their teams.
What’s your role at Heka?
As a Senior Software Engineer at Heka, my role involves turning new ideas into features for our platform. I collaborate with team members to brainstorm and develop these features. Some of the projects I've worked on include redesigning the user app alongside other developers, with a focus on elements like the main header bar and its animations. I also contributed to designing the account pages and the service modal, which slides in from the right. This modal required several iterations to display service details in a visually appealing way. Additionally, I worked on improving user onboarding by partnering with the customer success team to create personalised joining links and streamline the scheduling of welcome emails. I also developed a tool to assist the partnership team in reviewing updates to the brands and services available on our platform.
What excites you most about your role?
I really enjoy getting input from people and seeing how the changes I make can have a real impact. It’s awesome to watch others use and enjoy the features I’ve worked on - it feels great knowing my work is making a difference.
What’s the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge I face is dealing with the complexity that comes with having such a wide range of products and services on our site. It can be tricky to ensure everything works seamlessly together while keeping the user experience smooth, especially when managing the different features and details for each product or service.
Where do you see the future of employee wellbeing?
I see the future of employee wellbeing being centered around giving people more choice and control over what they need for their personal wellbeing. As more companies recognise the importance of supporting their employees, platforms like ours will play a key role in helping people discover the brands and services that align with their specific wellbeing goals. This will allow employees to tailor their wellbeing journey in a way that works best for them, ultimately leading to more personalised and effective support for mental, physical, and emotional health.
What is your favourite Heka benefit?
I use Heka to book experiences and products that offer a mix of adventure and relaxation. I’ve enjoyed using Virgin Experience Vouchers to book experiences, like taking my dad on a steam train breakfast for Father’s Day and visiting Chester Zoo with my fiancée. I have also used it to purchase a National Trust membership which has allowed me to explore places I wouldn’t usually visit, with Fountains Abbey being a particular highlight. I also really enjoy relaxing with a cup of Bird and Blend Chocolate Digestive Tea, and sampling different honeys from the Scottish Bee Company.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am currently in the midst of wedding planning for my upcoming wedding this summer! Outside of that, I enjoy DIY projects, playing video games, and going bouldering when I can. It’s a good mix of getting creative, relaxing, and staying active!
Do you have any interesting facts about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I went to Niagara Falls the day after visiting the Grand Canyon - two incredible sights back-to-back! I also love breakfast food so much that I think Pancake Day should be promoted to a major seasonal event. And on a more personal note, my fiancée and I designed and created our wedding website together, complete with an RSVP form, which was a really fun and meaningful project for us!
