I am Daniel Owen, the sole author of mediaregulation.co.uk.  I am a freelance consultant in media regulation, policy and compliance with over 13 years experience in the regulation of radio and advertising.

 

I was born in 1972 and grew up in Surrey and London before studying American History and Politics at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich.  My undergraduate studies included a year abroad in Washington DC where I studied at the George Washington University and interned for a US Senator.

 

After graduating, I spent a year as an elected sabbatical officer for UEA’s student union, and ten months as an academic administrator at the University of Warwick, before joining the Radio Authority in 1996, as Development Officer.  I was promoted to Deputy Director of Development in 1998.  The Radio Authority was then the regulator for commercial radio in the UK (and would ultimately become one of the five regulators merged together to form Ofcom in 2003).

 

In 2000, I joined Chrysalis Radio, one of what was then the ‘Big Five’ commercial radio groups (Capital, GWR, Emap, SRH and Chrysalis).  I joined as Strategy and Development Manager, was promoted to Strategy and Development Director in 2001, and then got re-branded as Director of Regulatory and Public Affairs in 2003.  Despite the title changes, my job was the same: managing licence applications and all aspects of our relationship with regulators and government.  I became a member of the Commercial Radio Companies’ Association (now RadioCentre) Public Affairs Sub-Committee, on which I would sit for seven years.  In 2006, I assumed responsibility for the oversight of Chrysalis Radio’s compliance.

 

I have also represented both Chrysalis Radio and the commercial radio industry more widely in the field of advertising regulation.  I am a former director of the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), a former member of the BCAP Code Review Panel, and a former member of the advisory CAP/BCAP General Media Panel.

 

More generally in the radio industry I have been a Trustee of the Radio Academy and a director of Radio Academy Trading Ltd; vice-chair of the Radio Industry Diversity Group; a member of the 2008 Radio Festival Organising Committee; and a category award judge for the Sony Radio Academy Awards, the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards, the One World Broadcasting Trust Awards, and twice for the Radio 1 Student Radio Awards.  I am proud still to be a Trustee of the Prison Radio Association.

 

In 2007, Chrysalis Radio was acquired by Global Radio, and I remained as Director of Regulatory and Public Affairs and additionally acted as Secretary to the Board of Directors.  I provided regulatory support and advice to both Chrysalis and, post-completion, to Global on that transaction, and then to Global on its subsequent acquisition of GCap Media plc in 2008.

 

In 2008, I decided it was time to quit the rat-race and downsize.  I left Global Radio amicably, and set up on my own as an independent consultant on media regulation – initially as Rulebook Consulting Ltd, but now just as a sole trader.

 

I now live in North Devon with my wife, son, two cats and three chickens.

 

 

What others have said about me

 

Daniel has fantastic attention to detail and 'never give up' tenacity. He has worked long and hard for conditions that allow a successful commercial radio industry.

Paul Brown, former Chairman, RadioCentre

 

Daniel is one of those fortunate people who combines a great intellect and sharp analytical mind with an ability to explain complicated issues in a simple, engaging and easily understood manner.

Richard Huntingford, former Chief Executive, Chrysalis Group plc and former Chief Executive, Virgin Radio

 

Daniel understands his field - and uses his knowedge with both huge intelligence and a full practical understanding of the context. When there's a tough regulatory issue to be handled, it's great to have Daniel by your side - he offers speedy and thorough insight. Staff always return from a compliance training session with Daniel, enthused about what they know they CAN now do, once more familiar with the rules. He's great to have on your side.

David Lloyd, Managing Director, Orion Media; former Director of Programming and Marketing, Virgin Radio; former Managing Director, LBC; former Managing Director, Galaxy Manchester and Galaxy Yorkshire

 

Daniel is unique in UK Radio, in that he combines an encyclopaedic knowledge of regulation with a genuine appreciation of the commercial issues at stake for broadcasters. This allows him to offer practical advice to help operators get round problems, rather than simply telling them what they can't do without offering a solution.

