Journalism course leader who ‘nurtures careers’ wins NCTJ’s chairman’s award

A highly-regarded journalism educator with decades of experience in the industry has been honoured with this year’s NCTJ chairman’s award.  

Paul Wiltshire, who leads the NCTJ-accredited journalism course at the University of Gloucestershire, was named the award winner at a ceremony at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park. 

The award recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to high standards of journalism training and is presented by NCTJ chairman Kim Fletcher. 

Announcing Paul as the winner, Kim said: “During almost three decades as a journalist and news editor, Paul mentored trainees and nurtured the careers of all those under his watch.

“He took on formal responsibility for training journalists in newsrooms across the south west as regional editorial trainer for what is now Reach. 

“At the University of Gloucestershire as a senior lecturer in journalism, Paul discovered his purpose in life to be a support and mentor to the next generation of journalists.”

The ceremony today was sponsored by News UK and presented by Times Radio presenter John Pienaar. 

Paul Wiltshire at the Awards for Excellence in 2022

Paul’s colleague at the university, Sophie Flowers, said: “Paul Wiltshire goes out of his way to prove that journalism is the best job in the world. 

“He’s created a family environment in an educational setting, where every student feels seen and understood as an individual. 

“He goes out of his way to check that they’re eating balanced meals as many times as he’ll check that they know the defences to defamation. 

“Students on our course say they’re supported and listened to, and this is all down to Paul.” 

Paul began his journalism career at the Herald Express in Torquay, training at Cardiff University and passing his NCTJ qualifications with flying colours. 

Previous winners of the award have included Paul Derrick of the Bury Free Press and Karen Ballam, the NCTJ’s chief examiner for shorthand. 

Two hundred people attended the NCTJ’s Awards for Excellence ceremony today, with awards presented to journalists, students and educators across 21 categories. 

More than 40 named on the shortlist were highly commended or commended for their work as well.  

View a full list of all the Awards for Excellence’s winners, highly commended and commended – and their shortlisted entries – here.