The Orwell Prize is a British prize for political writing. The Prize is awarded by The Orwell Foundation , an independent charity (Registered Charity No 1161563, formerly "The Orwell Prize") governed by a board of trustees. Four prizes are awarded each year: one each for a fiction (established 2019) and non-fiction book on politics, one for journalism and one for "Exposing Britain's Social Evils" (established 2015); between 2009 and 2012, a fifth prize was awarded for blogging. In each case, the winner is the short-listed entry which comes closest to George Orwell 's own ambition to "make political writing into an art".
42-557: In 2014, the Youth Orwell Prize was launched, targeted at school years 9 to 13 in order to "support and inspire a new generation of politically engaged young writers". In 2015, The Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain's Social Evils, sponsored and supported by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation , was launched. The British political theorist Sir Bernard Crick founded The Orwell Prize in 1993, using money from
84-420: A hostile takeover before. However, Nestlé was worried about the potential of Rowntree falling into the hands of one of its major competitors. Rowntree was the fourth-largest chocolate manufacturer in the world, after Mars , Hershey, and Cadbury, with a 7% global market share. Nestlé eventually won control with an offer valuing Rowntree at £2.55 billion. Strategically, Nestlé had always seen Rowntree as
126-491: A York soup kitchen in the mid-1800s helped Joseph to realise that such actions were not comprehensive enough. This led to a shift in the Rowntrees' social action, from treating the symptoms to addressing the root causes of poverty. Joseph gave away half of his own fortune to set up various trusts; he was committed to understanding the causes of poverty and disadvantage in order to create a better society. He built New Earswick ,
168-642: A new jelly sweet, Rowntree's Randoms , and in April 2012, another new jelly sweet, Fruit Bottles, both under the Rowntree's brand. Nestlé has invested more than £200 million in the Rowntree business since 1988, making the York site one of the world's largest confectionery factories. Nestlé's global research centre for confectionery is also based in York, and doubled in size following a £7 million investment. The best known products that are still branded under
210-440: A perfect fit for its own operations. Nestlé had strength in the block chocolate bar business, and Rowntree had strength in the countline branded chocolate business. Rowntree's strong global brands were the key reason for Nestlé's interest. Due to potential synergies between the two companies, Nestlé believed that savings between 5 and 15% of Rowntree's operating costs could be made if the companies were to combine. The takeover
252-551: A popular children's brand in Europe. Rowntree's Randoms were introduced in 2009. The Rowntree brand is also used on a number of ice lollies (made by R&R Ice Cream ) for Nestlé. The brand has a similar marketplace to that of the Trebor Bassett division of Cadbury 's, and competes head-to-head with this company in a number of fruit-gum categories. The company largely eschewed advertising before its establishment as
294-494: A result of all its problems, Rowntree was approaching bankruptcy. In 1926, Cowan Company of Toronto Limited (founded in 1890 as Cowan Cocoa and Chocolate), in Toronto, Canada, was acquired for $ 1 million. From 1931, Rowntree of Canada began to manufacture Mackintosh toffees under licence. In 1927, the company began to market its fruit gums, and its pastilles from 1928, in the now familiar tube packaging. George Harris
336-628: A result of this research, the Black Magic assorted chocolate box was launched in 1934. In January 1935, Rowntree decided to abandon its attempt to compete with Cadbury Dairy Milk. In May 1935, Rowntree launched the Aero , an aerated milk chocolate. The Chocolate Crisp, a wafer-and-chocolate bar later known as the Kit Kat , was also launched in 1935. In 1937, the Dairy Box of assorted chocolates
378-827: A special prize for On the Front Line. She had been killed earlier that year while on assignment in Homs, Syria . In 2014, the Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland was given a special award, after having been shortlisted for the Journalism Prize that year. In 2008 the winner in the Journalism category was Johann Hari . In July 2011 the Council of the Orwell Prize decided to revoke Hari's award and withdraw
420-572: A village in York, for people on low incomes, giving them access to decent homes at affordable rents. Joseph's son, Seebohm Rowntree , was also a pioneering social researcher who undertook one of the country’s first investigations into poverty. Poverty, A Study of Town Life (1901) influenced the Liberal Government's introduction of Old Age Pensions (1908) and National Insurance (1911) as a means of protecting people from insecurity. His further studies of York (in 1936 and 1951) demonstrated
