SoE

The BBC has appointed World Service Group director Fran Unsworth as its new Director of BBC News and Current Affairs.

Unsworth, a former Past President and current board member for the Society of Editors, will take over from James Harding in the New Year.

Fran was appointed Head of Newsgathering in January 2005 and Director of the World Service in 2015.  As head of the World Service, she is responsible for a staff of around seven hundred working both in the UK and abroad.

She has worked for the BBC for more than 25 years beginning in local radio and progressing to network radio and television. She was born in North Staffordshire and studied Drama at Manchester University.

Speaking of her appointment, she said: “We are living through a period of significant change at home and abroad.  In a complex world, the BBC’s journalism matters more than ever. I am proud to lead a team of such dedicated and talented people.”

BBC director general, Tony Hall, said: “The director of news and current affairs is one of the most demanding of any in broadcasting. News is at the very heart of the BBC.

“I am delighted Fran Unsworth is taking up the role. She brings a combination of excellent news judgement, authority, management knowhow, and the trust of her colleagues both in news and across the BBC.”