Gibson to leave Xfm with Classic FM boss installed
Xfm Glasgow radio has received a reprieve from new owners. However, its MD Alan Gibson is being made redundant as the role is consolidated into a new post which will oversee all of Xfm stations in Glasgow, Manchester and Cardiff.
Xfm, the troubled Glasgow radio station has received a reprieve from new owners following its purchase by Global Radio. However, its MD Alan Gibson is being made redundant as the role is consolidated into a new post which will oversee all of Xfm stations in Glasgow, Manchester and Cardiff.
That role will now be filled by Darren Henley, the current MD of Classic FM. The news will end the uncertainty surrounding the station which has been apparent since previous owners GCAP announced they were either to sell the business, or failing that, hand the license back to Ofcom.
However, GCap itself was acquired by Global Radio in a £375m deal and it now plans to revitalise the Xfm franchise.
But it means a Scottish MD is no longer part of the plan and Gibson, who joined from SMG last year, will be leaving soon.
The station now plans an aggressive recruitment drive to replace staff who left what must then have appeared to be insecure jobs. The sales department is looking to recruit account managers, a sponsorship and promotions account manager and a creative writer.
The station is also currently searching for a new marketing and operations controller, following Stuart Duncan’s departure to sales promotion agency Multiply.