Category: Team

• Judging team comprises a full complement of national-level journalists
• Wealth of experience, plus industry knowledge on panel
• Deadline for entries extended to June 5^th, 2022. Submit entries at newspressuk.com/awards
• Entries for Technology Publication, Technology Journalist and Rising Star (Journalist) categories, particularly sought

Newspress is delighted to announce its line-up of expert judges for the 2022 Newspress Awards with an experienced panel that will decide the winners for the ceremony in July.

Also, we are extending the deadline for entries to 11.59pm on Sunday, June 5^th, which gives an additional weekend to get submissions in. We are particularly looking for entries in the Technology Publication, Technology Journalist and Rising Star Journalists categories.

So, this is a chance to impress the judging panel which is as follows:

Trevor Adams
Celebrity photographer extraordinaire, Trevor runs his own photographic agency. Matrix Media Ltd sits proudly at the forefront of the celebrity picture industry with photographers based in London, New York, Sydney, Los Angeles and many other worldwide locations.

Graham Hope

Graham has worked in automotive journalism in the UK for 26 years, including spells as editor of consumer news website and weekly Auto Express and buying guide CarBuyer, and Mazda’s global customer magazine Mazda Stories.

Andrea Baker

Andrea is a specialist communications professional with more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, working in both UK and global roles for premium, luxury and electric brands including LEVC, Volvo, Porsche and Bentley. She is now the founder/director of The PR Hub, channelling her years of expertise and strategic vision into her new venture as a freelance PR consultant.

John Nolan
John was Executive Producer at North One Television, where he launched the Audi Channel on Sky and Virgin and ran Renault TV on YouTube as well as WRC, Fifth Gear and 4Car.

John Kendall
Currently Europe Editor of SAE International and freelance contributor to a number of magazines including Van Fleet World, Fleet World, the Van Expert and the Road Transport Media Group. Former Guild of Motoring Writers Chair and currently Chair of the Western Group of Motoring Writers. 

Amanda Stretton
Amanda is the UK’s leading female motorsport and motor industry presenter. She is renowned for her knowledge of contemporary and historical racing series and her understanding of the international car industry. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of motors coupled with her skill behind the wheel have made her a compelling and credible commentator on all things automotive.

Denis Chick
Denis’s career spanned over 50 years in the motor industry, in latter years holding senior PR positions at both Rover Group and GM’s UK operations. He retired from the role of Vauxhall Communications Director in 2018.

Simon Arron
Although he still thinks he’s 25, that’s probably incorrect as this year is Simon Arron’s 40th as a media professional. Nowadays a freelance writer, photographer, picture researcher and translator, he is a former editor of Motoring News, Autocourse and Motor Sport. He retains strong links with the latter and is presently one of its editors at large.

This year the Newspress Awards will be presented during a special ceremony coinciding with Newspress LIVE! at Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire on Thursday, 21th July, 2022.

• Alex Kefford joins loop as Technical Writer.
• More than two decades of automotive industry experience.
• Strengthens loop team as agency continues to expand client portfolio.
• In-house service offering includes technical story-telling, industry studies and white papers.

Bicester Heritage-based automotive PR agency loop continues its expansion with the appointment of Alex Kefford as Technical Writer.

Alex brings with him more than 25 years’ experience in the automotive and technology industries as a journalist and editor, among other roles.

An earlier career in software engineering stands him in good stead for working with our more technical clients, as does an ability to craft a fascinating story out of even the most complex subjects. His background is peppered with stints as a rally driver and 4×4 instructor, as well as extended periods in event management and brand experience, most notably for the likes of Abarth and Jeep. The latter even culminated in a book about his road-trip across America in a right-hand-drive Wrangler.

Alex said: “loop is well-known for its strong technical focus, as borne-out by a growing client list that includes industry leaders such as ABB and MAHLE Powertrain. My passion for explaining the unexplainable and making the complex easily relatable is what attracted me to the role, while our base at Bicester Heritage places us firmly at the heart of the UK’s classic automotive scene.”

The award-winning automotive PR and communications agency offers a full range of services from written content, photography, video and design, to creative consultancy, press fleet management, social media content and event planning and delivery.

