The Radio Academy has revealed the list of mentees and mentors participating in this year’s Radio Academy Mentoring Programme (RAMP), including new BBC Sounds Audio Lab creators. The announcement follows a competitive selection process led by Chair of Judges Adele Cross, producer of BBC Radio 1Xtra Breakfast with Nadia Jae. Broadcast Bionics sponsors RAMP.
The Academy selected 20 mentees from across U.K. radio and podcasting; each will receive six months of mentoring, peer support, and, for the first time, leadership training from an industry leader. Each mentee will also receive peer development and valuable leadership skills through seminars and training workshops delivered by RAMP Lead Natasha Maw, a former radio producer in commercial radio and the BBC and program director of leadership development at Bayes Business School.
Furthermore, BBC Sounds Audio Lab creators from the Class of 2023 will join the 2024 RAMP cohort to continue their audio career development. BBC Sounds Audio Lab is a unique accelerator program backed by a comprehensive package of practical and professional training designed to amplify the next generation of podcasters and audio creators. The BBC Sounds Audio Lab podcast development program has had great success supporting new talent, with creator Tommy Dixon winning Gold at the ARIAS last year for Best New Podcast.
There is a wealth of talent in this year’s cohort, and we wish them every success and our full support in the program
Aradhna Tayal Leach, managing director of The Radio Academy
RAMP is aimed at anyone working in any area of radio and audio who has at least five years of professional experience. The program starts at the end of February, with an induction event taking place in London
The 2024 Radio Academy Mentoring Program mentees come from all fields of the industry, including production, technical, presenting, journalism, management and digital:
- Soila Apparicio — podcast producer, Sky News
- Jessica Beck — producer, The Audio Long Read podcast at The Guardian
- Rozeena Bernard — assistant producer, BBC Radio 2
- Jess Bracey — presenter and producer, BFBS The Forces Station
- Claire Crofton — independent audio documentary maker
- Lisa Hack — producer and senior technical tutor, Goldsmiths, University of London
- Kriss Herbert — network content director, Gaydio
- John Isherwood — producer, Bald Builders Breakfast on Fix Radio
- Faith Lawrence — radio producer, BBC
- Anouska Lewis — podcast creator, BBC Sounds Audio Lab
- Seun Matiluko — podcast creator, BBC Sounds Audio Lab
- Rebecca Maxted — producer, BBC Audio North
- Laura Naylor — head of digital content, Bauer Media
- James Norman-Fyfe — executive producer, We Are Grape
- John Offord — freelance producer, media trainer and journalist
- Naomi Oiku — freelance producer, podcasting, commercial and specialist radio
- Anna Owen — producer, BBC, on secondment to the prison service as head of radio and music in prisons
- Adélie Pojzman-Pontay — podcast producer, The Telegraph
- Kellie Redmond — radio and podcasts executive producer, Listen
- May Robson — podcast creator, BBC Sounds Audio Lab
- Taqwa Sadiq — podcast creator, BBC Sounds Audio Lab
- Rob Tobin — executive producer, KISS Breakfast
- Sarah Wade — producer, BBC Radio 4 Extra
- Heather Wall — producer, Jazz FM
By matching participants with an experienced senior leader in the industry, RAMP will offer connections across the breadth of the audio industry at the highest levels. The 2024 mentors include senior figures from the BBC, commercial broadcasters and independent production companies:
- Gloria Abramoff — managing director, Creators Inc.
- Innes Bowen — executive producer, BBC Factual Podcast Unit
- Chris Burns — head of audio and digital, BBC England
- Laura Busson — commissioning executive, BBC Radio 2
- Camilla Byk — co-founder, Podium.me
- Mike Cass — content director, Virgin Radio
- Victoria Easton-Riley — content director, Bauer Scotland
- Dylan Haskins — commissioning editor, podcasts for BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live
- Beena Khetani — talent executive, BBC Studios – Factual
- Emma Jane Kirby — producer, Blanchard House
- Rachel Mallender — content director, Bauer Media Audio UK
- Sheena Mason — deputy content director, Magic Radio
- Phil Maynard — executive producer, Today in Focus
- Jo Meek — head of factual and development, Audio Always
- Mike Newman — vice president, UK content and production, Audioboom
- Ray Paul — creative director, The Playmaker Group
- Tony Phillips — freelance podcast executive and consultant
- David Prest — managing director, Whistledown Productions
- Chris Skinner — vice president and head of content, Sony Music
- Andrew Spence — director of operations, We Are Unedited
- Dixi Stewart — managing director, SandStone Global Productions
- Steve Taylor — creative commercial director, Bauer
- Helen Thomas — head of BBC Radio 2
- Adam Uytman — director of client relations and business development, ReelWorld
Aradhna Tayal Leach, managing director of The Radio Academy, said, “Mentoring comes for most professionals at a critical point in their career journey — often at a time when they feel stuck on how to advance to the next level. Mentoring and guided support can often open up different paths and, more importantly, build the confidence to take the next step. There is a wealth of talent in this year’s cohort, and we wish them every success and our full support in the program.”
Announcing the inclusion of mentees from BBC Sounds Audio Lab, Khaliq Meer, commissioning executive from BBC Sounds Audio Lab, said, “We are thrilled to join the Radio Academy on this hugely beneficial mentoring program that helps to grow the next wave of audio leaders in our industry. BBC Sounds is passionate about helping podcasters and audio creatives access the best support and resources and achieve next-level ambition, and RAMP fits perfectly with that objective. We look forward to working together in the year ahead.”
Dan McQuillin, managing director at sponsors Broadcast Bionics, said, “The products and tools we develop at Broadcast Bionics help broadcasters around the world connect with their audiences every day. But no matter how far technology advances, there will always be an innate human desire for connection. This is precisely what awaits the 2024 cohort of RAMP. I encourage everyone to embrace this opportunity to connect and learn from their mentors and peers through this one-of-a-kind mentoring journey.”
You can find more information about the mentees and mentors for this year’s program, including full biographies, here.
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