After working as a ceramicist for a number of UK companies, Simon Shaw established a workshop in his native Merseyside in 1988. There, until 1995, he produced thrown tin-glazed tableware while also lecturing part-time at Wirral Metropolitan College. From 1995 until mid-1997 Simon produced ceramics from a workshop in Bermuda, before returning to re-establish his workshop in Merseyside.

Work is thrown, press moulded and handbuilt using stoneware clay with porcelain and raw clay additions. Textural, matt barium glazes are used, producing blues, greens and lilacs. Diverse sources of inspiration include old European country pottery, ancient Greek ceramics and contemporary literature and music.

Simon studied at Wirral College of Art and Design, and then at Braintree College in Essex.