Young journalists who ‘made their own luck’ awarded at Centre Point ceremony

Five young journalists were spotlighted last Thursday at an awards ceremony at Centre Point in London in the third year of the event.

Memphis Barker, columnist at the i; Neil Maidment, company news reporter at Reuters; Lily Russo, shopping editor at Grazia; Nick Stylianou, producer at Sky News; and Jim Waterson, political editor at Buzzfeed UK, all received the Special Gold Award at PR company MHP's 30 to Watch event.

Previous winner and political correspondent at Sky News Sophy Ridge said: “You make your own luck in this game.”

She joined former 30 to Watch winners Emily Ashton, Whitehall correspondent at The Sun, and Peter Campbell, city reporter at the Daily Mail, on the judging panel, which seeks to reward innovative journalism irrespective of reputation.

Working at City AM last September Waterson fried an egg in the glare of the “Walkie-Talkie” skyscraper on Fenchurch Street still under construction.

Jim Waterson fries an egg from the reflection of the "Walkie-Talkie" skyscraper

On Twitter Maidment said: “Chuffed to have been 1 of 5 to win an #MHP30 gold award last night. Thanks very much!”

Before embarking on his career at Sky, Stylianou made his name by founding rhubarbTV at Royal Holloway university, as well as editing student newspaper the Orbital.

Another 25 journalists were shortlisted for the award, representing most of the British national press. A full list can be viewed on the MHP website.