AudioUK reveals Audio Production Awards shortlist

Fix Radio, Jon Holmes, Elis James and John Robins are among the nominees for the 2026 Audio Production Awards.

AudioUK has revealed the shortlist for this year’s APAs with comedian and broadcaster Kiri Pritchard-McLean confirmed as host.

The ceremony will take place at BFI Southbank in London on Thursday 26 November, recognising producers, presenters and teams working across radio, podcasts and audiobooks.

Kiri hosts BBC Radio 4’s Best Medicine and co-presents the All Killa No Filla podcast with Rachel Fairburn. Her television credits include Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News for You and QI.

Fix Radio features across several categories, including Publisher or Network of the Year, where it is shortlisted alongside Podomedy, Resonance, Rusty Quill and Sony Music Podcasts.

The station’s Clive Holland is nominated for Presenter / Host, alongside Sean Allsop, Anna Sinfield, Sean Bean, Elizabeth Day and Krishna Murali.

Jon Holmes is shortlisted for Producer of the Year and Comedy through his company Unusual. The other Producer of the Year nominees are Nicolas Jackson, Sean Allsop, Helen Burke, Olivia Swift and Alan Weedon.

Elis James and John Robins are nominated for Presenting Team through Significant Productions, with their production team also shortlisted for Comedy and Best Use of Video.

Other Presenting Team nominees include Chris and Xand van Tulleken, Private Eye’s Helen Lewis, Ian Hislop, Adam Macqueen and Andrew Hunter Murray, and teams from Audio Always, Fix Radio and Stak.

In the Music category, nominees include Absolute Radio’s Nick Harris, Pomona Audio, the Prison Radio Association, The Resonate Agency and two teams from We Are Grape, including the team behind BBC Radio 1’s Dance Anthems.

A new Executive Producer of the Year award will recognise leadership and creative direction. Its first shortlist comprises Becky Green, Vicki Blight, Charlotte Mason, Jack Howson, Paul Thomas and Paul Stanworth.

Bengo Media, Bespoken Media, Peanut & Crumb, Penguin Studios, Sony Music Podcasts, Stak and Tandem Productions are competing for Production Company of the Year.

Elsewhere, Beth Ditto is nominated for New Voice, while Nicola Walker, Clarke Peters and Cush Jumbo are among those shortlisted for Narrator.

Chris Baughen, CEO of AudioUK, said: “This year’s shortlist is a brilliant reflection of the creativity, ambition and talent across the UK’s podcast and audio industry. From established names to emerging creators and independent freelancers, it’s fantastic to see such a broad range of people and productions being recognised.

“A huge thank you to everyone who entered, our judging panels for their time and expertise, and the sponsors and partners whose support makes the awards possible. Congratulations to everyone shortlisted, I’m looking forward to celebrating their achievements on the night!”

The AudioUK Award, recognising an outstanding contribution to the industry, will be announced during the ceremony.

Full list of nominees for the AudioUK APAs 2026

Arts & Culture

Adam Batty, Khaliq Meer, Ellie Clifford, Jarek Zaba, Dino Sofos and Jack Suddaby – BBC Sounds Audio Lab and Persephonica
Clem Hitchcock, Rami Tzabar, Kirsten Lass, Clarke Peters and Melvin Rickarby – Loftus Media
Emily Dicks, Phil Smith and Connor Giani – Reduced Listening
Olivia Swift – Reform Media
Natalie Steed – Rhubarb Rhubarb
Hamza Oomerjee and Sumit Sharm – The Resonate Agency
Helen Lennard, Perminder Khatkar, Sara Conkey, John Cranmer and Melvin Rickarby – True Thought Productions

Audio Drama

Nicolas Jackson – Afonica
Celia de Wolff and Chloe Sackur – Almost Tangible
Charlotte Melén and Eleanor Mein – Almost Tangible
Lisa Emily Petersen – Anonymous Badger Creative
Fin Kennedy – Applied Stories
Eloise Whitmore and Tony Churnside – Naked Productions Ltd

Best Use of Video

Mark Williams – Fin West
James Regan, Alfie Norris and Charlie Rodwell – Goalhanger
Ewan Newbigging-Lister, Emilia Gill, Josh Bennett, Harry Sawkins and Raphael Amsili Geovannetti – JamPot Productions
Get Birding Team – Peanut & Crumb
Adnan Ahmed and Matt Exton – Persephonica
Gareth Shoulder, Michael Dale, Jennie Foot, Jo Walters and Dave Masterman – Significant Productions

Branded Content

Clarissa Maycock – 18Sixty
Matthew Smith, Polly Evans, Maisie Peppitt, Libby Hornsby, Craig Edmondson and Becky Green – Audio Always and Tonies
Lia Leendertz, Geoff Bird, Zoe Gilbert, Alice Boyd, Catriona Bolt, Emma Zacharia and Sarah Cuddon – Freelance
Bea Duncan – Intelligence Squared
Sam Taylor, Steve Girling and Ben Jones – Prison Radio Association
Emily Dicks, Phil Smith and Connor Giani – Reduced Listening

