THE founding boss of a Glasgow-based radio station is leaving – 24 hours before its new owners formally take over.
Saga105.2fm’s Norman Quirk has announced that he is leaving the station on the 31st of this month, ahead of its takeover by Guardian Media Group the next day.
The station was one of a four-strong Saga network bought, last month, by the Guardian Media Group, which operates Real Radio Scotland, plus the launched-on-Monday 96.3 FM Rock Radio stration.
In a media release, Quirk said: “I have been immensely proud to work with a great bunch of people in building up a highly successful radio station; one which has increased listener numbers every single quarter since it began.
“The last three years have been hugely exciting and satisfying but I think now is an appropriate time to pass on the baton and I have announced to staff my intention to step down at the end of January. It goes without saying that I wish the staff and station every continued success.”
Later, he told Spike: “There’s absolutely no bad feeling or animosity. The purchase was a catalyst to allow me to make a positive move in my career.”
Tim Bull, operations director at Saga Group, added: “Norman’s personality and energy drove Saga 105.2fm right from the beginning and his contribution cannot be over-estimated. To take a radio station and a new broadcasting format from a paper-based bid document to a station broadcasting 24/7 to nearly 230,000 people is no mean feat.”
A former chief executive of Scottish Ballet, Quirk says he is open-minded regarding his future and is likely to pursue further executive or non-executive positions within the Scottish business community. He is currently president of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
