BBC Learning gets new controller at MediaCityUK

The BBC has announced that Saul Nassé is to be the new controller of BBC Learning, leading the department’s move to Salford in 2011.

Nassé, who’s currently general manager and creative head of BBC Worldwide Productions India has been based in Mumbai since 2007 and starts his new role in January.

"Saul is a top-class creative and collaborative leader with a wealth of editorial experience relevant to this role,” explained controller, BBC Knowledge Commissioning, George Entwistle.

“His mission is to build on the success of services like Bitesize and Class Clips, and on campaigns such as Breathing Places, by forging ever stronger links between Learning, Knowledge and the rest of the BBC. This job really is at the heart of our public service remit and can add tremendous value and relevance to everything the BBC does."

He will replace Liz Cleaver, who steps down from the post at the end of the year after opting not to make the move north.

"I'm thrilled to have been asked to lead Learning at a time ripe with opportunity. As well as building on the department's recent successes I want to find new ways to inspire, join up and magnify opportunities for learning right across the BBC,” added Nassé.

His previous experience has seen him work as head of development for Specialist Factual in 2006 and he was also editor of Tomorrow’s World between 1997 and 2001.

Jana Bennett, director of BBC Vision has also announced a minimum £25m increase in investment in children's programming for the next 3 years.

She said the money would come through efficiency savings.

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