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A changing of the guard: Richard Kingsmill steps down as triple J Music Director

Triple j has seen a massive staff overhaul over the last fews months. Beloved breakfast hosts Matt and Alex made their leave back in December, while loveable goofball Lewi McKirdy departed from his lunchtime post to move overseas. Sarah Howell’s also closed up shops after 11 years, spending most of her time spearheading Roots & All. 

All the while, triple j Music Director Richard Kingsmill sat on his throne while speculations circulated that it might be time for a change at the top of the triple j food chain. For while we heard no news of an impending departure from The King – until now, that it is.

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Longtime triple j Music Director Richard Kingsmill has announced his departure from the role, to be replaced by his Assistant Music Director, Nick Findlay.

As reported by The Industry Observer earlier this morning, Richard Kingsmill will step down as music director of triple j as he moves into a new role as Group Music Director. Kingsmill will be replaced by his longtime Assistant Music Director, Nick Findlay.

Kingsmill has been in charge of music on the Jays since 2003 (that’s 14 Hottest 100s). His new role will see him step up to coordinate the team of music directors across four ABC national networks – triple j, Unearthed, Double J and ABC Local Radio.

Speaking to The Industry Observer, Chris Scaddan, ABC Head of Music, said:

“This recent change in job titles is a recognition of the way the teams have been working for the past two-three years, since the introduction of Double J and the added responsibility of the team to program music for ABC Local Radio.

“Richard’s experience and expertise stretches across a broader remit, with Nick taking on more direct responsibility for triple j’s day to day programming.”

What will change at triple j?

It does’t look like a whole lot. Findlay has worked closely with Kingsmill for a decade and we can imagine the transition will be fairly seamless. Furthermore, longtime member of the triple J music team Gemma Pike has moved into the triple j Assistant Music Director role in place of Findlay.

Go easy on Nick, kids, he’s a good egg.