UTV Director joins UKRD’s Sun FM as MD

UTV’s Commercial Director for Local Radio Julian Carter has joined UKRD’s Sunderland station Sun FM as Managing Director.

Julian, who has worked for UTV Media for the last three years, was at GMG Radio as Group Sales Director for six years before that. He takes over from Helen Edmondson who is retiring.

After a spell at Capital Radio Advertising as Regional Sales Director covering the North of England, he was part of the launch team at Century in the North West. Julian confirmed that this new post allows him the opportunity to fulfil an ambition to run his own operation and “the real and considerable autonomy UKRD affords its managing directors is a really important part of the decision to join the group,” he said.

UKRD’s Chief Executive Officer, William Rogers, announcing the appointment, said that he was looking forward to giving Julian “all the support necessary as well as the authority he needs to deliver the success at Sun FM that I know he is determined to deliver.”

“Julian has a track record of success spread across in excess of fifteen years in commercial radio and UKRD is fortunate to have attracted someone of his capabilities and energy to fill the role vacated by Helen Edmondson.”

“Julian will join a team of managing directors presently delivering growth in revenues and profitability, as well as audiences, and I’ve no doubt that he will add considerably to the success we are seeing across the portfolio,” said Rogers.

“With my family based in the north east and this opportunity available to me, it was just a great chance to make the move. I have enjoyed my careers at each of the places I have worked and I’m looking forward to working on the next chapter with the UKRD team very much. The group has a reputation for great commitment to its teams and people and I’m keen to be a part of it all,” said Carter.

UTV’s Scott Taunton said of Julian, “Over the last three years he has made a significant contribution to our local revenue recovery at our local stations and also driven the re-launch of our regional talkSPORT team which has gone from strength to strength. We wish him all the best and thank him for his performance.”