Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

New Director Joe Godwin will lead Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children's to its new Salford Quays home and be responsible for all aspects of CBeebies and CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ β€“ the children's channels enjoyed by millions of children each week.

Godwin has spent the past 20 years working in children's media – both inside and outside the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ β€“ and is currently Head of News, Factual and Entertainment for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children's, responsible for key shows such as Newsround, Blue Peter, Serious, TMI and The Slammer.

His role as Director will be to lead one of the corporation's great content and broadcasting areas for one of its crucial audiences, serving kids throughout the UK. Godwin is expected to take up the post in November 2009, replacing Richard Deverell, who moves up to be Chief Operating Officer for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North.

Joe will be based in Salford Quays as part of the move of Children's to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North in 2011.

Damian Kavanagh, as Controller of CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, and Michael Carrington, as Controller of CBeebies, remain responsible for all content on their channels and websites and report to Joe.

Jana Bennett, Director Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Vision, said: "The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's children's services are the cornerstone of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Joe Godwin's 20 years of experience working in children's media makes him the ideal candidate to build on the reputation of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children's and lead the team to its new home as the creative heart of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North."

Peter Salmon, Director Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North, said: "Joe has emerged as one of the outstanding creative leaders of Children's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. His commitment and skill in serving young audiences convinced us he was the right person to lead the service through a crucial next period as we move to our new digital home at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North.

"Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children's will sit at the heart of the strong line-up there. Joe has shown great commitment to and leadership around improving diversity – both on screen and in terms of staffing.

"We are immensely lucky, too, that he will take up the reins from Richard Deverell who leaves Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children's in outstanding shape to face its many challenges but remains close as Chief Operating Officer for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North. We are assembling a formidable team and Joe will be a wonderful addition, bringing with him a passion to serve young audiences on all our platforms."

Joe Godwin, added: "As someone who joined the department 20 years ago as a trainee, I can't think of a more exciting challenge, or greater honour, than to lead the brilliant people who make CBeebies and CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ. The fact that we're soon to become part of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North in Salford makes it even more exciting."

Starting his career at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ in 1986 and spending five years at Nickelodeon before returning in 2005, Joe brings a vast breadth of senior experience in children's media.

Godwin produced Blue Peter, and directed Saturday morning classics Going Live and Live & Kicking as well as heading up Children's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ continuity.

At Nickelodeon, he was Head of Original Production, and became responsible for all online and interactive content.

Since returning to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children's as Head of Entertainment, Joe has been Executive Producer of many CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ shows including the BAFTA award-winning The Slammer, and the ever-popular Chucklevision.

Joe has also worked closely with both indie producers and in-house production as Head of On Screen Talent for CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.

In 2008 he led the formation of a combined News, Factual & Entertainment unit.

For the past five years, he has also been the Chair of the Network and Fast Track schemes run at the Edinburgh TV Festival, which aim to give many young people a start in the media, and is a member of the Advisory Panel on Children's Viewing of the BBFC.

TM2