BBC Appoints New Popular Music Controller

Lesley Douglas, controller of BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, has been appointed controller, BBC Popular Music.

Keeping her current roles, Douglas will take on her new job as the BBC’s first controller of music with immediate effect.

Douglas’ expanded remit includes responsibility for co-ordinating the full range of popular music output that is being produced across the various BBC platforms.

Douglas said: “The BBC has an ongoing commitment to supporting a breadth of popular music programming.

“We need to ensure that we stay ahead of the game, capitalising on creative opportunities and working even more closely with the music community as a whole to leverage the full strength of the BBC.”

Jenny Abramsky, director BBC Audio and Music, says: “Lesley is doing a superb job at Radio 2 and 6 Music and I’m delighted that she will be taking on this role.

“Our aspiration is to gain greater impact for the BBC’s investment in popular music across our output.

“I also want the post to be a central point for external contacts thereby simplifying communications with the BBC.”

Lesley will work alongside Andy Parfitt, controller, Radio 1 and 1Xtra, who has responsibility for youth programming, leading the team developing plans to improve the BBC’s offering to Britain’s teens, and Roger Wright, who last week was announced as the next director of the BBC Proms in addition to his role as controller of Radio 3 and running the BBC performing groups. Roger is co-ordinating classical music across the BBC.

All three will be working closely with Adam Kemp, arts and music commissioner for television, Peter Maniura, head of classical music TV, and Mark Cooper, creative head of TV music entertainment.

BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk