The BBC has named Lorna Clarke as its first ever pop controller.
As part of her role, she will be responsible for all BBC radio stations including Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 6 Music and the Asian Network.
The role will involve a strategic vision across the pop output, including BBC Music and music television, to improve programming, provide leadership and work with the music industry to foster new talent.
Clarke said: “My career has been defined by music, and as a music lover I want the BBC to continue to bring the world of music even closer to our listeners.
These are exciting times for the BBC and the music industry globally, where change is affecting us all at a rapid pace. I am really looking forward to working with the industry and our partners to continue delivering amazing music for our audiences“.
With over 30 years’ experience in broadcasting, it’s easy to see why she was given the illustrious role.
She got her start at Kiss 100 FM in 1990 as London programme director before joining the BBC in 1997, working on Radio 1 and launching the Sara Cox breakfast show.
Between 2005 and 2010, she was the director of Electric Proms, where she launched and curated performances on all the BBC’s pop music stations along with Radio 3, BBC One and BBC Two.
In 2010 she became the network manager for Radio 2 and Radio 6 before being appointed head of production for both stations in 2017.
Jonathan Wall has also been confirmed as the first controller of BBC Sounds, which has become a top priority for the BBC.
Since it launched last year, there have been more than 2.3 million downloads of the app, with users now at nearly 1.5 million each week.
The streaming service was brought in to replace the iPlayer Radio app and allows users to listen to radio broadcasts and podcasts on demand via their computer, smartphone or tablet.
Clarke will take on her new role in September and Wall will start in August.
#Peace.Love.BBC
