winner’s book - headlinemoney€¦ · as always, the majority of the journalist winners that...

winner’s book

wednesday 13th may 2015

London hiLton on Park Lane

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Forget the General Election, these are the votes that count!

2 Awards sponsors

3 Chairman’s welcome

4-5 The judging process and list of judges

6 Rising Star of the Year (B2B)

7 Rising Star of the Year (Consumer)

9 General Insurance Journalist of the Year

11 Investment Journalist of the Year

13 Mortgage Journalist of the Year

15 Financial Healthcare Journalist of the Year

17 Pensions Journalist of the Year

18 Financial/Business Journalist of the Year (Local & Regional Titles)

19 Best Use of Social Media

21 Press Office Teams of the Year

23-25 In-house PR Professionals of the Year

27 Headlinemoney Outstanding Achievement Award

29 Consumer Champion of the Year

31 Household Money Journalist of the Year

33 Consumer Money Journalist of the Year

35 Freelance Financial Journalist of the Year

37 Financial Broadcast Journalist of the Year

39 Financial Blog of the Year

41 Financial Website of the Year

43 Consumer Money Title of the Year

45 Financial B2B Title of the Year

47 Financial Commentator of the Year

49 Financial B2B Journalist of the Year

51 Headlinemoney Journalist of the Year 2015

CONTENTS

Welcome

The 2015 Headlinemoney awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of the UK’s top financial journalists, best money media outlets and leading communications professionals over the past year.

It doesn’t matter if they write for a specialist financial audience or have guided readers, listeners or viewers through a maze of money matters. Each of the victorious journalists featured in these pages can bask in the knowledge that they’ve achieved success via the acknowledgement of their peers, as well as having impressed a tough-to-please panel of judges.

It’s a similar story for each triumphant media outlet you’ll read about in this supplement. As for the PR awards, individuals and press offices alike have come out on top by gaining the appreciation and respect of the financial journalist community through their efforts over the past 12 months.

Headlinemoney’s users come from all corners of financial services media. Journalists and PRs alike voted in impressive numbers during January 2015 to nominate worthy candidates in the online nominations phase of the awards process. Over the page, you can read more about how this process works.

Hearty congratulations to everyone who made it on to a shortlist this year and a special ‘well done’ to each of the eventual category winners.

Thank you to everyone who supports the awards so generously: the voters, the journalists who submitted their entries, the all-important sponsors, as well as everyone who attended the awards ceremony itself.

Headlinemoney’s annual celebration of excellence continues to be the UK’s foremost event of its kind in terms of scale and prestige within financial services media. In an election year you might say its popularity continues to enjoy a landslide majority!

Andrew MichaelFounder, Money & Media Headlinemoney awards chairman 2015



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Recognising the money media’s top journalists, titles and best communications practitioners

It doesn’t matter if your brief is to unearth a financial institution’s dodgy tax affairs, or analyse the small print contained in a pre-general election Budget.

The fact is there has never been a more challenging or exciting time in which to cover financial, business or City affairs. Multi-media channels open up a world of opportunities for those putting together finance-related content, but they can present plenty of headaches too for correspondents and editors alike. There has never been an era like this one to work in whether you’re from the journalism side of the fence, or ply your trade in media relations.

Against this stimulating backdrop the Headlinemoney awards celebrate excellence. Editorial superiority as demonstrated by money journalists and media outlets at the top of their game, combined with PR excellence from those communications professionals whose brief it is to represent the numerous corporations and organisations which exist under the mantle of “financial services industry”.

As always, the majority of the journalist winners that you’ll read about in this supplement have emerged victorious after successfully negotiating a two-phase process: nomination first, followed by careful scrutiny of their work.

Throughout January 2015, Headlinemoney users were encouraged to vote online for the journalists and media outlets that they believed produced the most outstanding levels of work within various categories during the previous calendar year.

Sue Anderson, Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML)

James Andrews, Daily Mirror

Guy Anker, MoneySavingExpert

Mark Atherton, The Times

Jon Atkins, Redleaf Polhill

Bev Aujla, Lansons Communications

Charlotte Banks, Schroders

Sam Barrett, Freelance

Becky Barrow, The Sunday Times

Mark Battersby, International Adviser

Yuri Bender, Professional Wealth Management

Karen Bennett, Shawbrook Bank

Nicole Blackmore, Telegraph Media Group

Danby Bloch, Taxbriefs

Mark Bodega, HiFX

Ray Boulger, John Charcol

Anna Bowes, SavingsChampion.co.uk

Lee Boyce, thisismoney.co.uk

Hannah Brenton, Property Week

Paul Broadhead, Building Societies Association (BSA)

Annabel Brodie-Smith, Association of Investment Companies (AIC)

Kevin Brown, Scottish Widows

David Budworth, The Times

Kyle Caldwell, Telegraph Media Group

Kevin Carr, Kevin Carr Consulting

James Charles, Freelance

Daniel Coatsworth, Shares

Robert Cole, Thomson Reuters

Patrick Collinson, The Guardian

Laura Cook, Columbia Threadneedle Investments

Louise Cooper, Cooper City

Roland Cross, Broadgate Mainland

Ian Crowder, The AA

Jon Cudby, Money Management

Stephanie Denton, Post

Matt Dransfield, Towergate Insurance Limited

Lisa Elliot, Lansons

Tara Evans, MoneySavingExpert

Donna Ferguson, Freelance

Kalpana Fitzpatrick, MummyMoneyMatters

John Fitzsimons, lovemoney.com

Padraig Floyd, Freelance

Claire Foster, Direct Line

Leighann Forsyth, British Insurance Brokers Association (BIBA)

Faith Glasgow, Money Observer

Simon Gompertz, BBC

Lawrence Gosling, Incisive Media

John Greenwood, Corporate Adviser

Kimberley Hamilton, Scottish Widows

Sally Hamilton, The Mail on Sunday

Marek Handzel, Claims Magazine

Felicity Hannah, Freelance

Adam Harwood, Towry

Stephanie Hawthorne, Pensions World

Tony Hetherington, The Mail on Sunday

Geoff Ho, Sunday Express

David Hollingworth, London & Country Mortgages

Natalie Holt, Money Marketing

Dan Hyde, Telegraph Media Group

THANKS VERY MUCH TO THIS YEAR’S JUDGES! IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, THEY ARE:

The judging process and list of judges

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After the online vote closed, shortlists of the top five names in each awards category were drawn up. When you bear in mind that many of the categories feature dozens of initial contenders, it’s important to stress that it’s no mean feat just making it on to a shortlist.

Each shortlisted name was then asked to submit relevant examples of work along with a supporting statement for the second phase of judging.

Judging panels comprise a combination of journalists (including many former Headlinemoney awards winners), communications experts, and top-flight figures from the financial services industry itself.

Hopefully, everyone who sits on a panel will agree that all the shortlisted contenders are given a fair hearing before turning to the tricky task of reducing five names down to an eventual winner and highly commended (our version of a runner-up).

Judging week has become an institution in the Headlinemoney awards. Panellists score each contender online in advance of a face-to-face judging session. Then it’s a case of robust discussion and lively debate before the name of each winner is agreed in each category.

This year, as always, there were some extremely close calls. Winners can be sure the merits of their submissions are scrutinised to within an inch of their life and should be rightly proud of their successes.

The middle section of this supplement also reveals the names of the successful individuals and press teams as voted for solely by Headlinemoney’s extensive database of financial journalists in our PR of the year awards element.

For the eight individual awards, journalists are asked to name their selections and provide a sentence or two justifying their decision. There are also two awards for the best press teams: one working in financial B2B media, the other operating in the consumer finance sector.

The voting took place between February and March 2015. Those with the most nominations are declared the winner in each category.

