Following a restructure of BBC News and Current Affairs, Mary Hockaday will take up the role of Controller, World Service English.

She will take responsibility for strategy and be overall  “editor, ambassador and champion” for the World Service Radio output.

The BBC’s global service still has a global audience of 42 million despite the decline of international broadcasters.

Mary is currently Head of the Newsroom at the BBC, where she has overseen the creation of a multimedia newsroom.

Originally beginning her career at the World Service, she rose through the ranks to become Head of World Service News and Current Affairs.

As part of the latest restructuring, Gavin Allen become Controller of Daily News Programmes, Jon Zilkha will be the Controller of 24/7 and Digital News and Fiona Campbell will be Head of Current Affairs.

James Harding, Director of News and Current Affairs said: “Mary has led outstanding cross-platform coverage of the biggest stories and has tirelessly led the newsroom with good judgment, keen intelligence and great integrity over the past five years. Under her leadership, the World Service will go on reaching new audiences and enriching the lives of listeners around the world and in the UK.”