April 5, 2011

Ex-BBC editor Pete Clifton to lead MSN.co.uk

The former head of multimedia editorial development at BBC News, Pete Clifton, is to join MSN UK as executive producer in mid-April, with overall responsibility for MSN.co.uk

In his new role, Clifton will lead an editorial team of 50 and oversee the strategy, partnerships, and all content on MSN.co.uk, the group announced today.

Clifton took redundancy from the BBC last month following a group restructure. He had spent 15 years at the BBC, starting out as a sub-editor on Ceefax.

He was influential in creating the BBC News website and led a number of redesigns of the corporation’s online news and sport sites.

Clifton will report directly to another former BBC colleague, Microsoft online UK managing director Ashley Highfield.

Highfield said today: “I am delighted to welcome such a great talent as Pete in to Microsoft. His many years as a senior member of the BBC News team, sitting on the journalist board, and in particular the four in which he was editor-in-chief of BBC News Online where he was responsible for over 400 staff, speak volumes about the enormous contribution and impact he will deliver to our MSN business in the UK.”

Clifton added: “I’ve always had great respect for Microsoft and, in particular, MSN, which I believe is well-positioned to capitalise on the dramatic changes taking place in the world of media today. The opportunity to be a part of a company that combines huge audience reach with compelling content and innovative technology is a unique one.”