BBC Studios boss Anna Mallett will replace John Hardie as chief executive of ITN, the production company behind ITV News, Channel 4 News and 5 News, when he steps down at the end of this year.

Mallett, who is currently chief operating officer and managing director of production at BBC Studios, said she was “very honoured” to win the role.

Her exact starting date has not been confirmed, but chief financial officer Bryan Martin will act as interim chief executive with ITN Productions editorial director Chris Shaw as acting editor-in-chief, until she starts.