Andrew MichaelChairman of the 2015 awards judging panels

Paula John, Your Mortgage

Dan Jones, The Sun

Rozi Jones, Financial Reporter

Liam Kennedy, Investment & Pensions Europe

Andrea Kinnear, Finance & Leasing Association

Simon Lambert, thisismoney.co.uk

Paul Lewis, Freelance/BBC Money Box

Dylan Lobo, Citywire

Gavin Lumsden, Citywire.co.uk

Emma Lunn, Freelance

Helen Macdonald, Taxbriefs

Julian Marr, Freelance

Simon McCulloch, Comparethemarket.com

Steve McDowell, Freelance

Michelle McGagh, Freelance

Steph McGovern, BBC

Steve McGrath, Alliance News

Paul McMillan, HFM Week

Harriet Meyer, Freelance

Leah Milner, Freelance

Vee Montebello, Old Mutual Wealth

Helen Morrissey, Retirement Planner

Fiona Murphy, Cover

Moira O’Neill, Investors Chronicle

Hilary Osborne, The Guardian

Sarah Pennells, Savvy Woman

Elizabeth Pfeuti, Chief Investment Officer

Tricia Phillips, Daily Mirror

Mark Polson, langcat financial

Kevin Pratt, MoneySupermarket.com

Jeff Prestridge, The Mail on Sunday

Helen Pridham, Freelance

David Prosser, Freelance

Simon Read, The Independent

James Redgrave, Plansponsor UK

Jessica Reid, Insurance Times

Cherry Reynard, Freelance

Steph Reynolds, The Share Centre

Hywel Roberts, Growth Business

David Sawers, Health Insurance Daily

Laura Shannon, The Mail on Sunday

Annie Shaw, Freelance

Gary Shepherd, Portfolio Adviser

Emily Spaven, CoinDesk

Annette Spencer, Investment Association

Josh Spero, Spear’s

Jonathan Stapleton, Professional Pensions

Alex Steger, New Model Adviser

Tony Stenning, BlackRock

Ruth Sunderland, The Daily Mail

Jonathan Swift, Post Magazine

Malcom Tarling, Association of British Insurers (ABI)

James Terry, Teamspirit

Holly Thomas, Freelance

Owain Thomas, Workplace Savings & Benefits

Emma Wall, Morningstar

Ashley Wassall, ftadviser.com

Jonathan Weinberg, ten14media

Maggie Williams, Reward

Carol Young, Clydesdale and Yorkshire Bank

‘Loads of potential…’Many journalists gain their first exposure to writing about money with a job working on one of the financial services industry’s many B2B titles. Some correspondents then decide to use this first step and turn it into a launch pad for landing a position on a more consumer-facing media outlet. Others, meanwhile, are happy to remain in situ. The latter cite that communicating with a professional audience is one of the toughest journalistic tests of all; a challenge where you really need to understand the mechanics of a particular industry and where journalistic fools are not tolerated easily by expert readers working at the coalface of a specific part of the industry.

Winner A pair of names emerged as potential winners from this category after the first wave of scoring. Once the judges had met up to discuss how and why they’d voted the same scenario pretty much prevailed. In which case it’s a case of hearty congratulations to Mortgage Solutions’ Samantha Partington who lifts this year’s trophy. ‘I liked her work overall out of all of the five names on the shortlist but there was one really good stand out article on thinking like an underwriter which has nailed her the prize,’ one judge remarked. Another concurred: ‘Samantha’s was the complete package for me. From the originality in her submissions covering two exclusives and a more educational feature to the quality of her supporting statement which justified the overall entry. She’s got loads of potential and I hope she goes from rising star to becoming a fixture in the financial journalism sphere.’

Highly Commended

Selin Bucak, Wealth Manager

Kathleen Gallagher, Investment Adviser

Samantha Partington, Mortgage Solutions

Alice Rigby, Investment Week

Charles Walmsley, New Model Adviser

SHORTLIST

Just falling one place short of first prize this year was New Model Adviser’s Charles Walmsley. ‘Charles writes really well and the way one of his submissions doggedly followed the goings on in a court case which would have been of great interest to his audience indicates his tenacity as well,’ one judge commented. ‘There was a decent spread of stories from a journalist on the up here: a court case, a look at the world of fund platforms and a takeover story,’ another judge added.

Rising Star of the Year (B2B)

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‘Brings financial issues to life…’Emerging triumphant as the year’s most promising journalist from within the ranks of the consumer money press is no mean feat. The competition is always fierce in this category with numerous contenders from every nook and cranny of the financial services media incorporating print, online and broadcast channels. To catch the eye in this sphere, what’s needed is an old head on young shoulders, not to mention a sixth sense which enables the journalist in question to sync completely with his or her audience. An authoritative approach coupled with the knack of understanding a subject inside out usually comes with age. Rising stars, however, are adept at finding their way to the journalistic equivalent of the express channel when it comes to getting to grips with a subject.

WinnerAfter the initial round-up of scores something of a split emerged amongst the judges about who deserved to land this year’s award from a strong set of submissions. After some vigorous debate it’s a case of very well done to the Daily Mail’s Holly Black who scoops first prize. ‘For me, financial stories are always brought to life by human experiences and I think Holly has managed to incorporate this aspect of financial reporting into her submission. I really enjoyed the investment virgins piece,’ one judge commented. ‘Holly’s work is all spot-on. She draws you in with a bright writing style and introduces you to some interesting characters. Her work has an authentic ring because she is out and about meeting people affected by the issue in hand,’ another judge remarked.

Highly Commended

Holly Black, Money Mail


Rob Goodman, Moneywise

Kate Palmer, Telegraph Media Group

Michael Trudeau, Money Observer

SHORTLIST

Well done also to Money Observer’s Michael Trudeau who is this year’s highly commended entry. ‘I thought Michael provided a wealth of information and useful tips. I especially enjoyed his article about how commission payments still continue to lurk within the financial advice arena despite the fact we’re now well into a period when the practice is more or less forbidden,’ one judge commented. ‘I thought his features were not just interesting and well-written but also pitched at just the right level for his readers,’ a second judge added.

Rising Star of the Year (Consumer)

DIRECT LINE CONGRATULATES HEADLINEMONEY’S GENERAL INSURANCE JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR.

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‘Hallmark of an exclusive…’Whether you’re a homeowner scratching your head over this year’s latest renewal quote, or a major institution whose job it is to cover anything and everything from cyber crime to flood risks, general insurance is an enormous market with loads of scope for great journalism. Consumer writers can draw on the real-life experiences of their readers to bring stories to life, while those covering the B2B side of the industry understand there are not just national, but worldwide trends, for providers to factor into their plans and the way they do business.

General Insurance Journalist of the Year

WinnerIn the B2B section, two names emerged as the clear leaders of the pack after the first round of online scores. The same pair were still battling it out for the main honours once judges face-to-face had a chance to discuss the merits of each of the five journalists on the shortlist. This year it’s a case of ‘hearty congratulations’ to Post’s Callum Brodie who lands the prize just ahead of one of his colleagues. ‘Callum’s three submissions were different in style and format but each had the hallmark of an exclusive and, overall, I think this body of work does enough to land the prize,’ one judge said. ‘With Stephen Hester, he bagged the biggest CEO interview in the business which must say a lot for Callum’s tenacity,’ another judge remarked.

The consumer award was more of a close-run session with no less than four of the names battling it out amongst the judges for top slot. After much consideration, our arbiters sided with Mark Bridge from The Times. ‘Mark submitted some really well-researched articles. I thought the one about Flood Re was the best of its kind by a mile.

Highly CommendedWho knows how the office banter will pan out but it’s a case of bad luck to Katie Marriner who just got pipped for first place this year by her Post colleague. ‘I really enjoyed Katie’s interview with Grahame Chilton and thought she did a great job,’ one judge commented.

