John Myers is to take over as the new Chief Executive of the Radio Academy from next April, Radio Today can reveal.
It brings the former CEO of GMG Radio back into a senior role in the industry following his retirement and a year-out to travel the world.
He’ll take up the new post in April 2011 and amongst his responsibilities will be chairing the committees which run two major annual events – The Radio Festival and the prestigious annual Sony Radio Academy awards.
John started his career at the BBC in Cumbria and with Border Television – for whom he launched radio stations CFM and Century in the 90s. After a spell as Chief Executive of Radio Investments Limited, he went on to form GMG Radio for the Guardian Media Group, launching the Real, Smooth and Rock Radio brands. He's also a former Chairman of the Radio Academy and was awarded a fellowship of the Academy in 2007.
More recently, after standing down as CEO of GMG Radio in 2009, John conducted the 'Myers Review' for the DCMS into the future of local radio – and a number of his recommendations were later accepted by Government and introduced as part of the Digital Economy Act. He's also done on-air cover shifts on Smooth Radio as his alter-ego John Morgan.
John told RadioToday.co.uk: "When I stepped down from GMG last year, I wanted to travel the world and have a rest! Having done that, I now want to give something back to UK radio, This role gives me a great opportunity to lead the Academy through some very important changes and ensure all sides of the radio sector come together for an exciting future."
Bob Shennan, Chairman of the Radio Academy and also Controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music, added: "John Myers has radio through his blood and is greatly admired and respected on all sides of the industry. It's a huge boost for the radio industry in the UK to have John return to the fold. He is a great ambassador for all that is good about our industry."
The Radio Academy is a registered charity dedicated to the encouragement, recognition and promotion of excellence in UK radio broadcasting and audio production.
John will replace Trevor Dann who led the Radio Academy for the past four years before [link=https://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6291]stepping down[/link] last month.