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The Prison Radio Association’s staff and alumni have made it onto The Radio Academy’s 30 under 30 class of 2025 – a prized industry accolade for young radio professionals.
The Aiir Radio Academy 30 Under 30 is an annual list of “the ones to watch”. Each year The Radio Academy unveil the list of 30 people under the age of 30 who have shown exceptional tenacity, talent and a proven trajectory in radio and audio. They are the people who The Radio Academy think will lead our industry into a bright and bold future. Many of the people who have been included in this list go on to achieve senior leadership roles in the industry.
And this year one of our current members of staff and a member of our Outside In alumni has made this years list.
Ollie Brookes is our Senior Producer based in HMP Brixton. He works with prisoners every day, helping them to present and produce the content broadcast on National Prison Radio, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in prison cells. Ollie equips them with skills and confidence, increasing their chances of accessing employment and education after release.
You can listen to what Ollie had to say about making this years top 30 below and read more about Ollie’s journey with the Prison Radio Association here.
“It’s such an honour to be included in this year’s Radio Academy 30 under 30, but even more so to be joining the legend that is Nico on the list!
Less than two years ago, I was helping him make his first shows for National Prison Radio as one of the men working with us in HMP Brixton, so for him to now be appearing on such a prestigious list is an extraordinary achievement.
This is such testament to the level of talent I see every day in my work in HMP Brixton. I’ve worked with dozens of men who, if things had turned out slightly different for them, could have been presenting shows on national radio stations instead of behind bars, and I’m so proud of the work we’re doing at the Prison Radio Association to give these people a second chance, whilst also bringing hope and entertainment to all our listeners.”
Ollie Brookes – Senior Producer
Outside In alumni Nico Constantinou first got involved with National Prison Radio whilst he was serving a sentence inside HMP Brixton. After Nico left prison, he took part in our Talent Development Programme which gave him the opportunity to apply and secure a job at the BBC. A central part of our Talent Development Programme is the production of our podcast, Outside In.
His time with National Prison Radio and Outside In gave him the foundations to complete his internship as a Content Assistant on BBC 1Xtra’s Where It Begins Scheme.
Now he is a full time Content Assistant Producer at BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, working on shows such as Greg James breakfast show and Ricky, Melvin and Charlie’s show.
You can listen to what Nico had to say about making this years top 30 below and read more about Nico’s journey with the Prison Radio Association here. You can also listen to Nico’s story on our Secret Life of Prisons podcast here.
“The people that I used to look up to and been inspired by even to this day, I am now sharing rooms with these people and working on projects with them, bringing them to life.
And what am I hoping for 30 under 30s? Some more moment, more acknowledgement of my hard work, more opportunities are going to come my way, more chances to network and to continue working towards my dreams and bringing my dreams to reality.
I think it’s extremely encouraging knowing that your hard work and dedication is being acknowledge, it’s makes you want to do more.”
Nico Constantinou – National Prison Radio Alumni and Content Assistant Producer BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra
The Prison Radio Association is enormously proud of its team and alumni, whose work continues to create life-changing impact for people affected by the criminal justice system through the power of audio.
It’s inspiring to see, first-hand, the impact our charity makes for individuals like Nico. From the very beginning, his talent was unmistakable, and we knew that with the right opportunity he would thrive in the audio industry.
Our charity proves that giving people in prison a chance to showcase that they are beyond their conviction, produces some of the most dedicated, and talented people in the industry.
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