Alumni duo in running for Commercial Radio News Awards

BA Journalism (Broadcast) alumni George Icke and Annie-Mae Walker have been nominated for their work over the last year. George, who works as the Midlands Reporter for LBC, is up for Reporter of the Year (Regional) and Newcomer of the Year. Annie-Mae, who works as a Broadcast Journalist for Global in Manchester, is up for Newsreader of the Year (Regional).

It’s back-to-back years of multiple nominations for the University after three alumni were shortlisted at the 2025 awards with fellow BA Journalism (Broadcast) alumna Eleanor Hayns winning the Student Journalist of the Year award.

George (below right), who graduated in 2024, was previously a radio presenter at High Peak 1 and a Broadcast Journalist for Edge Media Group and Edge Radio before starting at Global (which owns LBC). After starting off as a Breakfast Newsreader for Capital FM & Smooth Radio East Midlands, he was made LBC's Midlands Reporter last March. The journalist also won the Best Radio News Report at the 2024 Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) Awards for his work as a Salford student. 

He said: “It was such a shock to see the nominations, and to hear that I had been shortlisted for the Commercial Radio News Awards run by Sky News and IRN. It’s been my first full year as a reporter for LBC & Global’s Newsroom in the Midlands and every day has been completely different and thoroughly rewarding. From high profile court cases, to interviewing the Chancellor, reporting on extreme weather and delivering original stories like the sales of illegal vapes.

“Studying at Salford was the perfect way to prepare me for the world of journalism. From the first-class facilities to the support of lecturers who still work in the field alongside their work with students. It’s also been lovely to keep the connection with the university after graduating with current students coming into our newsroom on work placements, and speaking to students in their third year classes.”

Annie-Mae (below left), who graduated in 2022, was a freelance Broadcast Journalist for a number of years before signing on permanently with Global last year. She is now a newsreader, providing updates from across the North West and Yorkshire on Capital, Heart and Radio X 90s.

She has previously attended the awards as she was nominated for Student Journalist of the Year back in 2023. 

She said: “It’s an honour to be shortlisted for regional news reader of the year. It feels like such a privilege to be trusted to tell the stories of people in the North West and Yorkshire every day. My talented, dedicated colleagues are what make us work as a wonderful news team, so any recognition is a credit to all of us. 

“When I was nominated for student journalist of the year at the CRNs I didn’t think I’d be nominated again. So, It was a lovely surprise to see my name on that list once again. My time at Salford was the perfect springboard into my dream job, I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities given to me there.”

George and Annie-Mae will find out if they’re successful at the awards ceremony at Sky’s London headquarters on Thursday 26 March.