Henley Takes Over As New Classic FM Station Manager
Classic FM has appointed Darren Henley as its new station manager, replacing Roger Lewis, who left the GWR-owned outfit last month to join ITV.
Henley, who has been the station’s managing editor for the past four years, will assume responsibility for all areas of Classic FM’s business and programming, as well as it’s digital television, online and magazine businesses.
He will report directly to GWR executive chairman, Ralph Bernard, who said: “Darren has been with Classic FM since 1992 and has consistently played a central role in the success of the station so far. With his knowledge of all aspects of the Classic FM brand and our business, Darren is the ideal leader to take the station forward.”
Henley added: “Classic FM has a unique position in the hearts and minds of British radio listeners. Having been involved with the station since its earliest days on air, I am now looking forward to the next chapter in our development.”
Henley joined Classic FM when it launched in 1992 and went on to become producer of its flagship news and arts programme in 1995. A year later he was promoted to the role of news manager, before becoming news and programme manager in 2000. Four the past four years he has been managing editor with responsibility for the day-to-day management of all of the radio station’s programming output.
Classic FM’s former managing director and programme controller, Roger Lewis, stepped down in October to join ITV as managing director of the network’s Welsh operations. Lewis oversaw a period of significant growth at the station with the expansion of its core radio business into digital television and the internet (see Classic FM Loses Managing Director To ITV).
The latest RAJAR results for the three months to September 2004 reveal a disappointing performance for Classic FM, which has seen its weeklly reach decline by 4.9% year on year to just over the 6.1 million mark. However, the station faced tough competition from the recent Euro 2004 football tournament, which boosted national rivals, talkSPORT and BBC Radio Five Live (see RAJAR Results Q3 2004: talkSPORT Boosted By Euro 2004).
GWR Group: 020 7284 3000 www.gwrgroup.com
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