Daryl Ilbury cut his teeth in radio when he joined the local campus radio station in Durban, South Africa whilst completing a degree in clinical psychology and a post graduate higher diploma in clinical assessment and teaching. He presented the breakfast show and Top 20, and later, as the Programme Manager, was influential in the repositioning and rebranding of the station, and in steering the station towards becoming a more successful commercial venture. By the time he left university, the station, Dome Music Radio, was the most profitable campus radio station in the country. He was also involved in the setting up of radio stations on neighbouring campuses and responsible for drawing up the presentation guidelines that were adopted by many stations around the country.

He started in commercial radio at Radio Port Natal in 1986 and within a year had scooped the coveted breakfast show. When the station was sold he was appointed Programme Manager to oversee the transition to the new format, but turned down an offer to extend his tenure, preferring to remain on air and to concentrate on building his successful science communications company - Scienceworks.

He left the station - then East Coast Radio - in 2003 to focus on his other passion: writing; however he was immediately offered a position to host the weekend breakfast show on South Africa's top talk radio station Talk Radio 702. He couldn't say no. By this time he was also a regular op-ed columnist for the country's two top weekend titles The Saturday Star and The Sunday Times.

He left Talk Radio 702 at the beginning of 2006 to study further, lecture journalism and to develop the country's first on-line resource for radio professionals - The Edge. After consulting to various stations and after a number of requests to rejoin East Coast Radio, he did so at the end of 2006 to host the BIG Breakfast. Under his tutorage the show starting experimenting across various audio and visual platforms and went on to win numerous awards for both its on-air as well as on-line content; and became the biggest English medium independent breakfast show in the country, commanding the bulk of the station's 1.9 million listeners. Daryl followed his own advice to get out while on top, and is now a media analyst, writer and consultant specializing in talent development.

Combine his experience in prime-time music and talk radio with his qualifications in clinical psychology and his passion for teaching and writing, and you can understand why Daryl is so renowned in the industry for identifying and developing radio talent.

Daryl is married to leading business author and scenario strategist Chantell and they have two children.

What industry leaders say about him

"...Daryl has the best work ethic of any on air radio talent that I know. His passion for the medium is unquestionable and as a former teacher, it is evident that he willingly shares over two decades of experience in the medium freely with his fellow professionals..."

"...many of his colleagues have benefitted from his selfless attitude and learned a great deal from Daryl...I would recommend him unreservedly for any role in radio from on air talent, to programme management to talent coach."
Omar Essack, CEO, Kagiso Media

"...Daryl displayed a great understanding of people and his dealing with colleagues was always commendable. I have no hesitation to recommend him to any organisation/ institution..."
Terry Volkwyn, CEO, Primedia Broadcasting

"...without a doubt one of this country's most successful and respected broadcasters. This is evident by his enviable career and the impact he has made on the radio industry...he is also, more importantly, a natural leader...and has an uncanny knack of quickly assessing a situation or concern affecting the station and then offering viable and exciting opportunities, not only for himself but also for his colleagues and the station team..."
Gavin Meiring, CEO, Heart 104.9

"...His knowledge of radio, the vastness of his experience and his willingness to take radio into the digital age stand him in good stead to lead stations to greatness. His role either as a consultant, presenter, advisor or mentor will add great value to any company that seeks to win the war in ratings and revenue..."
Naveen Singh, PD, East Coast Radio

"If you're looking to take your radio station to the next level , get Daryl's number on speed dial. His suggestions and 25 years of knowledge are easy to implement and if done correctly the changes are immediate."
Margaret Loubser, PD, Radiowave 96.7, Namibia

"...For 4 years I worked alongside Daryl as his creative producer. His ability to teach and create while maintaining the most consistent work ethic I've truly ever seen, made him someone to admire and imitate in every sense of the profession..."

"...His consistency, accomplished knowledge and mastery of the art of radio walk hand in hand with an innate ability to nurture the very best out of whatever talent is placed in front of him, from budding presenter to experienced sports caster.
Travis Bussiahn, Head of Department, Rhema Multimedia

"...Daryl Ilbury is truly a radio legend...I learnt more from him, then any other on-air personality to date...he understood what it meant to be professional and was never scared to let others shine..."
Alex Frank, Producer, Talk Radio 702

"...Daryl Ilbury has enough skill and knowledge to supply a whole generation with radio talent. Not only is he a formidable talent himself, but his ability to guide and mould growing talent is definitely an asset to anyone. Whether its about on air or off air positions he is amazing---Daryl Ilbury has radio running through his veins..."
Simmi Areff, Producer, The Big Breakfast