FBi Radio appoints new music director and head of programming

Image: Tanya Ali and Reg Harris

Sydney community broadcaster FBi Radio has appointed Reg Harris as music director and Tanya Ali as head of programming.

Dan Ahern, who was program director from 2017, left the station in 2020 and is now working at the ABC. Amelia Jenner was music director from 2017 and departed the station in October last year.

Ali enters the newly created role after previously working at the station as its partnerships manager, the executive producer of Race Matters and the host of Monday Arvos. The new role brings together typical programming tasks with overseeing FBi’s sound, culture and direction.

“FBi has been a huge part of my life for such a long time – as a staff member, volunteer and first and foremost, as a listener. There’s no station quite like it, and I could not be more honoured to play a part in fostering the next generation of radio-lovers, both behind the scenes and behind the mic,” Ali said in a statement.

“I’m excited to continue FBi’s legacy of sounding as vibrant and multifaceted as the city we live in, and ensure we are doing the best job we can of representing the vast spread of communities we serve.”

Harris returns to the station after working at APRA AMCOS for two years as its NSW writer services representative. He had previously worked at FBi as its music assistant, as well as a presenter for The Bridge and Shortwave.

“First discovering FBi Radio as a music-obsessed teenager was a really formative experience for me. I still vividly remember listening to the ‘new music podcast’ for the first time on the bus on my way to school, having my mind blown the entire trip,” Harris said.

“I’m really grateful for this station and for Sydney’s wider music community that has consistently introduced me to amazing new music, challenged my pre-existing tastes and amplified the output of so many incredible artists.

“Sydney music is in a super exciting place and I feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to help shape the sound of FBi Radio and shine a spotlight on the great music happening both at home and further afield.”