AJ Bell prize for Salford journalism students generously increased

AJ Bell’s Mark Gardner Award for Journalism was established in 2024 as a £1,000 cash prize in a heartfelt tribute to the late Mark Gardner, a much-loved member of the AJ Bell media team and writer on Shares magazine.

The prize was aimed to support up-and-coming journalists at the University with the winning article then published in Shares.

In 2025, the Gardner Family has generously increased the prize fund by an additional £4,000. This substantial increase enhances the award’s impact and provides even greater support to young journalists forging their career at the university. 

Tom Sieber, editor of Shares magazine, said: “We are delighted to partner with The University of Salford for this award and it is a fitting legacy to Mark, and a testament to the generosity of his family, that the prize will make a significant difference to the winner.”

This year’s competition invited students to write a 300-to-400 word article exploring the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the financial world. Students were asked to consider how AI might affect personal financial management, their current use of AI in finances, AI’s financial potential and the risks associated with AI’s application to money.

Entries are being evaluated by a panel of journalists and PR executives with the upcoming award ceremony to take place on Thursday 8 May when the winner will be named.

Last year’s inaugural recipient was Mia Willemsen, a third-year BA Journalism (Broadcast) student who’s winning article provided a personal account of living with ADHD and impressed judges with its unique voice and insightful perspective.