Classic FM founder returns to radio industry

According to press reports Ralph Bernard, founder of Classic FM and former chief executive at GCap Media, is returning to the radio industry.

Bernard is said to have informed colleagues at the Royal Albert Hall his current position of chief executive was not what he expected it to be.

Quoted in the Guardian he told his staff: “At times like these people always look for the angle, the reason why such a surprising decision has been taken. The plain fact is that the role of chief executive is not what I expected it to be based on my experience in the commercial world.”

Ralph Bernard has been a major radio industry figure for nearly 30 years, working for radio group GWR from the early 80’s until mid-2000’s. He played a key part in GWR’s merger with Capital Radio, which lead to the formation of GCap Radio.

It is thought that Bernard will be working on a project with veteran broadcaster Johnnie Walker for BBC Radio 2.