Alice Webb, the BBC executive who oversaw the switch of large parts of the corporation to Salford, has been appointed the new director of BBC Children’s, home to Blue Peter and Horrible Histories.
Webb, currently chief operating officer of BBC England, will take charge of the Salford-based department at the end of February, responsible for its two digital channels, CBeebies and CBBC.
She succeeds Joe Godwin, who moved to take charge of the BBC’s training arm, the BBC Academy, this month. Kay Benbow, the controller of CBeebies, was made acting director of BBC Children’s following Godwin’s switch.
The director of BBC England, Peter Salmon, said Webb was a “rising star”.
Webb, who will report to Salmon (as she does in her current role) became chief operating officer, BBC North, in 2011, orchestrating the move of departments such as sport, BBC Children’s, 5 Live and BBC learning out of London to the new BBC North HQ in Salford.
She was given an England-wide role last year, including a review of the corporation’s training arm, which will move to Birmingham.
Webb was also given the task of picking up the pieces of the £100m Digital Media Initiative fiasco.
Webb said: “BBC Children’s makes the best content for children in the world, and it’s a real privilege to be asked to lead such an important part of the BBC, particularly in these fast moving, digital times.
“This is my dream job and I can’t wait to get started.”
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