BBC APPOINTS POP CONTROLLER 

The BBC has named Lorna Clarke its first Controller of Pop Music. A 20-plus-year vet at the Beeb, Clarke now has responsibility for the BBC’s main music stations; Radio 1 and 2, 1Xtra, 6 Music and the Asian Network.

The role was advertised in April when Ben Cooper was expected to take the position. As of today, he remains Controller of Radio 1, 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network, while Clarke moves up from Head of Production for Radio 2 and Radio 6, a role she has held since 2017.

Come September, Clarke will be tasked with improving BBC offerings, providing leadership to the teams, and working with the music industry to foster the BBC’s role in developing new talent. She will be responsible for providing a strategic vision across the portfolio of radio stations, including BBC Music and music television.

“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,” she said. “These are exciting times for the BBC and the music industry globally, where change is affecting us all at a rapid pace.”

With nearly 30 years of broadcasting experience, Clarke started her career at Kiss 100 FM in 1990 as London Programme Director. She joined the BBC in 1997, working on Radio 1 where she launched the Sara Cox breakfast show.

Since then, Clarke has also worked in BBC television on initiatives to find the next generation of talent, and between 2005 and 2010 was the Director of Electric Proms for which she launched and curated performances on all the BBC’s pop music stations as well as Radio 3, BBC One and BBC Two.

In addition, Jonathan Wall, previously Controller of BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live Sports Extra, has been appointed as the first Controller of streaming app BBC Sounds. He will have responsibility for coordinating activity across the organisation to develop the strategy for Sounds as well as have an overview of the content that is being commissioned for BBC Sounds by the radio, music and podcast teams.