While the appointment may come as a surprise for senior RTE staff, Leddy has immense experience in radio and has numerous broadcasting awards to her credit.
"She's likely to be a breath of fresh air," one station insider told Hot Press. "She certainly should be free of the baggage that so many people who have been with the station for a long time carry, about people and personalities and perceptions. There may be a bit of resistance, which new managers often have to contend with – but from what I understand, she's the kind of person to win the doubters over. But I can see her shaking up things, that's for sure."
Speaking after her appointment Ana said: "Moving to RTÉ will be like a new lease of life for me. I've known RTÉ Radio as a listener for many years and I'm really looking forward to working with so many talented people on such a precious channel."
Over twenty-six years in radio, Ana Leddy was most recently Managing Editor of BBC Radio Foyle in Derry. Ana has had an accomplished radio career winning four Sony Gold Station of the Year Awards and a Sony Gold Breakfast News and Talk Award for BBC Radio Foyle. She has also spent over eighteen years working for the BBC's regional and national stations in England.
She was born and raised in Sheffield in England in an Irish speaking family and has a degree in Irish, English and History from Trinity College Dublin.
Outside of radio production, her passions include music and sport. She is a singer and musician and has been involved in professional entertainment since childhood.
Adrian Moynes, Managing Director, RTÉ Radio, congratulated Ana on her appointment. "Ana joins us just when Radio 1 marks its eightieth anniversary with the launch of digital radio trials," he said. "As RTÉ Radio starts a new era of service for Irish listeners, this is an exciting and challenging moment for Ana to move into a key role. We wish her well and welcome her".