After a record number of entries, the best work of everyone involved in the media in Kent has been celebrated at the tenth annual Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA) hosted by BBC news presenter Martine Croxall and co-sponsored by the Port of Dover.

The winners were selected from among 163 entries received across 16 categories by a team of eight independent judges each who have many years of media experience.

Commenting on the Port’s support for the KPBA, Richard Christian, Head of Corporate Affairs, said: “The media plays a vital role in helping us inform our customers about what is happening down at the port and our work we do to support our local community.

“In today’s 24/7 digital world it seemed only right that we should put our name to the Kent News Website of the Year. Congratulations to the winners KentOnline and highly commented KentLive.”

Organised by Kent PR and marketing agency Maxim, the not-for-profit award scheme recognises and rewards the media’s commitment to serving local communities. Maxim successfully secured the backing of leading companies from across the county to help make them happen.

There were also four new categories: Broadcast Presenter of the Year, Investigation of the Year, the Making it Happen Award, and Story of the Year. Each new category was created following a survey of previous entrants and discussions with the independent judges to ensure that KPBA continues to remain relevant for the county’s media and how it operates.

Also new for 2024, the sponsors were joined by charity partners Demelza and Folkestone Leas Lift, two local organisations selected by the Maxim team as deserving recognition for their positive impact on their communities. They presented the Kent Voices Award and Kent Designer of the Year categories respectively.

This year, two further awards were presented for entries that really stood out, but which didn’t win the category they were shortlisted for. The Golden Pen was awarded to Kathy Bailes of The Isle of Thanet News, and the Golden Microphone was presented to kmfm for its Tonnes of Tins campaign, which secured the equivalent of 16,000 tins of beans for 18 food banks across the county.

Port of Dover was joined in supporting KBPA by Caxtons, CPL Films, East Kent Colleges Group and Gallagher Group, as well as Kent Cricket, Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, Le Shuttle, MHA, Shepherd Neame and Stagecoach South East.

The awards event took place at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury on Friday 26 July.

Commenting at the event, Maxim Director Rachel Knight said: “This year’s awards – which took place a little later than usual due to the General Election – demonstrate that the standard of journalism continues to be strong in Kent. Congratulations to everyone who attended the Kent Press & Broadcast Awards 2024, and to the worthy winners.

“We also need to thank the generous sponsors, who recognise the important role that the press plays in our communities. As KPBA is a not-for-profit event, we really couldn’t run these awards without them.

“And last but definitely not least, these awards wouldn’t have been possible without our judges who give up their free time and we are grateful for their support.”

The 2024 results in full are available at: https://www.kpbawards.co.uk/results2024