UTV Media has announced the appointment of Terry Underhill as the company’s new group programme director, a role which he will begin next month.

Underhill, who has worked in the commercial radio business for over 25 years, will work across local radio stations including Juice FM in Liverpool, Signal radio and The Pulse in West Yorkshire, and will be based at the company’s headquarters in Birchwood, near Warrington.

Calum Macaulay, director of local radio for UTV Media GB, said: “I’m delighted to get someone of Terry’s calibre and experience into the group. We have made substantial progress with the audience over the last few years and I look forward to that growth continuing under Terry’s leadership.”

Underhill said: “I’m thrilled to be working with UTV Media. I like what they have done with their output over the last few years and I like their ‘Proud to Be Local’ philosophy. I’m confident that I can help drive further success for the group and build on the strong growth in hours and reach achieved over the last few years.”