Newstalk has announced that Patricia Monahan has been appointed as Programme Director for the station.

Deputising for Newstalk’s Editor-in-Chief, Patricia will be responsible for day to day management of the station’s programming output, implementing the station’s content strategy, and identifying and training new talent. She will also be in charge of evolving the programming product to maximise JNLR and commercial growth and to consolidate the station’s position at the cutting edge of news and current affairs programming.

Patricia has worked for Newstalk since 2002 where she initially worked as a researcher on Lunchtime with Damien Kiberd before going on to produce the Lunchtime News programme for two years. From there she proceeded to produce a number of programmes across the schedule and was centrally involved in the station’s national launch in September 2006. She became Deputy Editor at the station in May 2010 and has since taken the lead on a variety of major projects at the station including the launch of The Pat Kenny Show in September 2013.

Commenting on the appointment, Garrett Harte, Editor-in-Chief at Newstalk said: “I’m delighted to announce Patricia’s new position of Programme Director. Patricia has worked her way up through the station for the past 14 years and has shown fantastic talent and leadership.

"Patricia’s broadcasting expertise and rapport with the Newstalk team will ensure that Newstalk continues to grow and produce the very best content across all platforms,” Mr Harte added.

Originally from Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, Patricia has a BA in English and History from Trinity College Dublin and an MA in Journalism from Dublin City University. She lives in Dublin with her husband and two daughters.