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Finalists unveiled for Kent Press & Broadcast Awards 2023

June, 2023

The finalists for the ninth annual Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA) have now been revealed, after the team of independent judges personally reviewed almost 100 entries across 14 categories.

Designed to celebrate the hard work of local journalism and the media’s commitment to serving local communities, the not-for-profit award scheme is organised by Kent PR and marketing agency Maxim.

This year the awards will be hosted by BBC news presenter Martine Croxall, as the event returns to the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury, on Friday 14 July.

Maxim Director Rachel Knight commented: “Once again the independent panel of judges was impressed by the high standard of entries across the board, which led to a lot of lively discussion on judging day.

“We’re grateful to the judges for giving their time to review every single entry, and we’re grateful to all of Kent’s journalists for the work they do – especially in these challenging times.”  

The judging panel comprises Adrian Wills, former newspaper and broadcast journalist; Anthony France, national and international journalist and editor; Elaine Bruce, former BBC senior journalist and news and features producer; John Warnett, former journalist and radio presenter; Leo Whitlock, a local newspaper journalist for more than 20 years, much of which was spent at the KM Media Group; Rebecca Smith, former senior editor for Kent Regional News and Media; Sian Elvin, national journalist and editor and a former KPBA Kent Young Journalist of the Year; and Susie Boniface, a national journalist known as Fleet Street Fox.

The 2023 finalists are listed below.

Kent Broadcast Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Le Shuttle

  • Colin Campbell, BBC South East Today
  • Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
  • Josie Hannett, BBC South East Today
  • Kit Bradshaw, ITV News Meridian
  • Sarah Saunders, ITV News Meridian

 

Kent Columnist of the Year, sponsored by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce

  • Claire Campbell, The Isle of Thanet News
  • Ed McConnell, KentOnline
  • Steven Keevil, Local Authority
  • Susan McGowan, Kent Life

 

Kent Designer of the Year, sponsored by Style Brands

  • Ashley Austen, KM Media Group
  • Jonathan Brewer, BBC South East Today
  • Lorna Morris, insideKENT/A Kentish Ceremony/Kent Staycation/Wine Garden of England Handbook
  • Rhodri Andrews, KMTV

 

Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Broadcast), sponsored by Shepherd Neame

  • Derek Johnson, ITV News Meridian
  • Jadzia Samuel, KMTV
  • Jo Burn, BBC Radio Kent
  • Tony Green, ITV News Meridian

 

Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Print & Online), sponsored by MHA

  • Chris Hunter, KentOnline & Kent Messenger Series
  • Max Chesson, KentOnline
  • Rhys Griffiths, KentOnline
  • Stuart Maisner, BBC website & BBC South East social media

 

Kent Image of the Year, sponsored by Southeastern

  • Frank Leppard, freelance
  • Rhys Griffiths, KentOnline
  • Ruth Cassidy, KentOnline
  • Sarah Bond, Times of Tunbridge Wells

 

Kent Magazine of the Year, sponsored by Stagecoach South East

  • ‘Cene
  • insideKENT
  • Kent Staycation
  • West Kent Sport & Wellbeing

 

Kent New Journalist of the Year, sponsored by EKC Group

  • Bartholomew Hall, Kent Tonight
  • Daniel Esson, KM Media Group
  • Millie Bowles, Thanet Extra & Kentish Gazette Series
  • Ruth Cassidy, KentOnline & Kentish Gazette

 

Kent News Website of the Year, sponsored by Port of Dover

  • ITV News Meridian
  • KentOnline
  • Local Authority
  • Localsportsnews.co.uk

 

Kent Print & Online Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Ashford Designer Outlet

  • Alex Jee, KentOnline
  • Brad Harper, Kentish Gazette Series & Thanet Extra
  • Jack Dyson, Kentish Gazette
  • Kathy Bailes, The Isle of Thanet News

 

Kent Programme of the Year, sponsored by Digitom video production

  • BBC South East Today
  • Generation Genome, KMTV
  • ITV News Meridian
  • The Hit List, kmfm

 

Kent Scoop of the Year, sponsored by Panattoni

  • Gerry Warren, Kentish Gazette & KentOnline
  • Joe Coshan, ITV News Meridian
  • Kathy Bailes, The Isle of Thanet News

 

The Neil Bell Kent Sports Journalist of the Year, supported by Kent Cricket

  • Ben Watts, BBC Radio Kent
  • James Dunn, BBC South East Today
  • Jon Phipps & Matt Gerrard, Kent Non-League Podcast
  • Steve Rowley, West Kent Sport & Wellbeing

 

Kent Voices Award, sponsored by BAE Systems

  • Hedi Mehrez, Kent Live
  • KentLive
  • Megan Samrai, ITV News Meridian
  • Sofia Akin, KMTV

 

For more information on the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards, visit www.kpbawards.co.uk

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