Brand PD Steve Collins exits Smooth Radio

Smooth Radio’s Brand Programme Director Steve Collins is leaving the station ahead of the official takeover of the brand by Global Radio.

Steve has been an integral part of transforming Smooth Radio from a northwest Jazz station to a national network over the last decade.

In the northwest, where Steve was Programme Director before a change of title, the station doubled its audience to almost a million listeners at its peak.

Steve told RadioToday.co.uk: “Smooth Radio will always be a big and happy part of my life, it has become a strong national brand and is really special to me, but after nearly ten years at the helm since its start I feel it’s the right time for me to step down and do something new.”

Chief Executive of Real and Smooth Radio Limited, Mark Lee told RadioToday: “Steve Collins has been an integral part of the journey to make Smooth Radio what it is today. I know Steve is extremely proud of what has been achieved with Smooth Radio and I’d like to thank him for everything he has done for what, we’re both sure, will continue to be a thriving and growing brand and we wish him the very best for the future.”

Smooth Radio will move to Leicester Square on October 1st after sharing London and Manchester studios under GMG ownership.

Manchester-based presenters had the choice of moving to new facilities at Global Radio or leaving the company. As a consequence, long-serving presenters Dave Lincoln and Derek Webster recently hosted their last shows, whilst evening presenter Carlos will make the move to London.