Hazlitt takes over as GCap chief

GCap Media has appointed Fru Hazlitt, managing director for GCap London, as chief executive. She replaces Ralph Bernard, who is stepping down after 25 years in the industry.

Hazlitt was tipped as favourite to replace Bernard although GCap operations director Steve Orchard and finance director Wendy Pallot were also thought to be in the running. It is expected that she will take over the role early next year.

Hazlitt joined GCap in April this year after her shock departure from Virgin Radio, where she was also chief executive. She has since poached former Virgin programme director Paul Jackson, who succeeded her as chief executive, and David Andrews, Virgin marketing director, to join her at Capital.

She led Virgin Radio for a little over a year after joining from Yahoo!, where she was managing director of UK and Ireland.