Virgin Radio restructure results in management departures

by Emma Barnett, Media Week 10-Jul-08, 11:00

LONDON - Andy Gumbridge, Virgin Radio digital media director and David Lloyd, the station's programme and marketing director, are leaving the company as part of a management restructure.

Following an internal announcement to staff, it is understood that Clive Dickens, programme and operations director of Absolute Radio, the new owner of Virgin Radio, a company controlled by TIML Golden Square, will take over Lloyd's programming duties and become the company's chief operating officer.

In addition, the marketing and digital departments of Virgin Radio are being merged and a new role of brand director has been created to head up the department.

Gumbridge and Lloyd are staying with the firm for the immediate future and neither have any job moves to announce at this stage.

Gumbridge has been at Virgin Radio for approximately one year and joined from Channel 4 where he was managing editor of new media. Lloyd joined from Global Radio last September where he was LBC managing director.

The £53m sale of Virgin Radio from SMG to TIML Golden Square completed on 30 June. The company is working on the launch of an entirely new radio brand, to replace the Virgin brand, backed by £15m.

Dickens said: "David and Andy have achieved much over the past year and the team at TIM thank them for their dedication and drive. This re-organisation is driven by the changing needs of the station going forward as we execute an exciting and dynamic strategy for the business. We wish both David and Andy well for the future."