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Global Innovators and Groundbreaking Technology at The Radio Academy Festival 2025

The Radio Academy proudly announces an inspiring lineup of world-class talent and pioneering technology at this year’s Radio Academy Festival on Wednesday, September 17th, at the prestigious Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park, London. 

With the theme World of Sound, the Festival will showcase a galaxy of global stars, immersive sonic experiences and practical insights on how to win in the evolving audio universe.  

Hosted by BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, Hits Radio’s Stephanie Hirst, Absolute Radio’s Dan Noble, Magic Radio’s Neev Spencer and Lady Unchained from the Prison Radio Association, the Radio Academy Festival will shift the dial on podcast visualisation, music curation, sustainable revenues, staying heard in the AI era, and being an audio creative in an age of robots. 

Highlights include exclusive insights from expert speakers:

• Podcaster and documentary-maker Louis Theroux with CEO of the Prison Radio Association Phil Maguire OBE
• Megastar radio presenter Christian O’Connell on leaving success in the UK to triumph in Australia with a unique national show on ARN's GOLD Network
• June Sarpong OBE on activist Una Marson, the first black woman at the BBC
• Psychologist Dr Sian Williams and neuroscientist Professor Catherine Loveday from BBC Radio 3 Unwind on the positive impact of music on our minds 
• Dan McQuillin from Broadcast Bionics on retuning radio for the AI era
• Sea Salt and Mango founder Tony Philips with audio artist and poet Axel Kacoutié on why black voices matter
• BBC News Global Director Jonathan Munro on the enduring significance of the BBC World Service
• Laura Fisher from MIDiA Research on lessons for streamers from music radio
• Podcaster and Founder/CEO of Workathon Julia Hobsbawm OBE on building your career network in the shifting world of work
• Podcast Discovery’s Josh Divney with seven ideas to steal from podcasts around the world 
• International broadcasting consultant Valerie Geller with time-tested techniques on creating compelling audio
• BBC News’ Analysis Editor Ros Atkins with City St George’s University of London Podcaster in Residence Keyari Page, Stripped Media’s Kobi Omenaka, Paul Fernley from Audio Always, and Patreon’s Emi Geddes
• Reggae Artist and BBC Radio Cymru, Wales and 1Xtra presenter Aleighcia Scott, broadcaster, DJ, music producer and founder of audio agency This is Distorted Andi Durrant and BBC Radio Wales presenter Molly Palmer on the art of human music curation in the age of algorithms.

Celebrating excellence, the festival will also feature award-winning contributors: 

• Scout Tzofiya Bolton on poetry, psychosis and presenting on National Prison Radio in conversation with broadcaster, actor and writer Mim Shaikh  
• BBC producer and presenter Monica Whitlock and editor Penny Murphy tell Sangita Myska about how they protected the identity of a young woman in Taliban controlled Afghanistan 
• Alan Hall and Eleanor McDowall from Falling Tree Productions on the imaginative possibilities of radio and the craft of the much-loved Short Cuts
• Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and the BBC Proms, on being UK Radio Station of the Year and his plans to keep on growing
• Comedian and broadcasting legend Jon Holmes tells Magic Radio’s Tom Price about BBC Radio 4’s The Skewer and coming home to Dead Ringers 
• BBC Radio Merseyside’s Kevin Duala, producer Jess Robbins and executive editor Ben Anderson on transforming the Breakfast Show and getting a Gold ARIA for News and Current Affairs reporting
• Pulama Kaufman and Paul Fernley from Audio Always who turned a story from the other side of the world in a language they didn’t speak into a game-changing podcast
• Times Radio’s Hugo Rifkind with podcasting powerhouse Goalhanger on being UK Audio Brand of the year and building a portfolio of chart-topping content
• talkSPORT on their coveted Judges’ award and what makes their shows so distinctive and impressive
• Greatest Hits Radio’s Andy Ashton with testaments to the impact of his leadership from a range of broadcasting stars. 

