Alex Donelly has left EMI Music Publishing after two years to take up the role as head of music for U.K. national broadcaster Channel 4’s digital radio station, 4 Radio.
EMI publishing brought Donelly (then known as Jones-Donelly) on board in the summer of 2005, placing the influential former radio executive in the role as senior VP of A&R.
Prior to that, he was head of music and live music at public top 40 national station BBC Radio 1.
“We’re sorry to be losing someone of Alex’s skills and experience, but this is a fantastic opportunity for him and he goes to 4 Radio with our best wishes for the future,” commented EMI Music Publishing U.K. president Guy Moot in a statement.
In his new role, Donelly will work across Radio 4’s digital stations, and is tasked with overall responsibility for the music output of each station.
He will initially work closely with 4 Radio’s director of radio Bob Shennan on developing the music strategy and launch plans for E4 Radio.
“I’m sad to be leaving the world’s best music publisher, but thrilled to be joining Channel 4, whom I regard as the U.K.’s leading creative and innovative broadcaster,” Donelly said in a statement. “The opportunity to be part of the team building a new music radio platform is very exciting.”
Donelly joined Radio 1 in 1997 as music scheduler. He was promoted to head of music three years later and appointed head of music in June 2004. He previously served in various roles at EMAP’s dance station Kiss FM in London.