Comedy

Lauren Mackay – BBC Scotland
Georgia Keating – BBC Studios
Jack Edwards – Fix Radio
Simon Nicholls – Freelance
David Tyler – Pozzitive
The Elis James and John Robins Show Production Team – Significant Productions
Jon Holmes – Unusual

Entertainment

Audible Studios with Samizdat
Jack Edwards, Travis Glossop-Osborn and Demi Bell – Fix Radio
Jack Edwards, Travis Glossop-Osborn and Toby Penman – Fix Radio
Sammy James – Footwork Media
Ewan Newbigging-Lister, Magda Cassidy, Josh Bennett, Lizzie McCarthy, Harry Sawkins and Raphael Amsili Geovannetti – JamPot Productions
David Manero – Platform Media
Katie Boden – TBI Media

Factual / Documentary

Jodie Taylor – Falling Tree Productions
Lauren Mossman, Mark Williams, Jack Watkinson, Brogan Hubber, Toby Penman and Jack Edwards – Fix Radio
Geoff Bird – Freelance
Hana Walker-Brown – Freelance
Jo Meek – Naked Productions Ltd
The Wargame – Sky News and Tortoise

Fiction Audiobook

Bonnier Books UK Audio
Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Jassa Ahluwalia – HarperCollins Publishers
Alex Morral – Marston Editions
Michael Pender – Penguin Audio
Alfie Thompson – Penguin Random House
Chris Ahjem – Penguin Random House

History

Audible Studios and Yellow Ant
Catherine Boulle and Bongani Kona – Falling Tree Productions Ltd
Phoebe McIndoe and Jude Shapiro – Peanut & Crumb
Damien St John – Podomedy
Rosie Blau, Imogen Serwotka, Gemma Newby and Nico Raufast – The Economist
Maxim Saakyan – Uncovering Roots

Kids Content

Matthew Smith, Polly Evans, Maisie Peppitt, Libby Hornsby, Craig Edmondson and Becky Green – Audio Always
Sara Starling, Leon Ford and Andy Greenhouse – Freelance
Jo Meek and Tony Churnside – Naked Productions Ltd
Viola Ugolini – Nosy Crow
Damien St John – Podomedy
Krishna Murali – The Fourth Bookmark

Lifestyle & Society

Keira Edwards, Khaliq Meer, Richard McIlroy and Tony Churnside – BBC Sounds Audio Lab and BBC Audio North
Naomi Bloomstein and Chloe Turpin – Freelance
Dr. Rachel Varnam, John Wakefield, Laura Varnam and Claire Broughton – Hat Trick Productions Ltd.
Maia Miller-Lewis and Jo Rowntree – Loftus Media
Sam Taylor, Steve Girling and Ben Jones – National Prison Radio
Get Birding Production Team – Peanut & Crumb
Catherine Carr – Whistledown

Music

Nick Harris – Absolute Radio
Kellie While, Jon Lewis, Mark Hodkinson and Ian Stephenson – Pomona Audio
Ollie Brookes and Scout Tzofiya Bolton – Prison Radio Association
Hamza Oomerjee and Sumit Sharma – The Resonate Agency
Joe Gardner, Ben Cutlan and Sophia Hadji-Michael – We Are Grape Ltd
Katie Fox, Joy Dasgupta and Ollie Braddy – BBC Radio 1’s Dance Anthems – We Are Grape Ltd

News & Politics

Louisa Lewis, Jessica Beck, Chris Martlew and Andy Hayward – Bloomberg
Stephen Carroll, Caroline Hepker, James Woolcock, Tiwa Adebayo and Christopher Pitt – Bloomberg
Ned Miles – Freelance
Beth Rigby, Laura Fitzpatrick, Minty Parker, Paul Stanworth, Charlie Bell, Soila Apparicio and Luke Hatten – Sky News
The Wargame – Sky News and Tortoise
Eleanor Biggs – The Guardian

Non-Fiction Audiobook

Bonnier Books UK Audio
Meg Meloy, Viola Ugolini, Alex Brown and Strathmore Studios – Nosy Crow
Alfie Thompson – Penguin Audio
Chris Thompson – Penguin Audio
Michael Pender – Penguin Audio
Nicola Alexandrou – The Guardian

Sound Design

Audible Studios, Pottermore Publishing and String & Tins
Iain Meadows – Big Finish Productions
Melvin Rickarby – Loftus Media
Phoebe McIndoe, Jude Shapiro and Will Fitzpatrick – Peanut & Crumb
Damien St John – Podomedy
Lucinda Mason Brown and John Wakefield – Strange Boy Productions

