Jeff Smith is Head of Music, BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music,responsible for the music policy, label and artist relations and strategy of the stations.
In his time at the networks Radio 2 has achieved its largest ever audience reach and 6 Music became the UK’s biggest digital –only music radio station.
Prior to his present role he was international programming director of the UK’s first major legal digital music service, Napster.
He joined Napster in 2004, having accumulated over 18 years programming experience in the UK radio industry, including Controller Capital FM , Head of Music BBC Radio 1, independent production at Wise Buddah and production at BBC World Service.
In the mid-90s, Jeff was a partner in what was at the time one of the new independent production companies, at Wise Buddah he was director of programmes bringing shows and presenters like Trevor Nelson’s Rhythm Nation to BBC Radio 1 plus taking over Pete Tong’s Essential Selection from in house BBC production and creating programming for Radio 5 Live, Radio 2 and Jazz FM.
Jeff has been a judge of the prestigious Mercury Music Prize for many years and in 2018 became the head judge and chair of the committee. In that time a diverse range of albums have won the prize for best album including Little Simz, Sampha, Ezra Collective, Dave and Wolf Alice.
Over the years Jeff has worked closely with a broad range of artists on radio and television music programming, including Adele, U2, Blur, P!nk, Oasis, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Kylie, The Prodigy, Depeche Mode, Coldplay, Radiohead, Take That, Macy Gray and many more..