Sky News Radio names managing director

BSkyB has appointed Sky Sports News veteran David Ford as managing director of its Sky News Radio division. Ford, who starts later this month, will oversee the launch of a rolling news service on digital radio next year.

Sky News and Global Radio are developing the country’s first dedicated 24-hour rolling news service for radio on the second national commercial digital multiplex, which was won by a Channel 4-led consortium in July. Global Radio’s LBC will also be rebranded as Sky News Radio for London.

Ford joined Sky in 2004 as executive producer for Sky Sports News. Previously he edited the BBC One sports magazine In the Know, as well as working across BBC News 24 and BBC Six O’clock News and on the BBC Radio 5 Live launch team.

Sky News Radio head Andy Ivy will continue running its syndication service which provides news to more than 60 stations, including Virgin Radio and talkSPORT.