Newsreader Mishal Husain will become the second woman to join the presenting team on BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today programme.
Husain will join in the autumn, when current presenter James Naughtie is due to taken on an expanded role, focusing on the 2014 referendum on Scottish independence.
Husain currently presents BBC News at Ten on Sundays and is also the host of Impact, a daily programme on BBC World News. She has also worked as a presenter on Newsnight, Breakfast and Radio 4.
She joins current presenters John Humphrys, Evan Davis, Sarah Montague, Justin Webb and Naughtie on the morning news programme.
Husain said: “I have long been an admirer of Today and am delighted to have the opportunity to join the team. The programme has unparalleled influence across BBC News and on our national conversation and I am looking forward to being part of it.”
Director general Tony Hall said: “It is such great news that Mishal will be joining the Today programme. She is a first rate journalist who will be an excellent addition to what is already a very strong team. I am also particularly pleased that her appointment means there will be another female voice on the programme which I believe is extremely important.”
Naughtie’s expanded role comes as the BBC has announced a £5 million investment in its referendum coverage. He will host Good Morning Scotland two days a week and will be chief reporter on Scotland across Radio 4’s news output, before returning to Today full-time ahead of the 2015 General Election.
He said: “I am thrilled at this enhancement of my role on Today. Constitutional debate and decision next year has great historic importance for Scotland and the whole of the UK, so I am excited to be in the thick of it, on both sides of the border, from start to finish.”
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