Ralph Bernard
Encyclopedia
Ralph Bernard CBE was the chief executive of commercial radio group GCap Media
. He started his career as a journalist at Sheffield's Radio Hallam in 1975, before moving to Hereward Radio in Peterborough.
In 1982 he moved south to launch Wiltshire Radio as programme director, becoming managing director in 1983. From here, he helped develop the GWR radio group which later merged with Capital Radio
to form the biggest commercial radio company in the UK, GCap Media. He was chief executive of GWR Group PLC between 1987 and 2001, when he was appointed Executive Chairman. GCap Media's portfolio includes Classic FM
and London's Capital Radio.
He was appointed a Fellow of The Radio Academy
in 1998.
, he won the Sony Gold Award in 2000 for his contribution to the radio industry and was awarded the CBE
for his services to broadcasting in 2002. He left GCap on 20 December 2007 to be replaced by Fru Hazlitt.
He is married with four children and lives in Wiltshire.
GCap Media
GCap Media was a British commercial radio company formed from the merger of the Capital Radio Group and GWR Group. The merger was completed in May 2005. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. On 31 March 2008 the company agreed a takeover by...
. He started his career as a journalist at Sheffield's Radio Hallam in 1975, before moving to Hereward Radio in Peterborough.
In 1982 he moved south to launch Wiltshire Radio as programme director, becoming managing director in 1983. From here, he helped develop the GWR radio group which later merged with Capital Radio
Capital Radio
Capital London is a London based radio station which launched on 16 October 1973 and is owned by Global Radio. On 3 January 2011 it formed part of the nine station Capital radio network.- Pre-launch :...
to form the biggest commercial radio company in the UK, GCap Media. He was chief executive of GWR Group PLC between 1987 and 2001, when he was appointed Executive Chairman. GCap Media's portfolio includes Classic FM
Classic FM (UK)
Classic FM, one of the United Kingdom's three Independent National Radio stations, broadcasts classical music in a popular and accessible style.-Overview:...
and London's Capital Radio.
He was appointed a Fellow of The Radio Academy
Radio Academy
The Radio Academy is a registered charity that is dedicated to 'the encouragement, recognition and promotion of excellence in UK broadcasting and audio production'....
in 1998.
, he won the Sony Gold Award in 2000 for his contribution to the radio industry and was awarded the CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
for his services to broadcasting in 2002. He left GCap on 20 December 2007 to be replaced by Fru Hazlitt.
He is married with four children and lives in Wiltshire.