Rising Star of the Year (Consumer) 2026
Winner
Brad Young, Sky News
“A star in the making,” summed up how highly the judges rated Brad, “he has embraced the challenges of being a journalist in the multi-platform era with strong videos and graphics backing up some powerful narratives,” they explained. Brad’s work on artificial intelligence was particularly impressive, with several judges saying they had bookmarked it for reference in the future. “Strong, thorough and balanced reporting on the issue of how AI will impact people. Brad highlighted the potential plus points as well as perils in a really engaging way,” commented one judge.
Brad’s all-round strengths were a key element in his portfolio: “His work is polished, impactful and confidently multi-platform. His ability to translate technical topics—like AI workforce disruption—into human narratives that resonate with mass audiences is a standout strength. His reporting on economic abuse in particular demonstrates sensitivity and public service value.”
Highly Commended
Holly Lanyon, Which? Money
In a very close decision, the judges decided to award Holly a Highly Commended for demonstrating skill in combining investigation with practical guidance. In the words of one judge: “Holly displays impressive maturity in handling difficult, emotionally charged topics that deeply affect an older readership.” One story in particular stood out: “Her probate article grabs the reader from the get-go with a highly relatable case study, which is then supported by some alarming statistics about probate delays.”
Shortlist:
Eimear Devlin, Money Box - BBC Radio 4
Mary Downer, The Times & Sunday Times
Holly Lanyon, Which? Money
Alice Wright, The Times & Sunday Times
Brad Young, Sky News
