John Simons works as a Consultant for some of the biggest radio companies around the world. He began his career in radio as a presenter over 40 years ago and is now one of the leading experts in regional programming. His huge contribution to the industry was recognised in 2004 when he won the Gold Sony Programmer of the Year award. John has been instrumental in the success of the Guardian Media Group (now owned by Global Radio) brands and as Group Programme Director for 14 years, he led the on-air development of the group’s Real Radio, Real XS (Classic Rock) and more significantly created the Smooth Radio brand which is now one of the biggest radio brands in the UK. Previously, John launched the hugely successful Century brand of stations onto the airwaves. Then going on to become Programme Director of national station Talk Radio, delivering a record 2.8 million listeners. He then moved onto London’s LBC and BBC Radio 2 before joining GMG Radio. He has concluded two terms as a trustee of the UK Audio (Radio) Academy, and has also chaired the Radio Festival Committee and served on the Sony Radio Academy Awards Committee as well as being a
