A journalist described as a “good ambassador” has been crowned his company’s Editorial Person of the Year.

Paul Hill, business editor at the Eastern Daily Press, was praised for combining editorial and advertising to offer readers a much stronger product.

He was one of several editorial winners at the Archant People Awards 2008 which saw divisional champions go head-to-head in a bid to take home a company-wide award.

More than 160 winners from Archant’s five regional divisions – Herts and Cambs, Suffolk, London, South West and Norfolk – joined senior staff at the London awards ceremony.

Archant chief executive Adrian Jeakings welcomed the finalists, before going on to announce the overall winners in each of ten categories including Employee of the Year, Team of the Year and Product or Service of the Year.

Adrian said: “2008 was a hard year and 2009 will not be any easier but I believe that Archant will emerge from the ashes of the recession stronger and more vigorous than ever.

“We have shown over a number of years that we can develop new businesses from scratch and we have consistently performed better than our peers.

“The bedrock of the company is formed from the people around the country who everyday work to produce our newspapers, our magazines and our websites and they are what makes Archant different.

“We have a track record of successful change and I believe that we can survive and prosper in this changing world because we have the best people in the business.”

The full list of editorial winners is:

Editorial Person of the Year
Paul Hill, business editor, Eastern Daily Press

Judges said: “A very varied range of submissions made the shortlist. Paul took over an already successful publication with EDP Business and has managed to make it even better. Paul is a good ambassador for Archant – a perfect demonstration of how editorial and advertising can combine to make a much stronger offering to clients without compromising integrity on either side.”

Highly commended:
Lynne Mortimer, feature writer, East Anglian Daily Times
Tom Jackson, reporter, Cambs Times

Newcomer of the Year
Emma Youle, trainee reporter, North London Newspapers

Judges said: “Emma joined London’s editorial team without the qualifications that would normally be required. Her editor saw her potential and his faith was repaid by her qualifying within six months of joining Archant. Emma is a worthy winner of this highly competitive category.”

Unsung Hero of the Year
Tessa Oxlade, photographic technician, Archant Suffolk

Judges said: “A very difficult category to judge. Tessa’s never-say-no attitude has made her a true unsung hero to the Suffolk editorial team and beyond. If she can’t find a picture it doesn’t exist.”

Team of the Year
Airgun Magazines Team – Archant Specialist

Judges said: “In a year when there were massive changes to the industry, including losing ad revenue caused by changes to the law and the entire editorial management team either resigning or retiring, the Airgun team produced excellent magazines which have sold well with an excellent platform to rebuild.”

Highly commended:
Weston and Somerset Mercury, for Grand Pier Fire Special

Innovation or New Launch of the Year
The Green ‘Un – Archant Suffolk

Judges said: “The Green ‘Un” Saturday print edition has been reborn as Green’Un24 and rebranding sections of the Evening Star, with a subsequent increase in copy sales.”

Highly commended:
Martin Young and the Docking Station Pulley – Archant Print

Product or Service of the Year
The Hill – Archant Life

Judges said: “Pushed all the way by the runner-up, but The Hill managed to double profit and keep revenue steady whilst suffering a 30pc drop in property advertising. And it looks fantastic.”

Highly commended:
Professional Photographer – Archant Specialist

Employee of the Year
Highly commended: Anne Edwards, editor, Great Yarmouth Mercury

Winners’ gallery pictured with chief executive Adrian Jeakings.

Editorial Person of the Year
Paul Hill, business editor, Eastern Daily Press

Unsung Hero of the Year
Tessa Oxlade, photographic technician, Archant Suffolk

Innovation or New Launch of the Year
The Green ‘Un – Archant Suffolk

Product or Service of the Year
The Hill – Archant Life