GWR hunts first group marketer

GWR Group, the owner of the UK’s biggest national commercial radio station Classic FM, is seeking its first group marketing director. The decision to make the appointment comes after the departure of marketing director of GWR’s local stations, Colin Dudgeon.

The new marketer will not directly replace Dudgeon, who has left to join below-the-line agency Brewer Blackler, as the role will include working with saleshouse Opus and Classic FM as well as Creation, the programming arm of GWR. The position will also include a place on the general management board alongside GWR operations director Steve Orchard and Classic FM managing director Roger Lewis.

Alex Marks, head of trade marketing at Opus, says the company decided to rethink the position as the group is keen to integrate marketing into its strategy. The role will forge closer links between programming, sales and marketing.

The appointment, which is not expected to be made before the end of the year, will not affect the roles of existing marketers at the group. Tom Miller is now head of marketing for the local radio group. Classic FM brand controller Giles Pearman retains his position and will continue reporting directly to Lewis. Marks will continue reporting to Opus sales director Duncan George.