BBC Worldwide appoints Charlotte Elston

BBC Worldwide has appointed Charlotte Elston as director of communications, with effect from January 2010. Elston will now be responsible for all communications - external, internal and public affairs - for the BBC’s commercial arm. She will report to John Smith, chief executive, BBC Worldwide and Ed Williams, director of communications, BBC.

Said Williams, “Charlotte has formidable communications experience built up over many years working inside large businesses and as a public relations consultant. She will bring a fresh perspective and valuable international experience to BBC Worldwide at a time that the organisation is engaged in a number of strategic projects many of which are focused on building the BBC brand around the world.”

Added Elston, “I am very happy to be joining an organisation I respect immensely, in a role that promises to be extremely interesting.  I very much look forward to working closely with my new colleagues in the New Year.”

At BBC, Elston succeeds Alison Jeremy, who has joined BT Retail in a senior communications role.

Before this appointment, Elston was working with Aegis Group plc as group communications director. Before that, she was head of corporate communications Pearsons plc. She has also had a stint with Brunswick Group.