Hi Heidi

As we suggested in August, James Purnell has improved his top team gender balance with the appointment of Heidi Dawson as the new Controller, 5Live (the previous holder is now officially the Wall of Sounds).

It's a pick that will please many at the station, where Heidi was Managing Editor, a title with many previous illustrious holders.

Heidi, 43, was studying tv and radio at Salford University when 5Live was launched in 1994. When she applied to Radio Solent, she told them her ambition was to be Nicky Campbell's producer. She still got the job. Then, after a year with The World at One and PM, she moved to Five Live, ahead of the move to MediaCityUK. She's been a big podcast enthusiast, and played her part in bringing Nihal and Emma Barnett to the network.

On the advice of her father, she always carries some insulating tape.