The controller of BBC Radio 4 and Radio 7 Mark Damazer is leaving the BBC later this year to become head of St Peter's College at Oxford University.
Mark has been with Radio 4 for six years and says there was no other big radio job that appealed to him.
The BBC director general, Mark Thompson, told Press Association: "Mark's distinguished career at the BBC has spanned many areas, from the BBC World Service and BBC News and Current Affairs to Radio 4.
"His work has been characterised by integrity, total commitment to depth and quality, and a dedication to serving audiences.
"He has been an outstanding controller of BBC Radio 4 and I wish him well in his move to academic life at Oxford."
"I will be leaving a job I have loved," Mark said. "I'm leaving behind a network which is passionately sustained and supported by its audience and by programme makers, commissioners, schedulers and support teams at Radio 4 who are devoted to their work.
"I am more grateful than I can say for the opportunity to have been in charge of Radio 4 for what will be six years and I leave with the hope that Radio 4 – and the BBC – will continue to be strong and resolute in serving the public who put so much faith and trust in it."
Mark was appointed Controller of BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 7 in October 2004 having been Deputy Director of BBC News since April 2001.
He'll take up his new post in October.