GMG Radio have appointed Billy Anderson as Managing Director of their Real Radio and Rock Radio brands.
Billy will start the role at the end of the year – he's currently the regional head of the group's stations in Scotland and the North East of England.
It's a newly-created role and follows the news earlier this month that current North West MD Andy Carter would become Managing Director of the Smooth Radio brand.
Real Radio has five regional stations – in Scotland, the North East, the North West, Yorkshire and South/Mid Wales – with a North Wales regional service due to launch in the coming months, creating a Real station for the whole of Wales.
Rock Radio has two FM licences – in Manchester and Glasgow.
GMG Radio tell us Billy will report straight into Chief Exec Stuart Taylor and work alongside senior group programmers, commercial and marketing staff. They say individual station MDs for the two brands will now report into him.
Stuart Taylor said: "I am delighted we have been able to find the right person for this position within our own talented pool of staff. Billy understands and is passionate about both the Real and Rock brands and the people that work for both. He will ensure both brands stay clearly focused and well placed to meet the needs of both listeners and advertisers in the future."
Billy added: "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to work with some of the most talented people in the business. I see huge potential for both Real and Rock to grow further and I’m looking forward to helping the teams realise this potential and provide commercial opportunities, particularly for Real, which really utilises the strength of the brands both individually and as a network."
Billy joined Real Radio Scotland at its launch as Sales Director, quickly becoming Deputy MD, then MD of the station and its two sister Smooth and Rock stations north of the border. He became Regional MD when he also took responsibility for the north east stations in 2009. His 20 year career in media also includes time at Auto Trader and as part of the team on marketing magazine The Drum.