The Judges - Simon Cole
Chief Executive
UBC Media Group plc
Simon, a Fellow of the Radio Academy, has had the radio industry in his blood from an early age, initially working for the BBC whilst at school in Blackburn
There followed a career at the BBC in Manchester and then a move to commercial radio, leading to him becoming Head of Programmes at Piccadilly Radio. Whilst at Piccadilly, Simon won Sony Golds for both Best Classical Music Programme (1984) and Best Popular Music Programme (1985).
He left Piccadilly in 1989 to found, with Tim Blackmore, The Unique Broadcasting Company. Joining the stock market in 2000 as UBC Media Group, the company has become a leader in content production, distribution and the provision of software to the radio and internet community both here in the UK and in the US. Since the company’s floatation, Simon has overseen the acquisition of Smooth Operations in Manchester and independent producer Above The Title.
