Ms Alleyne (pictured) founded the UK’s largest independent radio company, Somethin’ Else in 1991 and has served on the boards of a large number of public and private sector companies and bodies, including a five year period as a non-executive director at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and spells as a non-executive director of the National Employment Panel and the London Skills and Employment Board. She is also a past board member of the UK Culture Committee for UNESCO.
Ms Alleyne is currently non-executive director of the British Board of Film Classification, a member of the Court of Governors at the University of the Arts and chair of both the Radio Sector Skills Council and the Islington Arts and Media School.
She was previously a reporter on BBC and local radio stations and presented on GLR radio between 1990 and 2000. She was appointed OBE for services to the media in 2004.
Commenting on her appointment, Sonita said: “I am delighted to be joining Archant at this time of great change, and I look forward to building further on my more than 20 years in the media industry. I believe I can bring a different perspective to the Boardroom table and I am looking forward to working with the great management team as it moves forward.”
Richard Jewson, Chairman of Archant, said. “It is rare to find such a uniquely qualified media specialist as Sonita; she will strengthen our Board, add new perspective and will, I am sure, benefit our business in many different ways. I am delighted she is joining us.”
Ms Alleyne, who is a graduate of the University of Cambridge, lives in London with her screenwriting partner and son. Sonita is a fan of the arts in particular music, film and fictional writing. She is passionate about helping young people to realise their career opportunities and ambitions. Her own ambition is to be a passable fly-fisher.
