Rising BBC talent heads North to join Dua Lipa’s Sheffield podcast team – ‘we’re adding serious firepower’

Sheffield-based podcast producer Persephonica has appointed former BBC Sounds commissioner and Radio 1 producer Fiona Hanlon as its new MD.

Persephonica makes podcasts including Dua Lipa: At Your Service and Miss Me with Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver. It also helped Global’s The News Agents become one of the country’s most popular podcasts and last year launched Political Currency, hosted by Ed Balls and George Osborne.

Hanlon, meanwhile, has produced shows for Maya Jama and Nick Grimshaw during her time at Radio 1, while her BBC Sounds work included “working with TV shows such as Normal People, Killing Eve & Luther to build their brands with music.”

READ MORE: Legendary BBC North West Tonight reporter bows out after 25 years – ‘time for a new chapter’

Production house Persephonica last summer opened a new physical HQ in Sheffield, with the majority of its team now based in South Yorkshire, although it has also retained its original London base.

Persephonica co-founders Dino Sofos and Thomas O’Hara are both Sheffield natives, and said at the time of the move North: “We are passionate about diversifying the media. Talented people from lower income backgrounds often struggle to get a foot on the ladder because they can’t afford to do free work experience or freelance on low wages while paying high rents in London…

“Sheffield means the world to us. It’s where we were born and raised. The city and its incredible people have inspired us throughout our lives, and we hope we can now add to the city’s rich cultural tapestry through our own work – Made In Sheffield.”

Announcing the new arrival on LinkedIn, the company said:

“We’re adding some serious firepower to our leadership team with the appointment of BBC Sounds Commissioner and former Radio 1 Producer, Fiona Hanlon. Fiona joins Persephonica as Managing Director, and will lead our entertainment expansion.

“Fiona brings 17 years of experience at the BBC, where she worked with major talent, including Maya Jama and Scott Mills. She played a key role in the success of the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw, shaping its creative direction and audience engagement.

“Fiona was part of the launch team for BBC Sounds, where she led the commissioning of popular music formats such as ‘Pop Top Ten’ with Rylan and Scott, which was visualised for iPlayer. She also developed companion content for hit TV series such as ‘Peaky Blinders’, ‘Normal People’ and ‘Killing Eve’.

“At Persephonica, Fiona will grow Persephonica’s entertainment slate, launching more habit-forming shows with A-list hosts.”

Hanlon added: “In March I’ll be leaving the brilliant BBC and joining the fantastic team at Persephonica as their Managing Director. I can’t wait to get started and expand their verrry impressive array of entertainment shows. They’ve already built an excellent reputation for working with world-class talent to create standout podcasts, so I’d better crack on…”

In January Persophonica was appointed as a partner to BBC Audio Lab to help “find the next generation of audio creatives and podcasters” through the BBC’s audio accelerator programme, alongside partners including BBC Audio Scotland in Glasgow and BBC Audio North at MediaCityUK.

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