1:1 Conversations at The Radio Academy Festival

As an added bonus to The Radio Academy Festival 2025, we are introducing 1:1 sessions with top industry insiders. If you have a great idea to pitch, want some career counselling or need advice on building your business, this is for you. Please note you must have a ticket to the Festival in order to register for the 1:1s.

Thanks for your interest in our 1:1s, they were a huge success and we hope to bring them back to the Festival again next year - here's who was around in 2025.

Alison Hindell is Commissioning Editor of Drama & Fiction for BBC Radio 4, where she is responsible for all the drama and fiction reading commissions, as well as having oversight of The Archers, the world’s longest-lived soap opera at nearly 75 years old.

Alison Hindell, Commissioning Editor - Drama & Fiction, BBC Radio 4

Bernard P Achampong founded Unedited, a UK audio production company known for creating award-winning podcasts, audio and content that blend storytelling, journalism, and culture. With over two decades of experience spanning the BBC, commercial radio, and independent production, Bernard has built a reputation for championing underrepresented voices and pioneering new formats in audio storytelling.

Bernard Achampong
Unedited

I have over 20 years experience working in the audio industry across BBC Radio, independent production (Wisebuddah / Listen) and, for the past 5 years, at Audible.

Clare Chadburn, Content Director, Audible

Dan Clarke
Commissioning Editor, Factual Storytelling

Throughout his career, Dari has risen through the ranks at 1Xtra, and in September 2024 he undertook the Head of Station role. Since then, he has provided a strong strategic vision for the brand across all digital platforms.

Dari Samuels
Head of BBC 1 Xtra

David Prest, Managing Director, Whistledown Productions

David Prest, Managing Director, Whistledown

Jasper is Head of Audio at The Observer. Before this he was an Editor and Partner at Tortoise which bought the Observer earlier this year. He spent many years working for the BBC on daily news programmes such as Today, The World at One, PM and Newsnight.

Jasper Corbett, Head of Audio, The Observer

Jeremy oversees the commissioning of all music programmes. Collaborating with independent and BBC programme makers nationwide, as well as the BBC’s UK-wide orchestras and choirs, he ensures the station delivers a schedule that has impact, embodying the range, values, and enduring qualities of Radio 3

Jeremy Evans, Head of Content Commissioning, BBC Radio 3

Joby Waldman has two decades of experience producing music radio, factual documentaries, audio drama and entertainment podcasts. As Creative Director at Reduced Listening he is driven by innovative ideas, production craft and fostering creative and equitable working practices.

Joby Waldman
Managing Director, Reduced Listening

Julia has been BBC Radio 4's Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner for three years, overseeing a varied slate of much-loved classic titles and new shows across a range of formats from stand-up and sketch to sitcom and panel.

Julia McKenzie
Commissioning Editor, Comedy and Entertainment, BBC Radio 4

I’m 5 Live’s Managing Editor I work alongside the Controller on the day to day station management, presenter line up, new talent development and strategic direction of the network. Previously I was Commissioning Exec at 6 Music.

Julie Cullen
Managing Editor, BBC Radio 5 Live

Khaliq runs BBC Sounds Audio Lab - the podcast accelerator programme amplifying next-generation creators. Now in its 4th year, Audio Lab has created a host of award winning titles including Sacred Money, Colouring in Britain and Blossom Tree & Burnt-out Cars.

Khaliq Meer
Commissioning Executive BBC Sounds

Kirsten joined Loftus Media 3 years ago after a long career in audio in the BBC. She currently oversees projects for Audible and BBC Sounds as well as bringing in new business.

Kirsten Lass
Director, Loftus Media

Laura Busson is the Commissioning Executive and Deputy Head of BBC Radio 2. She leads on weekly and monthly priorities, drives creative conversations with editors and executives, and manages major station events such as Children in Need Challenges, Eurovision, Radio 2 in the Park, and Piano Room Month.

Laura Busson
Commissioning Executive BBC Radio 2

Matt White is the Global Director of Content and Production at Podimo. Part of his role is overseeing the development and creation of shows and formats that can travel across Europe via translation or adaptation.

Matt White, Global Director of Content and Production, Podimo

Matthew Dodd is the commissioning editor for Radio 4's arts programmes like Front Row, Add to Playlist, as well as overseeing Radio 3's speech output like the Essay and the Sunday Feature.

Matthew Dodd, Commissioning Editor, Arts, BBC Radio 3 & 4

Mike oversees Audioboom's UK content division, managing relationships with some of the UK's biggest podcasts, from No Such Thing As A Fish to the official F1 podcast, Beyond the Grid.

Mike Newman
VP, UK Content & Partnerships
Audioboom

Mohit Bakaya was appointed Controller of BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra in July 2019. Alongside that role, he became Director, Speech Audio in May 2022 with responsibility for the overall plans and strategy for the BBC’s speech audio content.

