It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.

While I would certainly never attempt to reach those Gibb brothers high notes, I do share their sentiment and so, if it’s words you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

I was commissioned by one of the UK’s leading contemporary visual arts centres to research, liaise with staff and write the 2009–10 annual report. This was the first time an external copywriter had been used and they chose to do so because it was absolutely vital to get the content right in order to really justify the organisation’s funding in the face of increasing arts sector cuts.

It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.

While I would certainly never attempt to reach those Gibb brothers high notes, I do share their sentiment and so, if it’s words you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

I was commissioned by one of the UK’s largest NHS specialist cancer treatment facilities to liaise with experts, research and write all of the content for a new website, including turning extremely complex cancer trial information into understandable, user-friendly web copy.

It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.

While I would certainly never attempt to reach those Gibb brothers high notes, I do share their sentiment and so, if it’s words you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

I have researched, written and edited a wide variety of materials for this third sector charity, including the 2009/10 annual report, voluntary sector case studies and stakeholder/funders reports.

It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.

While I would certainly never attempt to reach those Gibb brothers high notes, I do share their sentiment and so, if it’s words you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

One area in which I have gained much experience is supporting large global companies such as Carillion, BAM Nuttall, Miller Construction, G4S, Bombardier Transportation and AMEC Nuclear in the preparation, writing, editing and proofreading of tender bids, often for major contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Since 2007 I have worked with various divisions of Carillion PLC all over the UK on a wide range of civil engineering, road, utilities and rail tenders, becoming involved at all stages, liaising with technical staff to gather information, writing bid sections and answers, and copy-editing and proofreading final submissions. In 2011, I created project-specific CVs for all the project teams for five separate major Crossrail bids.

I have also worked with BAM Nuttall on a major Cheshire Highways bid, liaising with technical staff to gather information and writing bid sections and answers; worked on five separate Ministry of Justice tenders to take over the management of a number of prisons for G4S, copy-editing completed drafts to ensure consistency, effectiveness and conformity to house style; was involved with a ProCure NHS Hospital bid for Miller Construction, liaising with technical staff to gather information and writing bid sections and answers; recently began working with AMEC Nuclear in a similar capacity; and have just completed work on a £1.2 billion bid for Bombardier Transportation to build trains for London Crossrail.

It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.

While I would certainly never attempt to reach those Gibb brothers high notes, I do share their sentiment and so, if it’s words you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

Another area of long-term involvement is the higher education sector and I’ve worked closely with universities such as the University of Central Lancashire, Bolton University, Lancaster University and University College Falmouth for a number of years.

Project examples include researching and writing content for a variety of media including websites and print; copy-editing UCLan’s School of Art, Design and Performance brochure (including a further edit for use on smartphone and tablet); researching and writing content for UCLan’s Research Highlights publication; researching and writing content for two new brochures for UCLan’s Lancashire Law School and Lancashire Business School; copy-editing Lancaster University’s annual report; writing academic biographies and course USPs for Bolton University; and proofreading all of University College Falmouth’s key publications

It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.

While I would certainly never attempt to reach those Gibb brothers high notes, I do share their sentiment and so, if it’s words you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

I have been working with this school, sixth-form college, HE centre and charitable trust since 2009 and provide a wide range of editorial services, including research and writing of content for a higher education prospectus, research and writing of content for the websites, writing of content for a new boys’ school website, writing of citizenship case studies, writing of press releases and editorial features, staff liaison and writing of weekly faculty news stories/features, plus interviews and writing of the principal’s weekly blog.

The school, sixth form and HE centre is one of the highest achieving in the country and recently was awarded ‘outstanding’ status by Ofsted. As part of expansion plans, the trust has been given the go-ahead to open a new boys’ free school in the town. I was involved in the editing of formal documents to be submitted to the Department for Education throughout the process.

It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.

While I would certainly never attempt to reach those Gibb brothers high notes, I do share their sentiment and so, if it’s words you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

I have been working with one of the UK’s top universities since 2006 and provide research, interviews, writing and editing of content for a variety of materials, including university newsletters, faculty magazines, staff and student case studies/profiles, prospectuses, departmental brochures, websites and news features/articles/press releases.

I am also commissioned to research and write the content for the bi-annual Faculty of Health magazine, Pulse, which requires involvement with the editorial group at the outset to identify content, liaison with staff throughout the faculty to gather information, writing and editing of content and seeking all approval until sign-off.

I have recently completed the research and writing of a new international website – aimed mainly at the mature student market – a number of international student case studies and the copy-editing of the international student handbook.

It’s only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away.

While I would certainly never attempt to reach those Gibb brothers high notes, I do share their sentiment and so, if it’s words you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.