Phil Riley, Chief Executive, Orion Media; formerly Chief Executive, Chrysalis Radio

 

I have always found Daniel to be highly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about radio advertising regulation.  He is a rare asset who I have relied upon greatly in my specialist field of work.

Yvonne Kintoff, Head of Advertising Clearance, Radio Advertising Clearance Centre

 

I worked with Daniel for several years, and he is really very good at what he does. He knows and understands regulators, and will tell you what they really want. He sees dangers ahead of time and if, in spite of Daniel's warnings, you still get into regulatory hot water he's the best person to lower the temperature. Regulation isn't black and white. It's always open to interpretation. Daniel gives real-world practical advice. You will rarely find him telling you you can't take a particular course of action. Even if he'd prefer you didn't do something, he'll realistically tell you what the consequences might be, and how to avoid the worst of them. Daniel has a great sense of humour too, which means he gives very good compliance training.

Paul Fairburn, Station Director, Smooth Radio London; formerly Managing Director, Digital Platforms, Global Radio; formerly Managing Director, Chrysalis Radio Midlands

 

How someone so engaging and charismatic has maintained his sanity in this most challenging of arenas is testament to his dedication. Professional, insightful and an absolute godsend, Daniel has been a joy to work with and I look forward to many more years of his straight forward plain speaking advice.

Roger Cutsforth, Station Director, Galaxy Yorkshire

 

Daniel's calm manner and common sense approach makes compliance a pleasure rather than a chore! He'll always see things from a programmer's perspective, and uses his experience and good humour to ensure an outcome which is understandable and practical.

Jonathan Richards, Group Head of News, Global Radio and Programme Director, LBC 97.3 and LBC News 1152

 

Daniel has a great understanding of how regulation works.  He has an excellent knowledge of both the process and the people and understands how to ensure that important commercial points are received and understood by regulators.

Jason Bryant, Chief Executive, Town & Country Broadcasting; former Chief Executive, The Local Radio Company

 

Daniel is without any doubt the radio industry's most outstanding gamekeeper-turned-poacher.

David Vick, formerly Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development, The Radio Authority

 

Daniel brings with him a wealth of knowledge, understanding and clear interpretation of sometimes quite detailed and wordy policies, regulatory challenges and guidelines.  He is professional, has a very friendly manner and has a great sense of humour.  He is not like most I people I know in this field of expertise, as his approach is real, contemporary and above all concise and clear.

Jim Hicks, Media Consultant, Purely People; formerly Group Programme Director, Chrysalis Radio

 

Daniel is a leading authority on regulatory and compliance-related matters in the radio industry.  He navigates with equal skill the day-to-day compliance problems that all broadcasters face, and the big strategic policy issues that our whole media industry must grapple with.  His great strength is not just understanding the rules, but his grasp of the commercial environment in which they need to operate.

Charles Allen, Chairman, GCap Media; former Chief Executive, ITV

 

Daniel is one of only a handful of people in the UK who has many years working for a commercial radio company managing regulatory affairs who also has significant experience on the other side of the fence working for a regulator.  He has a genuine grasp of all the current issues in the compliance and regulatory affairs territory, and has the ability to educate those that need to know in a fun and entertaining way without detracting from the importance of the issues.  A real expert.

Don Thomson, formerly Chief Operating Officer, Global Radio

 

Daniel was a first-rate regulator at the Radio Authority, and then managed the relationships with both the Radio Authority and Ofcom skilfully when he moved to the company side.  He has a fine practical and intellectual understanding of what regulation is all about, the nature of contact with Government, and how both can best be handled for the benefit of all.

Tony Stoller, formerly Chief Executive, The Radio Authority

 

Daniel's knowledge of regulation and compliance within the radio industry is second to none.  He combines his authority on the subject with an engaging, outgoing personality which ensures his training is always to the point and effective.  Daniel's contribution to the RadioCentre's Public Affairs Sub-Committee was invaluable.

