7 June 2019
Dee Ford Awarded a CBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List
Dee Ford, Group Managing Director, Bauer Media UK has been awarded a CBE for services to radio in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Dee has been at the helm of Bauer Radio UK since 1998. Under her leadership, Bauer has achieved rapid and sustained growth, won countless awards and is now the leading commercial digital radio operator, with over 17.7 million people listening to a Bauer station every week.
With a passionate and continued commitment to product innovation, Dee has fostered a dynamic team responsible for world-famous brands such as Absolute Radio, KISS, Magic Radio and the Hits Radio Network complemented by both the number 1 and 2 most listened to all-digital radio commercial stations in the UK: Absolute 80s and KISSTORY. In addition, Bauer Radio has undertaken pioneering launches such as Scala Radio, a ground-breaking brand-new classical entertainment radio station and Country Hits Radio, the UK’s first national country radio station.
Paul Keenan, President of Audio – Bauer Media Group comments, “Many congratulations to Dee, leader of our UK radio business, and now a CBE in recognition of her awesome and distinguished contribution to the industry. From starting in sales in Radio City in 1987 to building one of the World’s best radio businesses, Dee is a legend. Congratulations!“
Dee began her career in sales, rising to senior positions within a number of newspaper, magazine and radio groups.She joined Emap in 1994 as Managing Director of Preston’s Rock FM, and was rapidly promoted to Regional Managing Director for Emap’s stations in Yorkshire, where her teams achieved outstanding success in audience and revenue generation.
In 1998 Dee was promoted to Group MD Emap Radio, leading the acquisition of Melody Radio, (now Magic Radio) and doubling the size of the radio business in 2005 through the acquisition of Scottish radio Holdings.
An alumna of the prestigious Wharton Business School in Philadelphia, USA and of Stanford University, Dee is highly respected within the radio and wider media industry for her many professional and often game-changing achievements.
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For Further information:
Cat Martin – Communications Director, Bauer Media
0207 432 3317/07932 746 363
About Bauer Media UK:
Bauer Media UK reaches over 25 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, KISS, Grazia, Empire, Magic, Absolute Radio and the Hits Radio Network. These brands offer commercial partners access to highly engaged audiences, with creative solutions underpinned by insight and instinct. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.
About Bauer Media Group:
The Bauer Media Group is one of the world’s most successful media companies. We embrace tradition while still keeping our finger on the pulse. Our people create magazines, digital formats, and radio on four continents. With more than 700 magazines, 400 digital products, and 100+ radio stations, we inform and entertain millions of people every day. Simultaneously, we are shaping tomorrow: with investments in online comparison platforms and other young business models, we are setting the course for a successful future as a global portfolio company.
