What makes me me?
Hello again. I’m John, a senior medical copywriter with over 15 years’ experience in healthcare advertising and PR.
Before moving into copywriting, I completed a PhD in Pharmacology, which taught me how to interrogate data, sit comfortably with complexity and keep asking questions until something useful emerges. It also shaped the way I think creatively. For me, good copy is not just about simplifying science. It is about finding the structure, tension, story and human relevance inside it, then turning that into communications that feel clear, credible and alive.
I’ve created award-winning work across a wide range of therapy areas, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, allergy, renal disease, respiratory conditions, rare diseases, ophthalmology, dermatology, haemophilia, HIV and cystic fibrosis among others. I also understand the balance between scientific accuracy and ABPI-compliant copy, strategic clarity and creative execution.
Away from the desk, I’m still fascinated by science, but I also love science fiction: the speculative, the strange, the possible and the joy of the absurdly impossible. I’m also a long-time techno obsessive and still DJ at home and with friends, although strictly analogue. There is something about rhythm, restraint and tension that makes sense to me, whether I’m building a set or shaping stories.
Some nice things people have said
I had the pleasure of working closely with John in their role of Director of Medical & Creative Content, where he consistently brought together scientific expertise, strategic thinking, and creative excellence in truly impactful ways. John has a rare ability to ensure creativity is rooted in solid science and brand strategy, while translating complex medical information into clear, engaging, and meaningful content for healthcare audiences. Catarina Melo, Owner/Director at Radius Health.
John provided full-time freelance support for us over a two-month period supporting one of our key accounts on both a UK and Global level. He provided a lot of value over that time across a variety of projects we threw his way. He often looked past the comments/brief he was given to further elevate each tactic and delivered everything on time. David Wright, Head of Scientific Communication at Boom Healthcare Communications.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with John Kershaw across multiple projects at Havas Life Medicom and Havas Life London, and I can confidently recommend him as both an exceptional Medical Writer and a highly creative copywriter. John combines strong scientific knowledge with genuine creative flair, consistently producing work that is both accurate and engaging. He’s hardworking, reliable, and brings a proactive, ideas-driven approach to projects. He’s also a great collaborator, easy to work with, supportive of junior team members and always brings a can-do attitude and sense of humour to the team. From my perspective as a Digital Creative Lead, he also has a keen eye for design and understands how content fits into the wider creative execution, particularly across digital projects and assets. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend John he’s a talented, dependable, and genuinely great person to work with. Nick Thompson, Digital Creative Lead at Havas Life London.
John is an exceptional copywriter with whom I have had the pleasure of working with many years. His ability to combine a strong scientific foundation with truly creative conceptual thinking makes him a rare and invaluable asset to any team. As Group Head of Copy, John consistently elevated the quality of every project he touched. Bringing intellectual rigor and clarity to complex subject matter, ensuring that ideas are not only engaging but also grounded in sound scientific reasoning. At the same time, he approaches every brief with originality and strategic creativity, shaping work that is both compelling and effective. John is equally comfortable collaborating across different disciplines. He works seamlessly with copy teams, providing thoughtful mentorship and actively supporting the development of younger colleagues. At the leadership level, he engages confidently with creative directors contributing strategic insight and helping shape overarching concepts. He also offers clear and constructive guidance to art directors and designers, ensuring that messaging and visual execution align harmoniously. Marcelo Curvello, Senior Conceptual Designer at Avalere Health.