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Andy Baker, W1 Manager reflects on his first 100 days in the job managing the Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s central London sites, including new Broadcasting House.

When I took on the role as the new, and first, ‘W1 Manager’, I knew it would be an exciting experience.  What else could I expect from a site covering over 100,000 square metres, that includes the re-developed , where nearly 6,000 Â鶹ԼÅÄ staff now work together?

During my first 100 days in this job managing the Â鶹ԼÅÄ’s W1 operations, it’s been interesting to watch the new building operating at full capacity with teams from News, Television and Radio all working together for the first time, creating a thriving, creative community across W1. It’s also been satisfying to see such a diverse range of Â鶹ԼÅÄ programmes and services situated in such close proximity, enabling more collaborative working. With and the broadcasting live from the building, it is no longer so unusual to see presenters, politicians and pop stars rubbing shoulders in the lifts. And there will be more to come, I’m sure when, later this year, Â鶹ԼÅÄ One’s flagship programme joins the ‘W1 Village’, broadcasting live from its new ground-level studios in Broadcasting House.

I’ve also been really pleased to see so many visitors enjoy the array of new public facilities now on offer here. The newly opened café on the World piazza is fast becoming a popular destination to enjoy a coffee or lunch break, and the Media Café with its vista directly over the central newsroom, is full most evenings with Radio Theatre audiences.  Since began operating in March, over 18,500 visitors have booked onto one of the daily tours to see their Â鶹ԼÅÄ in action, and to have a go themselves at being in front of the camera – as news presenters, weather forecasters and radio actors.

My proudest moment over the last 100 days was . Her visit marked the completion of a 10 year project to transform the iconic home of the Â鶹ԼÅÄ into a cutting edge centre for the digital future. 

Like many other W1 staff, I’m also able to keep a watchful eye over the building from a distance, as the images of the newsroom are beamed into our living rooms every evening at the start of the Â鶹ԼÅÄ News bulletins. It remains a thrilling sight.

Despite the inevitable teething problems associated with moving into a new home, we are well on our way to creating a new and vibrant destination in London W1 that our audiences, visitors and staff can enjoy. 

Andy Baker is W1 Manager.

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