A freelance journalist is up against his own commissioning editor in the battle for a prestigious regional personal finance writers’ award.

The shortlist for the 22nd annual Personal Finance Media Awards, now sponsored by Abbey, was unveiled this week.

Nominees for the Personal Finance Regional Journalist of the Year category include Scottish freelance Francis Shennan, and Simon Bain who is his comissioning editor at The Herald, Glasgow.

Said Francis: “You can be sure that if we make it a Scottish one-two, it will be a hell of a party.”

Also shortlisted are Adam Aiken of the Eastern Daily Press, Adrienne McGill of the News Letter, Belfast, and Alex Morgan of the Daily Record.

The winner will receive a cheque for £1,500 and the runner-up £1,000.

The Personal Finance National Journalist of the Year category will see freelance Samantha Downes up against Andrew Ellson (The Times), James Coney (Daily Mail), Rupert Jones (The Guardian) and Richard Scott (BBB News).

The awards ceremony will take place in London on 12 November.