The Professional Publishers Association (PPA) has announced the shortlist for the PPA Independent Publisher Awards 2025, celebrating the talent, creativity and innovation driving the UK’s independent publishing sector.
The PPA says the awards recognise outstanding achievements across editorial, commercial, digital and events disciplines, showcasing the strength, adaptability and influence of independent publishers in connecting audiences through trusted content.
This year’s shortlist features a diverse range of titles and businesses, from household names to specialist brands, reflecting the energy, quality and entrepreneurial spirit at the heart of independent publishing.
Saj Merali, CEO of the PPA, said: “Independent publishers continue to demonstrate remarkable creativity, innovation and resilience. They are producing high-quality content that influences audiences, shapes communities and delivers real value to readers and communities. The breadth of talent represented on this year’s shortlist shows just how vital and vibrant this part of the publishing ecosystem remains.”
The winners will be revealed at the PPA Independent Publisher Conference & Awards 2025 taking place on 21 November at 133 Houndsditch, London.
The 2025 shortlist is as follows:
AUDIO CONTENT OF THE YEAR
Close Readings – London Review of Books
Film Stories Podcast – whynow Media
Women’s Running Podcast – Anthem Publishing
BUSINESS PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR
Cruise Trade News – Real Response Media
Fire Safety Matters – Western Business Media
Health & Safety Matters – Western Business Media
LeadDev
Modus – Sunday
CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
Pink For Wave – Cruise Trade News and Princess Cruises, Real Response Media
The World’s Fastest Accountant – Sunday
Turning Engagement and Activation into Renewals – Utility Week, Faversham House
COMMERCIAL LEADER OF THE YEAR
Lina Slater – Real Response Media
Wendy Miller – Prospect Magazine, Prospect Publishing
COMMERCIAL PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR
A Sale of Two Cities – The Paris Review and London Review of Books
Health & Safety Matters and BSIF – Western Business Media
Signal Magazine and Microsoft – The Slow Journalism Company
The Infrastructure Delivery Forum – Faversham House
Women’s Running and SportsShoes – Anthem Publishing
World of Cruising and Merella Cruises – Real Response Media
CONSUMER PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR
Artists & Illustrators – The Chelsea Magazine Company
Attitude – Stream Publishing
Delayed Gratification – The Slow Journalism Company
London Review of Books
National Geographic Little Kids Magazine – Creature & Co
National Geographic Traveller (UK) – APL Media
Rolling Stone UK – Stream Publishing
World of Cruising – Real Response Media
CONTENT PIECE OF THE YEAR
Four Nations, 20 Shows: The State of UK Theatre Today – The Stage
The World’s Best Train Trips – National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media
Unbound – The Bookseller
COVER OF THE YEAR
All Eyes on Alexander Armstrong – Saga Magazine
Henrietta’s Garden – National Trust
Naga Munchetty – Saga Magazine
National Geographic Traveller (UK) – APL Media
Shoes to Fill – CPL One
Sycamore Gap: One Year On – National Trust Magazine
Tales from the Front – Total Politics
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Becky Redman – National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media
Christian Tate – Delayed Gratification, The Slow Journalism Company
Jess Hibbert – Saga Magazine, Saga
Stuart Selner – Artists & Illustrators, The Chelsea Magazine Company
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD
National Trust Magazine
OcadoLife Magazine – Sunday
Peugeot Attitude Pride Awards Europe 2025 – Stream Publishing
Women’s Running’s Commitment to Giving Under-Represented Women a Voice – Anthem Publishing
EDITOR OF THE YEAR
