A FORMER Controller of BBC Radio 4 has been appointed chair of the National Library of Scotland.
Scot, James Boyle, worked at BBC Radio for over 25 years. Says a Scottish Government media release, he spent four years as a lecturer in what is now known as Glasgow Caledonian University before joining BBC Radio Scotland, where he was to become head and during which time the station was named UK Station of the Year at the UK’s most prestigious radio awards, the Sonys.
Adds the release: “As Controller of BBC Radio 4, he reformed the network, producing with his team an entirely new schedule. The new programmes subsequently won a record six gold Sony Awards in one year and eight other silver and bronze awards.
“His public service posts include chair of the Scottish Arts Council, chair of the Scottish Cultural Commission, founder and first chair of Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and founder of Glasgow UNESCO City of Music. The current UNESCO global network of creative cities began with Edinburgh. James was a UK Civil Service Commissioner between 2001 and 2005 and again in 2007- 2008.”
His appointment as chair of the National Library of Scotland was made today by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs in the Scottish Government, Fiona Hyslop.
Adds the media release: “James has also held non-executive posts in the media private sector, including Wark Clements [now known IWC Media], Franklin Rae Communications and Anareva, a boutique search consultancy. He was a member of Court at Edinburgh Napier University for eight years and is currently chair of the British Council Advisory Committee in Scotland. He has honorary doctorates from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier Universities.”
