The annual Wincott awards ceremony for the best business, economic and financial journalism was supported by the City of London Corporation and held in the presence of The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor Locum Tenens, Alderman Ian Luder. Sir Richard Lambert, chair of the Wincott Foundation trustees, presented the awards. The guest speaker at the lunch for about 80 media and business leaders was Ian Davis, chairman of Rolls-Royce plc.
The winners were:
Wincott Financial Journalist of the Year
The judges said:”Ed generates the highest quality work across all forms of media and presented a terrific portfolio for 2018. His Times columns ranged from the economic significance of ‘Love Island’ to British workers’ surprisingly short working week. For Sky, he uncovered five separate UK housing crises and submitted a beautifully made documentary, ‘In Too Deep’, on the economics of the oceans.”Ed Conway, Sky News/The TimesEd Conway, Sir Richard Lambert.
Personal Finance Journalist of the Year
The judges said:”Claer showed an impressive range of work, from the difficulty of transferring pension savings to the “bank robbery” of automated push payments. In the crucial role of helping readers and listeners manage their finances, she is the kind of journalist who ‘tells me things I don’t know in ways that I can understand’.” “
Wincott Young Financial Journalist of the Year
The judges said:”Eshe writes in a sophisticated way about the big issues in economics. In the series, ‘Remaking Economics’, she explored the way the subject is taught, the rebuilding of macroeconomics after the 2008 crash and the discipline’s lack of diversity. Her range extended to sustainable investing and the UK’s trade ties with the EU.”Eshe Nelson, QuartzSir Richard Lambert and Eshe Nelson
Wincott Audio Journalism of the Year
The judges said:”Freelance journalist Lesley Curwen embarked on a mission to expose hidden fees paid by savers and investors. BBC Radio 4 colleagues on ‘In Business’, including editor Penny Murphy, and on ‘Money Box Live’ were convinced of the story’s importance. The programmes were produced by Rosamund Jones and Alex Lewis. Patient journalistic skills and international research contributed to a strong case for change.”‘The Transparency Detectives, BBC Radio 4Sir Richard Lambewrt, Lesley Curwen, Rosamund Jones
Wincott Video Journalism of the Year
The judges said:”This STV production for BBC2 presented an authoritative and lucid account of Royal Bank of Scotland’s catastrophic role in the UK’s financial crisis. The team was led by director Leo Burley, with Lotte Murphy-Johnson, Michael McAvoy and Stephen McGinty as producers and Tony Robinson as editor. The impressive cast list, immaculate production and fresh detail brought to life an event that happened a decade ago but which still resonates.””‘The Bank That Almost Broke Britain’, BBC Radio 4Sir Richard Lambert, Leo Burley, Lotte Murphy-Johnson
Wincott Journalism of the Year in the UK Nations and Regions
The judges said:”Alistair is exactly what a top regional journalist should be, digging deep into the most important business stories in ways that draw in the general reader. He makes impressive use of the Liverpool Echo’s multi-media platform to provide arresting images and global links on stories at the heart of the city’s economic development.”Alistair Houghton, Liverpool EchoAlistair Houghton and Sir Richard Lambert
Wincott Lifetime Achievement Award
The judges said:”Michael began his career with the BBC on Radio 4’s pioneering Money Box programme. He won the first of many Wincott Awards in 1994 with ‘The Giant Awakes’, for BBC2’s The Money Programme, examining China’s emergence as a global trading nation. In the run-up to the financial crisis, he saw that ‘mortgage madness’ was inflating both house prices and bank debt. Post-crisis he followed the recession’s trail with award-winning series for the World Service. He has prompted regulatory action on energy prices and exposed corporate tax avoidance. Over four decades, Michael’s career has exemplified The Wincott Foundation’s mission: to improve the public’s understanding of business, economics and finance.”