Richard Maddock leaves Bauer for 5 live

Bauer Media’s North West regional Programme Director Richard Maddock is leaving to become Commissioning Editor for BBC Radio 5 live.

The role will see him lead on commissioning from independent production companies and take on responsibility for major event planning for the Salford-based BBC network.

Richard leaves Bauer ater more than 20 years with Liverpool-based Radio City and more recently in a regional role.

He told RadioToday.co.uk: “After more than 20 years working in commercial radio I’m delighted to be joining the UK’s Radio Station of the Year. Radio 5 live is one of the most dynamic, compelling and creative radio stations in the country and I’m thrilled to be part of the team that will help drive the station forward into an exciting future. The chance to join one of the true bastions of British broadcasting is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I’d like to thank everyone at Bauer for an amazing 20 years. I have been lucky enough to work with some incredibly talented and dedicated people and I know the stations teams I’m leaving will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Richard started in radio at Liverpool station Radio City 96.7 as a student helping on the news team in 1990, before becoming Programme Director in the mid-90s. In recent years he has overseen three stations based in Liverpool – Radio City, CityTalk and Magic 1548.

Earlier this year it was announced he would take up the role of Programme Director for Bauer’s three sites in the North West of England – stations based at Radio City, Rock FM and Key 103.

At Radio City he’s won Sony Golds for Station of the Year in 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2012 and was named the Sony UK Programmer of the Year in 2005.

Another announcement today at 5 live is the promotion of Heidi Dawson from Assistant Editor to Editor. She’ll take up the role next month and will lead on collaborations with news programmes whilst also championing the station’s multi-platform projects.

Heidi said: “I’m delighted to be taking up this new role at Radio 5 live, which currently produces some of the best content in the country. I’m keen to develop further partnerships which will allow us to produce even more stand out moments and creative programming.

“In recent months I’ve worked with some incredibly talented independent production companies, with content such as Bump Club being successful not only on air but across multi platforms. So I’m excited to be building on these relationships across the industry and to continue working with our fantastic in house production teams.”

5 live Controller Jonathan Wall says: “I know that both Richard and Heidi will be great additions to our team. Richard is the most creative talent in commercial radio over the last decade and will bring something a little different to the station. Heidi has a strong news background with fantastic experience of working in big collaborative projects with independent production companies. She will help to make sure that Radio 5 live builds an even stronger reputation for its news journalism. They will challenge me and the rest of the team to think in new ways and grow even stronger.”