Tony Grundy returns to Reading 107

Former Reading 107 boss Tony Grundy has returned to the station as a consultant following the departure of Managing Director Alison Hedges.

A report in the local paper suggests his brief is to turn the fortunes around and refresh the sound of the station.

Grundy told the Bracknell Forest Standard: “Reading 107 is in my DNA and I have got a chance to do what I did all those years ago, when I started with a blank piece of paper and we won the franchise. Like then, I find it quite terrifying, but exciting at the same time.”

Along with brother Tim, Tony launched the station in October 2002. Tim died in 2009. It’s understood Tony will make the station appeal to younger audiences in Reading, following rival station Heart’s move to a slightly older demographic since the change from 2-Ten FM.

Tony told the paper: “We are less connected to people within the community, but I’m sure we can put that right. Every aspect of what we do has got to be about gaining more audience. That is what I’m faced with and the great news is we have got some great people here I can work with. What I have told John and the family is over the next six months I want to turn things around to where they are happy with it. To get it to a point beyond breaking even and nicely into profit.”

He added: “The great thing is it’s stand alone and a truly independent station, which is a great plus for working here, but on the other hand you haven’t got the shared resources of a big operator. I you can’t find a way of making it work as a business then you cannot have that radio station, but that is definitely not John’s wishes.”

Reading 107 is an independent station, owned by Reading football club owner Sir John Madejski, but was previously part-owned by Milestone Radio Group and GMG Radio, which sold its controlling share to Madejski in 2005.