Awards for Excellence 2021 shortlist announced after another record-breaking year

Some 66 students, trainees, apprentices, journalists and training providers have been shortlisted in the NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2021.

A record-breaking 481 entries were received across 17 categories, in addition to the 1,407 students and trainees eligible for the student and trainee of the year awards.

Free to enter, the Awards for Excellence highlight the achievements of individuals with promising journalism careers ahead of them, and those doing outstanding work in the media and training sector.

There are six main categories for students, trainees and apprentices: news, sports, top scoop, features, podcast journalism and data journalism. Nominations are also taken for the best student projects.

Performance awards are also available for those who have achieved outstanding results in the Diploma in Journalism, National Qualification in Journalism and the Junior Journalist Apprenticeship.

There were 24 entries for the Community News Project award, which recognises the exceptional work done by reporters under the Community News Project (CNP) banner.

A number of CNP reporters are also shortlisted for awards in various other categories. Journalism Diversity Fund (JDF) recipients also feature heavily in this year’s shortlist, in both student, trainee and specialist categories.

Two JDF recipients, Sophia Alexandra Hall and Isabelle Jani-Friend, are shortlisted alongside News UK and Jem Collins, founder of Journo Resources, for the equality diversity and inclusion award.

This award, sponsored by the Financial Times, recognises the outstanding work of individuals, educators and employers who promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the media and training sector.

Nottingham Trent University, University of Kent and University of Sheffield have been shortlisted for the Innovation of the Year award, which encourages and recognises innovation in journalism education and training.

The winners will be announced in a ceremony in the spring. Further details will be announced in early 2022.

The winner of the 2021 chairman’s award, which recognises a nominated individual’s outstanding contribution to high standards of journalism training and education, will also be announced at the event.

Click here to view the shortlist.

Thank you to all our awards judges:

Laura Adams, client editorial director, Archant
Michael Adkins, senior group editor, Archant
Anna Allerton, journalist, Sky Sports
Abu Bundu-Kamara, global diversity and inclusion lead, Boeing
Craig Chisnall, staff editor, The Athletic
Will Dean, editor, Guardian Weekly
Nancy Fielder, editor, The Star, Sheffield
Katie French, regional group editor, Newsquest Buckinghamshire & Berkshire
Alan Geere, editorial consultant and journalism educator
Harriet Hall, lifestyle editor, Independent
Catherine Houlihan, managing editor, ITV Border
Luke Jacobs, regional editor (east), KentLive and SussexLive editor, editor of New Audiences and Untold Stories, Reach plc
Dan Mclaughlin, podcast producer, Laudable Podcasts
Richard Neville, head of newspapers, DC Thomson Media
Cristina Nicolotti Squires, director of content, Sky News
Nikki O’Donnell, senior editorial policy adviser, BBC
Emma Paton, presenter, Sky Sports
James Preston, editor, Maidenhead Advertiser and Slough and Windsor Express
David Rowell, former editorial trainer
Claire Sanderson, editor-in-chief, Women’s Health
Abbie Scott, deputy managing editor, Financial Times
Emily Sexton-Brown, assistant managing editor, Insider Inc
Martin Stabe, data editor, Financial Times
Bruce Talbot, media assistant, Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club
Dan Williams, head of politics, Sky News
Claire Wilde, data and investigations editor, JPIMedia
Emma Yates, assistant features editor, The Sun
Joy Yates, editorial director, JPIMedia