RadioMoments - Conversations

32: Helen Boaden - BBC Executive

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Episode notes

From her modest beginnings in a complex home, Helen Boaden rose to the top offices of the BBC; and emerged as a much respected and loved figure in a changing industry. 

In this edition of #Radiomoments ‘Conversations’ she tells of her early days in commercial radio at Tees and Aire, and her first impressions of the Corporation in Leeds. Rising quickly through the male-led ranks, she quickly carved out a reputation for herself in management.

Helen was to earn the prize of Controllership of Radio 4, where she also led the creation of what was Radio 7, before being appointed Head of BBC News. Here, she oversaw the coverage of the 2008 economic crash, and the creation of the BBC multi-media newsroom. Famously, that appointment was to end in controversy, before Helen returned home to rule BBC radio for four years before retiring from the BBC.

In her own words, this is the Helen Boaden story.