Controllers for Pop Music, BBC Sounds and Radio 4 have been appointed

Mohit Bakaya has been named as the next Controller of Radio 4, Lorna Clarke will be the first Controller of Pop Music and Jonathan Wall has been appointed as the first Controller of BBC Sounds.

Published: 9 July 2019
It’s an exciting time for the audio industry and these are some of the most sought after jobs in radio. There were many impressive candidates, but I’m delighted Jonathan, Lorna and Mohit are taking on these important roles.
— James Purnell

James Purnell, Director of Radio and Education, says: “It’s an exciting time for the audio industry and these are some of the most sought after jobs in radio. There were many impressive candidates, but I’m delighted Jonathan, Lorna and Mohit are taking on these important roles.

“For many of us, radio is a constant companion. It’s also a source of truth and also sometimes of wonder. With these appointments, we will have a team that works even more closely to continue to love our radio stations and grow BBC Sounds. Working together, BBC radio can make a difference - to the ideas we debate, the music we love, the way we understand each other. All three of the new Controllers talked about how they will empower their new teams, and I look forward to working with them to maximise the creativity of everyone who works with us for the benefit of our millions of listeners.”

The Controller of Pop Music has responsibility for our pop stations - Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 6 Music, Asian Network - and other music output. As Controller, Lorna Clarke will have a strategic vision across the portfolio, including BBC Music and music television, to keep improving what we offer audiences; provide leadership to the teams; and work with the music industry, fostering the BBC’s crucial role in developing new talent.

Lorna Clarke, Controller of Pop Music, says: “My career has been defined by music, and as a music lover I want the BBC to continue to bring the world of music even closer to our listeners. These are exciting times for the BBC and the music industry globally, where change is affecting us all at a rapid pace. I am really looking forward to working with the industry and our partners to continue delivering amazing music for our audiences.”

With more than 11 million listeners each week, Radio 4 is the second most listened to station in the UK and every day has more original content than any other broadcaster in the world. Millions of people also listen to Radio 4’s podcasts, factual and arts programmes, drama and comedy online and on demand, with a record 16.4 million downloads last October in the UK alone.

Mohit Bakaya, Controller of Radio 4, says: “I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t passionate about Radio 4. I know what the station means to our listeners and the unique place it has in the public consciousness and important role it plays in the national debate.

“The intellectual ambition of the network and the thought-provoking, and often awe-inspiring, programmes we broadcast are more important now than ever. After being a Commissioning Editor at the network for several years, it will be a privilege to lead Radio 4 and the brilliant staff who, every day, make it the valued and much loved station it is.”

Growing BBC Sounds is one of the BBC’s key priorities. Since launch last year there have been more than 2.3 million downloads of the app, with the number of people using Sounds continuing to increase and now at nearly 1.5 million users each week. As the new Controller, Jonathan Wall will have responsibility for coordinating activity across the organisation to achieve the BBC’s ambitions, develop the strategy for Sounds as well as have an overview of the content that is being commissioned for BBC Sounds by the radio, music and podcast teams.

Jonathan Wall, Controller of BBC Sounds, says: “After 21 wonderful years at 5 live it is time for a fresh challenge. BBC Sounds, alongside iPlayer, will help make the BBC thrive and it’s a privilege to get the chance to lead so many talented people who want to make sure we reach as many listeners as possible with our brilliant radio, music and podcasts. I can’t wait to get started.”

Lorna Clarke will start in September, Jonathan Wall and Mohit Bakaya will take on their new roles in August.

Richard Maddock will become Acting Controller of Radio 5 live, supported by Heidi Dawson as Managing Editor. We will advertise for the Controller of Radio 5 live in the near future. With the appointment of Controller of BBC Sounds the temporary post of Launch Director of BBC Sounds has closed. The appointment into these roles does not add to the senior level headcount in BBC Radio and Education.

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Jonathan Wall

Jonathan Wall is Controller of BBC Radio 5 live and 5 live Sports Extra. He is responsible for the editorial content, leadership and overall management of Radio 5 live and Sports Extra.

Jonathan began his career at Radio Humberside before moving into BBC Sport. He later became Editor of 5 live Sport where he was responsible for overseeing flagship output such as the Olympics, Wimbledon, and the football World Cup before being appointed Deputy Controller and Commissioning Editor, Radio 5 live, in July 2008. He became Controller in February 2013.

He brought the likes of Emma Barnett, Nihal Arthanayake and most recently comedians Elis James and John Robins to the station. He has overseen 5 live’s push into podcasting and launched some of the most successful titles including That Peter Crouch Podcast, End Of Days, Flintoff, Savage And The Ping Pong Guy, and You, Me And The Big C.

Lorna Clarke

Lorna Clarke was appointed Head of Production for Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music in 2017. In 2010 Lorna became the Network Manager for Radio 2 and 6 Music, and in 2011 she also became the Network Manager for Asian Network.

Lorna has almost thirty years broadcasting experience, joining Kiss 100 FM in 1990 as London Programme Director.

In 1997 Lorna joined the BBC, working on Radio 1 and in that time launched the Sara Cox breakfast show. Since then Lorna has also worked in BBC television on initiatives to find the next generation of talent, and between 2005 and 2010 Lorna was the Director of Electric Proms for which she launched and curated performances on all the BBC’s pop music stations as well as Radio 3, BBC One and BBC Two.

Mohit Bakaya

Mohit Bakaya has been the Commissioning Editor for Factual at Radio 4 since 2008. He commissions and leads on current affairs, politics, history, science, natural history and religion programming on Radio 4.

Mohit joined the BBC in 1993 as a production trainee and worked on the Radio 4's arts programme, Front Row, before becoming editor of Night Waves on Radio 3. He has also produced many documentaries for Radio 4 and Radio 3 on subjects as diverse as Bruce Springsteen, the history of pain and the death penalty.