I’m a professional writer and editor based in Newcastle upon Tyne, with over a decade of experience producing high-quality content across a range of formats. Since 2011, I’ve worked at Nigel Wright Group—the North East’s leading specialist recruitment agency and Europe’s number one executive search firm for the consumer industry—where I provide content for clients and deliver digital marketing support across our UK and international offices.
Outside of my full-time role, I write for pleasure. My creative output spans music, book, film and restaurant reviews, interviews, local news features, and short fiction, published across various print and online platforms. A full portfolio is available via the links below.
To date, I’ve conducted over 160 interviews with CEOs and senior leaders across a wide range of sectors in the UK and abroad. I’ve also completed several Q&As with musicians and creatives in my spare time. My published work includes more than 150 articles, covering everything from HR and technology trends to animal rights, as well as numerous arts and culture reviews.
My copywriting experience includes case studies, press releases, editorial and advertorial content, event collateral, newsletters, and e-marketing campaigns. As a copyeditor, I’ve worked on everything from blog posts and brochures to course materials, magazines, and entire websites—proofreading, refining, and rewriting content to suit a range of audiences.
I’ve acted as editor for 12 industry magazines and several brochures, overseeing every aspect of their production. This includes planning, writing, and editing all content, designing page layouts, and selecting accompanying imagery. Each publication reached an audience of over 30,000 readers, both in print and online, across the UK and internationally.
I’m a skilled researcher with experience in both qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and desk research. I’ve written reports on employment and workplace trends, salary and benefits benchmarking, customer feedback (using NPS), and market research identifying new commercial opportunities.
Since 2021, I’ve written and edited hundreds of SEO-optimised webpages for Nigel Wright Group—content that has directly contributed to over £4+ million in sales leads. I currently manage over 3,000 unique search terms, helping to ensure the business maintains or achieves page-one rankings on Google for all key queries.
Beyond Work
When I’m not writing professionally, I’m reading. I get through several novels and non-fiction books every year—you can follow along on Goodreads.
I’ve always been obsessed with lists: monthly rankings of new singles and albums, and annual favourites across books, films, and TV. Though wary of social media, I’m keen to be part of the conversation—so I now publish these on Substack.
A lifelong animal lover and proud cat dad to Maxwell, Molko, and Bodhi, I occasionally use my writing skills to support animal welfare causes, contributing to articles and blogs for advocacy groups and related media outlets.
Background & Education
I grew up in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, and hold degrees from both Northumbria and Newcastle Universities. Before moving into marketing, I completed a teaching qualification at the University of Sunderland and taught Media and Politics at Newcastle College and TyneMet College.
In 2005, I took a trip across Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand—and enjoyed New Zealand so much I returned in 2007, eventually working as a researcher for a boutique executive search agency during a three-year stay.
Personal Life
In 2015, I married Josephine, who I met in 2012. She’s a gifted yoga teacher and founder of Happy Yoga Newcastle, Newcastle Yoga School, and the bestselling Substack newsletter Yoga For Tired People. When we’re not working—or entertaining our cats—we love discovering interesting places across the UK and Europe.
Andrew Openshaw 