New stages, sessions and experiences include: 

• Cutting-edge acoustic art in the Dolby Library featuring a world exclusive preview of immersive climate change soundscape Sonic Sunset, Wisebuddah’s Psychology of Sonic Branding and an introduction to Dolby Atmos
• How Eurovision, now approaching its 70th anniversary, continues to stay relevant at a time of constant change throughout the music industry
• The enduring power of radio drama as the world’s longest-running soap opera, the BBC’s The Archers, prepares to celebrate 75 years on air
• Individual 1:1 delegate conversations with top industry leaders from Acast, Audible, Audio Always, Audioboom, Bauer, Bengo Media, BBC, Blanchard House, Loftus Media, Overcoat Media, Platform Media/Listen, Podimo, Reduced Listening, RNIB, Spotify, The Observer, Times Radio, Unedited, We Are Grape and Whistledown. 

Plus the Festival will honour the memory of those we’ve lost from the world of audio, announce the new Fellows of the Radio Academy, share perspectives from broadcasters and business leaders around the world on the future of the industry, and culminate in our legendary after-party, courtesy of PPL and PRS For Music.

Visit The Radio Academy’s website and social channels for more exciting announcements to come before September 17th.

Whether you’re a podcaster, broadcaster, radio producer, sound designer, technician, academic or content creator, this is your chance to learn, connect and be inspired by the very best in audio.  

About The Radio Academy:    
Established in 1983, The Radio Academy is the UK’s leading audio industry charity, dedicated to the promotion of excellence in UK radio and audio. Its annual Radio Academy Festival is a vibrant day of debate, discovery, and celebration within the audio community.

Co-Chair and ARIAS stage producer Perminder Khatkar says:

‘The Radio Academy Festival is a global industry event that brings audio professionals together. You’ll be inspired, hear fresh ideas and learn new ways of working. You'll discover next generation talent and have endless opportunities to connect with peers, business leaders and potential collaborators through formal and informal sessions.  

If you're a producer, technician, editor, writer, presenter or just starting to make content this festival is a must-attend event for anyone working or interested in the audio industry.’

Executive Producer, Chris North, The Radio Academy adds:

‘This year across the Festival, ARIAS and Impact Stages — and in our dazzling new Dolby Library, an immersive space where sound takes centre stage — we’ll showcase the trailblazers reshaping the industry. Expect bold ideas, powerful stories and fresh perspectives on how audio inspires change, cuts through the noise and connects with audiences across the UK in a vibrant, ever-evolving world of sound. 

You’ll rub shoulders with the extraordinary winners of the 2025 ARIAS as they reveal the passion, creativity and fearless innovation behind their award-winning work. And for the first time ever, delegates can unlock exclusive one-to-one conversations with the power players redefining the future of audio in this unforgettable world of sound.’

Radio Academy MD Dixi Stewart says:

‘The Radio Academy Festival is the annual highlight for anyone working in audio. It’s enormously inspiring to see the sector unite to celebrate, develop and promote the power of radio, music and podcasts. This year’s Festival with its theme of World of Sound promises a truly universal perspective on the future of the audio industry. I’m enormously grateful to our brilliant sponsors Arqiva, Audible, BBC Sounds, Broadcast Bionics, PPL and PRS for Music and to all our generous Friends of the Festival for bringing it to life.’

The Radio Academy Festival is proudly sponsored by Arqiva, Audible, BBC Sounds, Broadcast Bionics, PPL and PRS for Music.

Our heartfelt thanks also go to our Friends of the Festival, including AIM Xperi, Dolby, Spiritland Productions, TYX Studios, Radioplayer, Rayo, RCS, Roberts,TBI Media, WIZZFX.

Tickets are now on sale. Visit Radio Academy Festival - Radio Academy for details. Festival bursaries for those facing financial hardship are generously provided by Audible.