Runner-up in this year’s consumer section is Leigh Jackson, now of Which? for work he submitted while at MoneySavingExpert.com. ‘I thought Leigh did a top job informing consumers about some of the more confusing aspects when taking out insurance,’ one judge pointed out.

Mark Bridge, The Times

Ali Hussain, The Sunday Times

Leigh Jackson, Which? Money, for work at MoneySavingExpert.com

Kate Palmer, Telegraph Media Group

SHORTLIST (CONSUMER)

Vicky Beckett, Reactions

Callum Brodie, Post

Katie Marriner, Post

Mark Sands, Money Marketing, for his work on Post

Charlie Thomas, Insurance Insider

SHORTLIST (B2B)

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‘Looks past the obvious…’The Footsie 100 index has finally breached the psychological 7,000 mark but what does that mean for investors? Not just the fund managers who trade in billions to meet their investment aims and benchmarks, but retail investors looking to boost pensions and savings by gaining exposure to commodities such as equities and fixed interest securities. The investment arena is vast and the number of trade and consumer journalists covering various City beats reflects this.

Investment Journalist of the Year

WinnerAs far as the respective judging panels were concerned, arriving at the winner of the B2B section of this award was a whole lot easier than its consumer equivalent. One entry from the five trade press contenders stood out during the online marking stage and that journalist only consolidated his position when the panelists met up face-to-face. In which case it’s a case of hearty congratulations to New Model Adviser’s David Sandham. ‘I really enjoyed the exclusive with Neil Woodford. David’s got great knowledge but looks past the obvious,’ one judge commented.

The consumer version of this trophy required a lot more consideration from the judging panel. The initial scoring was close and the final decision ebbed and flowed several times before the Daily Mail’s Holly Black was finally agreed upon as the winner. ‘Holly’s submissions are perfect for this category; they’re investment-related but with a true consumer focus,’ one judge commented.

Highly CommendedCommiseration to Financial News’s Mike Foster who takes the highly commended berth in the B2B category. ‘I suspect his submission would have been enough to land this award in other years. The tech funds piece was really far-sighted,’ one judge commented.

Filling the same position in the consumer press was the Telegraph Media Group’s Kyle Caldwell. ‘Kyle’s articles provide loads of food for thought for his readers,’ one judge remarked.

Mark Atherton, The Times

Holly Black, Money Mail


Richard Evans, Telegraph Media Group

Rebecca Jones, Money Observer


Mike Foster, Financial News

Matthew Jeynes, Investment Adviser

Dan Jones, Investment Week

Laura Miller, Professional Adviser

David Sandham, New Model Adviser

SHORTLIST (B2B)

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WinnerAs with the previous year, more than a dozen mortgage journalists plying their trade in this specialist arena received nominations in the B2B section of this category. For 2015 Headlinemoney is inscribing a new journalist name on its roll-call of winners with Mortgage Solutions’ Samantha Partington emerging triumphant. ‘It’s a close decision at the top this year but I think Samantha deserves to win because she consistently finds good stories that none of her rivals in this sector have managed to source,’ said one judge.

There are probably even more mortgage correspondents in the consumer sector than there are ones writing for professional audiences. This year it’s a case of back-to-back victories for the Telegraph Media Group’s Nicole Blackmore who saw off some fierce competition in her category. ‘I think Nicole’s entry demonstrates the best variety across the five nominees and she was very early with her item on the impact of the MMR at a time when it was just coming on the scene,’ one judge pointed out. ‘There is also plenty of useful guidance in Nicole’s submissions.

Highly CommendedCommiserations to Paul Thomas, a former multiple winner of this award who just fell one place short in this year’s B2B section. ‘He delivers the editorial goods year in, year out and writing for a professional audience - that’s no mean feat,’ one judge commented.

It was also a case of so close, yet so far for The Sunday Times’ Anna Mikhailova. ‘I enjoyed reading her submission, especially the story on older borrowers which was really interesting,’ one judge said.

Nicole Blackmore, Telegraph Media Group

John Fitzsimons, Lovemoney

Anna Mikhailova, The Sunday Times

Hilary Osborne, The Guardian

Neil Simpson, Freelance

SHORTLIST (CONSUMER)David Baxter, Financial Adviser

Ryan Fowler, Tech City News, for work on Mortgage Introducer

Victoria Hartley, Mortgage Solutions

Samantha Partington, Mortgage Solutions

Paul Thomas, Mortgage Strategy

SHORTLIST (B2B)

‘Consistently good …’House prices appear to rise and then fall like swifts in a summer sky and all the time the debate continues about when interest rates will begin their inexorable rise (it’s been a case of don’t hold your breath). Against this backdrop mortgage customers are on the lookout for top tips when it comes to taking out a home loan, and industry professionals require better market intelligence than ever before if they are going to do right by their customers. Fortunately an intrepid band of journalists covering all aspects of home loans are on hand to do the digging and come up with all the news, insights and guidance that readers require.

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‘Unconventional approach…’When health and money matters combine it can produce a potent cocktail of news and features as our shortlisted contenders demonstrated most ably. In cash-strapped times, health and protection-orientated insurance policies are probably the most susceptible element of the financial planning remit in terms of being prematurely ended by individuals and families looking to make savings to their household outgoings. This can often turn out to be a foolish idea, as those journalists shortlisted for the consumer prize in this category will be quick to tell you.

Financial Healthcare Journalist of the Year

WinnerFour of the five shortlisted contenders were still in with a chance of winning after the judges had sent in their initial scores in the B2B section of this category. However, once the panelists met up two names pulled clear of the pack. So it’s with great pleasure we say well done to Mortgage Solutions’ Hannah Uttley whose submissions from her time working on Workplace Savings & Benefits landed her top prize. ‘I like the freshness to Hannah’s work. She submitted three good articles which took a more unconventional approach but which all deserved a greater airing,’ one judge pointed out.

The consumer section was more clear-cut with two names firmly in the running after the initial scores were revealed. Finally it was The Mail on Sunday’s Jeff Prestridge who prevailed with one judge commenting that: ‘the submission was the total package’. ‘Jeff’s copy is well-written, honest, and he clearly knows his stuff. Brought to life with case studies, it’s difficult to see who beats him this year.’

Highly CommendedCommiserations to Employee Benefits’ Robert Crawford, runner-up in the B2B section of this category. ‘Robert’s articles were engaging, timely and thought-provoking for his readership,’ one judge pointed out.

Meanwhile Samantha Barrett fills the same position in the consumer section. ‘Sam’s a really good writer and very knowledgeable about her subject,’ one judge commented.

Samantha Barrett, Freelance

Victoria Bischoff, Money Mail

Leigh Jackson, Which? Money, for his work at MoneySavingExpert.com


Simon Ward, Lovemoney

SHORTLIST (CONSUMER)Samantha Barrett, Freelance

Robert Crawford, Employee Benefits

Fiona Murphy, Cover

Owain Thomas, Workplace Savings & Benefits

Hannah Uttley, Mortgage Solutions, for her work on Workplace Savings & Benefits

SHORTLIST (B2B)


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‘An eye for detail…’If forced to pick a part of the financial services arena which has endured the most enormous upheaval in the last 18 months there could well be several contenders although the consensus would in all likelihood come down on the side of pensions. In which case it’s just as well that the UK has a flourishing pensions press, on both the consumer and B2B sides of the divide, because keeping up to speed with reforms, liberation, et al in this sphere is no mean feat. Don’t expect things to settle down now we’re in post-election mode. Pensions is an enormous subject and one that audiences will only want to read more about in the coming years, not less.

