WORKING WITH PEOPLE
FOUR WORKING MODES · THREE REFERENCES
People.
Most of the work in a senior content role is done through other people. Directs when the role calls for it; contributors, agencies and cross-functional teams far more often. The discipline is the same in every case — trust, clarity, and raising the quality of work around me.
Direct reports
Rebecca Prescott as News Editor at FoodBev Media. Julian Yates as Web & UX Designer at Sorted Group. In both cases the work was less about oversight and more about enabling — creating the conditions where good work happened consistently.
Contributor networks
BankNXT contributors across global fintech — founders, analysts, working journalists. Podcast guests across FoodBev, BankNXT, ieDigital and Sorted. The editorial judgement to commission well, brief tightly and edit without flattening voice.
Agencies & specialists
External design and creative resource at Sorted. SEO and PR partners brought in-house through restructure. The discipline of being a good client — clear briefs, fast decisions, scope held without softening the standard.
Cross-cultural client teams
ieDigital, Aito (Finland), Indeed (UK operations), 11:FS, Intel, Plumery, 10x Banking. Embedded engagements where I was accountable for the editorial line while working as one node inside a larger team.
THREE VANTAGE POINTS
DIRECT REPORT
News Editor I managed at FoodBev Media
"Shaun was an exceptional line manager with the skills to teach others and project his own skills to colleagues in a proactive manner. I always felt I could not only ask for advice but be offered the advice I required in order to complete my job role to the best of my ability."
DIRECT REPORT
Web & UX Designer I managed at Sorted Group
"From day one, he made it easy to feel supported and valued. He has a rare ability to turn complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies. I genuinely learned a lot from Shaun, both professionally and personally."
CONTRIBUTOR
External specialist I commissioned at BankNXT
"Shaun is overseeing a content operation that demands attention to detail, making key judgement calls to ensure editorial quality as well as interacting with many contributors — some being world-renowned specialists. He accomplishes all that with great efficiency and diplomacy."
THE TRANSFERABLE THING
"The skill that scales from one direct report to a department is the same skill that scales from one freelance writer to a global contributor network: set the editorial line, give people clarity, and trust them to do the work well."
REFERENCES
What people have said.
Chairman, The Digital Insurer
BankNXT contributor · co-produced Big Tech Little Tech
"In the world of generative AI, we need humans like Shaun to remind us that we're not done yet."
EVP, OSF Digital
formerly CCO, ieDigital · client 2018–2022
"Shaun has consistently demonstrated an exceptional level of expertise and professionalism. He possesses a remarkable ability to craft content that meets and exceeds our expectations."
Account Executive, HubSpot
worked with Shaun at Sorted Group
"I was consistently impressed with his ability to create compelling content that truly resonated with our audience. Shaun has a rare talent for understanding the complex customer journey in the carrier management space."
Three of around 30 references on file from across my career. Full list available on request.
GET IN TOUCH
Looking for senior permanent roles in B2B technology.
Senior content and communications leadership — SaaS, fintech, trade media. Available immediately. Open to remote and to relevant on-site in the north of England. I'll happily share CV and references on request.