New appointments at Radio 1 & 1Xtra

Rhys Hughes has been appointed Head of Programmes for Radio 1 & 1Xtra, whilst Nicola Di Tullio takes on the Network Manager position for both stations.

The Head of Programmes position became available when Ben Cooper, previously Deputy Controller, replaced Andy Parfitt as Radio 1 Controller.

The appointment of the Network Manager follows the news that the stations’ current Managing Editor, Tarrant Steele, is to leave after 15 years at the end of December to take up the role of Operations Director at Participle.

Rhys has been an Executive Producer at Radio 1 since 2000. Currently responsible for The Chris Moyles Show, Fearne Cotton and Dev, he has worked across both mainstream & specialist output, overseeing shows including Scott Mills, Pete Tong, Trevor Nelson & Tim Westwood.

Rhys Hughes says: ‘I’m delighted to be taking on the role of Head of Programmes for Radio 1 & 1Xtra and leading the editorial direction of both stations and I’m excited about the challenges that we face to move both youth networks forward in the digital world.’

Ben Cooper says: ‘Rhys is passionate about new music, and making great radio for young audiences. I believe his experience, energy and ideas will support me in driving both networks forward.’

In the role as Network Manager, Nicola Di Tullio will be responsible for the business and operational running of both stations which includes staffing and finances.

Nicola is currently Business Manager for Radio 1 & 1Xtra which she had been doing since 2003. Currently managing the move of both radio stations to BBC Broadcasting House, which will be an ongoing project until late 2012, she has also been responsible for the staffing of both networks. Prior to becoming Business Manager she worked closely with previous controller Andy Parfitt as Project Manager, before that she worked in the BBC Press Office before joining Radio 1 as a Publicist.

Nicola Di Tullio said: ‘It will be my pleasure to ensure that the business is run in the most effective and efficient way to ensure the best for our young listeners. Not only do I have the personal and professional passion for the stations, but I care enormously for the people who work here.’

Ben Cooper said: ‘In Nicola I have a first class leader and someone that can inspire and motivate our teams. In addition to the safe keeping of our budgets, she is skilled at managing large scale organisational change, like the smooth transition to Broadcasting House which will take place next year – this will be a really big moment in Radio 1’s history.’