Robert Duncan James "Bob" Shennan (born 18 March 1962, Wirral, Cheshire) is a British media executive, who was most recently Director of Audio at BBC Studios.[1][2] He was appointed to the role in April 2022, having previously held the positions of director, BBC Radio and Music,[3] controller of BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music,[4] and group managing director of the BBC.[5] After 36 years, Shennan left the BBC in January 2023.[6]
Bob Shennan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 March 1962 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Media executive |
| Known for |
|
Early life
editHe was educated at Lancaster Royal Grammar School and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.[citation needed]
Career
editShennan has been a senior executive in radio and television for a number of years.[quantify] He started as a journalist at Hereward Radio in Peterborough from 1984–7. He joined BBC Sport in 1987 as a trainee radio sport producer and was part of the team that founded BBC Radio Five Live.[7] After working as head of BBC Sport where he had overall responsibility for sports coverage on BBC radio and television, he was appointed head of BBC Radio 5 Live in 2000.[8] As the network's controller he oversaw the launch of BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra in 2002, and also took over as controller of the BBC Asian Network in 2004. Shennan took over as director, BBC Radio and Music, in October 2016, and became group managing director of the BBC in March 2019.[5]
BBC Radio 2
editShennan took over the position of station controller in February 2009 from Lesley Douglas, who resigned in October 2008 following The Russell Brand Show prank calls.[9]
He is also a fellow of the Radio Academy.[8][10]
Personal life
editShennan supports Liverpool F.C.[11]
References
edit- ^ "New Director of Audio job for Bob Shennan at BBC Studios". RadioToday. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ Waterson, Jim (26 July 2022). "Top BBC radio presenters' pay could be hidden in bid to retain talent". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
- ^ "Bob Shennan appointed new BBC director of radio". BBC Online. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ^ "Shennan becomes head of Radio 2". BBC Online. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ^ a b "BBC promotes Bob Shennan to group managing director". Music Week. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
- ^ Martin, Roy (10 January 2023). "Bob Shennan announces his departure from the BBC". RadioToday. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
- ^ "New boss for 5Live". BBC Online. 25 April 2000. Retrieved 11 February 2009.
- ^ a b "Bob Shennan appointed Controller BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music". BBC Online. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (27 January 2009). "Bob Shennan named Radio 2 controller". London: Guardian Media. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
- ^ The Radio Academy "Fellows" Archived 24 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Robinson, James (16 March 2008). "Soccer's biggest transfer target". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 January 2023.