Hi, I’m Rob Francis, a radio presenter, broadcaster, and community radio enthusiast based in Hampshire.
Radio has been a huge part of my life for years. I love everything about it, from the music and the conversations to the slightly chaotic moments that happen when you’re live on air and absolutely anything can happen! I’m particularly passionate about local radio and the way it can bring a community together, giving people a voice and shining a light on the people, places and events that make an area special.
I’m the founder and Station Manager of Overton Radio, a community station serving Overton and the surrounding villages. What started as an idea has grown into a station I’m incredibly proud of, with a team of presenters, a growing audience and a real connection with the local community. I’m involved in pretty much every aspect of the station, from presenting and producing programmes to website development, promotions, events and the occasional battle with a piece of technology that has decided it no longer wants to cooperate.
Alongside Overton Radio, I’ve also worked with Andover Radio and Salisbury Radio, presenting a variety of shows and getting to do what I enjoy most: talking to people, playing great music and hopefully making someone’s day a little better.
Music is a massive part of who I am. I have a particular love for the 1980s and 1990s, although my musical tastes are considerably broader than that. I enjoy discovering great songs, rediscovering old favourites and putting together shows that hopefully give listeners that wonderful feeling of, “I haven’t heard this in years!”
Away from the microphone, I’m usually found walking somewhere, following Southampton FC, playing darts, working on something radio-related or heading to a local event with a microphone in hand. I’m a big supporter of the communities I work in and enjoy helping to promote local businesses, charities, performers, clubs and events.
I also enjoy the creative and technical side of broadcasting. I’ve built websites, developed online features, created promotional material and spent far too many hours figuring out why something that worked perfectly yesterday has suddenly decided to stop working today.
At heart, though, I’m simply someone who loves radio and loves people. Whether I’m behind the microphone, helping organise a community event, talking to a local business or wandering around with a camera and microphone looking for the next story, I’m happiest when I’m doing something that connects people.
So, that’s me. Radio, music, local community, plenty of walking, a healthy obsession with the 80s and 90s, and an ever-growing collection of things that need doing.
Thanks for stopping by.