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29 October 2014
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26.11.02

ABOUT THE BBC


Ex-diplomat to head BBC Birmingham press team


Andy Pike succeeds Simon Channon as Press & PR Manager at BBC Birmingham from the beginning of December.


He will lead the promotion of BBC Birmingham output, manage the press and PR team in Birmingham and Norwich, and take strategic responsibility for all BBC English Regions press and PR issues.



Andy, 38, joins the BBC after a career in the Diplomatic Service, specialising in press work in recent years.


His most recent appointment was as Head of Press and Public Affairs at the British Embassy in Dublin, where he was in charge of a number of high profile issues; leading on the PR for the Northern Ireland Peace Process for the British Government in Ireland and acting as spokesman for the Embassy and the British Ambassador.



He also dealt with the Irish and international press on other matters affecting relations between Ireland and the UK, contentious and happy.


His previous appointments in the Diplomatic Service have taken him to nine different countries as diverse as Yemen and Poland.



Andy Pike said: "I'm delighted to be joining a great team at the BBC in Birmingham at a time when its programming output is strong and when the BBC leads the field in managing the changes affecting the future of the broadcast industry - like development of its new interactive services.



"I'm very much looking forward to getting to know journalists in the area and will work hard to build on the strong press service Simon and his colleagues have provided."



Channon, formerly Head of Press & PR for BBC Resources and Chief Press Officer at LWT, is retiring after 35 years in the business.


He said: "The BBC is playing an increasingly important role in Birmingham's daily life.


"With the forthcoming move to The Mailbox, Andy is joining the BBC at a pivotal time in our relationship with the city and I wish him every success."



Tim Brassell, Head of Press and PR for the BBC's Nations and Regions, said: "Andy has proved himself in one of the toughest political areas around and we believe under his leadership that the profile of the BBC across the Midlands and East is in the best possible hands."


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