Next generation of talented journalists celebrated at NCTJ Awards for Excellence

The next generation of journalists was recognised at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence, sponsored by Reuters, held at Brighton Dome on Tuesday, 24 March.

Hannah Wilkes, presenter at Sky Sports News, hosted the ceremony. She said: “In a period of profound change across the media landscape, the role of high quality, trusted journalism has never been more vital. I’m thrilled to be here today to recognise the students, apprentices and trainees rising to that challenge, and the educators and employers championing the highest standards of training.”

The awards recognised outstanding journalism students, trainees and apprentices on NCTJ-accredited courses who are already making their mark in the industry.

With a record of more than 550 entries, judges praised the exceptional standard of work submitted across every category. This year’s shortlist featured journalists reporting from courtrooms, councils, conflict zones and communities across the UK.

Izzie Addison, from PA Media Academy, was named student of the year after achieving the best overall diploma results, including eight A grades, first-time passes in every assessment and shorthand at 100 words per minute. She now works as a news reporter at PA Media, where she has already covered assignments including Ukraine peace talks at No 10.

Alexandra Osborne received the Level 5 apprentice of the year award after achieving 94 per cent in media law and producing a distinction-level project on dementia, which featured on BBC One’s Morning Live. The BBC Plymouth journalist and PA Media Academy student has continued working as a multimedia broadcast journalist alongside her apprenticeship.

Daniel Wood was awarded trainee of the year after first discovering journalism during a school work experience placement and setting himself the goal of entering the industry. He achieved the best overall results in the NQJ out of 280 candidates sitting the exam last year and now works for the newspaper that inspired him.

This year’s ceremony also saw the introduction of a new award: the Andrew Norfolk Investigative Journalism Award, established in partnership with The Times to honour the legacy of investigative journalist Andrew Norfolk. Eleanor Tait, who studied at the University of Sunderland, was named the recipient and has won a one-year paid internship with The Times.

Joanne Forbes, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “Today is a celebration of what the NCTJ stands for: quality, trust and diversity. Our Where Your Story Goes campaign is about inspiring the next generation to see journalism as a career where they can make a real difference, and the talented students, trainees and apprentices here today show exactly why that matters.”

The NCTJ is grateful for the support of headline sponsor Reuters and all organisations that supported this year’s awards: Alder, BBC, British Polling Council, Financial Times, The i Paper, Mark Allen Group, Market Research Society, News UK, Sky News, Sky Sports News, The Times and Yahoo News.

Click here to see a full list of the awards and their work.