Pensions Journalist of the Year

WinnerIn the B2B section of this award two leaders emerged clear of the pack after the first wave of judging and, once the face-to-face session was completed, the same two names were still fighting it out for top honours. Out of the pair it’s a case of well done to Money Marketing’s Sam Brodbeck who scoops his first Headlinemoney award. ‘I thought Sam provided us with some interesting stories basically prompted by last year’s Budget announcement and the speed of the subsequent reforms which have led to more questions than answers,’ one judge commented.

Turning to the consumer category, congratulations must extend to The Sunday Times’ Ruth Emery. ‘I especially liked Ruth’s story about the Treasury backtracking on its new rules for small pensions. Overall her submission has demonstrated an eye for detail, thorough research, plus new ideas and angles. What more could a consumer audience ask for,’ another judge asked.

Highly Commended

Ruth Emery, The Sunday Times

Dan Hyde, Telegraph Media Group

Ruth Lythe, Money Mail

Michelle McGagh, Freelance

Katie Morley, Telegraph Media Group


Sam Brodbeck, Money Marketing

John Greenwood, Corporate Adviser

Taha Lokhandwala, Investments & Pensions Europe

Will Robins, New Model Adviser

Jenna Towler, Professional Adviser

SHORTLIST (B2B)

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Filling the runner-up slot in this year’s B2B category is Corporate Adviser’s John Greenwood. ‘I thought John’s article highlighting a flaw at the heart of the pensions freedom changes was really interesting,’ one judge remarked.

Joining John from the consumer ranks is freelancer Michelle McGagh writing for Citywire Money. ‘I liked the way two of her submissions work their way through the detail of state pension changes,’ one judge commented.


Financial/Business Journalist of the Year (Local & Regional Titles)

‘A long way clear…’Covering financial and business affairs for local and regional audiences takes a special kind of journalist. The City of London inevitably looms large when it comes to the nation’s money matters, but readers from Exeter to Edinburgh want to know about the latest bank closures in their neck of the woods, the local businesses helping to boost the economy on their doorstep, not to mention how property price trends are panning out in their respective regions. Financial correspondents and business editors operating in the local and regional sphere need to be true journalistic all-rounders. Not only do they need the ability to eke out fresh and interesting content, but the extra challenge for them is to shape this material for readers who they quite possible mingle with in the local community.

WinnerHaving submitted their initial batch of scores online, the judges’ rankings in this category had highlighted three potential winners out of the original shortlist of five. Once the judging panel met face-to-face it became clear this was going to be a tough category to call so it’s a case of very well done to Conal Gregory who emerged triumphant this year for his three’ Your finances’ submissions which appeared in the Yorkshire Post. ‘Conal’s submission was the standout for me. He’s not afraid of telling it like it is to readers and his entry stretched from looking at critical illness cover to the merits, or otherwise, of investing in Japan,’ one judge commented. ‘Conal’s entries were really well written and combined the right amount of well-researched material, plus case studies, advice and tips for readers keen to follow up on a particular subject,’ a second judge added.

Highly Commended

Simon Bain, Herald & Times Newsapers (Scotland)

Conal Gregory, for his work on the Yorkshire Post

Naomi Rainey, Yorkshire Post

Jeff Salway, Freelance

Gavin Sheriff, The Sunday Post

SHORTLIST

Taking second place this year is freelancer Jeff Salway, a former multiple winner of this trophy but who came up one place short for 2015. ‘What I liked about Jeff’s entry was how he submitted three articles which considered subjects which had not been widely covered elsewhere but which had potentially serious financial implications for consumers going forward,’ one judge commented. ‘I really liked the story on claims management companies and how they continue to be unregulated north of the Border,’ another judge pointed out.

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WinnerBefore the judges sat down face-to-face the online marks suggested this would be a close call among three of the five shortlisted contenders in this category. Eventually Post emerged triumphant. ‘This clever, four-pronged assault on social media including not just Twitter and Facebook, but LinkedIn and YouTube makes it the standout submission this year,’ one judge commented. ‘There’s a great balance of information, updates and personality,’ another judge said.

The winner of the consumer section looked easier to call after the first phase of online rankings were revealed and became even more of a certainty once the judges met up to discuss their scores face-to-face. So hearty congratulations are in order for MoneySavingExpert which, as one judge commented: ‘has completely expanded way beyond simple Facebook and Twitter functionality’. ‘The site has developed its use of social media to help drive its content and feed back into the really useful editorial coverage it puts out,’ another judge added. ‘The supporting statement was also high quality. A lot of effort had clearly gone in to articulating the developments,’ a third added.

Highly Commended

Commiserations to CityA.M. and the ThisIsMoney websites which both fill the runner-up berths in the B2B and consumer sections respectively of this category. ‘CityA.M.’s presence via social media really grabbed my attention. Keep up the good work,’ one judge commented. ‘I thought the audio element to ThisIsMoney was a great new development,’ another judge remarked.

‘Way beyond Twitter…’In terms of what a media outlet needs to achieve to win a Headlinemoney award, the category where the guidelines are probably the most fluid is that for best of use of social media. It simply goes with the territory. When this category was launched, having a Twitter account may well have been enough for a title to be in with a good chance of landing the spoils. Not anymore. An explosion in digital channels and applications means there are numerous ways for media outlets to engage and communicate with their audiences, to share their content, and maximise their reach.

Best Use of Social Media

Mirror.co.uk/money

MoneySavingExpert

Moneywise

Telegraph Media Group

ThisIsMoney.co.uk


CityA.M.

FTAdviser

Investment Week

Money Marketing

Post

SHORTLIST (B2B)

19



21


WinnerIn the B2B category, many congratulations to the team at JP Morgan Asset Management which land this trophy for the first time. ‘Super-helpful’ and ‘always quick to respond,’ were the positive comments from just two satisfied journalists in this sphere.

Meanwhile the consumer section of this award goes to the Association of Investment Companies. ‘Always on hand, either to comment, help, or provide extra information’ one nominator noted.

‘Super-helpful…’Keep it under your trilby (the one with the ‘Press’ ticket tucked into the headband) but money journalists have more respect for financial services press offices than they let on publicly.

It’s not just journalism that’s changed in the multi and social media world of today. Those working in media relations and PR are adapting their game as well. What’s constant is that journalists appreciate the importance of savvy, informed press offices who can keep their heads while helping with media enquiries made against a backdrop of increasingly tight deadlines.

A high performance press office can cope with any query, no matter how awkward, that comes its way - preferably with plenty of good grace to boot.

That’s why, on a night that highlights so many journalistic achievements, it’s appropriate to acknowledge the financial services industry’s top-flight PRs as well. Earlier this year, financial journalists were polled extensively about who are the UK’s best in-house press teams operating across both consumer and B2B arenas.

Not only were hacks asked to vote, they were asked to justify their choices too. To become a champion press relations team, an ability to reply to queries plus the knack of sharing interesting insights are a good way to make it into a journalist’s good books.

Press Office Teams of the Year

1) Association of Investment Companies

2) TSB

3) TopCashBack


1) JP Morgan Asset Management

2) AXA Investment Managers

3) Schroders

SHORTLIST (B2B)

Sponsored by


JUST IMAGINE WHERE WE’LL GO NEXT…It’s been an exciting couple of decades. So, what’s the secret of our success? Simple. Our love of financial services; our skill at turning the complex into the compelling; and our thorough understanding and integration of PR.

Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners. Whether media or client, we look forward to you being part our future journey.

