Ceri Thomas appointed new Head of Programming for BBC News

Ceri Thomas will take over Stephen Mitchell as Head of Programming for BBC News, who is leaving the BBC altogether, it has been announced.

Thomas, who is currently Head of News for Radio 5 Live and has been for the past 5 years, will begin his new role at the BBC from 18 March.

Thomas will be in charge of all major current affairs output, as well as investigative journalism and programmes such as Panorama, Today and Newsnight.

The department also includes services focused on distinctive audiences, including Radio 5 Live news programmes and Asian Network news as well as BBC Radio 1 news programmes such as Newsbeat.

Thomas said: “So much of the heart and soul of BBC News lives in this department. It’s full of variety and ambition and endeavour. It’s where we take risks – calculated editorial risks, but risks all the same – and it’s vital that we don’t stop taking them. It’s an enormous privilege and a huge challenge to take on the job of running it.”

Helen Boaden, the BBC’s Director of News, said: “Ceri brings outstanding experience of running one of our highest profile daily Current Affairs programmes, Today, which he has brilliantly modernised while building new relationships across the BBC.

“He is passionately committed to delivering courageous, challenging current affairs journalism on all platforms and is one of the most creative thinkers in BBC News.”

Since Thomas began his broadcasting career in 1989, he has worked for AM at LBC Radio, the Today programme and Radio 5 live.