Adam Smyth has been appointed to the role of Head of News at BBC Northern Ireland.
In his new role, Adam will be responsible for BBC Northern Ireland’s news output across television, radio and digital platforms, including BBC Newsline, BBC Radio Ulster news programmes and bulletins and BBC News NI Online.
He takes over the position from Kathleen Carragher, who announced she was leaving the BBC earlier this year after seven years as Head of BBC News NI.
Adam takes up the position having been Editor of Radio Current Affairs and Digital News for BBC Northern Ireland since 2011. Here, he was overall editor for BBC Radio Ulster’s award-winning news programming, including Good Morning Ulster, Talkback, Evening Extra and Sunday News as well as radio news bulletins, traffic and travel, news documentaries and BBC Northern Ireland’s digital news output.
Prior to this, he worked as an Assistant Editor in radio and television news before taking on the role of Managing Editor for Multiplatform, where he was responsible for BBC NI’s digital and social media output.
Adam has been with the BBC for 23 years, after being appointed as a regional news trainee for BBC Northern Ireland in 1995. Since then he has worked behind and in front of the camera, producing and reporting for network and local news.
A former network reporter for BBC Newsround and BBC Radio Five Live, he also reported for BBC Newsline from New York in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Centre.
Adam says: “I’m deeply honoured to be appointed to this role and to lead a newsroom of diverse talent with a deserved reputation for excellence in journalism. I look forward to building on the legacy left by my predecessor, Kathleen Carragher, of strong audiences across BBC Northern Ireland’s television, radio and digital news.”
Peter Johnston, Director, BBC Northern Ireland, says: “Adam brings with him an excellent reputation, a wealth of experience and a passion for news which will serve him well in his role as Head of BBC News NI. I’m sure everyone in BBC Northern Ireland will join me in wishing him every success in his new role.”