It was an honour to be invited to join the panel of judges this year.  Judges come from all corners of the radio and audio industry, from well-known presenters to those who work behind the scenes.  They all have their own areas of expertise, and every single one of them makes an impact on the final product.

It's fascinating to hear others' takes on audio which you have all listened to separately.  One person might comment on the storytelling angle whilst another is more in to the sound design.  It's important to keep an open mind and never stop learning.

Is something presented live a better candidate than audio recorded and produced in advance?

Is a tried and tested format, delivered perfectly, better than something brand new?

Is a podcast better than a radio programme? (a topic for another day).

One thing is clear, the radio and audio industry is getting bigger, stronger and better every year.  Entrants, podcasts and formats are emerging from all corners of business, education and leisure.  It's never too late to get involved.