Back-slapping hacks

It was cocktails in the swish St Martin's Lane Hotel, London, last night for the Work Foundation's annual Work World Media Awards.

Maybe it was something about the venue but there was a pleasing intimacy about the awards this year and there was plenty of bonhomie, which makes a change among journalists.

Polly Toynbee, the Guardian columnist, seemed genuinely touched at receiving a lifetime achievement award. I suppose this is because it comes from within a relatively small circle of business, management and employment writers who are generally sparing in their mutual back-slapping.

As one of the judges, I can confirm that the BBC's Business Editor, Robert Peston was also a popular choice for two awards this year, including Broadcaster of the Year.

I have known him many years, ever since he came to the FT to take-over the investigative team - just as I left it for the employment beat, funnily enough. I have a lot of respect for the man we used to nickname "The Pest." He is not only a first rate reporter but a fine columnist too and a decent guy. He deserves his success.

I was saddened to hear of so many of my contemporaries at the FT who have decided to leave, taking one of the generous packages on offer just now. As one of them said, "it was too good to ignore." But I know, from my own experience, there will be sadness in going. Businesses are still shedding too much grey hair.