Super 17 News Associates graduates in NCTJ Awards for Excellence shortlist

An incredible 17 News Associates graduates made the NCTJ Awards for Excellence shortlist.  

Our alumni appear in every journalism category – news, sport, top scoop, features, podcast, data and videojournalism – plus in the equality, diversity and inclusion award (individual) shortlist.

There were more than 400 entries across 20 categories for the annual awards, which highlight the achievements of individuals with promising journalism careers ahead of them and those doing outstanding work in the media and training sector.

News Associates alumni make up nearly a quarter of the entire shortlist (24%).

2023 student data journalism winner, and part-time course graduate, Max Kendix (The Times) is shortlisted in the trainee news journalism category.

David Olaseinde (student) and Ben Fleming (trainee) are representing in the sports journalism categories.

News Associates sports journalism course graduate Alec McQuarrie (freelance journalist) won the trainee sports journalism award for his piece, Psarra hopeful Paris prints place in Olympic history books, in 2023.

News Associates course director Graham Moody and graduate Alec McQuarrie at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2023. They are both smiling and smartly dressed and standing in front of rows of books on a shelf in the library at the Royal College of Physicians.
News Associates course director Graham Moody with Alec McQuarrie at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2023

David (freelance journalist), who studied on our fast-track course via a scheme with BCOMS and the Chelsea Foundation, said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be recognised by the NCTJ. Starting my journalism journey at the start of 2024 after switching careers from finance was a scary step but one made easier by my tutors and fellow trainees at News Associates.

“The 22 weeks spent on the fast-track course were some of the most challenging but rewarding weeks in my life. I’m sure I will look back on my time spent at News Associates as a pivotal stage of my career as a journalist.”

Ben (Metro), who trained our sports journalism course, said: “I’m chuffed to be shortlisted in the sports journalism category for the NCTJ Awards for Excellence.

“A huge thanks to all my editors for their support over the past year, and to News Associates for their help during the early stages of my career.”

News Associates graduates – Nicole Haynes (Forbes Advisor), Lucy Wilde (freelance journalist) and Conor Wilson (Daily Express) – make up 60% of the student top scoop category!

Nicole said: “I am delighted to be shortlisted and I’m really pleased that a piece I worked so hard on has been recognised.”

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Conor, who studied on a part-time course, said: “To be shortlisted is the icing on the cake of an incredible experience studying with News Associates.

“To be up against two News Associates alumni in my category alone is testament to the work and quality of the tutors who taught us so much in a short space of time.”

A massive four alumni have been recognised for their feature writing.

George Nash (The Guardian) and James Sladden (freelance) are representing in the student section and Sharin Hussain (The Times) and Elysia Taylor-Hearn (The Daily Record) make up two third of the trainee category.

George said: “I never imagined that writing about naked cyclists and referencing Bart Simpson pyjamas would be recognised in this way.

“So, to be shortlisted alongside such talented journalists is a great (and entirely unexpected) honour, made all the more pleasing by the number of course mates – and good friends – also nominated.

“Having so many graduates up for awards is testament to the wonderful team at News Associates and I’d like to thank them for all their guidance and support.”

James, who studied on our inaugural remote journalism course, said: “I’m delighted to be shortlisted for my journalism in the ‘Features of the Year’ category. I’m really grateful to News Associates for their support and outstanding tuition during my NCTJ Diploma.”

Elysia said: “I am delighted to be featured on the shortlist for these prestigious awards, particularly for articles that were a pleasure to research and write.

“The support I received at News Associates was invaluable in providing me with the skills, and industry insights, to secure work in national newsrooms and cover my shortlisted stories confidently.

“I am really excited to see where this training might take me next as I embark on my journalism career!”

Connie Bowker (BBC), who studied on a fast-track course with us, won the 2023 student features award. You can read her submissions here:

Disability and Dating – Navigating the world of love and relationships in a society that denies your sexuality

Community land trusts are the next social housing revolution: ‘It’s about empowering people’

News Associates graduate Connie Bowker and shorthand tutor Angela Catto at the NCTJ Awards for Excellence 2023. They are both smiling and smartly dressed and standing in front of rows of books on a shelf in the library at the Royal College of Physicians.
Connie with News Associates shorthand tutor Angela Catto at the 2023 NCTJ Awards for Excellence

Elsewhere, fast-track course alumni Rosabel Crean (freelance journalist) is up against School of Journalism graduate Holly Nichols (BBC Three Counties Radio) in the student podcast of the year shortlist.

Rosabel said: “It is super to be nominated for the ‘Podcast of the Year’ category for the podcast I produced while completing my NCTJ at News Associates. I relished the opportunity to work on podcasts and I’m happy to say it has put me on a path into broadcast journalism!”

Holly said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for the NCTJ Awards in the podcast of the year category.

“Thank you to everyone at News Associates and The School of Journalism for their support, and good luck to all my fellow News Associates nominees!”

Graduates from our fast-track course in London, and part-time courses in London and Manchester, are nominated in the student data journalism section – Charlotte Bend (freelance journalist), Lucy Rowan (freelance journalist) and Lisa Valentine (Bury Times).

Charlotte said: “I am delighted to be on the shortlist. It just goes to show the support and hard work from the tutors at News Associates is invaluable.

“I feel incredibly grateful for my time on the fast-track course and this is just an added bonus.”

Lucy said: “I am over the moon to be shortlisted for the data journalism category, especially for an article that is so sentimental to me.

“I would like to thank the JDF for the opportunity to study at News Associates in London. Without them, this would have never been possible.”

Lisa said: “I was shocked to see that I had been shortlisted in the data category. I found that particular module one of the hardest and poured so much effort and time into it. It made me extra proud of this article, which was about the impact of rising rents in Manchester.

“Housing and social equality is something that I’m keen to keep talking about, especially as a JDF recipient, and I’m honoured to be shortlisted alongside some incredibly talented journalists.

“I’ll always champion the brilliant work that the News Associates team does and the dedication of the tutors there.”

School of Journalism alumni Izabella Thornley (freelance journalism) is representing in the videojournalism category.

Finally, in the specialist category, Shaheena Uddin (Muslim Journalists Connect), is recognised in the equality, diversity and inclusion award (individual).

Shaheena said: “I am truly honoured to have made the shortlist alongside so many talented and inspiring journalists.

“Equality and inclusion is very dear to my heart and I will always strive to improve the industry to reflect our diverse society and tell underrepresented stories.

“I am always grateful for the skills and opportunities I gained from my time  at News Associates, as well as the extremely dedicated professors for helping me along my journey.”

The ceremony will take place in early 2025, with details to be revealed in the new year.

Featured image courtesy of Josh Caius, with thanks.