Ben R. Atkinson is an experienced broadcaster, producer, and writer with a diverse background in radio, spanning community, student, talk, and drama formats. With over a decade of experience in the industry, he has built a career marked by versatility and innovation, continually expanding his expertise in both live and pre-recorded broadcasting.
Ben’s introduction to radio began at 103 The Eye in his hometown of Melton Mowbray. Initially joining to present The Country Music Show—which he later rebranded as Ben’s Country Music Show—he quickly became involved in a range of programming, including the Easy Listening Show, Fabulous Friday, and a stint on Drivetime. He also gained experience in live broadcasting, covering events such as the Leicestershire County Show, and conducted notable interviews, including a live on-air conversation with local MP Sir Alan Duncan. This early foundation in radio led him to pursue a degree in Media Production at the University of Lincoln, where he continued to develop his skills as a presenter, producer, and writer.
In 2012, Ben was instrumental in founding Brayford Radio, the University of Lincoln’s first student radio station. As part of the launch team, he played a key role in managing marketing, branding, and social media while also developing the station’s first playout system. In addition to his behind-the-scenes contributions, he hosted two programs: The Music That Made—a documentary series exploring artists’ careers and influences—and The Playlist, a co-presented new music show featuring unsigned artists.
Following his graduation, Ben was selected for the prestigious BBC Production Talent Pool (Class of 2014), where he focused on radio production. Through this program, he worked at BBC MediaCityUK, received advanced production training, and spent time at BBC World Service in Broadcasting House, London.
Beyond presenting and producing, Ben has a deep passion for writing, particularly in the realm of radio drama. During his time as a student, he co-ran Dreaming Tiger Productions, a small production company specializing in radio drama and short films. He wrote two original radio dramas: Rose, a reimagining of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Little Briar Rose, and Charlie and the Moon, an early example of an interactive radio drama that allowed listeners to influence the storyline.
Throughout his career, Ben has also explored documentary production, with one of his most ambitious projects being Royal Progress, a historical radio documentary concept. The series was designed to follow significant royal journeys from history, with a pilot episode focused on King John’s final journey planned for release in conjunction with the 500th anniversary of the Magna Carta in 2015. Although the project did not come to fruition at the time, it remains a concept Ben hopes to revisit in the future.