From dynamic data analysts, event experts, and driven sales teams; to marketing and insight stars, engaging writers, boundary-pushing people teams, and finance wizards, these awards recognise and champion the individuals in the industry whose achievements and skills are already shaping the future of the sector.

The evening kicked off by toasting the achievements of the class of 2023 at a drinks reception, followed by a welcome from PPA CEO, Sajeeda Merali, before advice and insights from guest speakers.

Sajeeda Merali, PPA, CEO commented: “I am convinced that there is no more exciting career than one in publishing. Not only is it full of opportunities to create, challenge, and excite, but it also comes with a real power to influence and change. Trust is our real commodity. Trusted content with real fact-checked journalism is what differentiates us to user-generated content and now AI content.”

From commercial to CEO, advice on embracing a non-linear career

Opening the ceremony was Harmsworth and PPA chair Nina Wright with a keynote packed full of advice. Nina’s career in the industry began over 25 years ago – her experience spans consumer and b2b media and events, and she is renowned for creating innovative strategies for businesses that deliver accelerated growth, both from existing products and new digital product development.

She started by sharing her career history “because it is not linear, and as strange as it might seem, when I was planning my career path I started at retirement – I thought, when I wanted to be in a position to retire, what lifestyle I wanted to live and what I had wanted to achieve along the way.”

At the start of her career, Nina did not know that the path would have many unexpected turns: “curve balls – you are going to have them, make no mistake, in any career, things are going to happen that have the potential to derail you – it could be restructuring, an underperforming product, challenges with a team, a whole host of internal and external forces.

But it is at times like these which can be very tough, that you come into your own – show great leadership, courage, integrity, being forced to think outside of the box, challenging your own way of doing things and thinking.

Be prepared to be brave! Take calculated risks and stand up for what you believe in, you won’t always get it right, better to make a decision than do nothing.”

Confidence and passion are key

Up next, Greg Williams, Editor-in-Chief of WIRED UK and Deputy Global Editorial Director of WIRED joined PPA CEO, Sajeeda Merali on the stage for a Q&A. A content creator, speaker, and strategic forecaster, Greg has held senior leadership roles in London and New York, and is interested in understanding the ideas, organisations, trends, and technologies shaping the future.

He got into the industry “kind of by accident – how most careers are.” Echoing Nina’s sentiment, “careers aren’t linear, you’re going to end up in places you didn’t expect.”

On his early career, Greg said confidence and an unsupportive boss were the biggest obstacles he had to overcome. With time, and a job change, he found a support network and hit his stride.

Greg’s main advice to the next generation is to remember why they chose this industry to begin with. “Do the thing you love. If you wake up and you don’t want to do it, it’ll weigh on you. We do this job because we love it and want to make an impact. We’re driven by passion and the ability to shape the world.”

His parting wisdom for the room: “Don’t doubt yourself. You have plenty of time. Go out and find your mentors. Stay curious, don’t become jaded and don’t worry if you’re not where you thought you would be. Your career won’t be linear, you don’t have to do it all in six months – this is the long game”.

You can view photos from the event here.