VARIETY FM, launched last year by the Guardian Media Group to bid for the Yorkshire radio licence from 2001, has appointed Sir Hugh Sykes as chairman of its board of directors.

The station, which broadcast a month-long test of its proposed music and speech service covering west and South Yorkshire from Selby, is competing against Yorkshire FM and Border Radio Holdings, which has already tested its Century format in the county.

Sir Hugh, chairman of Yorkshire Bank and president of the new Yorkshire region of the Institute of Directors, said: "The Variety FM format will bring a breath of fresh air to regional commercial radio. We need more business and news information related to our area."

PICTURE: The spice of life ... Jeff Stephenson, director of Variety FM, with Sir Hugh Sykes, new chairman of the radio station's board