Reach congratulates the teams and individuals who won a total of nine awards at the 2026 Regional Press Awards, which recognise and celebrate the very best in regional journalism.
At a ceremony in London held yesterday, Cornwall Live took home the prestigious News Brand of the Year (large) award.
The Liverpool Echo took home four awards this year, including Best Live Coverage, and Campaign of the Year for their continued and successful pressure around the Hillsborough Law. Meanwhile, the Echo’s Political Editor Liam Thorp was awarded Specialist Journalist of the Year, while Ben Roberts-Haslam was recognised as Young Journalist of the Year.
In addition, MyLondon won Digital Initiative of the Year for their Broken Homes project which the judges called “An excellent use of digital innovation to tell a story vital to the public interest,” while the Birmingham Mail won Front Page of the Year for their ‘Prince of Brum’ front marking the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, and the Newcastle Chronicle’s Gary Beckwith was named Designer of the Year.
Lastly, the Manchester Evening News won the Reporting Communities Award, for what the judges called their “Outstanding commitment to diversity through inclusive reporting and community engagement.”
Reach Editorial Director (Live News) Paul Rowland said: “It was fantastic to see a range of our brands rewarded for some outstanding work. From the Echo’s live coverage of the shocking incident at the Liverpool FC title parade, to the Manchester Evening News project to bring together Jewish and Muslim community leaders, MyLondon’s superb investigation into social housing conditions in the capital and CornwallLive punching well above its weight to win brand of the year, everyone across our regional titles should rightly feel proud of this endorsement of our journalism.”
News Brand of the Year (Large)
Cornwall Live
Judges’ comments: “Some really impressive investigations and a strong campaign about a local issue… Cornwall is lucky to have this!”
Front Page of the Year
Birmingham Mail – Prince of Brum
Judges’ comments: “A wonderful reminder of Ozzy Osboure’s love of Birmingham. A striking front page… letting three simple words convey the message of how much he meant to the city.”
Best Live Coverage
Liverpool Echo
Judges’ comments: “A highly polished information service… Live coverage is embedded editorially within the team and has been used effectively for significant stories.”
Campaign of the Year
Liverpool Echo – Hillsborough Law
Judges’ comments: “The campaign combines persistent political reporting, community engagement, and sensitive storytelling to maintain pressure on politicians and keep the promise of legislation alive over several years… The reporting is authoritative, empathetic and socially impactful, ensuring the voices of those affected remain central.”
Digital Initiative of the Year
MyLondon – Broken Homes
Judges’ comments: “An excellent use of digital innovation to tell a story vital to the public interest. This shows how a compelling, thorough investigation works hand-in-hand with emotive, unflinching presentation, becoming greater than the sum of its already-powerful parts.”
Reporting Communities Award
Manchester Evening News
Judges’ comments: “Outstanding commitment to diversity through inclusive reporting and community engagement. By amplifying underrepresented voices and tackling sensitive issues, the team fosters understanding and unity.”
Specialist Journalist of the Year
Liam Thorp – Liverpool Echo
Judges’ comments: “Brilliant campaigning from a journalist who knows and understands his community and gets to the very heart of the issues that matter to them.”
Young Journalist of the Year
Ben Roberts-Haslam – Liverpool Echo
Judges’ comments: “Ben has a real talent for tracking down stories… His powerful storytelling is a true talent as well as his ability to capture the emotion of what must have been harrowing scenes in his hometown.”
Designer of the year
Gary Beckwith – Newcastle Chronicle
Judges’ comments: “The designs tick all the boxes: cohesive… slick, exciting and inviting. Eye-catching designs marking a very successful season by Newcastle United.”
Congratulations to all our winners, and all our people shortlisted for an award. You can read the full winners list here.