The British Council are a long-term client for whom I provide ongoing editorial support, working with the in-house design and communications team to write and edit a wide range of materials to be used in over 100 countries worldwide, including the quarterly magazine, BC Life and items such as teaching resources.

The work generally involves the creation of original content, as well as editing of content supplied by staff globally, and ensuring it all conforms to house style. I also proofread a wide variety of publications.

About

Whether it’s a lack of time, in-house expertise or resources, support with peaks in workload, or simply the fact that you think you know what you want to say but don’t quite know how best to say it, I’m here to help whenever you need it.

By offering the full range of copywriting, bid writing and editorial services I provide the expertise needed, whether on a regular basis or for individual projects — whatever suits you best.

My flexible approach makes sure clients’ needs are met and I am friendly, approachable, enthusiastic and, most importantly, very good at what I do.

The building of close working relationships and regular, open communication with clients ensures both parties are always aware of the status of any project, meaning that deadlines are met and costs contained.

Because of this, I receive a lot of repeat work from many valued clients, but I’m also more than happy to undertake one-off projects as and when they arise.

Basically, my approach is simply whatever you need, whenever you need it, done properly, with a smile on my face, on time and within budget.


Services

Creative/conceptual work and ideas generation

Often people have an idea of what they want to do or need to say, but don’t know how best to say it or present it. I’ll come on board from the beginning of your projects if you wish and develop concepts and ideas to ensure that we find an option that really does the trick.


Research and information gathering

Once you’ve decided the way forward, undertaking any research and gathering the required information can be a time-consuming process, especially if it comes from several sources. I will do this on your behalf (staff liaison, interviews, correspondence, web research, etc.) and then pull it together ready to be used.


Copywriting and editing

Well-designed materials are often let down by poorly written or badly presented content. With years of experience working with print and electronic media, I write original copy or edit existing text to breathe life into your content – from web content, case studies and marketing materials to news features, annual reports and white papers (and everything in between) – and ensure that the right message reaches the right audience in the right way.


Bid writing and editing

I bring years of experience of writing and editing bid submissions, working with subject matter experts to gather information and then turn it into well-crafted, bid-winning responses. I have worked on submissions worth over £2 billion, high-profile projects such as Crossrail and HS2, and involved in complex, highly regulated sectors such as rail, nuclear and defence.


Proorfeading (see what I did there?)

Once you’re happy with the content and design of your materials, why risk ruining all that good work by not eliminating mistakes, consistency and poor grammar? Using my years of experience of proofing, grammatical know-how and a hawk-like eye for detail, I will ensure your publications are error-free, read well and conform to any necessary house styles.


Client liaison/editorial project management

Often, clients need to be able to hand over a project, knowing that it will be taken care of so that they can get on with something else. It goes without saying that, editorially, I’m good at what I do, but you can also leave me to manage projects from start to finish too. Whether it’s drawing up schedules, liaising with colleagues, gathering information or providing regular progress reports, I’ll take care of each job without fuss and with as little or as much input from you as you wish.


Clients

  • Amey
  • Bombardier
  • British Council
  • Catch22
  • Costain
  • Edge Hill University
  • FirstGroup Rail
  • London South Bank University
  • Manchester Metropolitan University
  • MTC
  • Murphy Group
  • Sapphire Utility Solutions
  • uclan
  • Uuniversity of Bath
  • Young Lancashire

Client Testimonials

  • “Bombardier has worked with Tony for several years on our most important bids. He has provided bid writing, proofreading, editorial and creative thinking to our bid teams often in highly stressful and deadline-driven environments. I have been most impressed with Tony's ability to engage with the extended bid team and to work independently to produce high-scoring answers for our customers. It is always a pleasure to work with Tony and I enjoy receiving positive feedback about his contribution.”Dawn Swinburn, Bid Manager, Bombardier Transportation
  • “Tony has worked for us across a number of our bids and is very low maintenance with the ability to quickly develop an understanding of the subject matter and convert content into high-quality responses. His ‘easy to do business with’ approach makes it a pleasure to have him in a bid team. He will constructively challenge to ensure that we arrive at the right solution and I look forward to working with him in the future.”Ralph Powell, Business Development and Strategy Director, Sapphire Utility Solutions
  • “Tony has been working with the in-house brand and design team at the British Council for several years. In that time, he has worked on numerous publications to be used by the organisation worldwide and provided a reliable, efficient and friendly service. All work is completed to the highest standard, his attention to detail is second-to-none and his editorial skills are obvious. I would be happy to recommend him.”Tony Bains, Head of Brand and Design, Marketing, the British Council
  • “Tony makes me laugh, which in the stressful world that bidding can be, along with his determination and fabulous writing skills, is a real asset to any team.”Pat Thomas, independent bid director