True Crime

Pennie Stuart, Dan Holland, Heather Doran, Clara Morriss and Niamh nic Daeid – Adventurous Audio Ltd and the Leverhulme Research Centre For Forensic Science
Audible Studios with Grayhouse Productions
Kate Bissell, Gemma Maull and Olivia Graham – BBC Local and BBC Audio Scotland
The Girlfriends: Trust Me Babe – Novel Audio
Phoebe McIndoe and Jude Shapiro – Peanut & Crumb
Marnie Duke – The Future Justice Project

Individual

Executive Producer of the Year

Becky Green – Audio Always
Vicki Blight – Bengo Media
Charlotte Mason – Insanity (Studios)
Jack Howson – Peanut & Crumb
Paul Thomas – Platform Media
Paul Stanworth – Sky News

Narrator

Nicola Walker – Bonnier Books UK
Clarke Peters – BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
Cush Jumbo for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Audible Studios, Pottermore and String & Tins
Helen Zaltzman – Freelance
Melanie Crawley – Freelance
Sara Starling – Freelance
Morwenna Rose – The Book of Arralan

New Producer

Matthew Smith – Audio Always
Eva Brookes – BBC Sounds Audio Lab & Reduced Listening
Georgie Styles – Freelance
Phil Rowe – Freelance
Lauren Mossman – Fix Radio
Chantal Romain – Multitrack Fellowship

New Voice

Georgie Styles – Freelance
Harley Viveash – Freelance
Louis Critchley – Freelance
Chantal Romain – Multitrack Fellowship
Eva Brookes – Reduced Listening
Beth Ditto – We Are Grape

Presenter / Host

Sean Allsop – Freelance
Clive Holland – Fix Radio
Anna Sinfield – Novel
Sean Bean – Peanut & Crumb
Elizabeth Day – Sony Music Entertainment
Krishna Murali – The Fourth Bookmark

Producer of the Year

Nicolas Jackson – Afonica
Sean Allsop – Freelance
Helen Burke – JamPot Productions
Olivia Swift – Reform Radio
Alan Weedon – Sony Music Entertainment
Jon Holmes – Unusual

Group or organisation

Changemaker Award

Beth Jones – Freelance
Will Short, Jack Watkinson, Lauren Mossman, Toby Penman and Mark Williams – Fix Radio
Women and Asthma – Imperial College London
Kiril Traykov – Independent production
John McBlain – Jonsan Media
Sony Music Podcast’s Radio 4 Team

Ensemble Cast

400 Strangers Ensemble – Almost Tangible

Wolf Valley Ensemble – Almost Tangible

Carl Prekopp, Yasmin Mwanza, Maddy Lenny, Emma Handy, Laura Dos Santos, Rebekah Murrell, Ben Crowe, Harry Myers, Joe Jameson, Ian Dunnett Jnr., Connor Finch, Jemima Rooper and Robert Glenister – BBC Studios

Hilary Derrett, Mick Liversidge, Iestyn Arwel, Michael Simkins, Livy Potter, Sebastian Humphreys, Pauline Lynch, Euan Munro, Joyce Henderson, Aarushi Ganju, Adrian McLoughlin, George Stagnell, Daniel Norford, Laura Wilson and Jason Morell – Digital Drama Productions

Sian Clifford, Lorna Rose Treen, Jonathan Oldfield, Ada Player, Alice Cockayne, Aruhan Galieva, Ayoade Bamgboye, Caroline Elms, Em Prendergast, Jodie Mitchell and Mofé Akàndé – DLT Entertainment UK Ltd

Rachel Davies, Philip Jackson, Alan Williams, Ralph Ineson, Christine Bottomley, Eden Ottman and Faye Weerasinghe – Hooley Productions

Sherise Blackman, Judi Love, Saffron Coomber, Martins Imhangbe, David Ajala, Richard Blackwood and Shiloh Coke – Platform Media and Audible UK

Presenting Team

Sam Fletcher-Goodwin and Tim Warwood – Audio Always
Brad Hanson, Sam Hughes, Travis Glossop-Osborn and Demi Bell – Fix Radio
Chris van Tulleken and Xand van Tulleken – Loftus Media
Helen Lewis, Ian Hislop, Adam Macqueen and Andrew Hunter Murray – Rethink Audio
Elis James and John Robins – Significant Productions
Luke Moore, Pete Donaldson, Marcus Speller, Jim Campbell and Vithushan Ehantharajah – Stak

Production Company of the Year

Bengo Media
Bespoken Media
Peanut & Crumb
Penguin Studios
Sony Music Podcasts
Stak
Tandem Productions

Publisher or Network of the Year

Fix Radio
Podomedy
Resonance
Rusty Quill
Sony Music Podcasts