BBC Worldwide has appointed Joel Churcher as Vice President & General Manager Africa, BBC Worldwide. It is a new role within the commercial arm of the BBC, indicating how important Africa is as a growing market for international broadcasters.

Based in South Africa, Churcher will be in charge of a range of BBC Worldwide businesses in the region, including TV and digital sales, production and format sales and the daily management of the BBC branded channels portfolio available on the African satellite service, DStv. He takes up his new position after working as Account Director for BBC Worldwide Channels across the EMEA region, steering ad sales in countries such as Norway, Poland and Italy.

Commenting on his new role, which will be based in Johannesburg, Churcher said: I am extremely excited about taking up this role. Things are changing at a very fast pace in Africa, boasting six of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world. I am sure that working in such a fast paced and vibrant continent will be an incredible adventure. I am very much looking forward to leading and developing our footprint on the continent and working with new business partners in new markets.”

Joel Churcher takes up the new position next month.