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Alice Arnold, former Radio 4 announcer, has come out in favour of the Tony Hall Quota for Gender Balance of BBC Local Radio Breakfast Hosts. Here's an extract from her essay in The Telegraph.

I spent a little time with the management of local radio just before I left the BBC. I loved what I saw. An intelligent, largely young workforce who cared deeply about what they did. A lack of resources (and believe me they are run on a shoestring) means that everyone does everything. Their skills were as impressive as their commitment. 

As it happens the management executives at BBC Berkshire (where I was) were ahead of the game when it came to promoting and encouraging female voices on the network. But now there are no excuses. The directive has come right from the very top. All those in middle management, of which there are many, will have to take action. They will have to seek out women for the top jobs in radio.

It's good to know Berkshire can afford executives in the plural. Today's schedule offers Steve Madden (John Hudson sitting in) Andrew Peach, Anne Diamond (local talent Tony Blackburn sitting in), Mike Read, Phil Kennedy (local talent Paul Coia sitting in), before the local radio network comes together for the England-wide Mark Forrest Show (Gregory Spanswick sitting in). Then the schedule invites you to "go to bed with Paul Miller and put a smile on your face" (shared with BBC Solent, Sussex and Surrey). Way to go, Berks.