Bob Shennan appointed new BBC director of radio

Bob Shennan, director of BBC Music and controller of Radio 2, Asian Network and 6 Music, has been made the BBC's new director of radio.

His appointment follows the departure of Helen Boaden, the former director of radio, and James Purnell's appointment as director of radio and education.

Shennan, who takes up his new post from 8 November, will look after the day-to-day running of BBC network radio.

He will also work with Purnell on the BBC's overall radio strategy.

Purnell, to whom Shennan will report, said he had "an outstanding breadth of experience and has made a huge contribution to BBC Radio over many years".

"I am looking forward to working with him on the next chapter for BBC Radio," he told staff.

Shennan joined the BBC in 1987 and was head of BBC Sport from 1998 to 2000.

He left the BBC in early 2008 but rejoined the corporation later that year to become controller of Radio 2 and 6 Music.

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