Sydney radio station FBi 94.5FM has announced that its General Manager Stuart Buchanan will be stepping down from the role, to take up a new position with a promotions company. The vacancy leaves Australia’s two high powered youth radio stations without leaders after the recent departure of Bryce Ives from Melbourne’s SYN FM.

Buchanan will join a company called Mixed Industry, promoters of The Great Escape Festival. Ives has joined the ABC. Both stations are seeking new managers, with SYN’s search well down the track and FBi’s just beginning.

After four years at FBi, with two and half years in the GM role, Buchanan will be heading up Mixed Industry’s new digital division, spear-heading new online properties and re-developing the existing portfolio of sites such as Noise and Australian Music Online (AMO).

Buchanan has told radioinfo: “It’ll be sad to leave behind such a dedicated community of people, but I wouldn’t be moving on if I didn’t believe that FBi was in great shape. There’s no doubt that the station sounds amazing; FBi represents the most innovative and forward-thinking sound of any Australian radio station (and beyond), and as a young business, it’s heartening to know that FBi is on a firm footing.”

FBi Board President Cassandra Wilkinson praised Stuart Buchanan when the announcement was made, acknowledging his dedication to promoting Australian music and culture. “Our challenge now is to find the right person to continue his outstanding work,” says Wilkinson.