ST Albans web developer Matt Gifford has been shortlisted in the Web Developer of the Year category in this year’s .net Awards.

Now in their 13th year, the annual awards are are a celebration of the best in design and development organised by leadingindustry magazine .net.

Matt, 32, who works as a consultant for St Albans business Gorilla Works, was nominated for his development abilities as well as being recognised for his work mentoring up-and-coming professionals.

He recently established the Hertfordshire Adobe User Group, a network for design, web and software development and creative professionals in the region officially supported by software giant Adobe,

Matt said: “I was very flattered to be nominated, but then to find myself in the final three is amazing. It’s great that it is not only designers and developers in the major cities or with the big agencies that are noticed.

“There is an incredible amount of talent locally, with a lot of innovative work coming out of Hertfordshire. The university is producing a gifted next generation which adds to that. It’s exciting to come from such a professionally vibrant part of the country.”

The winners in each category will be selected from the shortlist of three by a panel of industry leaders, with the results announced at an awards evening in London on November 24.