James is a radio futurologist, and a director of MediaUK.com, the UK's free media resource. He is also Trustee of the pan-industry body The Radio Academy, and was Chairman of its Radio at the Edge conference between 2007 and 2009.

James has worked in radio since 1989 as a copywriter, presenter, and internet advisor. After working at the Metro Radio Group and Emap Radio in the UK, he left to concentrate on his own dot-com company Media UK. In 2001 he joined the original Virgin Radio in London, where he was Digital Media Director. In 2007 he joined the BBC, and worked on the BBC iPlayer for radio, achieving a dramatic increase in the service's audio quality.

Until mid-February 2010, James is travelling the world, discovering what happens when radio and new platforms collide. You can follow his progress on his blog.

James is an award-winning copywriter and radio presenter. In 2005, Virgin Radio's website scooped both judged and people's choice awards in the Webby Awards radio category. In September 2006, under James's direction the station redesigned its website to boast an innovative music-based social-networking system, which delivered record traffic levels and improved audience retention.

James lives in North London with a big black cat, and is a member of the Campaign for Real Ale. He blogs about the future of radio, and beer, on his own website at james.cridland.net.

Updated December 2009