Bauer’s long-serving news editor-in-chief John Pickford has announced he will retire at the end of this year, taking in a consultancy role at the company in the meantime.
The announcement comes as Bauer undertakes a major restructuring of news, including around a dozen redundancies among journalists nationally.
Pickford wrote on LinkedIn: “So the news is out there now officially and I am really looking forward to this new role for Bauer Media Audio.
“Thank you Gary Stein for your kind words and generous praise during today’s announcement.
“Many people will know that for a number of decades I was was a reporter in Manchester and was extremely privileged to have been able to cover a significant number of major news stories. Some were shocking events such as riots, terror attacks and murders but there were also more heartwarming stories including some major sporting triumphs.
“So I know all too well the pressures of covering breaking news and the challenges of reporting tragic events.
“I am hoping I can now pass on that experience and focus on mentoring and supporting our team of reporters, many of whom are now working remotely in their various patches across the UK.”
Bauer plans to restructure the way it broadcasts news on local stations, promising an “enhanced local news service” on every local station it runs, at the same time cutting all remaining local radio programming in England, with specific details so far still unannounced.
Bauer Media Audio, owner of brands including KISS, Hits Radio and Greatest Hits Radio, across Europe, has also been increasingly moving into the audio streaming world recently, acquiring its long-term partner SharpStream, a leading provider of audio streaming software, in 2024 with the aim to “further enable new experiences for our customers and listeners alike.”
Pickford is one of the longest serving staffers in UK radio, having jtaken on his role at Bauer over 45 years ago, in 1979. Prior to that he was a reporter at the Stockport Express.
Image: John Pickford at Bauer’s Manchester studio. John PIckford/LinkedIn.
