Darren Astles | IT Expert & Lead Software Developer
IT expert with 40+ years of hands-on experience – from BBC Micros to award-winning games to enterprise IT systems.
Role: IT Expert, Managing Director & Lead Software Developer at Amita
About Darren
Darren Astles is an IT expert who has been writing code since 1979, for over four decades, long before most people had ever seen a computer.
His introduction to programming came in 1979 with the Xerox Diablo 3000, followed by a Commodore Vic20 in 1980, where he learned to code in VIC Basic. Without the ability to save his work, he had to write programs from scratch each time, a discipline that quickly sharpened his skills. By 1984, aged just 17, Darren was already making an impact professionally.
He founded Amita in 2003 and splits his time between hands-on software development and running the business. His career spans contract work with the BBC, Shell, Ministry of Defence, Cap Gemini, Iceland, and The Boots Group.
Between 2000–2005, Darren contributed to the award-winning X-Universe game series. X2: The Threat won a Golden Joystick Award and was called “the best space game ever” by PC Zone UK.
Latest Posts
Why Darren Writes
Darren creates content that answers the questions keeping business owners up at night:
“I try to write content that’s relevant to answering a question someone may have – like ‘How do I switch IT providers?’ or reassuring someone who’s just been hit by ransomware that recovery is possible.”
His writing draws on real experience from hundreds of projects, not theory. When Darren writes about IT challenges, he’s lived them.
Beyond the Code
When he’s not solving IT challenges, Darren is a qualified solo cave diver who has explored underwater caves and deep WW2 wrecks around the world. He keeps fit for diving through Muay Thai training, boxing, squash, and long walks with his dog, Loki.
Connect with Darren
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/darren-astles-720b8312
Wikipedia (Games Work): X2: The Threat
Amazon: X-Universe: One
Talk to an IT Expert
With 40+ years of hands-on experience, Darren and the Amita team have seen it all – from legacy system migrations to ransomware recovery. If you’ve got an IT challenge, let’s talk.