Ellie Smitherman

Assistant News Editor at @TheSun | HM Highly Commended Rising Star of the Year 2025 | Views my own | Got a story? Email me: [email protected]

[Tara Evans ✏️🔍📖 @taraevans]

Well done to everyone at @Headlinemoney_ awards, I was sad to miss out! Big congrats to @laurapurkess and @EmilyMeeJourno for their gongs. And @AdeleMCooke @EllieSmitherman being highly commended. Well deserved!!

[Headlinemoney @Headlinemoney_]

Now to reveal the shortlist for Personal Finance Story of the Year #HMAwards25!

Congratulations to @laurapurkess, @ChrisBurn_Post, @bbcdanw, @EllieSmitherman & @journofletcher 🎉

https://t.co/6r7SJk9BHh

[Headlinemoney @Headlinemoney_]

And in Pensions Journalist of the Year (Consumer), sponsored by @StandardLifeUK, congratulations go to:

@EllieSmitherman, @holly_mead_, @Jessica__Beard, @laurapurkess, @mattiebrignal, @MoiraONeill & @Rachel_Spike 👏

https://t.co/6r7SJk93RJ

[Headlinemoney @Headlinemoney_]

Now to announce the shortlist for Rising Star of the Year (Consumer) #HMAwards25...

Well done to @EllieSmitherman, @lucycaitevans, @journomadeleine, @MollyGreeves & @pietersnep 🎉

https://t.co/6r7SJk9BHh

[Ellie Smitherman @EllieSmitherman]

Bit of job news.. I've officially been promoted to Consumer News Editor at @TheSun! Excited to continue working with our talented team and @taraevans.

As always, do get in touch with any consumer and personal finance stories!

[Lana Clements @LanaC]

Hello PRs, please send me big brand deals being released on Black Friday - (must be launched on BF not in the lead up) thanks

[Laura Purkess @laurapurkess]

Great de-banking story from @EllieSmitherman - we've found a number of FOS cases where banks have closed customers' accounts by mistake, but refused to disclose this was the reason for closing them until the FOS got involved 1/2 https://t.co/DbvqRMLSDP

[Laura Purkess @laurapurkess]

EXCLUSIVE: Tomorrow the Government will announce its plan to regulate Buy Now, Pay Later products by early next year. It will run a short 6-week consultation ending November 29th followed by a short FCA consultation 1/4 https://t.co/jl3wEvsKgb

[Ellie Smitherman @EllieSmitherman]

Proud to be a part of this campaign and hopefully help our readers get the support they need this winter. Check out our new calculator to see if you or your loved one could be entitled to some extra benefits https://t.co/iJKirPqwZH

[Times Radio @TimesRadio]

“This decision has isolated a real pocket of our readers, who are going to be in trouble this winter.”

There is a “cliff edge” with the winter fuel allowance cap leaving some scared to heat their homes or cook, says The Sun’s Tara Evans.

📻https://t.co/ElNHhIYKul | #TimesRadio

[Laura Purkess @laurapurkess]

Great story from @EllieSmitherman, who reveals that following a court ruling that Virgin Media made changes to its pension scheme without the required legal sign-off, many other firms may now be in the same boat, with potentially 100k+ savers affected 1/4 https://t.co/0xllIAoXyF

[Ellie Smitherman @EllieSmitherman]

Really important judgment, with a big impact on the industry - will be interesting to see how firms and the DWP respond...

[Laura Purkess @laurapurkess]

Great story from @EllieSmitherman, who reveals that following a court ruling that Virgin Media made changes to its pension scheme without the required legal sign-off, many other firms may now be in the same boat, with potentially 100k+ savers affected 1/4 https://t.co/0xllIAoXyF

[Ellie Smitherman @EllieSmitherman]

Bit of job news🚨 After a year and a half at @TheSun I'm pleased to announce I've been promoted to Senior Consumer Reporter.

I'll continue writing personal finance and consumer-facing stories while also taking on news editing responsibilities.

Excited to get started!

[Tara Evans ✏️🔍📖 @taraevans]

Really excited to share some promotions in the Sun Money team!
@laurapurkess is now Consumer Features Editor
@JamesFlanderss is now Chief Consumer Reporter
@EllieSmitherman is now Senior Consumer Reporter
@LivMarshJourno is now Senior Consumer Reporter

[Olivia Tomlinson @LivMarshJourno]

I'll be running the Carsington Water half marathon in October in memory of my dad and for @ActionPFcharity 💜

I'll be sharing updates on my training journey from now up until the big day. Please consider donating if you can 🏃‍♀️

https://t.co/Veglt3C6C2

[Ashley Armstrong @AArmstrong_says]

☀️Morning! Thursday’s @TheSun Business: Rents hit fresh record high rents - monthly payments have risen by £500 in the last decade - an extra £12,000 a year which is more than double the average mortgage increase. Shortage of places means 25 renters are fighting for every home.

[Headlinemoney @Headlinemoney_]

And finally, the #HMAwards23 shortlist for Consumer Money Title of the Year, sponsored by @landg_uk

Well done to Money Mail, @TheSun Money, @TimesMoney, @WhichMoney & @moneysavingexp 👏

https://t.co/f27b3EXwKH

[Ellie Smitherman @EllieSmitherman]

@LucyAJourno @TimesMoney Congratulations Lucy! You'll be very missed but looking forward to seeing what you get up to! ❤️

[Tara Evans ✏️🔍📖 @taraevans]

From our Sun Money pages this weekend, @EllieSmitherman looked at a clause in rental contracts that means tentants receive shock energy bills as damp and mould problems surge https://t.co/zAVzVnToZf

[Ellie Smitherman @EllieSmitherman]

@LivMarshJourno @behindlocalnews @brightonargus @taraevans So well deserved! Well done Liv!

[Leah Milner @leahmilner]

Urgently looking for case study whose fixed rate mortgage expires in next six months OR who's already on variable rate. For the Sun. Pic needed. Deadline: today. Thank you @property4media @PressPlugs @Money4MediaUK @MediaMatchMaker @editorielle #journorequest