462-626: Is a British confectionery brand and a former business based in York , England. Rowntree developed the Kit Kat (introduced in 1935), Aero (introduced in 1935), Fruit Pastilles (introduced in 1881), Smarties (introduced in 1937) brands, and the Rolo and Quality Street brands when it merged with Mackintosh's in 1969 to form Rowntree Mackintosh Confectionery . Rowntree's also launched After Eight thin mint chocolates in 1962. The Yorkie and Lion bars were introduced in 1976. Rowntree's also pioneered
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#1732773115438504-582: Is a charity that conducts and funds research aimed at solving poverty in the UK. JRF's stated aim is to "inspire action and change that will create a prosperous UK without poverty." Originally called the Joseph Rowntree Village Trust, it was founded by English businessman Joseph Rowntree in 1904. Rowntree, a Quaker , was a long-standing philanthropist and with his brother developed a confectionery company, Rowntree's . He established
546-474: The Queen's Award for Enterprise for outstanding contribution to international trade. In 1988, when the company was acquired by Nestlé , it was the fourth-largest confectionery manufacturer in the world. The Rowntree brand continues to be used to market Nestlé's jelly sweet brands, such as Fruit Gums and Fruit Pastilles . Rowntree’s ceased to exist as a corporate entity in 1991, becoming Nestlé UK. Rowntree's
588-507: The West Indies . In 1899, Rowntree introduced its first milk chocolate block. Rowntree had struggled to make a milk chocolate product of comparable quality or value to Cadbury's Dairy Milk. Joseph Rowntree even described the growing market for milk chocolate as a fad. Rowntree's poor performance in the category became a major problem from 1914 onwards, as British public preference continued to move towards milk chocolate, and away from
630-419: The 1890s, Rowntree transformed from a small family business into a large-scale manufacturer, as sales more than quadrupled due to an increased demand among the public for confectionery. In 1889, Seebohm Rowntree established a small research and testing laboratory for analysing ingredients and rival company products. In 1890, to cater for this increased demand, Rowntree acquired a 20-acre site at Haxby Road on
672-658: The Director of the Prize. Judging panels for all four prizes are appointed annually. Beginning with 2019, the Book prize was split into fiction and non-fiction categories. In addition to the four regular prizes, the judges may choose to award a special prize. In 2007, BBC's Newsnight programme was given a special prize, the judges noting, "When we were discussing the many very fine pieces of journalism that were submitted Newsnight just spontaneously emerged in our deliberations as
714-551: The Liberal PM David Lloyd George during the First World War . Seebohm helped to design welfare boards in the new state-owned munitions factories. Both Joseph and Seebohm Rowntree had a clear vision about how to improve people's lives. Joseph outlined these ideas in his 'Founder's Memorandum', a blueprint for his early charitable work. Although it was written in 1904, many of its aims remain at
756-632: The Nestlé Rowntree workforce was reduced by 2,000. The Nestlé Rowntree factory in Norwich closed in 1994, and Rolo , Yorkie, and Easter-egg production was moved to York. In September 2006, it was announced that the manufacture of Smarties would be relocated to Hamburg, resulting in 645 job losses at the York factory. Production of Dairy Box was relocated to Spain , and Black Magic to the Czech Republic . In May 2009, Nestlé launched
798-460: The Rowntree name are Rowntree's Fruit Gums , Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles and Jelly Tots. Jelly Tots are soft, chewy fruit-flavoured sweets. They are round, sugar-coated gumdrop-like confections about 13mm in diameter, and contain 25% fruit juices and no artificial colours or flavours. Jelly Tots were invented by Dr Brian Boffey of Horsforth, Leeds when he was working for Rowntree's. Jelly Tots were launched in 1965 and quickly became established as
840-565: The US. Rowntree merged with John Mackintosh and Co in 1969, to become Rowntree Mackintosh. Mackintosh produced Rolo , Munchies , Caramac , and Quality Street . Hershey's began U.S. distribution of Kit Kat in 1970 and followed in 1971 with Rolo. In 1971, Rowntree Mackintosh acquired Menier Chocolate of France. In the same year, the board attempted to diversify the business, and made a bid for Bovril , but lost out to James Goldsmith 's Cavenham Foods . In 1972, Hoadley's Chocolates of Australia
882-408: The company of being slow in new product development and marketing compared to its major competitor of the period, Cadbury . Fitzgerald suggests that Joseph Rowntree imitated the successes of competitors (Cadbury's Cocoa Essence, French fruit pastilles) and that under his leadership, the company did not introduce any innovations of its own. Around 1898, the company acquired its own cocoa plantations in
