Jenny Abramsky is to step down as director of BBC Audio & Music to take up a new role as chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund. Previously, as director of radio she launched the five digital radio services. More recently she has been responsible for all BBC music output and commissioned the Electric Proms.
Her email to staff this morning went as follows:
"Dear all,
"In a few minutes, the announcement will be made that I will be leaving the BBC at the end of the summer, to take up a new role as Chairman of the Heritage Lottery Fund.
"Whilst this is a wonderful opportunity, it will be a great wrench for me to leave the BBC. I have spent my working life here, the vast majority of it in Radio, and I am as passionate about it now as when I joined as a Programme Operations Assistant 39 years ago.
"I have always believed that the BBC is the most important cultural institution in the UK. Its willingness to take risks, its ambition that permeates through its programmes and schedules, and the unsurpassed quality of its news output demonstrates every day that it can and does make a difference. I feel privileged to have been involved for so many years, and it's been amazing fun.
"There is never a good time to leave, but I think now is the right time for me to take on a new challenge and I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to lead the HLF in its work of safeguarding and sustaining our wonderful heritage.
"I won't be leaving for some months, so I hope I will have the chance to say goodbye to most of you in person. There are many strong candidates to take over as Director of Audio & Music, and I have no doubt that, when I finally do leave, A&M will be in as strong a position as it has ever been.
"Best wishes, Jenny"
Jenny has been at the BBC for 39 years. During her time she edited the World At One, PM and the Today programme before becoming Editor of all Radio News and Current Affairs. She set up a continuous news service (Gulf FM) during the first Gulf War which was the forerunner to Radio 5 Live, where she was launch controller.
