Ford Ennals Appointed CEO of Commercial Radio Australia
The incoming trade body chief is an experienced hand in the evolving media landscape, from his time as CEO of Digital U.K. and Digital Radio U.K.
Ford Ennals
Richard Lewisohn
BRISBANE, Australia — Former Universal Music Group executive Ford Ennals is the next CEO of Commercial Radio Australia, the trade association serving the country’s commercial radio industry.
The incoming chief is an experienced hand in the constantly-evolving media landscape, from his time as founding CEO of Digital U.K. and Digital Radio U.K., and with UMG before that.
At Digital Radio U.K., Ennals guided the national radio industry’s transition to digital listening, working with the BBC, Global, Bauer and Arqiva, as well as with the automotive and tech organzations the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and techUK, the British government, and media regulator Ofcom.
During his tenure, which wrapped up in 2021, digital listening trebled to almost two thirds of all radio listening, according to a statement announcing his arrivals at CRA.
While leading Digital U.K, a consortium of British commercial and public service broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel Five, Ennals was tasked with the challenge of completing Britain’s switchover to digital TV.
Ennals’ resume includes executive stints with blue-chip businesses on both sides of the Atlantic, including brands director for Mars, VP worldwide marketing for Reebok, president of global commerce for Nike’s luxury division in the U.S., and chief marketing officer at Lloyds Banking Group, and CEO of Universal Music’s direct division.
Ennals “brings a unique combination of skills and experience to the role having worked with major global brands with a deep understanding of marketing and customers, and leading both the television and radio sectors into the digital age in the U.K. with great success,” comments CRA chairman Grant Blackley.
“He is an entrepreneurial change agent and leader in digital transformation, both of which will be valuable skills at CRA as the audio industry is well on its way to digital transformation.”
CRA completes a recruitment process triggered by the announcement last September that longstanding CEO Joan Warner would step down.
During her time at the top, Warner was responsible for the planning, rollout and implementation of DAB+ digital radio into Australia’s five main cities, covering up to 60% of the natation population, and the rollout into regional Australia. Warner will stay with CRA until March 31.
Blackley paid tribute to Warner “for an outstanding tenure at CRA, her dynamic leadership over the past 21 years has been instrumental in the growth of commercial radio in Australia.” Warner, he continued, has ensured the trade body and its members are “well positioned to embrace its digital future.”
Ennals has Australian family and will relocate from London to Sydney to take up the position from April 4, 2022.
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