020 7360 7878 [email protected] teamspiritpr.com

WOW, A LOT’S HAPPENED IN 20 YEARS

1995Teamspirit

is born

1999We become part of Chime PLC

2003We win our first

FSF Award

2010China becomes world’s

2nd largest economy

2013Banking reform act

201417 awards won or shortlisted

2014Teamspirit Public Relations becomes UK’s 2nd largest specialist Financial

Services agency

2015Teamspirit Public Relations

becomes a team of 37

2015We celebrate our

20th Birthday

1998Google is founded

2012London hosts the Olympics

2008We move to Farringdon

2008Global financial

crisis

2009Launch of Teamspirit

Public Relations

2009

2008Global financial

crisis

2009

2015

2013We are named FSF Agency of the Year

2013

23


‘Incredibly helpful…’If your name appears in the next three pages then take a well-deserved bow. You have earned a place amongst the elite when it comes to financial services PR and media relations.

You’ve dealt with whatever manner of requests came your way from the financial journalist community over the past year. What’s more you did so with great efficiency; even more importantly your efforts did not go unacknowledged.

As is the Headlinemoney way, each of the names you read about here has emerged triumphant following an extensive online vote amongst financial journalists carried out earlier this year. Thank you to all the journalists who took the time to nominate the names of the in-house financial PRs that most impressed them during the course of 2014.

What makes for a good PR? Understanding the needs of a journalist is definitely a crucial element according to the comments made by the voters when asked to back up their selections. Turning round requests rapidly is also a skill of paramount importance along with knowing the differing needs and audiences of one media outlet compared with another.

Best Banking & Savings PRCongratulations to Barclays’ Alan White who received several glowing comments from money journalists keen to highlight his skills. ‘Incredibly helpful and patient’, said one journalist. ‘Understands the needs of the media,’ another commented.

1 – Alan White, Barclays

2 – Claire Miller, TSB

3 – Mike Pitcher, Nationwide

TOP 3

Best General Insurance PRWell done to Nicola Hussey from RSA/MORE TH>N who picks up a trophy for the third year running albeit in a different category. ‘Nicola knows the PR world inside out and does her job really thoroughly,’ one journalist noted.

1 – Nicola Hussey, RSA/MORE TH>N

2 – Vanessa Chance, LV=

3 – Adrian Webb, esure

TOP 3

In-house PR Professionals of the YearSponsored by


24


Best Mortgage PRWhen it comes to information and insights on home loans the ‘go to’ person over the past year was London & Country’s David Hollingworth. ‘It’s easy to sum up David when it comes to dealing with journalists: calm, patient, and very good,’ one judge commented.

1 – David Hollingworth, London & Country Mortgages

2 – Melissa Jobson, HSBC

3 – Roy Prenton, Skipton Building Society

TOP 3

Best Online Money PRJournalists writing about online money matters had plenty of positive things to say about Quidco’s Victoria Leyton. ‘She understands how journalists work, what they need and the timeframes they need to work in,’ one correspondent confirmed.

1 – Victoria Leyton, Quidco

2- Emma Morris, Moneysupermarket, for her work with TravelSupermarket

3 – Lindsey Casey, TopCashback

TOP 3

Best Investment PRPut your hands together for Charlotte Powell who lifts the investment trophy for the first time. ‘Charlotte responds instantly and with the information you require. You can’t say fairer than that,’ one journalist pointed out.

1 – Charlotte Powell, JP Morgan Asset Management

2 – Charlotte Banks, Schroders

3 – Madhu Kalia, Rathbones

TOP 3

In-house PR Professionals of the YearSponsored by


25


Best Protection PRWhen it comes to healthcare insurance and financial protection it was Aviva’s Sarah Poulter who came out on top for 2015. ‘Sarah is really efficient and very knowledgeable. She also has some great ideas which are always relevant to my audience,’ one judge remarked.

1 – Sarah Poulter, Aviva

2 – Addy Frederick, LV=

3 – Fiona Whytock, Aviva

TOP 3

Best Share Dealing & Currencies PRCongratulations to The Share Centre’s Stephanie Reynolds who got the nod over her rivals in the share dealing and forex category for 2015. ‘Stephanie is one of the best PRs around whichever financial sector you’re considering. She constantly exceeds expectations,’ one judge commented.

1 - Stephanie Reynolds, The Share Centre

2 - Rachael Kinsella, Smart Currency Exchange

3 - Rebecca Fitzgerald, DBIS, for her work at Caxton FX

TOP 3

Best Pension PRPensions are rarely out of the headlines and in a competitive sector it was MGM Advantage’s Paul Keeble who triumphed this year making it impressive back-to-back wins in this category. ‘Paul gets the job done efficiently, with the right levels of information and on time. Bingo!’ one journalist commented.

1– Paul Keeble, MGM Advantage

2 – Lucy Grubb, National Association of Pension Funds

3 – Ross Keany, Scottish Widows

TOP 3

In-house PR Professionals of the Year


Congratulationsto the winner of the

Headlinemoney Outstanding Achievement Award and all our other winners

27


Campaign

Winner

Headlinemoney Outstanding Achievement Award

This is the sixth year that Headlinemoney has featured an Outstanding Achievement trophy as part of its overall media awards programme.

As in previous years, this is a prize that we bestow on a particular individual in recognition of an exceptional contribution made by that person while working as part of the financial services media.

Once again the accolade is made in recognition of services rendered within the sphere of financial journalism.

This year’s recipient is someone whose name has been synonymous with money journalism for the best part of 30 years.

This hack has campaigned on a whole raft of personal finance issues down the years: from the injustices suffered by employees who have lost their company pension entitlements, to the iniquities on local communities when banks and post offices decide to up sticks and depart from villages and rural locations.

A Baggies (West Bromwich Albion to the uninitiated!) fan through and through, this journalist is no lover of over-paid but under-achieving financial services bosses.

A tireless charity worker who once ran ten marathons in ten days for the Brathay Trust also has little time for insurance companies who treat claimants as though they are all cheats.

Well, we’ve got plenty of time for you Jeff Prestridge, personal finance editor of The Mail on Sunday. You’re the recipient of our Outstanding Achievement award for 2015.

Congratulations!

2014 Anne Ashworth

2013 Sylvia Morris

2012 Janet Walford OBE

2011 Lorna Bourke

2010 John Husband

PREVIOUS WINNERS


Towergate Insurance is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England with company number 4043759. VAT Registration Number: 447284724. Registered Address: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Rd, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Towergate Insurance is thrilled to be sponsoring the Consumer Champion Journalist of the Year.

to find out more visit: www.towergateinsurance.co.uk

With Insurance for alligator wrestling to zorbing, and most things in between, ensuring customers have insurance that’s right for them is our passion.

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Consumer Champion of the YearSponsored by ‘Exposing wrongdoing…’

When it comes to financial services media, consumer champions can be identified with the superhero community whose job it is to put right any wrongdoing and take up cudgels on behalf of readers who feel they’ve been treated unfairly. Agony aunts and uncles can achieve the results which ordinary members of the public have little chance of obtaining against faceless leviathans often swathed in corporate cloaks of invincibility and fueled by seemingly limitless legal resources. The money media landscape may be changing, but its appetite for consumer champions remains undiminished. From simple apologies to eye-popping sums of money, it’s amazing what gets recouped when these impressive individuals are unleashed on a case.

WinnerA clear leader emerged from the shortlist of five names after the first phase of judging and once the judges had finished their face-to-face session there was no change at the top. So it’s a case of hearty congratulations this year to Laura Whateley who writes the Troubleshooter column for The Times’ money section. ‘With two columns and a feature making up this year’s submission I think Laura has easily done enough to win by exposing wrongdoing, highlighting poor customer service and also provide readers with practical advice on a range of consumer affairs,’ one judge commented. Another judge agreed: ‘the breadth of coverage is impressive, taking account of fraud by criminal gangs on the one hand, to problems with Power of Attorney and the frustration caused by mobile phone bills on the other’.

