Paul Brand, the journalist responsible for breaking the Partygate video during the pandemic in 2021, is to host this year’s Kent Press & Broadcast Awards.
The not-for-profit scheme is organised by Tunbridge Wells-based PR, marketing and public affairs agency Maxim, and is designed to recognise and reward the efforts of the local media – it is now open for entries.
Rachel Knight, Director at Maxim, said: “Over the 12 years we’ve been running KPBA much has changed in the media landscape but one thing has remained the same: the high quality of the entries we receive. It’s always a pleasure to announce the launch of KPBA, followed by a nervous wait for the first entry because everyone knows journalists like to meet deadlines, rather than beat them!
“We are very pleased that Paul Brand has agreed to host this year’s awards. He is a remarkable investigative journalist and we are sure he will have many interesting stories to tell about his career.”
Paul Brand is the UK Editor for ITV News and presenter of ITV’s current affairs programme Tonight, as well as Good Morning Britain and News at Ten. He has twice been named Political Journalist of the Year, by the Royal Television Society, as well as Specialist Journalist of the Year, and his investigations have repeatedly changed government policy. As well as breaking Partygate, it was Paul who was the first to reveal that patients were being discharged from hospitals into care homes without testing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
All KPBA finalists are offered a free place at the awards ceremony hosted by Paul, which will take place at the Spitfire Ground, Canterbury, on Friday, 3 July 2026. The entry period for nominations is from 5 April 2025 until 10 April 2026. Anyone working in the Kent media can enter as many categories as they wish, free of charge.
The judging panel comprises Susie Boniface, a national journalist known as Fleet Street Fox; Sian Elvin, a national journalist and editor; Anthony France, crime correspondent for the Evening Standard; Rebecca Smith, former senior editor for Kent Regional News and Media; John Warnett, a retired radio journalist with more than 30 years’ experience; Leo Whitlock, a former local newspaper journalist for more than 20 years, much of which was spent at the KM Media Group; and Adrian Wills, a former newspaper and ITV broadcast journalist.
Rachel added: We are incredibly grateful to the independent judging panel, who review all the entries and give their time free of charge. Without them – and our generous sponsors who enable participation to be free of charge – KPBA simply wouldn’t be the success it has become. Thank you to everyone who gets involved: nominees, judges and sponsors.
Winners 2025 – last year’s winners
The categories for 2026 are:
Kent Broadcast Journalist of the Year, sponsored by Le Shuttle
Kent Broadcast Presenter of the Year, sponsored by CPL Films
Kent Design(er) of the Year, sponsored by Ashford Designer Outlet
Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Broadcast), sponsored by Shepherd Neame
Kent Feature Journalist of the Year (Print)
Kent Investigation of the Year
Kent Magazine of the Year
Kent Making it Happen Award, sponsored by Gallagher
Kent New Journalist of the Year
Kent News Website of the Year, sponsored by Port of Dover
Kent Newspaper of the Year, sponsored by Southern Water
Kent Print & Online Journalist of the Year
Kent Programme of the Year
Kent Story of the Year
The Neil Bell Kent Sports Journalist of the Year, supported by Kent Cricket
Kent Voices Award
The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday, 10 April 2026 with the finalists announced in May. To find out more and download an entry form, visit www.kpbawards.co.uk.
For information on becoming a category sponsor, contact Rachel Knight on 01892 513033 or email [email protected].
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