Des Shepherd supplied audience research services to the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) since 2001. Work  included designing the research questionnaire, briefing research field workers, inputting data and writing research reports.

Click here to find out more about BFBS Radio.

Commercial Radio Licensing

Des Shepherd has worked for a number of aspiring commercial radio companies in their bids to get commercial radio licenses awarded by the Radio Authority (1997-2002). The work ranged from writing the application document and developing business plans to advising on audience research and providing coaching for Radio Authority telephone interviews. Of the twenty application documents he worked on, eleven (55%) were successful in securing commercial radio licenses.

" . . . may I take this opportunity to extend to you our grateful thanks for your excellent, professional service that undoubtedly helped win the Coleraine license against stiff opposition. We were all impressed with your ability to listen to our needs and blend them with the needs of the community in Coleraine and the specific requirements demanded by the Radio Authority. Moreover the time you and your colleagues afforded us to look at every aspect and detail of our application was most impressive."  Frank McLaughlin, Q102.9fm Group on winning the licence for Coleraine - September 1999.

" Members took the view that . . . with prudent audience and financial projections, sensible business planning and deliverable programme proposals would ensure that the service could be sustained effectively over the licence period."  Radio Authority assessment of winning licence application for Radio West (Omagh & Enniskillen) - August 2001.

" . . . thank you for answering the eleventh hour call and coming to my rescue. Your input was invaluable and very constructive."  David Bruce, Infinity Radio on the winning First Love Radio (Lewisham) license application. - August 1997.

On-Air

Des Shepherd has been heard on a number of local radio stations including Redstone FM, Star FM (Slough, Windsor & Maidenhead), Wey Valley Radio (Alton) and Essex Radio (Southend-on-Sea)