Highly Commended

Rob Goodman, Moneywise

Jessica Gorst-Williams, Telegraph Media Group

Tony Hazell, Money Mail

Jill Insley, Sunday Times

Laura Whateley, The Times

SHORTLIST

Filling the runner-up slot this year is Telegraph Media Group’s Jessica Gorst-Williams, a former winner of this award. ‘I think Jessica’s submission does exactly what she says in her accompanying statement: they demonstrate consistency, tenacity, thoroughness and fairness, all the hallmarks of a consumer champion at the top of his/her game for the audience involved,’ one judge commented. ‘I’m sure Jessica’s articles inspire companies to improve the way the serve customers which is a really useful by-product of columns like these,’ another judge suggested.


Like any good journalist we’re always looking out

for leaks

The AA proudly sponsors the Household Money Journalist of the Year

Media enquiries 01256 495 969 [email protected]

The AA can now rescue you in the home with Home Membership.

31


Sponsored by ‘A true campaigner…’Today’s consumer finance writers are just as likely to direct their journalistic energies spending time covering stories to do with energy bills, mobile phone packages, and loyalty schemes as they are looking at how the latest pension reforms will affect the at-retirement market. Helping readers to save £100 here and £50 there can soon build up into a chunky wedge of cash by the end of the year especially against a backdrop of financial austerity. This award recognises the efforts made by just those sorts of correspondents – ones whose mantra ties in neatly with the old saying that goes ‘look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves’.

WinnerNo less than four of the five shortlisted names were still in with a fair chance of landing this prize after the judges had completed their first wave of online scoring in this category. However, once the judges met up face-to-face the competition developed into a two-runner race and it’s with great pleasure that we announce freelancer Felicity Hannah as this year’s winner. ‘One of Felicity’s submissions was an excellent investigation about how a heating appliance designed to save households money did not always live up to the hype,’ one judge commented. ‘I thought her article on children, domestic poverty and how to proactively deal with the subject was really interesting,’ a second judge added.

Highly Commended

Victoria Bischoff, Money Mail

Nathalie Bonney, Good Housekeeping

Sophie Christie, Telegraph Media Group

Felicity Hannah, Freelance

Tricia Phillips, Daily Mirror

SHORTLIST

The Daily Mirror’s Tricia Phillips, a former winner of this award, takes the runner-up berth this year. ‘Tricia put forward some fine submissions. I really enjoyed her article on current accounts and thought it was excellent,’ one judge said. ‘What comes out of Tricia’s writing is her enthusiasm for helping readers to avoid financial calamities,’ another judge added. ‘Most members of the public don’t have the time to specialise in money matters. Being helped to make the right decisions and getting the best from your hard-earned cash is vital, especially when it’s in short supply’ another judge commented.

Household Money Journalist of the Year


is proud to sponsor the'Consumer Money

Journalist of the Year'

Good luck to all the finalists and enjoy the evening!

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

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33


Sponsored by ‘Terrific all-rounder…’Headlinemoney’s large universe of users (incorporating financial journalists, PRs and communications experts) spends much time and effort making its selections during the initial online nominations phase of this awards programme. As you might anticipate, the consumer money journalist accolade is one that attracts a huge pool of names from which the final shortlist of five is ultimately derived. Broadsheet, tabloid, magazine, broadcast and online money correspondents all have their fans nowadays. Simply making it to the shortlist in this category is an admirable achievement in itself, let alone walking off with first prize. Suffice to say, the judges inevitably end up with a major task on their hands when it comes to picking an overall winner. And this year was no different…

WinnerAfter the first wave of scoring it was still a relatively close call for at least three out of the five shortlisted names. Following some intense debate, the judges eventually came up with their final pairing and so it’s with great pleasure we announce that Richard Dyson from the Telegraph Media Group is this year’s winner. ‘Richard is clearly a terrific all-rounder which is just what you need to win an award of this magnitude,’ one judge remarked. ‘I enjoyed reading Richard’s submissions which spanned a large section of the consumer money landscape – from care home costs to the financial implications of vouchers and loyalty scheme initiatives,’ a second judge commented. ‘His articles are fresh, well-written and balanced. I liked the one about the increasing number of problems being faced by older borrowers when it comes to getting a mortgage,’ a third judge said.

Highly Commended

Victoria Bischoff, Daily Mail

Richard Dyson, Telegraph Media Group

Mark King, Moneywise


Gareth Shaw, Which? Money

SHORTLIST

Commiserations to The Mail on Sunday’s Jeff Prestridge who just fell one place short from landing first prize in this category. ‘You always feel Jeff’s truly on the side of the consumer and his submissions in this category back up that sentiment,’ one judge said. ‘He locks on to a target and goes about things in true campaigning style. Crucially, those campaigns don’t just fizzle out but go on to achieve something tangible,’ a second judge pointed out.

Consumer Money Journalist of the Year


It takes hard graftto become theHeadlinemoney ‘FreelanceJournalist of the Year’.Congratulations tothe winner and allthose shortlisted.

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35


Sponsored by ‘Pushing the envelope…’To win an award for freelancing in 2015 is a particularly noteworthy achievement. There are those within the journalistic ranks who argue that there is something lacking from a hack’s CV if he/she has never freelanced to put bread on the table. It’s all very well turning up at an office each day in the knowledge that there’s a reasonable safety net of employment security attached to your writing or editing job. But this is a light year away from those journalists who choose to work on their own pitching stories and ideas, week in and week out to titles with increasingly diminishing commissioning budgets. Nothing is certain for freelancers. It’s not just a case of competing against established rivals who are going after the same avenues of work as you nowadays. Journalism courses churn out large numbers of newly-qualified students and many opt to take the financial freelance route in pursuit of their career.

Winner Once the judges had completed their online scoring phase, one name emerged as a clear leader from the five journalist contenders on this year’s shortlist. Having sat down to discuss the merits face-to-face of the quintet of writers in question the judging panel was even more resolved about making decision. So it’s a case of hearty congratulations for Donna Ferguson who achieves a notable double in this category with back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015. ‘You might say that Donna is pushing the envelope in terms of personal finance journalism with her submissions and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that,’ one judge commented. ‘There’s great personality in her writing and she also demonstrates a terrific range of coverage. We’ve got a submission in front of us which ranges from the financial consequences of fertility treatment, to an article on mystery shopping practices and a mortgage feature which was followed up subsequently by several newspapers,’ another judge pointed out.

Highly Commended

Donna Ferguson

Michelle McGagh

Helen Pridham

Cherry Reynard

Philip Scott

SHORTLIST

Commiserations to Helen Pridham who fell just one place short of landing the overall prize in this category. ‘Helen’s work is detailed, thorough and really well-written. You can’t ask for much more than that from a freelancer,’ one judge said. ‘Helen clearly likes to write about issues from a fresh and original perspective which is the hallmark of a top journalist. I thought her articles both on annuities and phoenix funds were really good,’ another judge commented.

Freelance Financial Journalist of the Year


OLD MUTUAL WEALTH ARE PROUD TO SPONSOR THE FINANCIAL BROADCAST JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners

37


Financial Broadcast Journalist of the YearSponsored by ‘Gets to the nitty gritty…’

Covering the subject of finance for print or online is a tough enough assignment, although tackling money matters, City news and the like via the airwaves for an eager audience of viewers and/or listeners can prove to be even more of a challenge. Financial and business journalists who go on air to ply their trade are often faced with short timeframes to convey and explain what are often complicated issues. Throw in the pressures of working in a ‘live’ capacity and/or making sure an item works visually or orally and journalists in this sector are arguably under even more pressure than their print rivals. There’s not always the chance to do a second take, so getting things right at the first time of asking adds even more to the challenge.

