Last night, you may have seen my post that I was named winner of the investment article of the year at the unbiased.co.uk Media Awards 2016.

I have since discovered that I was also runner-up in the pensions article category, to Patrick Collinson of The Guardian.

My thanks must go to the judges for noticing my work. It can be very hard to go up against those on the nationals.

The journos are all excellent – you don’t get shortlisted for just turning up – but they have something that a freelance like myself, with strong links to trade publications and institutional clients, does not.

It’s not a je ne sais quoi, because I can name it. Those working on the nationals will have a degree of exposure that I do not. But don’t for a moment think I am bitter about that – it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Making the shortlist for three categories far exceeded my wildest dreams for my first submission to this awards programme. To get a gong and be mentioned in despatches is very rewarding and it’s only a shame my mother, who we lost on Boxing Day, wasn’t here to share it.

My sincere thanks to all those who contacted me on Twitter and Facebook last night. Your messages of support are very welcome and much appreciated.

So, it’s onwards and upwards in the hope that 2016 will be a far, far better year than 2015 ended.