Endorsements
A selection of recommendations from people I have worked with
Pippa Durn
Writer | Editor | Charity Comms Specialist
Peter is one of the most talented, creative, inspirational writers I have ever worked with. He is experienced, wise, and knows what makes a great story. Peter is fiercely (in a good way) supportive of his colleagues and looks for solutions where there are challenges. And, to top it all, he's blinking good fun! Every team should have a Peter Shaw!
Stephen Buckley
Head of Information at Mind
It was fantastic to have been a close colleague of Peter for a number of years during our time together at YMCA England.
Peter was instrumental in changing the YMCA’s approach to communicating with its member organisations. With a combination of editorial vision, know-how and creativity, Peter increased the engagement of our members with our key corporate communications and developed a partnership approach to his work, creating trusted relationships along the way. Peter was also highly capable at seeing opportunities for his skills and his role to add value, and making that opportunity a reality. His work with YMCA England international partners and the Greenbelt festival were two areas were Peter transformed our approach to communications, telling a compelling story, deepening relationships and increasing the organisation’s impact along the way.
He’s also a joy to work with – motivated, capable and someone brings joy and humour as part of the package. I also know that any editorial feedback he might have on the text of this recommendation will be delivered with kindness and care – you are in safe hands with Peter.
Peter is an incredible, creative and can-do colleague who helps fix problems, foster new relationships and brings new dimensions to existing work. He is a highly-deployable and valuable asset.
Matt Day
Creative Director at LIQUONA agency
Matt was Peter’s client
Peter demonstrates a unique and enviable balance in his professional capabilities, which equips him as not only an exceptional editor, but also a highly effective activator in any organisation's operation.
For example Peter excels in his ability to understand and communicate through broadcast formats, always delivering punchy content, but he is just as capable when communicating with people of all seniority and roles, and I have seen him able to converse with literally anyone in the world with whom he finds himself needing to collaborate and to get the best from!
Witty, personable, astute and talented, Peter draws the very best from those he works with.
Ricarda Baldock
Business Coach | Leadership Trainer | Leadership Consultant
Ricarda worked with Peter
I have worked with Peter on many projects where I was the ‘commissioning’ project manager. The fab thing about Peter is that he is such a safe pair of hands: he is extremely smart about understanding the audience for a product, is informed or gets himself informed about the product needs and aspirations, AND he crafts beautiful and powerful content on time, on brand, spot on for the brief and certainly to an excellent quality! One thing I always especially valued, was Peter’s availability to support myself and my whole teams with any copy-related quick queries in a really efficient and helpful manner! I can wholeheartedly recommend Peter as a skilled writer, a fab team member and a superb person to work with!
Stuart Smith
Founder and Director of The Smithy Creative.
I have worked with Peter for many years, both as a colleague, and later, as a graphic design supplier.
Not only is he an exceptional writer and editor, he excels in communicating with people and teams across a whole organisation, along with external suppliers.
Peter is knowledgeable, organised, positive and funny – a valuable person for any team and employer
Rachael Adams
Communications and media expert; editing, copywriting, press and content strategy
Peter was a brilliant line manager. He not only always had my back, but worked hard to upskill me as a writer, editor and content gatherer. I learnt so much through shadowing him on Tear Times; the magazine he edits for Tearfund.
Peter is brilliant at finding the stories that matter and knowing where they best fit - whether that's in a magazine feature, in a campaign or a social media or newsletter update. The interviews he's carried out as part of content gathering trips to Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania to (to name just a few!) has led to successful campaigns and appeals. Peter really takes the time to make sure content is gathered ethically and is shared in a way that shows dignity to those whose stories are being told.
Having Peter be a part of any creative brief makes it not only a more enjoyable experience to work on, but more likely that you'll end up with something exciting and innovative to show for it too.
Seren Boyd
Media and PR at Toilet Twinning
As a freelance writer and proofreader reporting to Peter, I have always found him to be an excellent line manager: clear, fair, encouraging, organised and professional. His skills set is huge: he's also a creative thinker and excellent writer, as well as an engaging and popular team-player. A quirky original in the best possible sense of those words!
Amy Church
Head of Fundraising and Communications at Ella’s
Peter is a brilliant copywriter and editor. He has a great understanding of how to communicate with readers clearly and with authenticity, and how to convey a brand identity in a way that’s natural and engaging. Peter can write to inform, entertain, move or persuade, whatever is required. He is creative but also skilled at working to a brief.
Lloyd Kinsley
Brand and Creative Consultant / Head of Creative at Jellycat
Peter is an exceptional writer and editor but also an amazing thinker. Whether it was coming up with fresh concepts or tweaking something at the very last stage, Peter could always see in the present and beyond what was being crafted. He brings not only wisdom in his skills but wisdom in his experiences of life and travel. He's a very gifted storyteller and has the ability to sit with others and draw stories from them. I would trust Peter with any project I was working on.
Aaron Koch
Director of Migongo Films
I have worked with Peter on numerous projects over the years in his roles at Tearfund. Whether it be on overseas comms trips or collaborating on copy for various campaign films. Not only is he very creative and talented but has always been a joy to work with, bringing as sense of fun and humour to every encounter. I would have no hesitation in recommending Peter for any of your editorial, copywriting or general comms needs!
Clive Mear
Managing Director at Haynes Mear Communications Ltd
Peter has been a trusted and valued colleague and friend for many years (over 15), both during our time working at Tearfund together, and since I left, over 10 years ago, to start my own marketing production business. His sensitive approach to overseas visits, allows beneficiaries to open up about their lives in the developing world, whilst feeling comfortable and trusting him completely. Confident he will accurately inform and report fairly.
As a colleague he was supportive, generous and focussed, for ever encouraging his team colleagues, producing sector wide leading edge communications, to this day copied by many other not-for-profits. His writing style engages supporters, taking them on an immersive journey to parts of the world that they are unlikely to experience first hand themselves. He brings dignity for all those he reports on, and isn't afraid to combat important issues face on, speaking up for those who do not have a voice of their own.
A true gentleman, perfectionist, and valuable member of any editorial or creative team or partnership.
Tom Price
Commercial and editorial photographer and filmmakerCommercial and editorial photographer and filmmaker
I have been on around 40 overseas comms gathering trips and some of the best of those have been when I've worked with Peter. From start to finish, Peter is a class act. His experience shines through his exemplary planning and preparation through to his keen eye for story and empathic-yet-rigorous interview style, which takes detail seriously and naturally brings out authenticity and emotion from his subjects.
As an editor and writer, Peter is highly skilled. Whether helping others (including me) really breathe life into their stories or building his own narratives in Tear Times articles and beyond, his work never fails to cut through.
And finally, Peter is an absolute delight to travel with. His humour, his patience, his keen powers of observation make him an outstanding companion on the road.
All round, he is cut from a different cloth - a rare find of a human being; a man with great integrity and character. I highly recommend Peter - a true asset to any team, you'd be lucky to have him!
Alex Tolokonnikov
YMCA England
Peter is a natural editor and writer who creates truly engaging and original content. His storytelling is fluid and captivating. He can easily produce material on different subjects and for different audiences and platforms – both print and online. His passion for writing is obvious.
Peter is also a wonderful team player. He is someone you can always rely on to help and deliver in the most challenging situations.