Winner Initial online scores from the judges in this category ranked three of the names from the shortlist relatively close together. But following the face-to-face judging session it was the BBC’s Stephanie McGovern who eventually emerged as this year’s winner; a first success for her at the Headlinemoney awards. Nowadays an established part of the Breakfast team, Stephanie covers daily financial developments and goes out and about meeting Britain’s businesses first-hand at the frontline. ‘I think Stephanie really gets to the nitty gritty of financial affairs whether she’s talking to businesspeople, commenting on the wider economy or informing viewers about changes to something within the personal finance landscape,’ one of the judges commented. ‘Working in the breakfast slot is no easy challenge and I just think she explains things really well. As part of her submission I really enjoyed the Sir Jon Cunliffe interview,’ another judge added.

Highly Commended

Ed Bowsher, Share Radio

Simon Gompertz, BBC News

Martin Lewis, Various

Stephanie McGovern, BBC Breakfast

Emma Wall, Morningstar

SHORTLIST

Commiserations go to the BBC’s Simon Gompertz who just fell short of the winning line this year. ‘Simon is really good at communicating financial stories in a way that the general public can not only understand them but learn from the subject matter as well,’ one judge remarked. ‘I agree. It’s not an easy brief but his broadcasts are really thought-provoking. Look at the variety of his submissions – they range from travelling with a coach load of older people to talk about the introduction of the new pensioner bonds, while at the same time he’s comfortable tackling the topic of loan sharks.’


39


‘Entertaining and engaging…’Who hasn’t got an opinion when it comes to personal finance, economic and City affairs, or the wider world of big business? Financial blogs provide media outlets, individuals and others with a distinctive platform from which to have their say. Because of the scope for variety from one contender to another this award is probably one of the most difficult to judge out of the entire awards portfolio. However the basic principle that underpins all of this year’s categories is still in play, even in the blogosphere: at all times the aim of the exercise is to identify and acknowledge editorial excellence.

WinnerThe initial scoring in this category identified two potential winners early on. Once the judges sat down to discuss the merits of each shortlisted contender face-to-face this pair pulled even further clear of their rivals. It’s a case of hearty congratulations to The Guardian’s Money blog which picks up this award for the second year running. ‘It strikes me that this blog is both entertaining and engaging and presents its readers with a variety of talking points and comments about money matters and personal finance,’ one judge remarked. ‘Probably more so than in many of the other trophies on offer in these awards, there are obviously a variety of ways a blog can be presented. For me The Guardian’s version just about hits the nail on the head in the financial services sense,’ a second judge added.

Highly Commended

Guardian Money blog

MummyMoneyMatters blog

MoneySavingExpert blog

Penny Golightly blog

SHORTLIST

In the runner-up slot for 2015 comes MoneySavingExpert with a threeway blog taking in the thoughts from the MSE team, the Deals Hunters section, plus the views from MSE founder Martin Lewis. ‘I especially like the team element to this blog which features the personal money experiences of different individuals at the website,’ one judge commented. The ‘Deals Hunter’ section is a really interesting read which focuses on loopholes and things like money-saving offers. I can see why this would have a huge following amongst members of the public,’ another judge pointed out.

Financial Blog of the Year


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41


‘Indispensable hub…’Cyberspace is a big place but it’s beginning to get crowded. That’s regardless of whether you’re weighing up the merits of finance-orientated websites aimed at a professional audience such financial advisers, or a service which is more consumer-orientated offering guidance and tips to those on the hunt for the best money-making and personal finance steers. Today’s data driven world is an ideal backdrop for the financial website community. But combined with all the number crunching and internet bells and whistles that are available, a large dollop of top-notch editorial coverage is key to help engage with, then retain, an audience regardless of whether they’re trade or consumer.

Financial Website of the YearSponsored by

WinnerTwo websites enjoyed a clear lead over their rivals in the B2B section after the initial set of online scores had been received. Following plenty of consideration during the face-to-face session the judges eventually declared New Model Adviser the winner. ‘NMA breaks exclusive news online for its readers which is great. Crucially, having tried it on mobile, desktop and tablet in different locations, its online offering works really well across all platforms which I couldn’t say about all the others,’ one judge commented.

After initial scoring in the consumer category there was a close call three ways, but it was The Telegraph’s personal finance section which just prevailed. ‘If you’re a reader with more than a passing interest in PF matters you’ve got to say that The Telegraph is an indispensible hub for both news and advice,’ one judge commented.

Highly Commended

Commiserations to the Money Marketing website which was just edged out for top honours in the B2B section this year. ‘The online version is a really good extension of the print title,’ one judge commented. On the consumer front it was MoneySavingExpert which came up one place short. ‘There’s no doubt this is a great resource for people looking to save cash,’ one judge commented.

Lovemoney

MoneySavingExpert

Telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance

TheTimes.co.uk/Money

ThisIsMoney


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Investment Week

Money Marketing

New Model Adviser

Wealth Manager

SHORTLIST (B2B)


Contact our media team on 0845 6035 447 or visit cbonline.co.uk/media

Congratulations to all of tonight’s Headlinemoney Awards winners and nominees

Proud to sponsor Consumer Money Title of the Year

Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank are trading names of Clydesdale Bank PLC. A member of the National Australia Bank Group of companies.

Jason ClarkeSenior Media Relations Manager – Corporate

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43


‘Tackling tricky subjects…’Consumer finance publications, titles and now, increasingly, websites have evolved considerably over the last decade or two. But at their heart a few central tenets have endured, notably: the idea of providing guidance and advice for readers who are unfamiliar with the workings of the financial services industry, highlighting the best deals on everything from pensions to pet insurance, cutting through jargon that’s an all too common feature of the industry and, where necessary, taking companies to task where customer service levels could be improved or highlighting where the consumer’s been getting a raw deal.

Winner The initial wave of online scoring was a close-run affair with four of the five shortlisted contenders seemingly in with a chance of landing the trophy. However, once the judges met face-to-face to discuss their scores and discuss at length the merits of each of the titles in question, a pair of names pulled clear of the pack. In which case it’s a case of hearty congratulations to The Sunday Times and its Money section which lifts top honours for 2015. ‘The Money section appears to have a new zest for life. It combines interesting features with good columnists and a great range of reader experiences,’ one judge commented. ‘The submission included examples where it delivered some serious results for its readers. It’s clearly not afraid to tackle the tricky subjects,’ another judge pointed out.

Highly Commended

Daily Telegraph, Your Money

Money Observer

The Sunday Times, Money

The Times, Money

Which? Money

SHORTLIST

Filling the runner-up berth for 2015 is Which? Money. ‘Part of the title’s stated aim is to make consumers as powerful as the companies they deal with and I think it achieves just that with its in-depth articles and thorough research,’ one judge commented. ‘Which? Money is obviously a different kind of publication to, say, a weekend newspaper money section. But for consumers it always give the impression that here is a champion at your side,’ another judge remarked.

Consumer Money Title of the YearSponsored by


Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. The Columbia and Threadneedle companies are owned by leading U.S. financial services firm Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and together form the 30th largest global asset management group as of December 31, 2013. Source: Pensions & Investments/Towers Watson Global 500 Ranking – Year End 2013. AUM of US$500bn : Includes the combined assets under management of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies as of December 31, 2014. Source: Ameriprise Financial Q4 2014 earnings release. Morningstar as of 31 January 2015. For more information on the methodology please visit www.morningstar.com Copyright @ 2015 Morningstar Inc. All Rights Reserved. Not all funds are available in all jurisdictions, to all investors, or through all firms. This material is for information only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation of an order to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments, or to provide investment advice or services. Warning: your capital is at risk, prices may fluctuate and you may not receive back your original investment. Issued by Threadneedle Investment Services Limited (No. 3701768). Threadneedle Asset Management Limited (No. 573204). Registered in England and Wales. Authorised and Regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority. 04.15 | J23149

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‘Strong on analysis…’Top business-to-business titles should obviously be in sync with their readers, but that certainly doesn’t mean giving the professional audience they serve an easy time into the bargain. Working on a B2B title aimed at specific audience of practitioners can be a challenging job for a journalist, especially when it comes to covering the more niche sectors within the financial services industry. Some writers and editors believe that if you’re a correspondent who hasn’t spent at least part of his or her career working in the B2B domain, your overall journalistic CV is incomplete as a result. Top B2B titles reflect the changes taking place within an industry as well as unearthing the way developments impact on businesses at the coalface. Titles which do their job right get carried home in the briefcase for a read on the train, those that don’t get binned at the earliest opportunity.

