News journalist Will Hayward wins NCTJ excellence award

School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies graduate Will Hayward, has won the Trainee Features award at this year's National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Awards for Excellence ceremony.

The award was secured ahead of stiff competition from Pageant Media's Carly Minsky and South West News Service's Aniesa Mirreh.

Will, who studied MA News Journalism and now works for Media Wales said "I was absolutely chuffed to win the award. I have to thank the editors and designers who polished the big jumble of words I filed!

"A massive tribute to my News Journalism course at Cardiff University, I wouldn't have even had a job without my tutors' support."

The judging panel also commended fellow News Journalism graduate Caleb Spencer after he narrowly missed out on the Trainee top scoop/exclusive award.

Director of News Journalism, Mike Hill said "I would like to congratulate Will on his win, and Caleb on his nomination, they should both be very proud.

"They’re both doing well in their careers and are developing into first class journalists. I look forward to watching their careers go from strength to strength following this national recognition from the industry’s training body."

This year a record-breaking number of entries were received for the various categories, with almost 300 submissions from top quality journalists representing a breadth of education and the media.

An audience of 180 entrants, journalists and educators were in attendance at the awards, which was hosted by Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge.

Both Will and Caleb can be contacted via Twitter.