Britain’s top freelancer of the year celebrated for promoting transparency in journalism

Freelance journalist Jem Collins won the ‘Outstanding Freelancer’ category at the 2023 IPSE Freelancer Awards for her venture, ‘Journo Resources’ – a social enterprise offering pay transparency, training and other tools to freelance journalists.

Prizes were also awarded to journalist Marverine Cole for her significant contribution and service to broadcasting and journalism, and digital illustrator Sioned Young for her work to support Welsh language digital design and marketing.

Now in its ninth year, the IPSE Freelancer Awards celebrate the achievements, innovation and impact of freelancers across the UK.

Jem Collins, winner of the Outstanding Freelancer Award 2023, said: “I’m honestly over the moon to have won this year’s Outstanding Freelancer Award — it’s no exaggeration to say I’ve been applying now for six years, so it really has been a case of try, improve, and try again — which is basically what freelancing is all about. 

“Freelancing often gets a bad rap as being a lonely way to work, but really that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s full of kind and generous people, who want to make things easier for each other, and I’m so thankful for all the people who’ve helped me along the way.

“I hope that’s what we’ve been able to give other people with Journo Resources too — I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved as a community around transparency in our industry but there’s still so much more to do, so I hope we can keep pushing as a community for the next six years.”

Derek Cribb, IPSE CEO, said: “As the UK’s only not-for-profit trade association dedicated exclusively to the self-employed, IPSE is proud to host this annual celebration of the very best that our talented freelance sector has to offer.

“With 12 categories at this year’s awards, tonight is also a testament to the far-reaching contribution freelancers make to our economy and society, pairing business objectives with the advancement of causes in diversity, equality and inclusion, sustainability, and wellbeing.

“Amid a competitive field of entrants, tonight’s winners demonstrated the power of freelancing to open opportunities for talented individuals to pursue successful, legacy-leaving, value-driven ventures – congratulations to all of tonight’s worthy winners.”