stark and CILT(UK) take top honour at UK publishing's biggest night
We're proud that Focus, the monthly membership magazine we produce for CILT(UK), has won the Diversity & Inclusion Award at the 2026 Professional Publishers Association (PPA) Awards – the most prestigious honours in the UK publishing industry – recognised for its first-ever dedicated LGBTQ+ Pride edition.
The prize was presented at a ceremony held at City Central at The HAC in London on Wednesday 17 June 2026, hosted by comedian and broadcaster Russell Kane. Judges highlighted the courage and creativity behind the campaign, praising its willingness to challenge industry norms, tackle important issues and deliver meaningful engagement through exceptional execution.
The Pride edition was the first dedicated LGBTQ+ publication in the transport and logistics sector. The 68-page edition featured 25 contributors drawn from across the industry – including senior leaders, frontline workers, and allies – many sharing their stories publicly for the first time. Among them was an exclusive interview with Alex Hynes, Director General of Rail Services at the Department for Transport, who reflected on the importance of authentic leadership in advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion.
We produced the edition in partnership with our client CILT(UK), and it drove a significant increase in readership year-on-year and generated exceptional engagement across CILT(UK)'s social channels, sparking widespread industry conversation.
"It's fantastic to see Focus and the wider transport and logistics industry acknowledged at the most prestigious honours in the UK publishing industry. But beyond the award itself, what matters most is the people whose stories we told – many of them sharing their experiences publicly for the first time. This campaign was always about creating a platform for voices that deserved to be heard, and this recognition affirms just how important that work is."Mel Stark, Director of Stark Comms
"Winning this award is a proud moment for CILT(UK), but what it really celebrates is the courage of every person who contributed to this edition. Diversity and inclusion aren't just values we talk about – they're commitments we have to demonstrate, and the Focus Pride edition is proof of what's possible when an entire industry decides to show up for its people."Helen Hardy, Chief Executive of CILT(UK)
The PPA Awards celebrate the UK's most influential publishers, brands, and content creators, with more than 50 judges from across publishing, media and marketing taking part in the judging process.
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