Andrew Harrison resigns from RadioCentre

RadioCentre CEO Andrew Harrison is leaving the commercial radio body after seven years in charge, to set up his own business.

Former Radio Advertising Bureau Executive Chair Linda Smith has been appointed interim CEO.

Andrew will depart role on 30th September but will continue to act in a consultancy role for the RadioCentre board for the next six months through to March 2014.

Linda will lead RadioCentre through a period of change in advance of the appointment of a new full-time CEO in early 2014, a position which will be advertised shortly.

Dianne Thompson, Chair of RadioCentre, commented: “Andrew has steered RadioCentre and the wider commercial radio industry very successfully through a period of unprecedented and intense change over the past seven years. We will continue to benefit from Andrew’s expertise, as a founding client in his exciting new venture.

“He leaves with our thanks and very best wishes. Linda is a strong and extremely competent senior executive, who we are confident will ably steer RadioCentre until the handover to the new CEO.”

Said Andrew Harrison; “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading RadioCentre since its formation in 2006 and working with everyone across the wider radio industry. I am proud of the many important regulatory and legislative changes that the RadioCentre team has helped secure for our members and of the growth the sector has shown in recent years in an intensely competitive media market.

“I leave a rapidly consolidating sector at the top of its game, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and anticipating an exciting digital future. I am now looking forward building my new strategic consultancy practice across the brand and media sectors and am delighted that RadioCentre will be a founding client.”

Linda Smith said; “Having led the RAB for the past few years, I am relishing the challenge of taking the reins at RadioCentre to ensure it is in excellent shape for the new full-time CEO in the early New Year.”