CLASS OF 2021
They're here! Meet the PPA 30 Under 30 Class of 2021.
Massive congratulations to each and every one of our deserving winners.
Scroll down to find out more and what the judges said about each winner!
Helena Beer
Editor
Training Matters
Communications International Group
Being an Editor for a pharmaceutical magazine in the time of a global pandemic undoubtedly brings unforeseen challenges to a journalist. Evidently not for Helena Beer who dazzled our judges with her ability to excel in every challenge that came her way.
Esha Bhabuta
Customer Experience Marketing Manager
New Scientist
New Scientist
Esha is a true ideas generator that puts the customer at the heart of everything she does making her an invaluable team member at New Scientist. The judges were especially impressed that she was able to make such an impact given that she only joined the company during the pandemic. Go Esha!
Sophie Cockett
Commerce Writer
British GLAMOUR
The Condé Nast Publications
Sophie has achieved a huge amount as Commerce Writer for GLAMOUR in the very short time she has been working there. Her original approach to commercial content creation has been lucrative for GLAMOUR, garnering her respect amongst her colleagues and our judges.
Alice Cowling
Senior Designer (Digital and Motion)
Cosmopolitan UK
Hearst UK
Alice’s entry was as colourful as her work portfolio. Overseeing Cosmopolitan UK’s digital presence, Alice has been a key team player in training the print and art team in animation. Her ability to stay true to the Cosmopolitan brand is what impressed our judges.
Beth Crane
Head of Content Strategy (Commerce)
Immediate Media
Beth’s natural ability to create original content strategy has been nothing short of transformational for Immediate Media. She speaks the language of digital-first strategy which made our judges very excited about her future.
Guy Goodwin
Senior User Interface Designer
Immediate Media
Guy was labelled by our judges as a ‘future leader.’ His focus on digital accessibility and inclusion is what made his large scale multi brand migration successful, further indicating his position as an industry change-maker.
Ali Griffiths
Social Media Editor
Digital Spy
Hearst UK
“Smart, agile and experimental” were the words used by our judges to describe Ali’s achievements as Social Media Editor at Digital Spy. From upping the follower numbers across social to creating spaces for readers looking for an escape over the pandemic, Ali’s clear enthusiasm for his work made him a sure winner for this category.
Emily Gussin
Deputy Food Editor
Waitrose Food
John Brown Media
You have to be pretty original to come up with over 150 recipes in just 3 years, and Emily is certainly an innovator at Waitrose Food. Emily’s commitment to a more ethical approach to the magazine, shown by her low-waste Christmas trimmings feature made her entry shine.
Lucie Heath
Senior Report
Inside Housing
Ocean Media
A journalist with an appetite for exclusive news stories is an asset to any publication, and Lucie’s fantastic investigative work for Inside Housing is of no exception. Her instinct to expand her skill set and continue to hunt for breaking stories makes her a name to watch.
Megan Humphrey
Editor
Retail Express
Newtrade Media
Megan is clearly an Editor that cares deeply for her audience. Supporting her sector throughout times of crisis had a real tangible impact. Testimonies from appreciative readers wowed our judges.
Anna Johnstone
Head of Social
HELLO! Magazine
HELLO!
Anna has transformed the social presence of HELLO!. Her ability to execute strategy is what enabled the success of her social plan that has added a new revenue stream for the publication.
Krystal Lake
Production Lead
PinkNews
Krystal’s natural knack at communicating through the medium of video wowed our judges. They loved that her passion for storytelling clearly goes beyond her role at PinkNews.
David Levesley
News and Features Editor, GQ.co.uk
British GQ
The Condé Nast Publications
David’s ability to give an intersectional and inclusive editorial angle whilst still making content that is easily accessible to GQ’s readers is a true skill. His ability to promote change from the inside is what gave his entry the edge that stuck with all the judges.
Kathryn Lewis
Editor
Food Magazine
Salt Media
Kathryn’s career trajectory at Food Magazine from Intern to Editor in 6 years is highly commendable. A bona fide multi-tasker, Kathryn is the secret ingredient to this magazine’s flourishing business.
