05 Jun 2026

The best young media talent celebrated at the 15th MHP 30 To Watch Journalism Awards

30 of the UK’s best journalists were celebrated last night at the 15th MHP Group 30 to Watch: Journalism awards

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Top journalist Robert Peston led the praise for the 30 winners of the 15th MHP Group 30 To Watch: Journalism awards in a packed ceremony at News UK last night.

The ITV News political editor celebrated the ‘energy in the room’ after ten Gold Winners were revealed in each category including Fred Kelly of the Daily Mail, Sophie Braybrook from Channel 4 News and Esme Stallard from BBC News.

More than 250 journalists had entered the awards across ten categories including News & Investigations, Politics, Health, Personal Finance and Production.

Our panel of 23 independent judges was made up of editors and senior journalists including Sarah Whitehead of Sky News, Robert Guest of the Economist, Daniel Hewitt of ITV News and Geraldine McKelvie of the Guardian.

Ros Atkins from the BBC presented a new Disinformation Award to recognise journalists who are working to counter disinformation. The award was won by Matt Murphy from BBC Verify.

The MHP 30 To Watch Breakthrough Award for journalists who entered the profession without the benefit of going to university was this year presented in partnership with the John Schofield Trust, a charity that supports young journalists and champions a more representative news industry.

Jonathan Paterson, the chair of the John Schofield Trust presented the award to Hebe Campbell of the Independent.

Robert Peston was presented with the MHP 30 To Watch: Journalism outstanding achievement award for his remarkable career of agenda setting scoops blazing a trail that the new generation of journalists in the room hope to follow.

Former MHP 30 To Watch: Journalism winners have gone on to forge brilliant careers in the media, they include Sophy Ridge of Sky News, Lewis Goodall of The News Agents and Sabah Meddings from Bloomberg.

The full list of last nights winners can be seen here.

Peter Campbell of the FT said: “The future of journalism is bright. The MHP 30 to Watch awards show once again the immense talent of the newest generation, who are already making a real difference by covering and breaking important and impactful stories.”

Thank you to our independent judges and to News UK for hosting the ceremony.

And congratulations to all our winners!

The 30 To Watch Gold Winners:

Breakthrough- Hebe Campbell, The Independent

City & Business – Laith Al-Khalaf, Financial Times

Culture, Entertainment & Lifestyle – Fred Kelly, Daily Mail

Disinformation- Matt Murphy, BBC Verify

Health – Sophie Braybrook, Channel 4 News

International Affairs – Jack Denton, Freelance / Sunday Times

News & Investigations – Kamal Sultan, Daily Mail

Personal Finance & Consumer Affairs – Mary Downer, The Times

Politics – Noa Hoffman, The Sun / The Spectator

Production – Allegra Goodwin, CNN

Science, Environment & Technology – Esme Stallard, BBC News

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