Candidates for the Audio Academy Trustees election
The Audio Academy is seeking new Trustees to join its board in 2026.
Following a shortlisting process by a sub-group of the current Trustees, the following candidates are standing for election to become Trustees of the Audio Academy from April 2026. The Trustees are the vital governing body of the Audio Academy, who oversee the strategy and direction of its activity.
Elections will close at 23.59 on Wednesday 18th March
How to vote
Voting is open to all Members of the Audio Academy, in accordance with the Articles of Association.
Members will be able to submit one ballot form each, selecting up to two candidates.
The ballot closes at 23:59 on Wednesday 18th March.
Meet the candidates below! Read a short statement from the candidates in their own words, to find out a little about who they are and what they hope to bring to the position.
At the bottom of the page, you'll find the ballot form, where you'll be able to select up to two candidates. You must be logged in to see the form, which will be available to Members only.
Got a question? Get in touch here.
Andi Durrant
The Academy has been such a positive force in my career so far, and I would like to give some of my time and energy back to the both the organisation, and the industry as whole.
I am a broadcaster, producer, DJ and company founder based in Leeds. I’m also a deeply passionate music and radio nerd, and have presented flagship national programmes for networks like Capital and Kiss.
As a director of Distorted, I have helped grow one of the UK’s most successful independent audio agencies, creating audio-visual content for world-famous music artists, corporations, networks and brands.
As the Academy evolves from radio to audio, it would be an exciting challenge and professional privilege to use my experience with younger audiences and multi-platform content, to help steer the organisation into a new era.
Dave Bethell
Dave is an audio producer, presenter, voiceover artist, and entrepreneur with almost three decades’ experience at the highest levels of UK radio and audio.
As a producer, he has worked for the BBC and EMAP (Now Bauer Media), and as a presenter he has broadcast on Hallam FM and was part of the launch team hosting evenings on Kerrang Radio Birmingham.
As a voiceover, Dave has been the imaging voice of Heart, Kiss, Magic and GCap One Network, and was one of the official voices of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
He founded Beds and Beats, the most successful radio-specific production music library of its kind, and today composes jingles through his company TM Studios for stations currently including Magic Radio, Radio X.
George Willis
I am a Studio Operations Lead for BBC Media Operations. Over the past ten years, I have built my career in radio across both local and national networks. I am currently based at the BBC in Salford, where I oversee a team of technical specialists supporting music and speech output across national radio stations.
I bring strong expertise in broadcast technology, operational leadership and the evolving technical landscape shaping audio. If appointed to the board, I would offer current, practical insight into emerging technologies and champion audio talent in the North, ensuring regional voices remain central to our industry’s future.
Kate Jones
I would be proud to be a Trustee, using experience from my 30-year audio career to support The Academy’s work. I’ve been a producer and commissioner, working with the BBC, Audible and most recently as Head of Content Development at Storytel, one of the world’s largest audio streaming platforms. I co-founded KCACreative.com developing audio for international release, and was a 2025 ARIAS judge. The UK audio industry is highly respected internationally and I am keen to help members of The Academy identify new opportunities. As I live outside the Southeast, I want to represent the wealth of talent UK-wide.
Kellie Redmond
It would be a genuine privilege to serve as a Trustee, helping safeguard and positively shape the industry I’ve loved working in for over 20 years – especially at a time of such change.
I bring a joined-up view of the sector having worked across both radio shows and podcasts for major BBC and commercial networks, brands, and production companies - including Somethin’ Else (now Sony Music Entertainment) and Listen (now Platform Media).
I also genuinely care about diversity and inclusion, previously mentoring ex-offenders studying audio, and in 2025, founded HER-D, the networking and support community for women in audio.
Matt Collison
Matt has had a passion for radio for as long as he can remember. As Brand and Marketing Lead at Broadcast Bionics, he works closely with radio stations, engineers and broadcast teams across the UK. He also presents regularly on national DAB radio with Premier Praise, giving him first-hand experience of studio technology workflows.
Matt previously served for ten years as a trustee of a charitable organisation, where he developed a strong appreciation for good governance and healthy culture. He is passionate about helping people unlock their potential and discover the wide range of creative, technical and engineering roles available within the audio industry.
Nina Robinson
Nina Robinson is an award-winning journalist and CEO of media production company
Soundtruism based in Birmingham UK. Winner of a prestigious Peabody Award and recognised with a Foreign Press Association prize for the innovative documentary, 'Chicago Dog Fighting', Nina travelled the world as a documentary maker for BBC World Service and was based in Kingston, Jamaica as a foreign correspondent. She was awarded a Fellowship by The Radio Academy – the highest accolade awarded by UK’s radio industry in 2023. She is former Board Director for the audio industry trade body AudioUK and sits on their BBC Charter Renewal Group. She is also a Fellow of the Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity and is a passionate advocate for diversity in the UK media industry. She founded the Uni Pod Festival which bridges the gap between student and regional podcasting and professional industry. It’s a unique day of workshops, panels and masterclasses on podcasts and content creation based at Birmingham City University (see www.unipodfest.co.uk).
Peter McVerry
I’m passionate about making a positive impact in all I do.
The Academy wants to enhance regional representation from the regions - from my Belfast base, I’d be honoured.
I’ve led on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, with involvement in News projects including Pride Vibes and Black History Month. I have ongoing charity trustee experience with Women In Media and a neurodiverse social enterprise.
U105 Station Director for 18 years, Chair of the Academy in NI since 2015, I’ve made a dormant region more active, bringing Foot in the Door here.
I’ve also sat on Festival Committee, judged Arias and produced Festival sessions.
Sarah Jane Bowen
Sarah is a highly experienced, award-winning radio and podcast producer with 20 years’ experience at the BBC. Growing up near Manchester, she began her career as a researcher before falling in love with radio and going on to work as a reporter, presenter and producer across the BBC Radio networks. She has devised and launched new series for Radio 4, led high-profile strands, and is a recognised leader in documentary-making, known for her sensitive storytelling and complex investigative work. A passionate advocate for high-quality audio, she mentors emerging podcasters and producers. Sarah divides her time between London and Cornwall.
Steven Rajam
Steven Rajam is an audio producer and co-founder of Overcoat Media, based in Wales. He leads creative work across speech and music features and podcast originals, and is known for an approach that places innovation, craft and creative playfulness at its heart.
As a British Asian audiomaker working outside London, Steven cares deeply about widening access to the sector and supporting underrepresented voices. At a challenging time for the industry, he sees the Audio Academy as a source of connection - and, as a Trustee, would bring a thoughtful, collaborative approach focused on people working in audio at every career stage.