Sam Jackson

Sam Jackson, Controller, BBC Radio 3

Sam Jackson is the Controller of BBC Radio 3, driving creative and managerial responsibility for the running of the station and the delivery of the BBC Proms: the world’s biggest classical music festival.

Having started his career as a runner for the BBC Proms, Sam’s career has spanned broadcasting and the recorded music industry, including three years as Executive Vice-President of Global Classics & Jazz for Universal Music Group. Prior to that, Sam worked for Global, where he latterly ran three national radio brands: Classic FM, Smooth and Gold.

Named by The Hospital Club as “one of the 100 most influential and innovative people working across arts, culture and the creative industries”, Sam is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and a member of the Council of the Royal Philharmonic Society. He is also a Board Member of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance and a trustee of two charities: Help Musicians and the Young Classical Artists Trust.

Sam is the author or co-author of various books about classical music. Away from work, his blog ‘Diary of a Desperate Dad’ was named as one of the Evening Standard’s 20 best blogs, and was the inspiration behind his book of the same name, published by Elliott & Thompson.