NCTJ-accredited courses recognised at Awards for Excellence 2023

NCTJ-accredited courses going above and beyond for their students were recognised at the Awards for Excellence today.  

The ceremony, which was sponsored by News UK and took place at the Royal College of Physicians at Regent’s Park in London, saw 21 awards presented in a variety of categories.  

It was hosted by John Pienaar, drive-time host on Times Radio who was formerly both the BBC’s deputy political editor and chief political correspondent at BBC Radio 5 Live. 

Innovation of the year winner, Lisa Bradley from the University of Sheffield, with host John Pienaar and James White from award sponsor i. Photo: Josh Caius

John said he was “delighted to be here today to present these awards, and to celebrate innovation and diversity within journalism”. He said: “I think we can all agree that the importance of quality, trust and diversity in journalism – the NCTJ’s values – has never been more important.”

This year, all three projects shortlisted for the innovation of the year award came from The University of Sheffield. 

Meanwhile, Liverpool John Moores University received the organisation award for equality, diversity and inclusion, sponsored by the Financial Times.  

Its equality and diversity work includes creating a Diversity Reporting Guide and a planned Diversity in Journalism Teaching symposium for June. 

Frances Yeoman from LJMU with Awards for Excellence host John Pienaar and Rukasana Bhaijee from award sponsor, the FT. Photo: Josh Caius

Another training centre with cause to celebrate today is Bournemouth University, because the winners of both the student news and trainee news categories – Daniel Wood and Dolly Carter respectively – studied there.  

Four out of the six journalists shortlisted for apprentice of the year trained with PA Media Academy, including the winner, Amrit Singh Mann of Sky News.

Student of the year was Eve Bennett of News Associates London, who also works for Sky News. She achieved seven A grades and 100 words per minute shorthand in her Diploma in Journalism assessments.

Two journalists working at the BBC World Service received awards as well – Emaan Warraich won the individual equality, diversity and inclusion award and Jacob Evans won the trainee podcast of the year award.

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