One of the John Schofield Trust’s former mentees has been recognised for producing the winner of The Royal Television Society’s Interview of the Year Award for 2021.   

Congratulations to Jason Keen, who secured and produced Andrew Marr’s television encounter with China’s Ambassador to the UK in July 2020. It was viewed millions of times around the world after Marr challenged Liu Xiaoming on China’s treatment of the Uighurs.    

RTS Judges commended the interview as ‘TV interviewing art at its best’ and ‘a masterclass in technique’.

Jason said: ‘The interview with the Chinese Ambassador was a great team effort and I’m proud as punch to have been part of it. Special credit should go to my editor John Neal, our amazing technical team in the gallery, and above all Andrew – who did all the hard work by delivering our plan on air.’   

‘It’s rare to have the opportunity to question the Chinese authorities and we’re indebted to the talented reporters whose hard work has helped shed light on what is happening in Xinjiang – they helped us ask the right questions.’  

Jason was a JST mentee on our 2017 early career mentoring scheme and was mentored by Sky News’ news output editor, Chris Howard. He went on to work as deputy editor on The Andrew Marr Show, to produce Andrew Neil’s interviews with party leaders during the 2019 general election, and output edit BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. In February he joined the BBC’s public affairs team.   

‘I’m stepping away from journalism to take up a new role as Senior Political Affairs Adviser,’ Jason explained. ‘I’ve had a fantastic experience in frontline news over recent years and I’m looking forward to putting that to good use in making the case for the BBC and public service broadcasting.’