London Area, United Kingdom
I'm a multi-award-winning creative executive with a proven track record delivering culturally impactful campaigns, high-profile talent collaborations, and standout content across audio, digital, and social platforms. Currently Commissioning Executive for Music at the BBC, I lead the strategy and execution behind some of our most ambitious artist projects—securing global exclusives, brokering headline partnerships, and shaping how major music stories are told. From negotiating the release strategy around The Beatles' final single, to selecting the UK's Eurovision artist, to launching chart-topping podcasts and delivering unique content with artists like Little Simz and Oasis, I work at the intersection of creative, commercial, and cultural relevance. My career spans editorial leadership (Official Chart, The Scott Mills Show), strategic commissioning (BBC Sounds, music podcasts, commercial partnerships), and campaign innovation. I bring a creative marketer’s eye to audience development and a label exec’s instinct to storytelling and impact—delivering work that earns awards and cuts through globally.
Creative lead on high-impact, artist-led content across the BBC’s on-demand music and podcast slate—bringing global names and world-class storytelling together to shape how audiences experience music today. I oversee a portfolio of award-winning titles including Sidetracked with Annie Macmanus and Nick Grimshaw (featuring standout interviews with Charli XCX, Robert Smith, Rod Stewart and more), The Eras Podcast, and The Rise and Fall. I also conceived and delivered Symphony of Lungs, Florence + The Machine’s critically acclaimed BBC Prom. Beyond audio, I lead the BBC’s approach to pan-platform artist strategy—developing a new framework for integrated, corporation-wide artist campaigns. I’ve played a pivotal role in the UK’s Eurovision artist selection since 2022, helping reposition the UK’s reputation with standout talent like Sam Ryder. My role includes brokering strategic commercial partnerships, evolving how the BBC collaborates with artists, labels, and management—from playlisting and live performance to long form storytelling, global exclusives, and cultural moments that resonate far beyond broadcast.
Led a high-performing team of 8 across flagship BBC Radio 1 properties including The Scott Mills Show, The Official Chart, and a slate of BBC Sounds podcast titles. Over a three-year period, I delivered formats that generated hundreds of millions of views, listens, and engagements across broadcast, on-demand, and social—making Radio 1 a cultural touchstone for young audiences in the UK and beyond. Highlights include: Taking The Official Chart to become the UK’s most listened-to chart show, with total audience reach growing to 5.4 million across five weekly shows. Launching breakout formats such as Innuendo Bingo and Lol-a-thon, the latter raising over £1 million for Comic Relief and involving a cross-nation team of 40 under my leadership. Creating platform-native content that delivered hundreds of millions of social views annually and played a key role in the rise of artists like Lewis Capaldi, Joel Corry, and Lola Young. Winning multiple industry accolades including Gold and Silver at the New York Radio Awards, Best Entertainment Show at the ARIAS, and being named the BBC’s Best Entertainment Production two years in a row. This role combined editorial leadership, creative innovation, and strategic thinking—bringing together live radio, social storytelling, and on-demand content into cohesive multi-platform campaigns.
One of 14 founding members of BBC Director General's youth focused strategy consulting group: ‘The Next Generation Committee'. The group consults on the BBC executive board’s on overall youth strategy of reinventing the corporation for a new generation. I have personally focused on Podcast Strategy, BBC Sounds launch/growth and breaking down subsidiarity in the organisation.
BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz: 'Will Wilkin is a class act: creative, supportive, and insightful. His understanding of radio as a creative platform is impressive and his innovative shaping of the show makes my part of the job not only easy, but hugely enjoyable. Tim Smith: 'His drive and enthusiasm for the work is hugely infectious and his understanding of the medium is very impressive. He is instinctive, creative, and great with people, especially getting the best out of an occasionally moody presenter!'