THE RADIO ACADEMY ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIR AND NEW STRUCTURE AS PART OF A NEW LOOK ORGANISATION

24 February 2015 - Press release

 

• Chris Burns announced as new Chair of Radio Academy from April 2015

• Radio Academy becomes a membership led organisation

• Details of four new memberships revealed

• Radio Awards and Radio Festival to take place within next 12 months, revamped and rejuvenated for modern world of radio

• New Director and Deputy Chair still to be appointed

 

Today The Radio Academy, the charitable organisation representing all sections of the radio industry, announced a new streamlined structure, following a strategic review. The Radio Academy will be a membership body for all those working in radio, with its trustees elected by the membership.Chris Burns, Head of Radio Operations, overseeing the Radio Change Programme for BBC, will begin her new role as the Chair of the Radio Academy in April 2015, taking over from Ben Cooper.

The new look Radio Academy has ‘learning and networking’ as its core, and has the support of the BBC, Global, Bauer, The Radio Centre, UTV and RIG. Its vision is to become a members’ organisation that provides, through its partnerships, moments to learn, network and celebrate the audio industry.

The Academy will seek to foster a sense of community amongst its members by providing services such as online training, club membership and voting rights for all members. Four new levels of membership have been confirmed:

• Patron Membership

• Free Patron Membership for Fellows

• Free Patron Membership for Community, Hospital, Prison, Student Radio and Sound Women

• Gold Membership

Today it was also confirmed that the new Radio Awards and the Radio Festival will take place in the next 12 months. Consultation and discussion, via a sub-committee, is still in progress to discuss the future format of both events. Radio Festival will be an accessible, low cost members festival, while the new Radio Awards, underwritten by the consortium of Radio Centre, BBC, UTV and RIG, will be revamped and rejuvenated for the modern world of radio. Furthermore, Arqiva will continue its sponsorship of the Hall of Fame, Radio Production Awards and the 30 Under 30 initiative will go ahead as usual, with a series of regional branch events and masterclasses also planned.

Ben Cooper said: “We listened to what members want from their Academy and are confident that this new organisation reflects that. I am delighted the next generation now have a road map for the future. ”

Chris Burns, the new Chair, said: “I’m delighted to be the one who will oversee this transition and ensure that the services that the Academy provide are relevant and forward thinking. I want to thank Ben Cooper for his fantastic chairmanship during what was latterly a challenging time.”

 The Academy will be administered by a newly appointed Director, who is expected to be in post in the coming months. The new Academy will be operational by September 2015.