The first raft of changes at Virgin Radio have taken place post the national station's previously reported takeover by the Times Of India Group. As also previously reported, the company will be operated by the new owner's existing UK radio firm Absolute Radio, and their Operations Director Clive Dickins has just taken over all programming and marketing operations at Virgin, taking over from David Lloyd who has left the station. Virgin's Digital Media Director Andy Gumbridge has also left.
Confirming he had become COO of Virgin Radio, Dickens told reporters yesterday: "David and Andy have achieved much over the past year and the team [here] thank them for their dedication and drive. This re-organisation is driven by the changing needs of the station going forward as we execute an exciting and dynamic strategy for the business. We wish both David and Andy well for the future".
As previously reported, the station's new owners will have to relaunch Virgin Radio with a new name because, although they bought it off SMG, Richard Branson's Virgin Group still control use of the Virgin brand, and they have a stake in a rival Indian media firm so will not allow the Times Of India Group to use the name.