BBC's Head of the Midlands has announced he will be leaving the broadcasting company after more than a decade. Stuart Thomas shared the update on Twitter shortly at around 10:30am on Friday, June 9.
He will be leaving the BBC for a new role at LNER as communications director. However, he will still be at the BBC for a few more months before this to help finish the first stage of it's "vital transformation."
Stuart wrote: "After 14 brilliant years at the BBC, I've decided it's time for a new challenge. I love the BBC. Our ability to connect with local audiences is unrivalled, and the teams in the Midlands that deliver that are second to none.
"I'm also so proud of what we've done in the Midlands - bringing Masterchef, Silent Witness, 1Xtra afternoons & Newsbeat - as well as a new home in 2026 at The Tea Factory. I've always thought it would take an extraordinary oppurtunity to pull me away from the BBC - and incredibly, one came along.
"Anyone who knows me is aware that, as well as broadcasting, I love trains - and so I'm really excited to be able to reveal today that I'm joining the country's leading rail firm, LNER, as Communications Director. I can't wait to head up the communications team in a company that's at the forefront of customer service and responsible travel. I'll be at the BBC for a few months yet, finishing the first stage of our vital transformation."
Stuart had been at the forefront of recent changes to programming at BBC local radio. At Radio Nottingham, the changes mean there will be a region-wide programme in the afternoon instead of a purely locally-focused show. Presenter Mark Dennison announced he would be leaving as part of the overhaul at the end of April.
Staff at the BBC in Nottingham staged a 48-hour strike earlier this week over the proposed changes and Stuart himself appeared on the station's breakfast show with presenter Sarah Julian. He defended the changes, saying the BBC's aim was for more people locally to get their news from the BBC.
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