Shropshire Star staff honoured at awards

Colleagues from throughout Shropshire received awards at the MNA Real Awards, held at Telford's International Centre on Friday.

They were joined by employees from across the MNA media portfolio including the Express & Star, 16 weekly newspapers throughout Shropshire and the West Midlands, as well as Shropshire Magazine and websites.

The event, which attracted 380 guests, celebrates staff success at Britain's biggest independent publisher. The Shropshire winners included Shirley Tart, the associate editor of Shropshire Magazine, who won the directors' discretionary award for her 50-year career with the Star.

Paying tribute, managing director Phil Inman said: "Shirley's career with our company has set the highest standards."

Ms Tart was the subject of a video tribute by senior colleagues and received a standing ovation on the night.

The team leader of the year award was shared by Star regional manager Petra Smith, and Becky Woods, head of news at Express & Star. Petra said: "It's for me and the whole of my amazing team."

The public facing award went to Tania Taylor, the Shropshire Star editor's secretary and head of editorial support. She said: "This is amazing. I'd just like to thank everyone in the department and at the Star headquarters in Ketley."

Shropshire sales person of the year was awarded to the Shropshire Star's business sales representative Mia Wright. She said: "Thank you to all my managers who I have worked with, without them I wouldn't be where I am today."

Circulation person of the year was won by Kevin Edwards, group head of sales development. He said: "Being recognised is amazing. Thanks again to everyone, I wasn't expecting this."

The Shropshire journalist of the year was won by senior reporter Jennifer Meierhans, who joined the paper earlier this year. The judges felt the winner had "made a great impact on the business" and had become the "go-to person on their team".

She said: "I really wasn't expecting this, just to have my name next to the other nominees was an honour in itself."

The classified advertising sales person of the year was telesales advisor Carlie Clarke, who is also based at Ketley.

Project team of the year prize was won by the classifieds advertising relaunch team, while the MNA Training Academy was named team of the year.

In total, 68 finalists were in the running for awards at Friday night's event. Staff across the MNA were able to nominate colleagues for the annual prizes, the second to be held by the company.

The winners:

New employee of the year: Mark Johnson, junior graphic designer

Services department employee of the year: Matt Austin, personnel officer

Sports desk person of the year: Tim Nash, sports writer

Financial employee of the year: Trina Brown, supervisor

Sub editor of the year: Melissa Coombs, acting chief sub editor, Express & Star

Long serving employee of the year: Claire Smith, deputy classified sales manager

2013 directors' discretionary award: Shirley Tart, associate editor of Shropshire Magazine

Digital person of the year: Daniel Amos, response and fulfilment executive

Driver and distribution team member of the year: Dean Doughty, driver/loader

Production person of the year: David Stanworth, advertisement production overseer

Photographer of the year: Tim Thursfield, senior chief photographer

Public facing award: Tania Taylor, editor's secretary/head of editorial support

Shropshire sales person of the year: Mia Wright, sales representative

West Midlands sales person of the year: Roger Harris, sales representative

Circulation person of the year: Kevin Edwards, group head of sales development

Shropshire journalist of the year: Jennifer Meierhans, senior reporter

West Midlands journalist of the year: Daniel Wainwright, political editor

Classified advertising sales person of the year: Carlie Clarke, telesales advisor

Team leader of the year award: Petra Smith, regional manager/Becky Woods, chief news editor

Project team of the year prize: Classifieds relaunch team: MNA Training Academy