The Independent wins Content Team of the Year at British Media Awards

Judges described the brand as 'a great 2017 success story'

Every month of 2017 showed year-on-year gains, with readership surging by as much as 72 per cent compared to the equivalent month in 2016 (The Independent)

The Independent has won Content Team of the Year at the British Media Awards after an outstanding year of global editorial coverage, which saw it reach more readers than at any point in the title’s history.

The judges were impressed by The Independent's growth on the world stage after the paper’s closure just two years ago, noting its development as a vibrant and rapidly expanding brand underpinned by the same values that have always made the title distinctive.

Presenting the award, BBC presenter Lauren Laverne referred to The Independent as “a great 2017 success story, with the quality of brand and product to become a market leader.”

Reporter Shehab Khan was also shortlisted for the Rising Star prize at the awards.

The Independent enjoyed rapid growth last year, with readership surging by more than 70 per cent in some months compared to the equivalent month in 2016.

It had the highest Facebook reach and engagement of any of the main news publishers in the UK, which was achieved while keeping social justice, international reporting and political journalism at the fore.

Further afield, The Independent has made significant investment in foreign coverage, with new staff positions created in Brussels, Moscow, New York, Washington DC and San Francisco in 2017.