Neil Hollins

Neil began his radio career in the late 1980s at Birmingham commercial station BRMB (now Free Radio). Prior to his move to BCU in early 2013, Neil was the Station Manager at 107.5 Switch Radio, a community radio station in north east Birmingham where he co-ordinated a ten year programme of restricted licence broadcasts – ‘RSLs’ - and a variety of radio training and school education projects that helped cement Switch as one of the most innovative community stations in the UK. He led the successful application for a 5 year Ofcom community radio licence and oversaw the subsequent launch of the station in 2010. His role encompassed a diverse range of responsibilities including programme management and production, music programming, commercial production and marketing. He secured over £1m in funding to support the organisation during his spell in charge.

Neil also has wider media experience and was responsible for the development and growth of the Tyburn Mail, a ‘hyper-local’ newspaper published to homes in the north east of Birmingham.