GMG Radio chief executive John Myers is to take semi-retirement next year, leaving current deputy chief executive Stuart Taylor to take over the running of the 13-station group.
"It has been a great privilege and pleasure to lead GMG’s radio business for the last decade, which has been one of excitement, expansion – and tremendous fun," John said this morning.
John set up GMG Radio almost 10 years ago and has created some of the biggest brands in the industry. With his former employee Border Radio Holdings, John created Century Radio along with GMG Radio group programme director John Simons, then went on to launch the Real Radio, Smooth Radio and Rock Radio brands with the help of the Guardian Media Group.
In his personal life he is celebrating 30 years in radio and 50 years of age and feels now is the right time to take a back seat.
“After 30 years in the industry I feel it’s the right time to take a step back from the day-to-day running of the business and move into semi-retirement. I’m particularly pleased that, because of our careful succession planning, I am able to hand over the reins to a brilliant chief executive who already knows the business inside out. Stuart is a superb operator and I know that GMG Radio can look forward to continued success under his leadership.”
Carolyn McCall, chief executive of Guardian Media Group, said: “John has been a great leader of our radio business. Over the last 10 years he has built the company up from scratch, winning licences, launching stations and acquiring new assets. He has made an immense contribution to the success of GMG Radio, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his advisory capacity.
