Lorna

Lorna Clarke, 57, is the BBC's first Controller, Pop Music, with responsibility for Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 6 Music, The Asian Network - and other music output, taking a "strategic vision across the portfolio", including BBC Music and music television. The job doesn't seem that different from Controller, Radio & Music, once occupied by Bob Shennan, so it'll be interesting to see where the salary ends up. 

Landing the job was quite an achievement for Lorna, currently on a six-month career break from her role as Head of Production, Radio 2 and 6Music. Hot inside money was on Ben Cooper, the Controller of Radio 1, 1Xtra, and the Asian Network, who she leapfrogs. Will Ben cast his eyes elsewhere now ?

Lorna started off in radio via a course in broadcast journalism at Westminster Poly, which fixed placements at Radio Cornwall, Metro Radio and Radio Humberside, then got a job with Radio London/GLR. A spell as a junior reporter at Metro followed, then two years with the Caribbean Service of the BBC at Bush House. She was part of the production team that launched Kiss FM, and eventually got a seat on the board. She was headhunted by the BBC in 1997 to become Head of  Mainstream Programming for Radio 1. In 2012/3 she studied with Copenhagen Business School, acquiring a diploma in Business/Managerial Economics in the Media. She's a Trustee of the grant-giving Performing Rights Society Foundation, and a Development council member of The Rio, the Dalston picture palace.  She lives in Stoke Newington.

When she arrived at Radio 2/6Music, she found only one BAME member in her team; now she's proud to say there are 5. But, she told students at Bournemouth earlier this year, "I don't see any Lornas coming up behind me".