Coming up against fellow blogging professionals in the education sector, Paul walked away from the glitzy ceremony at the Grange Hotel in St. Paul's, which was attended by Perry McCarthy – the original Stig from Top Gear – and the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Jonathan Simpson, as organisational winner in the education category.

Starting the blog two years ago to promote the work his Digital Marketing team undertakes, which includes managing the University's website and social media channels; Paul was delighted to see his team recognised.

"I began the blog to highlight the work we're doing both to the wider Higher Education sector and to gain some internal interest in on our projects from academic staff," said Paul, who joined the University in 2007.

"The blog's definitely achieved this aim but I never thought that I would be shortlisted for a national award – let alone win one!

"The competition on the night was particularly strong and as a result of this win I've been approached to write guest posts on a number of industry blogs and even to be a judge at future digital marketing awards evenings.

"I'd particularly like to thank my team as without all of their hard work I'd have nothing worth blogging about!"

Created to recognise the uptake of blogging across a variety of 12 UK industries, more than 16,000 votes were cast on over 1,000 applicants for 25 UK Blog Awards categories.

With the education category then whittled down to a shortlist of 10 nominations, a judging panel formed of two charities supporting teachers and education professionals in the work place announced Paul as the winner.

"The sheer number of entries and the breadth of individuals and organisations involved is a testament to the value that blogging can have in both the education sector and in the wider economy," added Elliott Simmonds, Market Research Panel Manager for VoicED, and one half of the education category judging panel.

"I felt particularly strongly that VoicED should be involved in this event as giving teachers and education professionals an opportunity to express their opinions is what we do every day, so it made sense to support that idea in a different form."

To view Paul's blog, visit uobdigital.blogspot.co.uk

Photo (left to right): Julian Stanley (Group Chief Executive, Teacher Support Network and Recourse), Paul Fryer, Elliott Simmonds