WinnerIn a close-run affair, three titles out of the five on the shortlist were vying for supremacy by the end of the first wave of online scoring this year. After much debate, the judging panel eventually narrowed this trio down to a final pair and, in the final analysis, it’s a case of hearty congratulations to Investment Week which emerged triumphant overall. ‘Despite the common denominator of B2B, each of the titles on the shortlist tackles its coverage in a different way. I think Investment Week has made great strides over the past year, is strong on analysis, and is prepared to provide its audience of investment professionals with a contrarian viewpoint all of which makes them my winner,’ one judge commented. ‘The content is well targeted and always in sync with the major themes of the moment,’ another judge added.

Highly Commended

Investment Week

Money Management

Money Marketing

New Model Adviser

Wealth Manager

SHORTLIST

Filling the runner-up berth this year is Money Marketing. ‘I remain a great fan of this title and I think the whole way it is assembled is really top-notch for its readers,’ one judge remarked. ‘The in-depth analysis is really useful, the sections are sign-posted clearly and it retains the impression that here is a title on top of its game when covering issues relevant to the adviser community,’ another judge pointed out.

Retirement Strategy38-40

Richard BuxtonInsurer woes add to uncertainty 24

10 A

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RegulationFCA issues wake-up call to advisers over charges disclosure 8

InvestmentAnthony Bolton says Western analysts under-estimate China 26

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Lucian CampThe greed at the heart of the downfall of annuities 38

Financial B2B Title of the YearSponsored by


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47


‘Great writing style…’Who hasn’t got an opinion about financial affairs? Whether it’s to do with the merits (or otherwise) about the Government’s plans for pensions liberation, to the economic pitfalls (or benefits) of the UK remaining in the EU (or, indeed, making for a sharp Brexit). Broadsheets, tabloids, and the B2B press alike feature individuals who are willing to go out on a limb to say something fresh and insightful, offer their readers some timely advice, or even warn them of financial turbulence ahead. In some cases, the best practitioners offer their audience a mix of all three in the same comment piece.

Winner After the first phase of scoring the judges in this category made it a fairly close-run affair concerning three of the journalists who had made it on to original shortlist of five names. Following some vigorous debate the trio was whittled down to a final pair and it was eventually Ian Cowie of The Sunday Times who emerged triumphant. ‘I really liked Ian’s submissions each of which revolved around the unintended consequences of the credit crisis and included both a look at generation rent as well as reforms to the UK’s pension rules,’ one judge commented. ‘I think Ian’s got a great writing style and he’s not afraid to inject a bit of humour into his copy as well to keep the subject matter fresh,’ another judge commented. ‘One of Ian’s comment pieces written around the time of the Scottish referendum also included an insight into how he’d move some of his own assets in light of developments – a real case of putting your money where your mouth is,’ a third judge remarked.

Highly Commended

David Budworth, The Times

Ian Cowie, The Sunday Times

Richard Dyson, Telegraph Media Group

Anthony Hilton, London Evening Standard

Merryn Somerset Webb, MoneyWeek & Financial Times

SHORTLIST

The Telegraph Media Group’s Richard Dyson came close to lifting the trophy but found one rival just that bit too good on this occasion. ‘I’d be inclined to sum up Richard’s submission in three words: entertaining, valid, and interesting,’ one judge commented. ‘As well as being a commentary, each of Richard’s submissions was useful to his readers as well. It’s a real skill to combine the two elements,’ a second judge pointed out.

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‘Stories that grab you…’Being ranked as the leading financial journalist plying your trade within the B2B arena is certainly no mean feat. Audiences made up of professional readers can often be the most difficult to please. Correspondents working in this sphere are not only required to do the usual legwork by coming up with great news stories, terrific feature ideas and survey work to die for. But they are doing so for people who are often experts in their field and who themselves are often familiar with being approached for comment on important issues of the day. It goes without saying, therefore, that journalists need to be sure-footed performers to operate in this sphere where the aim of the game is to produce top-notch editorial for a specialist and knowledgeable array of readers.

Winner The first thing to report about this category is that the consensus from the judges was that the quality of the shortlisted quintet was extremely high. That made lifting the trophy even more difficult this year so it’s a case of hats off to New Model Adviser’s Michelle Abrego who just edged in front of her fellow B2B hacks at the right moment. ‘I just love the way Michelle writes. She’s submitted stories that grab you from the beginning; ones which lead you in and turn out to be well structured,’ one judge remarked. Another panellist concurred: ‘on top of that there is plenty of original research going on and basically there’s a real feel of quality journalism here.’ ‘I really enjoyed Michelle’s phoenix firms story where advisers have mis-sold products, escaped liability, then re-emerged under the guise of a new name,’ a third judge commented.

Highly Commended

Michelle Abrego, New Model Adviser

Anna Fedorova, Investment Week

Dan Jones, Investment Week

Danielle Levy, Wealth Manager

Donia O’Loughlin, FTAdviser

SHORTLIST

Commiserations to FTAdviser’s Donia O’Loughlin who, in most normal years, probably submitted material of sufficient quality that would have given her the title. ‘I liked the variety in Donia’s work, she’s brave to include two investigative items plus a blog submission to demonstrate the depth of her work,’ one judge said. ‘I really like her clear style and tone. Obviously, these are important weapons when you’re writing for any audience as a journalist, but especially when you’re communicating issues to a professional one,’ a second judge commented.

Financial B2B Journalist of the Year


Headlinemoney are proud to be fundraising for Mind, the mental health charity, our National Charity of the Year,

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• Go to www.don8.to/MIND002• TEXT MIND002 to 70970 TO GIVE £5

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51


Sunday bestWe’ve arrived at the page where it’s time to reveal Headlinemoney’s overall journalist of the year. A quick glance at the winners’ roll of honour confirms this is not an award that’s been given away lightly down the years. It goes without saying that the successful individual in this category needs to be more than a high-performance journalist. So who has prevailed in 2015?

In fact, several clues to this year’s winner have already been distributed in this commemorative brochure. Not only have colleagues of this individual already picked up trophies for their journalistic endeavours in various categories, but the very money section to which they all contribute even walked off with the accolade of consumer money title. Without keeping you in suspense any longer (and in case you haven’t guessed by now) it’s a case of hearty congratulations to The Sunday Times’ head of money, Becky Barrow, who scoops the prize for 2015. Becky moved to the newspaper from the Daily Mail in September 2014 and has obviously made quite an impact in her new editorial surroundings. That’s not just the opinion of Headlinemoney, but comes from the feedback obtained during the various judging sessions this year; comments that have helped Becky land this coveted trophy. Launched in November 1979, the money section ‘is committed to genuinely helping and informing our readers… we are not afraid to tackle the tricky subjects, even ones that some people consider to be taboo,’ Barrow wrote in her submission for the consumer title award. And we at Headlinemoney are not afraid of handing out this prestigious award to such a talented journalist and editor! Well done indeed.

Winner

Headlinemoney Journalist of the Year 2015


wednesday 13th may 2015

London hiLton on Park Lane

winner’s book - headlinemoney€¦ · as always, the majority of the journalist winners that...

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