The PPA Next Gen Awards recognise the top 30 rising stars under the age of 30, currently working in consumer and business media in the UK. 

From dynamic data analysts, events experts, and driven sales executives; to marketing and insight stars, engaging writers, boundary-pushing people professionals, editorial masterminds, and finance wizards - we look to celebrate the individuals in our industry whose achievements and skills are shaping the future.

We encourage entries and nominations from individuals, across business and consumer media, with diverse talents and backgrounds.

Applications for the PPA Next Gen Awards and Student of the Year are open until Wednesday 8 July. You can enter here.

Please contact events@ppa.co.uk to register your interest in joining our judging panel

We pride ourselves on the robustness of our judging process, ensuring all entries are fairly considered and thoroughly reviewed. Industry experts review and score our entries to ultimately decide the winners in a two-step judging process.

We are currently recruiting our 2026 judging panel, watch this space.

Receiving industry recognition is just the beginning. PPA Next Gen winners also enjoy: 

• Extensive exposure: Be profiled across all PPA platforms, reaching over 20,000 media professionals. Your achievements will be showcased to a wide audience, boosting your professional profile.

• Exclusive networking: Receive two tickets to the winners' celebration event, offering invaluable opportunities to connect with the PPA Next Gen Board and alumni, judges, as well as other industry leaders and rising stars.  

• Engagement opportunities: Enjoy a complimentary ticket to the PPA Festival in spring and seize opportunities to engage with the PPA community throughout the year through speaking slots, awards judging, and more.

The PPA is committed to improving the inclusivity of individuals with diverse backgrounds and skills across the specialist media sector. Made up of 16 members, all aged under 35 at the time of application, and with a minimum of three years’ experience, our Next Gen Board come together to shape the future of our industry, supported by industry expert mentors.

The Next Gen board seeks to represent the best young talent across the publishing and specialist media sector. Our current board is in place until July 2026 and in autumn we'll be beginning our recruitment process again.

If this appeals to you, during the Next Gen Awards entry process you will have the opportunity to tick a box should you wish to hear more about applying to be on our new Next Gen board.  

You can find out more about the PPA Next Gen board here.

All winners will be invited to an awards ceremony on Thursday 8 October at the Virgin-Hotel London Shoreditch. Starting at 17:00 with a cocktail and mocktail reception, followed by inspiring speakers and the trophy presentation. The evening will continue with bowl food and networking, ending at 21:00.

The PPA Next Gen Awards have had many notable winners over the years. You can see a small selection here.

Each year, as part of the PPA Next Gen Awards, we search for the future creators of our industry, who have showcased exceptional work during their studies, and display promise to be the talent of tomorrow.

These free-to-enter categories are open to all current final-year undergraduate or postgraduate students on PPA accredited courses , as well as recent graduates of these courses (2025).  

You can enter here.

Contact faye.loader@ppa.co.uk for more information.

Winners will be announced online at the beginning of September with all winners being invited to the awards evening.