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#1732773115438924-512: The company's brands, including Kit Kat, After Eights, and Smarties. Between 1983 and 1987, Rowntree spent nearly £400 million on acquisitions, including Tom's Foods for £138 million (1983), Laura Secord Chocolates for £19 million (1983), Hot Sam Pretzels for £14 million (1986), the Sunmark confectionery business in the US for £156 million (1986), and Gale's honey for £11 million (1986). Between 1982 and 1987,
966-464: The continental Europe market in the 1960s, establishing production facilities in Hamburg, Dijon, Elst , and Noisiel . After Eight thin mint chocolates were launched in 1962. In 1969, the Rowntree board rejected a £37 million takeover bid from General Foods . That same year, Rowntree entered into a long-term agreement with Hershey whereby Hershey would produce Rowntree products under license in
1008-531: The festive selection box (a gift consisting of assorted bars and sweets) which in the UK have been a staple gift at Christmas for over a century. Founded in 1862, the company developed strong associations with Quaker philanthropy. Throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries, it was one of the big three confectionery manufacturers in the United Kingdom, alongside Cadbury and Fry , both also founded by Quakers. In 1981, Rowntree's received
1050-457: The foundation in order to investigate the root causes of social problems. In its current form, the foundation works with private, public and voluntary sectors, as well as impoverished people. It is politically neutral and independent from all UK political parties. JRF was established in 1904 by Joseph Rowntree to understand the root causes of social problems. Joseph was a visionary Quaker businessman and social reformer. Watching his father set up
1092-765: The heart of JRF's mission today: carrying out social research, and working to influence society and policy through robust evidence and communication. Areas of work cover: In February 2020, figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showed that the proportion of people living in poverty in the United Kingdom who are in a working family is at a record high: the proportion was 56% in 2018, up from 39% twenty years earlier in 1998. Rowntree%27s Nestlé UK Ltd. ( UK : / ˈ n ɛ s l eɪ / NESS -lay ), trading as Rowntree's ( / ˈ r aʊ n t r iː z / ROWN -treez ),
1134-539: The increasing effectiveness of welfare measures in anchoring the citizens of York in times of hardship. Seebohm Rowntree's surveys were pivotal in a line of intellectual thinking that ended with Beveridge’s Welfare State. In addition his book, The Human Factor in Business (1921), set a standard for various workplace provisions; from pension schemes and industrial regulations to employee education and work’s councils. Such progressive measures led to him becoming an advisor to
1176-463: The market, although they were beginning to improve, taking a 14.9% stake in the company by 9:15 am. As a result, the managing director of Nestlé, Helmut Maucher , contacted Kenneth Dixon, the chairman of Rowntree, offering to act as a white knight . Nestlé was the largest food company in the world, and had been interested in Rowntree previously, but the Rowntree board would aggressively contest any attempted takeover, and Nestlé had never undertaken
1218-479: The money, but Political Quarterly , responsible for paying the prize money in 2008, instead invited Hari to make a donation to English PEN , of which George Orwell was a member. Hari arranged with English PEN to make a donation equal to the value of the prize, to be paid in installments once Hari returned to work at The Independent . However, Hari did not return to work at The Independent . Joseph Rowntree Foundation The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
1260-462: The more bitter cocoa essence products. Rowntree's two major rivals, Cadbury and Fry, merged in 1918, and although Rowntree was invited to participate in the merger, the company declined to do so. Meanwhile, the Rowntree board was torn as to whether it should become a low-turnover, high-quality product company or a mass producer of cheaper lines. Seebohm Rowntree inherited a struggling company when he succeeded his father as chairman in 1923. By 1930, as
1302-432: The most precious and authoritative home for proper reporting of important stories, beautifully and intelligently crafted by journalists of rare distinction." In 2008, Clive James was given a special award. In 2009, Tony Judt was given a lifetime achievement award. In 2012, a posthumous award was made to Christopher Hitchens , his book Arguably having been longlisted that year. In 2013, Marie Colvin received