Kevin Stewart, Managing Director, Celador Radio; formerly Chief Executive, Tindle Radio and Chair, RadioCentre Public Affairs Sub-Committee

 

Not only has Daniel been brilliant at handling often complicated and challenging regulatory matters but his advice is always ultra practical and helpful.  For me in my role as Station Director, it's always been very comforting to know that Daniel has been there to help us navigate our way through all things compliance.  Daniel also has an informed awareness of the commercial side of our business.

Anita Wright, Station Director, 100.7 Heart FM and Galaxy Birmingham

 

Compliance, to most of us, is not the most interesting of topics.  Nonetheless, it's essential in this day and age that what we deliver on air, off air and online falls within the regulatory parameters.  Daniel has skilfully guided us through the regulatory minefield.  His ability to interpret the minute detail, then present it in such an engaging way, has been invaluable.

Kiron Willacy, Station Director, Galaxy Manchester

 

In my experience, there is no one better in the field of regulation.  It is a subject that managers either run scared of or ignore on the grounds of perceived irrelevance.  Both lead to painful consequences for business.  Daniel knows his stuff like no other in his field, and communicates his knowledge in the most engaging manner.  He is an outstanding resource for any business to have.

Mark Browning, Commercial Director, ITN-ON; former Programme Director, Heart 106.2

 

Daniel and I worked together on the RadioCentre's Public Affairs Sub-Committee when I was the Planning and Strategy Board Director at Virgin Radio from 2005-7.  Daniel is simply one of those people who always offers insight, intelligence and opinion to any matter concerning the rules, regulation and associated issues faced by anyone working in the broadcasting space at this critical development time in the UK.  Whether it be covering media policy and interpretation, developments (or lobbying for necessary changes) in legislation, or simply predictions on how the strategic landscape may take shape, Daniel really makes it his business to ensure you have the foresight and hindsight to make better judgements and decisions for your business.  Refreshingly, he knows when to be pragmatic, and when to be provocative along the way, is sharp and painstakingly thorough and someone in whom you can trust to deliver for your business.  He is fun to work with and always has something new and interesting to add to the conversation.

Kathleen Saxton, Managing Partner, Grace Blue; formerly Planning and Strategy Director, Virgin Radio

 

Not only does Daniel know the broadcast codes inside out, more importantly he knows how to interpret them to make sure you can make creative programmes that do not fall foul of the regulators.  He also uses this in depth knowledge to great effect when regulators challenge your output.

Rob Hooker, Compliance Manager, Box Television; formerly Operations and Compliance Manager, LBC

 

Daniel is great at questioning the rules, understanding the rules, interpreting the rules, and where appropriate knows how to change the rules.  I worked with him for many years at Chrysalis and he is easy to work with, honest and helpful.  Her is a trusted adviser on regulatory affairs and is a great brain when stress-testing what regulators might be thinking.

Steve Parkinson, Managing Director, Kiss and Magic, Bauer Radio; formerly Marketing Director, Emap/Bauer Radio; formerly Marketing Director of Chrysalis Radio and Managing Director, Heart 106.2

 

Daniel was an excellent representative of commercial radio on the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice, demonstrating detailed understanding of regulatory issues.   He has also made invaluable contributions as a member of RadioCentre's Public Affairs Sub Committee where his thorough knowledge and sound judgement have shone through.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Executive, RadioCentre

 

A heady mix of the authoritative and the subversive mixed in a small but powerful cocktail.

James Bethell, Communications Director at Policy Exchange; former Business Development Manager at Capital Radio; former Managing Director, Ministry of Sound Media

 

There doesn’t seem to be much about regulators and regulations that Daniel doesn’t know.  What I like about his approach is that it’s very practical – he doesn’t just quote rules at you, he explains what they mean to you in terms of what is and isn’t possible, and if he spots a regulatory obstacle, he’ll always try and find a path around it for you.

Ashley Tabor, Group Chief Executive, Global Radio

 

 

 

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