Dean Kesby (pictured) will replace Ian Skippen as part of B105’s breakfast crew from next year. Skippen is moving to Triple M as reported first here yesterday.

“Deano,” who is currently on air as the station’s summer breakfast announcer, will join Jamie Dunn and Penny from January 5 next year.

37 year old Kesby has been with B105 since 1997 when he joined the station as Afternoon Announcer. He has also worked the Drive and Mornings timeslots.

He says he is “delighted” with his new role. “My greatest challenge will be the 3am starts, but I am getting some good practise in for that right now!”

Austereo General Manager Richard Barker believes Kesby will “bring a new element to B105’s breakfast… It’s a fresh new start for B105 and will be the first of many exciting changes for 2005.”

Kesby began his commercial radio career at 2LF Young in 1986 as Afternoon Announcer and has also worked at 2WG Wagga, FM 104.7 Canberra, Sun FM Shepparton, Hot 100 Darwin and 2Day FM Sydney.

Expect further changes to other Today network stations, as Austereo continues to roll out its national strategy for repositioning that network in the face of market changes.

In Melbourne expect an imminent announcement of Program Director changes at Triple M and Fox.