Mohit Bakaya
Director, BBC Speech Audio

Neil is the Managing Editor of BBC Radio Wales and has an audio career spanning more than 25 years – in the BBC, the independent sector and commercial radio. In his role now he oversees the audio content commissioning process for BBC Radio Wales

Neil Sloan
Managing Editor, BBC Radio Wales

Paul is Business Development Director at Audio Always, based at Media City, Salford. Combining experience in content and partnerships, he works with broadcasters, brands and talent to unlock new podcasting opportunities. He oversees Audio Always' Podcast Growth Team

Paul Fernley, Business Development Director, Audio Always

With almost 20 years of experience in radio production, management and talent coaching, specialties include format development and project management. He has been Content Director of Absolute Radio for 10 years. Since July 2024, he has also been Content Director for Magic Radio.

Paul Sylvester
Content Director, Absolute Radio and Magic Radio Networks

Multi award winning Senior Broadcast Executive with more than 25 years in the industry across the BBC and commercial sector. Leading and managing high profile talent and large teams, as well as implementing core strategy with the highest editorial and creative standards across specialist and mainstream output.

Dr Paul Thomas
Head of Radio, Platform Media / Listen

Rachel is Founder/Owner/MD of We Are Grape. Established in 2011, Grape is proud to work with the biggest broadcasters, platforms, brands and artists in the world. Our current slate includes 14 weekly shows across Radio 1, 6Music, Radio 2 and Sounds

Rachel Barton
Founder / Owner
We Are Grape

I am the Commissioning Executive: Music at Radio 1, where I am responsible for commissioning the network's specialist evening music programmes along with commissions for the new Radio 1 brand extensions; Radio 1 Dance and Radio 1 Anthems

Rachel McHalroy, Commissioning Executive, BBC Radio 1

Rachel joined Spotify in 2020 as Creative Lead and now collaborates with creators to help them expand their audience and grow their revenue. With over a decade of experience in production at the BBC, Rachel moved into podcast commissioning at BBC Sounds in 2018 and was executive producer for several high-profile shows, including The Missing Cryptoqueen.

Rachel Simpson, Podcast Partner Manager, Spotify

Rebecca Frank leads the content vision, strategy and team for KISS, the national multi-media entertainment brand network which includes KISS, KISSTORY and KISS XTRA radio stations, plus streamed extensions including KISS Dance, KISS Garage & KISSTORY R&B.

Rebecca Frank, Content Director, KISS Network

Rebecca leads the development team at Blanchard House, an independent company making immersive narrative-style documentary series with international partners. An award-winning producer and creative lead, Rebecca has nearly two decades experience developing and crafting stories, primarily for the BBC.

Rebecca Maxted, Head of Development, Blanchard House

Rhian commissions podcasts for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Additionally Rhian leads a team of digital experts who work across BBC Speech making the most of content through innovative approaches to brand amplification.

Rhian Roberts
Commissioner Podcasts and Formats
Head of Digital, BBC Speech Audio

Richard joined the BBC after 20 years in commercial radio where he ran some of Bauer's biggest radio stations. He is now the Lead Commissioning Editor for BBC Radio 5 Live where along with overseeing a lot of the day to day management of the network.

Richard Maddock, Lead Commissioning Editor, BBC Radio 5 Live / BBC Sounds

Sam leads the BBC’s overall classical music strategy, setting the vision for Radio 3 and the BBC Proms: the world’s biggest classical music festival.

Sam Jackson
Controller, BBC Radio 3 & BBC Proms

Samantha Moy is Head of BBC Radio 6 Music. She started her career in radio at Kiss 100 in London, moving to independent production company Somethin’ Else making programmes for BBC Radios 1, 2 and the World Service. Sam has risen through its ranks to become Station Head in 2020.

Sam Moy
Head of BBC Radio 6 Music

I am an Assistant Commissioner at the BBC Asian Network where I work primarily on impact and partnership projects. I come up with creative pan-station-wide ideas and help to maximise the existing things the network does, to help grow audiences.

Sarika Unadkat, Assistant Commissioner, Asian Network

Sophie is Global Content Partnerships Director at Acast - working with the team who help Acast's biggest creators to grow their shows and maximise their revenue.

Sophie Herdman
Global Content Partnerships Director, Acast

I'm Creative Director of Overcoat Media, Wales's leading speech audio company. We won BPA Podcast of the Year for "A Positive Life", about HIV in the UK - and we recently made the acclaimed true crime series "The Crossbow Killer" and BBC R3 podcast "Facing The Music". We're passionate about hearing unusual and fresh stories and treatments, amplifying diverse and unheard voices, and growing the audio sector outside London.

Steven Rajam, Creative Director, Overcoat Media

Tim runs Times Radio, the live news radio station from The Times and Sunday Times, which delivers high-quality, intelligent analysis and coverage 24 hours a day.

Tim Levell
Programme Director, Times Radio

Vicki has over 20 years in the radio industry and became Head of Radio & Commissioned Audio in 2024, winning commissions including Radio 2's 'Dance Sounds of the 80s with Gary Davies', Doctor Who: 20 Secrets from 20 Years' for Radio 2,

Vicky Blight, Head of Radio, Bengo Media

Will Wilkin, Commissioning Executive, BBC Music

Will Wilkin, Commissioning Executive, BBC Sounds

Yvonne is currently the Head of Radio at RNIB Connect Radio, a community of interest radio station broadcasting around the UK to a predominantly blind and partially sighted audience who are often under serviced in terms of opportunities and access to important information.

Yvonne Milne
Head of Radio, RNIB