Director of Radio and Music Bob Shennan announces changes to BBC Radio and Music leadership team
Bob Shennan, Director of BBC Radio and Music, has announced changes to his senior team that will bring together all parts of BBC Music for the first time and establish new ways of working in Radio and Music.
Published: 25 November 2016
I am very excited about the possibilities for Radio and Music, with all our network radio together in one place, alongside a multi-platform BBC Music.
Addressing staff, Bob outlined plans for leadership of Radio 2 and 6 Music following his appointment as Director. Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes Radio 2, and Paul Rodgers, Head of Programmes 6 Music, will become Head of Radio 2 and Head of 6 Music respectively. There will be no direct replacement of Bob’s former role as Controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music. Instead, Lewis and Paul will report directly to Bob and will oversee day to day output for the stations.
Bob explained that in his new role he will be working closely with Lewis, Paul and the station Controllers on the development of strategy, schedules and presenter talent across networks.
Bob says: “I decided not to create a Controller position because my role is slightly different from previous directors of Radio; I won’t be on the BBC’s Executive Board and as a result I expect to be able to remain more closely involved in the direction and development of both Radio and BBC Music, to be more ‘hands-on’. We have been an able team. Lewis and Paul are very strong editorial leaders. They are already doing great work and this will ensure continuity in 2 and 6, building on both stations’ recent success. I am very excited about the possibilities for Radio and Music, with all our network radio together in one place, alongside a multi-platform BBC Music.”
He confirmed that Lorna Clarke, Head of Production for Radio 2 and 6 Music, will continue to report directly to him. Jeff Smith continues as Head of Music for Radio 2 and 6 Music.
Bob also announced that Jan Younghusband, Commissioning Editor BBC Music, will move into the Radio and Music team and report to him, allowing him to create a single Music Commissioning team responsible for all TV, radio and online commissioning ‘under one roof’.
Jan will move from the BBC’s Content division into Radio and Music on Monday and will help Bob develop a TV commissioning strategy that builds on the strength of BBC Music and supports the BBC’s ambitions to better serve younger audiences.
Bob added; “I’m delighted that Jan will officially join the BBC Music family. She is a great creative talent and will help me define a compelling, joined up Music strategy for TV that dovetails with everything we do in radio and online. For the first time ever, we will have a TV slate within BBC Music and all Music commissioning decisions being made in the same space. We’re now able to take a thoroughly joined up approach to Music decision-making and having Jan based at the heart of Radio and Music will be transformational to the way we work.”
JA