Andy Clutton – Professional Security Installer, Western Business Media
Ashley Stewart-Noble – Modus, Sunday
Francis Elliott – The House, Total Politics
Louise Robinson – Saga Magazine, Saga
Marcus Webb & Rob Orchard – Delayed Gratification, The Slow Journalism Company
Niamh Smith – Financial Promoter, Rhotic Media
Pat Riddell – National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media
Scott Carey – LeadDev
EVENT OF THE YEAR (BUSINESS MEDIA)
British Book Awards (The Nibbies) – The Stage
Fire Safety Matters Live – Western Business Media
Ignite Propolis – B2B Marketing
Independent Podcast Awards – whynow Media
LeadDev LDX3 London 2025 – LeadDev
The Fairer Travel Event – TTG Media
Tomorrow’s Warehouse – Western Business Media
EVENT OF THE YEAR (CONSUMER MEDIA)
ABR Festival – Adventure Bike Rider, Adventurize
Horse & Rider Presents an Evening with John Whitaker – DJ Murphy
National Geographic Traveller (UK) Food Festival – APL Media
Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards 2024 – Stream Publishing
GAME CHANGER OF THE YEAR
Ludovica D’Angelo – Total Politics
Mark Beard – Prospect Magazine, Prospect Publishing
Sarah Lovelock – B2B Marketing
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR (£5M–£15M)
Anthem Publishing
Faversham House
London Review of Books
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR (UNDER £5M)
Creature & Co
Prospect Publishing
Real Response Media
Solomonic
Stream Publishing
Western Business Media
INDUSTRY PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Esco
Evessio
Frontline Distribution Solutions
Marketforce
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
AI-Driven Member Intelligence, Propolis – B2B Marketing
AI-Led ‘Risk-Free Recruitment’ Campaign – Vet Times
Lightbulb from Prospect – Prospect Publishing
LAUNCH/RELAUNCH OF THE YEAR
Capital Pioneer Launch – Rhotic Media
Healthcare Today
The Final Whistle – The Slow Journalism Company
User-First Relaunch: Driving Engagement, Data Capture and Growth – Vet Times
MEDIA BRAND OF THE YEAR
Artists & Illustrators – The Chelsea Magazine Company
Fire Safety Matters – Western Business Media
Health & Safety Matters – Western Business Media
Logistics Matters – Western Business Media
London Review of Books
National Geographic Little Kids Magazine – Creature & Co
National Geographic Traveller (UK) – APL Media
Utility Week – Faversham House
MEMBERSHIP PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR
Inspire – CPL One
National Trust Magazine
RSA Journal – Wardour
NEWSLETTER OF THE YEAR
Happy Newsletter – The Stage
Lightbulb – Prospect Publishing
National Geographic Traveller (UK) Newsletter – APL Media
The Saga Magazine Newsletter – Saga
Wake Up With CTN – Real Response Media
SUBSCRIPTIONS OR MEMBERSHIP STRATEGY OF THE YEAR
Acquisition & Retention Strategy – London Review of Books
Driving Growth Through Data, Design and Engagement – The Chelsea Magazine Company
From Family Insights to Subscription Success – Creature & Co
Propolis – B2B Marketing
TEAM OF THE YEAR
B2B Marketing Editorial & Marketing Team ‘Breaking Silos’
Colouring Heaven Team – Anthem Publishing
Nat Geo Kids & Little Kids Magazine Integrated Team Success
National Trust Magazine Team
Music Specials Team – Anthem Publishing
The Chelsea Magazine Company Subscriptions & Marketing Team
The Creative Team – Wardour
The London Review of Books Marketing Team
The Stage Media Company Team
Total Politics Impact Team
TECH SOLUTION OF THE YEAR (NEW FOR 2025)
Bridged Media
Esco
Evessio
NLA Media Access
SmartFrame Technologies
VIDEO CONTENT OF THE YEAR
All About Nuclear – CPL One
Faith in Our Future, Farmland and Forestry – Wardour
The World’s Fastest Accountant – Sunday
WRITER OF THE YEAR
Evy Jane Williams – Capital Pioneer, Rhotic Media
Farida Zeynalova – National Geographic Traveller (UK), APL Media
John Earls – Classic Pop, Anthem Publishing
Sienna Rodgers – The House, Total Politics
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