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Alan Davey to step down as Controller of Radio 3

By Chris Cooke | Published on Tuesday 13 September 2022

Alan Davey – Controller of BBC Radio 3 and the broadcaster’s orchestras, choirs and Proms programme – has announced that he will step down from the role next March after over eight years leading the Beeb’s classical music output.

Confirming his decision to leave, Davey says: “There is nothing like the combination of Radio 3, the Proms and the BBC Orchestras and Choirs anywhere else. Choosing when to move on is always tricky, but now is the time for me to hand over the role to someone else. They will inherit, to borrow a phrase, on a bad day the best job in Britain, and on a good day the best job in the world”.

“Since Radio 3’s first day of broadcasting”, he adds, “it has known that the key to securing the future of music is in finding new talent and offering ways in to new audiences, and it’s the quality and expertise involved that makes the station so unique. Radio 3 endures because of its audience who live their lives by its rhythms and because of its staff and musicians who are endlessly inventive, committed and fun”.

Commenting on Davey’s departure, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore adds: “Alan has brought extraordinary vision to Radio 3. Under his watch over the past eight years, Radio 3’s editorial ambition has flourished and Alan has skilfully, and with passion, led our classical activities in an ever-changing world – constantly exploring new opportunities to reach the widest possible audience for our classical music output”.

“It’s been such a pleasure to work with Alan”, she goes on “and I wish him all the best in his roles going forward and his continuing academic work”.

The BBC will announce who is taking over running its classical output between now and Davey’s actual departure next spring.