Ben Cooper

Ben Cooper is Controller, BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra and a member of the BBC’s Audio and Music board. He is also the current Chairman of the Radio Academy.

Ben is responsible for the editorial content, leadership and overall management of Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra, reaching a combined weekly audience of 12.4 million.

He drives the creation of a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech programming, supporting new and emerging music artists alongside delivering high quality news, documentaries and social action campaigns for young UK audiences. He is also responsible for developing both networks’ digital strategies.

Ben has had an extensive career in radio, with previous roles including Deputy Controller at Radio 1, Head of Programmes at Radio 1, Executive Producer at Capital Radio, along with positions in local radio.

Ben was named in Media Guardian’s 100 list, 2013 and he was also named in the Evening Standard’s London’s 1,000 most influential people 2012.