Elisabeth Mahase
Clinical Reporter
The BMJ
BMJ
A health journalist with a drive for scoops in the year of a global pandemic has made Elisabeth a clear asset to the BMJ. She undoubtedly contributed to the BMJ’s reputation as a trusted source of information.
Cloe-Rose Mann
Senior Multimedia Designer
BBC Good Food
&
Olive
Immediate Media
Cloe-Rose’s personality shone through her entry, showing just how passionate and driven the Senior Multimedia Designer is about her role. Described by our judges as “hardworking, versatile and stylish,” She is evidently a valued team member at BBC Good Food & Olive.
Connor McGovern
Commissioning Editor
National Geographic Traveller (UK)
APL Media
Connor has the perfect mix of skills for a journalist, flair in writing, precision in editing and a consistent ambition to self-improve. His quick career progression is evidence of his unstoppable rise!
Liberty Mendez
Recipe Developer
BBC Good Food
Immediate Media
Starting her career as a chef at the age of 16, Liberty didn’t imagine her career would lead her to be one of publishing’s rising stars. From testing 100 recipes a month to teaching macaron masterclasses over lockdown, our judges were wowed by her ambition, passion and drive. She’s definitely one to watch!
Joy Montgomery
Shopping Editor
Who What Wear UK
Clique
Joy represents the future of fashion journalism – encouraging a more considered approach to consumption whilst also growing affiliate business. Our judges commended her fresh writing style and clear passion for her subject matter.
Katie O'Malley
Senior Editor
ELLE UK
Hearst UK
Katie is the epitome of an all-rounder. As the most trafficked author on ELLE UK, her originality and ingenuity were what made her entry stick out to our judges.
Tom Parry
Deputy News Editor
TTG
TTG Media
Rising through the ranks at TTG Media from Junior Reporter to Deputy News Editor is a testament to Tom’s ambition and drive. His passion for travel shone through the industry’s darkest days over the last 2 years. Our judges described him as “a strong ambassador for the sector.”
Hannah Proud
Art Director
Imagine
Immediate Media
With just two years at Immediate Media under her belt, it’s surprising how much an impact she’s made on the brand in such a short amount of time. Described as a “ray of light” by her colleagues, her attention to detail and commercial projects work stuck out to our judges.
Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor
Marie Claire UK
Future
As the most published writer in Marie Claire history, Jenny is clearly a mover and shaker at the brand. As a key player in Marie Claire’s move to a digital first platform, Jenny is a leading light in the magazine’s future.
Tracey Raye
Health Editor
BBC Good Food
Immediate Media
Tracey’s expert knowledge in the field of nutrition and healthy eating has attracted a host of new readers. Her constant innovation, including the creation of a podcast, makes her an important voice for the BBC Good Food brand.
Jack Raynor
Key Account Director
Today's Golfer
Bauer Media
“Dynamic, motivated, determined and creative” were just some of the words used by colleagues to describe Jack. Our judges said they could feel Jack’s natural commercial ability leap out from his entry.
David Russell
Marketing Manager
Mark Allen Group
Our judges loved David’s willingness to go above and beyond, working across a variety of platforms. He used changes caused by the pandemic to further MAG’s digital strategy, showing David has his eye on the future.
Chloe Sharpe
Senior Media Sales Executive
Country Walking, Trail
&
Trail Running
Bauer Media
Chloe’s natural resilience and positive outlook is going to take her far. Her strength in leadership during the pandemic really impressed our judges.
Georganna Simpson
Head of Content
Content Labs
Haymarket Media Group
Described by her colleagues as “the heart, soul and brain of the department” Georganna’s passion for her job is noted by those around her. Our judges celebrated her entrepreneurial flair.
Ciaran Sneddon
Features Editor
The Week Junior Science+Nature
Dennis Publishing
Writing content for 8–15-year-olds is no mean feat, especially during the pandemic. And yet, this is something Ciaran mastered. Our judges labelled him as “an all-round talent.”
Aaron West
Senior Researcher and Writer
Which?
Aaron is a change maker in his field. At the forefront of sustainability at Which?, our judges were really impressed by his genuine passion and drive to make a positive difference with his writing.