Nikki Townley
Nikki Townley is a long-standing
associate lecturer for radio journalism and undergraduate courses
in radio. She has had a distinguished career as a producer and programme
editor in British radio and directed teams of journalists and presenters
responsible for the live coverage of some of the major political,
social and catastrophic stories of recent history on the London
speech station LBC. These included major terrorist attacks, and
the death and funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.
Nikki’s main role on
the MA Radio programme at Goldsmiths is in the BJTC accredited training
for radio journalism. Her previous lecturerships were in radio journalism
and production at Westminster University, University College for
the Creative Arts (formerly Surrey Institute of Art & Design), South
Bank University, Amersham and Wycombe College and London College
of the Arts.
She has also undertaken
professional training with NGOs, and business consultancies in the
media, publishing and medical professions. She has a combined honours
degree in French and Drama from the University of London and is
also a qualified Remedial Masseuse working in professional Rugby
Union.
When Head of Programmes
for LBC at ITN Radio she was responsible for: Managing, implementing
and directing changes during a challenging major restructure of
the station; Responsible for the day-to-day running of LBC, including
the coordination of a team of 40 journalists and 30 presenters and
all their contract negotiations; Strategic direction of programme
schedules and output (News, Current Affairs & Features); Editorial
input to all programmes; Review and analysis of programming, reformatting
as necessary; Co-ordination of special events (elections – general
and local, exhibitions etc); External public relations; Expansion
of sponsorship and promotion campaigns; Development of special projects
including themed programming; Recruitment, selection, training and
motivation of staff at all levels; Controlling and monitoring budgets
and resources.
During her time as Head
of Programmes the station won numerous national and international
awards for journalism, news and current affairs, drama and presentation.
Prior to her appointment
as Head of Programmes, she was editor of the Breakfast and Drivetime
Shows and in charge of the news agenda and its interpretation on
the flagship programmes.
She was editor of the
Features Department of London Newstalk Radio, coordinating a team
producing features, which filled one-third of the station’s entire
output. Other roles at LBC involved working as a Producer at all
levels on a variety of sport, entertainment and phone-in programmes.
Mike Dickin won the Variety Club Independent Radio Personality of
the Year Award (1992) under her production.
She researched, produced
and edited a series of award winning medical documentaries. Before
joining independent radio in London she was Children’s TV Presenter
for SSVC TV & Roundglen TV and Head of Operations for the British
Forces Broadcasting Service.
