John Clarke to quit as Head of 2fm

John Clarke has confirmed that he’s stepping down as the Head of RTÉ 2fm when his contract expires in 2010.
“I became Head of 2fm some 11 years ago. It has been a wonderful 11 years, both professionally and personally. 2fm, as Ireland’s second national radio station, has maintained its position as Ireland’s most-listened-to music channel. This performance is something I am proud to have maintained in the face of unprecedented competition. But the key to staying at the top means recognising that nothing stands still, certainly not in the world of commercial music radio. I undertook the latest strategic review in the hope that it would confirm what is great about 2fm while crystallising the challenges that face it. The review has done both. Now is the time for a new vision for RTÉ 2fm.”
Paying tribute to Clarke, who started his career on the Dublin superpirates, RTÉ Radio MD Claire Duignan says: “John has shepherded 2fm through turbulent waters over the last 11 years. Competition has emerged not only in Dublin, but locally all over the country, and nationally. 2fm has held its crown – it remains a vibrant brand, the home of some of Ireland’s biggest radio shows, from Colm and Jim-Jim to Gerry Ryan to Will Leahy. Such sustained performance is due in no small part to John’s management of the station.”
Duignan refused to be drawn on what direction the station might take in thee future.
“I will not pre-empt at this early stage any definitive changes to 2fm,” she states. “Such changes are now for the consideration of a new Head of 2fm. Any changes on foot of the review will not take shape until 2010.”