BBC UPS SHENNAN TO RADIO DIRECTOR

The BBC’s Bob Shennan has been promoted to Director of Radio in Blighty, succeeding the recently retired Helen Boaden. From 11/8, Shennan will look after the day-to-day running of BBC network radio alongside his existing responsibilities as director of BBC Music and controller of Radio 2, Asian Network and 6 Music.

He will also report to and work with director of radio and education, James Purnell, on the BBC’s overall radio strategy. Purnell said Shennan had "an outstanding breadth of experience and has made a huge contribution to BBC Radio over many years.”

Shennan is an advocate of country music and in 2012 was elected to the board of the Country Music Association. Will the genre receive more backing across BBC airwaves? Stay tuned.