Christian Tilbury, Account Director at loop, said: “Our clients range from global OEMs to small start-ups offering new and innovative technical solutions to the growing complexities faced by the automotive industry. Alex’s decades of experience, technical knowhow and contacts within the industry are already helping us to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.”

Tim Bowdler, Editorial Director at loop, said: “Our approach ensures we hire only the best writing talent, and that allows us to consistently produce outstanding quality work for our clients at a level that is unique in the industry. It also means we can delve deeper into a given subject, and deliver a broader range of materials, from historical research and white papers to entire magazines or even a complete book.”

Automotive communications and PR agency loop enhances its rapidly growing team with the appointment of George Marshall-Thornhill as Account Manager.

George will be working with the automotive technical division at loop, which focuses on clients with specific B2B needs as well as B2C PR. Whether it be about powertrain, EVs, aftermarket or autonomous vehicles, the automotive tech division at loop is handling an ever increasingly diverse set of clients including Delphi, Mahle Powertrain and VNC Automotive.

George brings with him experience from Ford, Jaguar Land Rover and Which? magazine among others, from projects as diverse as diesel engines to car reliability surveys. He says he hopes his previous experience with hammers, spanners, keyboards (and PowerPoint) will stand him in good stead for the challenges ahead in his new role as loop PR Account Manager.

George said: “I’m excited about helping loop in their mission to deliver first-class automotive PR. It’s a new chance for me to stretch myself in the field of automotive communications. I can’t wait to learn more about the ground-breaking work our clients are doing, and I’ll be finding any excuse to visit the loop office in Bicester, home to so many interesting vehicles and automotive businesses.”

Tim Barfoot, Managing Director, Newspress and loop, said: “We’re delighted to welcome George to the team. Having someone who is fluent in ‘engineer speak’ is perfect for the technical accounts we need to promote.

“loop is going through a period of exciting growth, driven by seismic changes within the industry – such as the switch to alternative-fuel vehicles. The new products and services this demands is helping to shape our business, and we need experienced professionals like George to drive loop forwards.”

On any occasion George finds himself with spare time, he can be found underneath various cars – restoring, repairing or frequently recycling. The fleet includes a cherished Ford Puma, which George is endeavouring to keep free from rust – a task not dissimilar to painting the Forth Bridge.

Automotive communications and PR agency loop has strengthened its ever-expanding team with the appointment of Rosie Higgs as account executive.

Rosie will be working with a range of clients and the expanding team, which will be benefiting from her considerable experience in the automotive sector.

Having come from sales and service at an Audi & Volkswagen dealership in Oxfordshire, she has front-line experience of the car industry’s customer base and will bring that wealth of knowledge to loop as it continues to increase its client list.

With OEM business wins, and an ever-growing client base, loop is establishing itself as a key player in the automotive industry. With its sister agency Newspress, it is now at the heart of the automotive communications sector and Rosie joins at an exciting time where new technology is revolutionising the automotive industry.

Rosie said: “Throughout my career I have sought to provide the best service to clients and customers, and when I saw the opportunity at loop, I jumped at the chance and I am delighted to join the team, which lives and breathes automotive.

“loop is passionate about serving its clients with its considerable the knowledge and expertise. One of my keen interests was cars so I went into the automotive sector. I have worked within the automotive trade now for seven years in both sales and service, and hopefully I can use that knowledge to great effect at loop.”

The agency offers a full range of services to all automotive-focused companies such as written content, photography, video and design, as well as creative consultancy, press fleet management, social content and media launch planning and delivery.

Account Director at loop, Christian Tilbury, said: “loop is currently going through a period of considerable growth, with a raft of new clients ranging from OEMs to small-scale start-ups with new, innovative technical solutions.

“Our industry is going through massive change. The ICE ban in 2030 has forced the automotive sector to re-evaluate, and we are seeing new products, new services, new technology and loop is perfectly placed, with its knowledge and expertise, to offer a 360-degree PR and communications service that is fit for these exciting times. We welcome Rosie on board. It is clear that her considerable knowledge of the industry will be of real benefit to our clients.”