John Myers (radio Executive) - GMG Radio (1999-2009)

GMG Radio (1999-2009)

Myers moved to Guardian Media Group (GMG) after they announced they were selling the radio stations. Sir Robert Phillis, the former GMG chief executive, enlisted him to establish GMG's radio division after seeing Myers on the documentary programme Trouble at the Top.

Myers became managing director of GMG Radio in 1999, winning the first licence for GMG, Real Radio (Wales), which launched in 2000. Myers resurrected the "Fun On The Phones" presenting as John Morgan, with John Simons occasionally presenting. The breakfast show was presented by Terry Underhill and Sarah Graham in the first few years of the station.

He became chief executive of GMGR in 2002, and joined the board of directors of the Guardian Media Group in 2006. In October 2006, GMG Radio bought the two remaining Century stations from GCap, bringing Myers to control the brand he started in 1994. During his nine years with the company, it was awarded four licences and made the purchase of: Scot FM from the Wireless Group; JAZZ FM; Paisley’s Q96 from UTV; the two Century FM stations from GCap; and four Saga Radio stations.

In March 2007 he oversaw the launch of the Smooth Radio brand, the UK’s first mainstream commercial stations to target the 40-59 year old adult. The five existing Smooth FM and Saga stations were rebranded as Smooth Radio and the group launched the sixth station under this brand in North East England in January 2008. This was quickly be followed by the launch of the group’s second Rock Radio station in Manchester in May 2008. In December '08, GMGR was awarded the North Wales licence, which will allow Real Radio to be the first national commercial station in Wales.

In 2008 Myers convinced the GMG board to invest £1m in documentaries, a first for commercial radio. Many of these are now aired across the GMG Radio network. He stepped down from his role at GMG Radio to travel the world.