Nick Davidson: My Life In Media

'Xfm being nominated for UK Radio Station of the Year at this year's Sony Awards is a pretty big achievement'

Nick Davidson, 37, is the managing director of Xfm, the London radio station which is up against Radio 1 and Radio 2 for UK Station of the Year in today's Sony Radio Awards. He is also responsible for GCap Media North, which includes the Xfm Manchester, Xfm Scotland and Century brands. Although work is divided between London and Manchester, he lives in Cardiff with his wife Beverley and their two daughters. When he's not pondering the possibilities of digital radio he can be found watching Liverpool FC.

What inspired you to embark on a career in media?

Knowing that "Life's a guest list" and you've got to be on it. Growing up, radio and TV gave you access to worlds beyond a small town.

What figure in the media did you most admire when you were growing up?

Max Headroom - he was the first virtual real-life star. Walt Disney - he never stopped creating and everything since has helped to define one of the world's first and greatest brands. Tintin - he was always solving mysteries with his mates. How cool! I would have been Captain Haddock.

What publication did you first become a proper fan of?

The Face. It was the Zeitgeist of my Eighties generation. The look and design, the type face, the reportage, the iconic covers, everything about it was different from anything else out there.

Can you remember a programme or magazine that changed the way you think about things?

The Face was a catalyst, which sparked a movement of fashion and freedom. WKRP in Cincinnati made radio look like a great career move. Shoot magazine always interviewed famous footballers and asked, "Who is the biggest influence on your career?" I always wondered who would be mine...

What were your favourite TV programmes when you were growing up?

620 Soul Train, The Tube, Why Don't You? and Mr Ben.

And your favourite radio programmes?

Danny Baker on Saturday mornings, the Simon Mayo breakfast show and the Emperor Rosco show. They all made you stop, listen and think.

What media do you turn to first thing in the morning?

The radio. If I'm in Manchester I'll listen to Darren Proctor on Century FM in the North West and when I'm in London I'll tune in to the Sony-nominated Lauren Laverne on Xfm.

Which media sources do you consult during the working day?

Whichever radio station I happen to be listening to, Sky News, CNN and Brand Republic. I always check out The Independent and The Guardian media sections and for music news I go to xfm.co.uk.

What is the best thing about your job?

Radio is alive! It's a living, breathing, kicking medium where change is constant. Dealing with that and seeing our radio stations and our people grow are the great things about my job. Every day feels like Friday.

And the worst?

Sometimes there are people with egos where there shouldn't be. Dealing with those people is easy, but not very productive.

What's the proudest achievement in your working life?

Being here now. Helping to launch Xfm Manchester and build a national competitor to take on and beat Radio 1. Xfm being nominated for UK Radio Station of the Year at this year's Sony Awards is a pretty big achievement too. It's a nod from the industry that we're doing all the right things and confirmation that we are now recognised as a national brand.

And your most embarrassing moment?

You'd have to ask Mr David Mansfield, ex-Capital Radio CEO. (You'll find him in The Ivy.) I'm too embarrassed to say, but it has to do with me wanting his job!

Do you have a favourite newspaper and magazine?

Today it's The Independent. On Sunday it'll be The Sunday Times and The Observer. As for magazines, The Observer Music Monthly fills a much-needed gap; the NME is consistently good, and whatever is free in the departure lounge at the airport.

Name the one career ambition you want to realise before you retire

Find the Promised Land.

If you didn't work in the media what would you do?

I'd be a part-time bartender while I looked for the Promised Land.

Who in the media do you most admire and why?

Sir Alan Sugar for his attitude, Ant and Dec for not taking themselves seriously (I only found out recently that Ant always stands on the left) and Chris Evans because of his natural ability to drink, think and play. He's one of our generation's greatest communicators.

The CV

1993: Joins Radio Wyvern as marketing manager.

1995: Moves to Capital Radio as the marketing director for Red Dragon FM, a South Wales station where he tripled the revenue in five years, and Capital Gold.

2000: Still at Capital, takes over the Century Radio Network as managing director.

2005: Becomes managing director of Century FM and oversees the regional merger between GWR and Capital, emerging as the managing director of GCap Media North and the Xfm Network, which he launches into the Manchester market.