Classic FM has appointed Lord Eatwell, the President of Queens’ College Cambridge and the former chairman of the Commercial Radio Companies Association as the chairman of the Classic FM Consumer Panel.
Composed of listeners, the Classic FM Consumer Panel was launched in December 2001 and gives listeners input into the decision-making at national GCap station. Through quarterly meetings with the Classic FM management team, the panel is able to probe, guide and monitor the actions of station management and annually sets a number of formal objectives for the station to aspire to, which are published on the Classic FM website and in the annual report of parent company GCap Media.
Speaking about his appointment, Lord Eatwell said: “Classic FM has brought the joy of classical music to millions. The task of the Consumer Panel is to ensure that Classic FM listens to its listeners, enhancing their enjoyment and broadening their experience. I am delighted to be taking over the chair from Chris Smith, and I am committed to maintaining the constructive, yet vigorous critical style that he pioneered.”
Darren Henley, Managing Director of Classic FM said: “The Classic FM consumer panel is unique in commercial radio, enjoying a level of independence that gives listeners a genuine voice in all aspects of the station’s output. Our decision to launch the panel six years ago underlined the importance we place on the relationship that Classic FM has with its listeners. Lord Smith has been a highly effective and diligent chairman since 2001 and we wish him well in his new role as Chairman of the Advertising Standards Authority. Lord Eatwell has enjoyed a long career in politics, academia and the media and I know that we will benefit from his experience as he takes over the role".