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1344-480: The number of UK staff was reduced from 19,700 to 15,600. In 1987, Rowntree operated 25 factories in nine countries and employed 33,000 people, including close to 16,000 in its eight UK operations. Group turnover was £1.4 billion, with the UK and Ireland accounting for 40% of the total. On 13 April 1988, the Swiss confectioner Jacobs Suchard began a dawn raid on Rowntree's shares, which had been under-performing
1386-481: The outskirts of York. The Tanner's Moat site had become too small for Rowntree's needs, and the company had noted the success of Cadbury's purpose-built factory in Bournville . In 1893, the company introduced Rowntree's Fruit Gums . By 1897, the unlimited partnership needed external funding for its expansion, and became a public limited liability company called Rowntree & Co. Robert Fitzgerald has accused
1428-472: The plaque but not the £2,000 prize money, and issued a statement that one of the articles submitted for the prize, "How multiculturalism is betraying women" , published by The Independent in April 2007, "contained inaccuracies and conflated different parts of someone else's story (specifically, a report in Der Spiegel )". Hari did not initially return the prize money of £2,000. He later offered to repay
1470-412: The prize. Public announcement was delayed as Hari was then under investigation by The Independent for professional misconduct. In September 2011 Hari announced that he was returning his prize "as an act of contrition for the errors I made elsewhere, in my interviews", although he "stands by the articles that won the prize". A few weeks later, the Council of the Orwell Prize confirmed that Hari had returned
1512-557: The royalties of the hardback edition of his biography of Orwell. Its current sponsors are Orwell's son Richard Blair , The Political Quarterly , the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Orwell Estate's literary agents, A. M. Heath. The Prize was formerly sponsored by the Media Standards Trust and Reuters. Bernard Crick remained chair of the judges until 2006; since 2007, the media historian Jean Seaton has been
1554-740: Was acquired by Rowntree Mackintosh. This company had invented such products as the Violet Crumble and Polly Waffle . The Yorkie and Lion chocolate bars were introduced in 1976. In 1978, the Hershey contract was renegotiated, giving Hershey the rights to the Kit Kat and Rolo brands in the US in perpetuity. Ken Dixon was appointed as chairman and chief executive in 1981. Between 1981 and 1987, Rowntree invested nearly £400 million in upgrading its manufacturing facilities and developing high-volume, product-dedicated equipment for several of
1596-629: Was appointed marketing manager for chocolate bars in January 1931. Harris had learned the latest marketing techniques while he was in the United States. According to Robert Fitzgerald, "It was Harris's drive and insight which inspired his firm's renaissance in the 1930s." In 1932, Rowntree appointed a new advertising agency, the London branch of J. Walter Thompson . Thompson undertook extensive market research to discover what consumers wanted. As
1638-615: Was controversial, as Nestlé was effectively protected from similar takeover attempts under Swiss law. After the Nestlé takeover, the Rowntree chocolate ranges began to use the branding "Nestlé Rowntree", before eventually the Rowntree name was dropped from the packaging altogether, except on Rowntree's Cocoa and the Fruit Pastilles and Fruit Gums lines. The Mackintosh branding was dropped from all former Rowntree Mackintosh products except for Mackintosh's Toffee. Between 1988 and 1994,
1680-421: Was formally established. In 1881, Rowntree introduced Fruit Pastilles , competing against French imports of the time, and the product proved to be a great success, accounting for about 25% of the company's tonnage by 1887. This success allowed the company to invest in a Van Houten press , which enabled it to produce chocolate with the cocoa butter removed, to compete with Cadbury's successful Cocoa Essence. In
1722-487: Was founded in 1862 at Castlegate , in York , by Henry Isaac Rowntree , a Quaker , as the company manager bought out the Tuke family . In 1864, Rowntree acquired an old iron foundry at Tanner's Moat for £1,000, and moved production there. In 1869, the factory was staffed by 12 men. By 1869, Rowntree was in financial difficulties and his brother, Joseph Rowntree , joined him in full partnership, and H.I. Rowntree & Co
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1764-399: Was launched, using the market research that had been undertaken for Black Magic. Chocolate beans were first sold loose in 1938, but were later packaged in a cardboard tube and branded as Smarties . Polo , the distinctive mint with a hole in the centre, was developed in 1939, but its introduction was delayed by the onset of war. Harris was made company chairman in 1941. Rowntree entered
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