Former Channel 4 News editor Jim Gray has been unveiled as new head of BBC TV current affairs and deputy to the head of news programmes.
The newly created role, announced last month, will see Gray take charge of current affairs programmes, investigative journalism and interview programmes such as Panorama and Newsnight.
It is hoped Gray will bring a “sharper focus to current affairs at the BBC” in his role, which is due to start in late summer.
The BBC said that part of his job will be to “drive the editorial right across the department, building closer relationships with programmes like Newsnight”.
He will also handle editorial issues “that arise from high profile journalism”.
Gray was editor of Channel 4 News for 14 years before last year standing down.
Before that he was at the BBC for 17 years, working first at Radio 4 and then at Newsnight, where he was a deputy editor.
BBC head of news programmes Ceri Thomas said: “Jim will be a fantastic addition to the team. He did an outstanding job as editor of Channel 4 News and I’m sure he will show the same sort of commitment and drive in highlighting the power of our analysis and investigative journalism right across the department.”
Gray said: “I am delighted to be joining the BBC in this exciting new role. The range and breadth of the output is truly impressive, and I am really looking forward to working with the team to pursue great journalism which is both ambitious and high-impact."
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
