John Myers is to take over as the new Chief Executive of the Radio Academy from next April, Radio Today can reveal.

It
brings the former CEO of GMG Radio back into a senior role in the
industry following his retirement and a year-out to travel the world.

He’ll
take up the new post in April 2011 and amongst his responsibilities
will be chairing the committees which run two major annual events - The
Radio Festival and the prestigious annual Sony Radio Academy awards.

John
started his career at the BBC in Cumbria and with Border Television -
for whom he launched radio stations CFM and Century in the 90s. After a
spell as Chief Executive of Radio Investments Limited, he went on to
form GMG Radio for the Guardian Media Group, launching the Real, Smooth
and Rock Radio brands. He's also a former Chairman of the Radio Academy
and was awarded a fellowship of the Academy in 2007.

More
recently, after standing down as CEO of GMG Radio in 2009, John
conducted the 'Myers Review' for the DCMS into the future of local radio
- and a number of his recommendations were later accepted by Government
and introduced as part of the Digital Economy Act. He's also done
on-air cover shifts on Smooth Radio as his alter-ego John Morgan.

John
told RadioToday.co.uk: "When I stepped down from GMG last year, I
wanted to travel the world and have a rest!  Having done that, I now
want to give something back to UK radio, This role gives me a great
opportunity to lead the Academy through some very important changes and
ensure all sides of the radio sector come together for an exciting
future."

Bob Shennan, Chairman of the Radio Academy and also
Controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music, added:  "John Myers has radio through
his blood and is greatly admired and respected on all sides of the
industry. It's a huge boost for the radio industry in the UK to have
John return to the fold. He is a great ambassador for all that is good
about our industry."

The Radio Academy is a registered charity
dedicated to the encouragement, recognition and promotion of excellence
in UK radio broadcasting and audio production.

Source: http://radiotoday.co.uk/news.php?extend.6495.2