Three Fellowships awarded at Audio Academy Festival 2026
The Audio Academy has awarded three new Fellowships at this year’s Festival – to Dr Tony Phillips, Dino Sofos and Perminder Khatkar.
The highest honour awarded by the Audio Academy, the Fellowship recognises outstanding contributions and achievements in audio and a commitment to the values of the Audio Academy: to share knowledge and experience with others for the benefit of all in the sector.
Dr Tony Phillips is former Commissioning Editor for BBC World Service and Arts Commissioner for BBC Radio 4. He is founder of production company Sea, Salt and Mango and former VP of content for WNYC in the US.
Presenting Tony’s Fellowship, Gwyneth Williams OBE, former Controller of BBC Radio 4 said: “Talented, hardworking and unfailingly kind (I can't count the number of young people he's mentored and helped over the years) this inspiring award winner simply seems to know everyone who ever did anything anywhere. A music lover who always seems to be able to get the magic ticket. And that's the thing about Tony - working with him is always fun. And as everyone knows in this business - if it's fun then you can hear it on air and it works.”
Dino Sofos is Founder of production company Persephonica and the Crossed Wires Festival in Sheffield.
Presenting Dino’s Fellowship, BBC presenter Laura Kuenssberg said: “Dino wanted politics coverage to sound more like people actually talking, rather than a performance - which became the idea behind Brexitcast. Then Americast. Then the daily Newscast. Across fourteen years at the BBC, those shows brought in millions of downloads, and The Times credited him with, in their words, ushering in a podcasting revolution.”
Perminder Khatkar is co-founder of True Thought Productions and former trustee of the Audio Academy.
Presenting Perminder’s Fellowship, BBC presenter Bobby Friction said: “I’ve worked with Perminder on several documentaries over the years but her contribution to the audio industry extends far beyond the programmes she has made. As former Audio Academy trustee and Co-Chair of the Festival, she’s worked tirelessly behind the scenes and helped hundreds of aspiring broadcasters gain access to our industry.”
The Fellowships are usually presented once a year at the Audio Academy Festival. Returning to the Royal College of Physicians in London, this year’s Festival centred around Audiences. Across four stages, including the return of the Dolby Atmos listening library, the Festival showcased radio stars, podcast pathfinders, audiobook experts and leading voices from music and sport alongside world-exclusive sonic experiences.
Speakers included ARIAS-winning presenters Mishal Hussain, Elizabeth Day and Greg James, and broadcast heads Simon Myciunka, Steve Jones and Rhodri Talfan-Jones, plus a first chance to listen to Audible’s groundbreaking full-cast adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in full Dolby Atmos - released globally on Festival Day simultaneously in seven languages.
See the full programme and exclusive backstage content at www.audioacademy.org.uk