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Chris Carnegy, one of the most experienced radio executives in the South of England, as been appointed as Managing Editor for ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Solent.

Chris, 47, is well known across the radio industry and especially along the South coast. He established Spire Fm in Salisbury, was programme controller for the Ocean Group and at Bournemouth's 2CR, managed Isle of Wight Radio – transferring the station to FM – and still found time to be a judge for the Sony Radio Awards.

In his career Chris can also claim some little bits of radio history. His was the last voice on the original Radio Victory in Portsmouth, and later at Ocean Sound was the only voice on the South's FM dial after the Great Storm of 1987.

He has also produced and presented special programmes for several stations in the South, including the homecoming of HMS Warrior to Portsmouth, the 25th anniversary of the Falklands Crisis, and coverage of the events of September 11th 2001 and the deaths of Princess Diana and HM The Queen Mother.

However, taking over the reins at Solent is not his first encounter with the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳. The established broadcaster spent three years at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ World Service, where he hosted the World Business Report programme.

Chris begins his new role on 20 April 2009.

His appointment comes as Mia Costello, Solent's current Managing Editor, takes up a 12-month attachment at the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s College of Journalism.

Looking forward to returning to station management, Chris said: "³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Solent is a station that really matters to its listeners, serving a region I love. Its mission is to be informative, top-quality, friendly and local – the station where you're always guaranteed to discover something new about life in the South. To run ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Solent is an absolute privilege, and I can't wait to get started!"

Welcoming Chris, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳'s Head of South Region Mike Hapgood commented: "We are really pleased to welcome Chris to Solent. He comes with a wealth of broadcasting experience as well as local knowledge and I am sure will add real value to the station during the next 12 months."

HB