Ian McDonough named as Executive Vice-President, Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, BBC Worldwide

Ian becomes responsible for running all of BBC Worldwide's businesses in the region. He is responsible for the P&L; business development and delivering revenue and profit growth across all businesses in CEMA which will include channels; tv sales; consumer products and production.

The appointment, which officially starts on the 2nd April 2013, follows the reorganisation of BBC Worldwide to further increase its focus on international markets, enabling it to capture future growth opportunities around the world.

The reorganisation will see the business reconfigured from divisional to geographic lines of management. As a result, BBC Worldwide's existing structure, primarily based around five global divisions, will cease to exist.

Commenting on the appointment, Paul said: "We've got big plans to build the fan base for BBC brands all around the world. Ian's appointment is a sign of our ambition. With Ian leading the charge, I'm sure we'll enjoy much success in taking the 'Worldwide' in our company name to new heights."

Ian added: "I am a huge believer in the benefits of BBC Worldwide's new Balanced Regionalisation structure and the value that can be unlocked for the BBC, our partners and our fans by combining the wide range of different businesses we have. I am therefore incredibly honoured to be asked to lead one of these regions especially one with the scale, diversity and potential that Central Europe, Middle East and Africa has."

Ian McDonough assumed the role of Senior Vice President & General Manager, EMEA, BBC Worldwide Channels in August 2010. Based in London, he oversees all BBC Worldwide channels in the EMEA region and the development and launch of the new branded services across the region.

Formerly VP Commercial Development, McDonough joined BBC Worldwide in January 2009, to drive the growth of revenue lines and subscription figures for the business' portfolio of thematic channels in EMEA, as well as BBC World News, the BBC's commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel. As General Manager he has driven significant top line growth, led the business's first channel launches in Western Europe, commissioned BBC channels first local productions in Africa and launched new BBC services in Scandinavia and Central & Eastern Europe. McDonough has also been instrumental in consolidating the Channels business in Poland and Scandinavia by securing major distribution deals with platform operators, including Digi, Rometelcom, Cyfrowy Polsat, n, Cyrfra+, Boxer and RiksTV.

McDonough came to BBC Worldwide from A+E Networks UK where as Commercial Director, he played an integral role in launching the History and Crime & Investigation brands in EMEA as well as leading a change of editorial focus that has created a surge in interest for the A+E brands. He was also responsible for ad sales, sponsorship and digital media. Prior to that McDonough worked in China, Indonesia and Singapore with MTV Networks and Viacom.

McDonough holds an MBA from London's Imperial College and a BSc in Psychology from the University of Exeter.