After 16 years with B105, Ian Skippen will move down the corridor to the studios of sister station Triple M, joining “The Other Breakfast Show” on that station from next month.

Skippen will team with Greg Martin, Jade Jones and Greg “Sully” Sullivan from Monday, January 10.

B105 dropped from top spot in the Brisbane market last survey, handing over that position to Triple M for the first time in 14 years.

Both stations are facing imminent competition from Nova, which is just about to launch in the Brisbane market.

The move is the next step in Austereo’s network strategy of refreshing the Triple M brand and repositioning the Today network.

Skippen says he chose to be part of the changes at Triple M and is “very thrilled by the new challenges.”

He says: “I am proud of my 16 years with the Morning Crew, we achieved so many amazing things in our time together… Triple M [has] a totally different attitude and I just can’t wait to be a part of that.”

Austereo’s Brisbane general manager Richard Barker has told radioinfo:

“Skip and Triple M are a fantastic fit. It’s an exciting time and while I know he will be missed at B105, Triple M will be an exciting challenge for him.

“It was great to see Triple M back on top and moving a real talent like Ian to the crucial breakfast shift will ensure they stay there.”

Austereo is expected to announce further changes to B105’s lineup, including the addition of Judith Lucy’s Drive show and the departure of late night hosts Chris and Sarah, but the station is making no formal comment on that at the moment.

The changes come as B105 is concluding another highly successful Christmas Appeal, which has so far raised more than $624,000 to purchase vital equipment for the Royal Children’s hospital.