Tim Pemberton – currently Managing Editor at BBC Radio Shropshire – has been appointed as Managing Editor at BBC Radio Bristol.He will succeed Jenny Lacey on 3 April 2006.
Tim, born in Kings Heath, Birmingham in 1963, attended local schools and in 1983 went to University of Lancaster, earning a BA Honours in Philosophy and Religious Studies.
His career started in Birmingham at an independent production company.
After entering the BBC in 1989 as a Production Trainee, he moved on to BBC Radio Wales for three years as a producer before moving to Network Radio and TV.
Tim specialised in Religion and Ethics, working across a range of programmes as director, producer and senior producer.
These, included Good Morning Sunday and Wogan on Radio 2; a series for Five Live; the Heaven & Earth Show and Songs of Praise for BBC ONE; and a discussion series for BBC World Service.
During 2002, Tim ran BBC Commonwealth Games Radio in Manchester as Managing Editor before being appointed Managing Editor for BBC Radio Shropshire in the same year.
Throughout his tenure there, the station won Sony Gold and Silver Awards, alongside a number of BBC Local Radio Gillard Awards.
Tim has also been serving as one of the launch Editors for the BBC’s new Local TV pilot in the West Midlands.
Tim already has family connections to the Bristol area, with a brother living in the city and two others formerly posted at RAF Locking.
Married to Verna for 17 years, Tim is a big sports fan – with the injuries to prove it.
He is a keen footballer, cricketer and chess player.
In between BBC roles, Tim has produced programmes with the likes of Gladys Knight and Luther Vandross.
But his biggest claim to fame is being described as “the best Englishman I have ever met” by the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.
Tim says: “I’m delighted to have this opportunity to continue Radio Bristol’s growing popularity across all sectors of the local community.
“Under Jenny Lacey’s long-standing leadership, the station has gone from strength to strength and built a large and appreciative audience.
“I’m determined to continue to make the kind of programmes that are loved by listeners with my new team of colleagues at Radio Bristol.”
Andrew Wilson, Head of BBC Local and Regional Programmes in the West, says: “Tim has proved himself to be an exceptional creative leader, with a passion for getting the very best out of people.
“He also has a great deal of experience across BBC Radio and TV.
“Most importantly, he’s inheriting a very special station and a particularly talented and special team of people.
“I’m sure that Tim’s influence will herald exciting times ahead for Radio Bristol’s audience.”