George Ergatoudis has worked with the BBC for 18 years and is leaving his 10 year position as head of music for BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra for a new role at Spotify.

After almost two decades at the BBC George Ergatoudis is leaving his esteemed position to take up a newly created role at Spotify. At Spotify Ergatoudis will be leading the UK team for in-house music curation strategy and content programming.

Speaking of his time at the Beeb Ergatoudis said: “It’s been a privilege to have played a key part in the journey of the world’s greatest music radio station over the last 10 years. In that time, Radio 1 has successfully moved into a new era of visual and shareable content, helping to drive new young audiences to the BBC.

Now I’m ready for the next chapter in my career as I take on responsibility for leading Spotify’s in-house music curation strategy and content programming for the UK. I can’t wait to get started.”

Before becoming head of music for the BBC’s most successful radio station, Ergatoudis was managing BBC Radio 1Xtra’s music policy for five years and helped develop the careers of UK stars like Dizzee Rascal, Ms Dynamite and Wiley. Also listed at number seven in The Guardian’s 2011 Music Power 100 list, Ergatoudis clearly knows what he’s doing.

Controller of BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, Ben Cooper said: “Over the past decade, George has been a key part of Radio 1’s discovery of new music for young audiences and has continued to support British artists, giving them a platform for success.

“He has built a strong team at Radio 1 and 1Xtra with excellent contacts across the industry. We would like to thank him for all his hard work and wish him all the very best for the future.”