Radio Today can reveal that former Marcher Sound presenter Phil Roberts has been appointed the new head of region for the BBC in the north east.
Roberts will be responsible for the three local BBC stations in the region as well as all local television output.
Roberts is currently acting managing editor of BBC Radio Merseyside, after joining the BBC in 2005 as managing editor of BBC Radio Leeds where he made widespread changes to the station.
Beginning his radio career at Marcher Sound as a presenter and later as programme director, Roberts has already worked in the North East as managing director of Metro Radio.
Roberts will be responsible for BBC Radio Newcastle, BBC Tees and BBC Radio Cumbria as well as all local television output, including the daily news programme Look North.
