E&S KEEPS ITS CROWN

Wolverhampton-based Express & Star retained its title as Newspaper of the Year (Daily) at the Midlands Media Awards but it was Leicestershire Live’s Dylan Hayward (pictured) who was the individual star of the event, taking home three trophies.

Now part of the Iconic Media Group, the Express & Star was described as a publication that continues to be intrinsically connected to the community it serves, retaining its relevance in the digital age.

The Awards, revived for the first time since the outbreak of Covid, were held at the Burlington Macdonald Hotel, Birmingham, attracting about 250 entries. More than 220 guests attended.

Co-hosts for the event were Birmingham Press Club President Bob Warman and Llewela Bailey, Chairman of Birmingham Press Club, which organised the Awards

Dylan, who joined Leicestershire Live from Birmingham Live, won Best Newcomer of 2025 and Digital Journalist of the Year, while he also carried off the prestigious President’s Award for his consistently high standard of journalism.

The judges praised him for a creative combination of traditional terrier-like reporting and his command of digital tools applied to modern journalism. They said he had the skills to handle big breaking news – and a finely attuned “reporter’s nose” for sniffing out and challenging wrong decisions made by the authorities

In the Newspaper of the Year (Daily) category, the Express & Star, edited by Mark Drew, beat off competition from sister-publication Shropshire Star and the Birmingham Mail, while the Andy Veale-edited Stratford Herald (founded in 1860) took the honours over new start-up Lichfield & Burntwood Independent, edited by Ross Hawkes, the judges hailing it as a newspaper full of stories of real relevance from all over its patch

The other big winner of the evening, which was sponsored by Birmingham Airport, Birmingham Chinatown Business Association, HSBC UK, NUJ Birmingham & Coventry Branch and the University of Worcester, was ITV News Central. Lewis Warner won Television Journalist of the Year for his investigation into illegal street racing; Mark Gough won Business Reporter of the Year, described by the judges as the “well trusted voice of the Midlands;” Dan Salisbury-Jones won Sports Journalist of the Year (Broadcasting), while Claire Lycett and team were joint winners of Story of the Year for coverage of Ozzy: Birmingham Remembers

Former Birmingham Mail business editor Jon Griffin, now freelancing for Birmingham Business magazine, was joint Feature Writer of the Year with a trio of articles about the entrepreneurial journeys of three Birmingham people of different ethnic backgrounds who have risen to success and prominence despite disadvantage. “Very strong features demonstrate a master journalist plying his craft,” said the judges.

The other joint winner was freelance Dan Nathan Cave, writing for The Dispatch website, who delivered “feature writing at its best” with a trio of engaging articles.

Other winners were:

Columnist of the year: George Allen, Derbyshire Live, who delivers consistently well-written and interesting articles relevant to local issues.

Campaign of the Year: Birmingham Mail with its important fight against child poverty. The judges said the campaign featured exceptional reporting from Politics & People Editor Jane Haynes. Exhaustive data and a user-friendly presentation combined to create a comprehensive campaign exposing the hidden scandal of child poverty.

PR Campaign of the Year: Liquid, for its campaign on the British Transplant Games – objective achieved through a wealth of excellent coverage.

Magazine of the Year: Birmingham Living, delivers a refreshing mix of in-depth interview content and lifestyle content.

Supplement of the Year: Paul Cole – Ozzy Remembered. Published by The Mirror before the Black Sabbath reunion and the death of Ozzy Osbourne

Sports Journalist of the Year (Broadcast): Dan Salisbury-Jones, ITV News Central, for his emotional piece about a football fan who died at a match while also focusing on changing ground regulations. The judges said it was empathetically presented and memorable.

Sports Journalist of the Year (Print): Leigh Curtis, Derby Telegraph, writes passionately about Derby County, has excellent contacts. His “concussion” story was intelligent, well-written and thought-provoking.

Photographer of the Year (News): Tim Thursfield, Express & Star, has a great eye for summing up in one, Press photo opportunities. “It’s probably not possible for him to take anything less than a first-class image,” said the judges.

Photographer of the Year (Features): Mark Williamson, Stratford Herald. An excellent portfolio featuring a wide variety of objects which highlight his photographic skills.

Photographer of the Year (Sports): Adam Fradgley, who pipped fellow-freelance Paul France for the title, displayed images of “lovely compositions” in a variety of settings which demonstrate his talents as a sports photographer.

Radio Journalist of the Year: Kathryn Stanczyszyn, BBC, took the award for great in-depth reporting, well researched and presented.

Television Journalist of the Year: Lewis Warner, ITV News Central. His illegal street racing investigation also featured on Good Morning Britain. Got well inside the story with exclusive access in a two-year investigation.

News Reporter of the Year (Weekly): Gill Sutherland, Stratford Herald. The judges said her three-page in depth report on a teenager who killed three others in a catastrophic crash was comprehensive and contained an exclusive interview with the mother of one of the victims. Excellent reporting.

News Reporter of the Year (Daily/Sunday): Adam Smith, Express & Star and Naomi de Souza, Birmingham Mail/Birmingham Live. Adam has a depth of knowledge enabling him to look beyond what is in front of him. Writes with the public’s interest in mind,while the judges said that Naomi shows great initiative and tenacity in pursuing stories that carry great impact.

Website of the Year: Birmingham Mail/Birmingham Live. The judges commented The Mail has been busy on many fronts and continues to campaign on a range of issues that really matter to the community.

Story of the Year: Hilary McConnell & Team, BBC Midlands Today for 50th anniversary of Birmingham pub bombings – beautifully crafted, both respectful and poignant - and Claire Lycett and Team, ITV News Central for Ozzy: Birmingham Remembered, a suitably uplifting and emotive tribute that managed to reflect not only Ozzy’s roots in Brum but the lasting affection in which he is still held across the Midlands.

For photo coverage from Mr Ladd Media click on the link:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/socialframes/7rsq8yZc39