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Richard Deverell has been appointed Chief Operating Officer at the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's new broadcasting and production centre at Salford Quays.

Currently Controller, Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Children's, Richard will report directly to Peter Salmon, Director, Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú North, and will deputise for Peter as required. The role will be based in Salford when the development opens.

In his new role, Richard will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategic and operational infrastructure for Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú North. He will help ensure the right technology, structure, ways of working and talent are in place to deliver the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's ambitions as it seeks to create the most advanced broadcasting centre in the world at Salford Quays.

As well as beginning to fulfil requirements for his new role, Richard will continue as Controller, Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Children's until 2010, overseeing CÂ鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú, this year's BAFTA children's channel of the year, and CBeebies, the nation's most-loved and most-watched channel for the under-sixes.

He will finish the work he has started in leading the department's preparations for the move to Salford. The position to run Children's Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú will then be advertised.

Announcing the appointment, Peter Salmon said: "This role is fundamental to the success of Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú North and Richard brings with him enormous strategic, editorial and creative experience.

"Taken alongside his compelling track record as a creative leader, and his long-term commitment to Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú North, he is an outstanding choice for COO."

Richard Deverell said: "This is a unique opportunity to help create something new and exciting, and to reinvent the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú for the very different media landscape of the 21st century.

"Salford can be a showcase for creative excellence, audience focus and a new approach to partnerships, as well as offering new and exciting careers for staff. I am delighted to be part of the team bringing this vision to life.

"More personally, Children's has been a very special department to work in. I am hugely proud of CÂ鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú and CBeebies and I am delighted to continue to play a role in their on-going success and provide a smooth transition during a period of considerable change."

Richard Deverell was appointed Controller, Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Children's in February 2006, having joined the department as Chief Operating Officer in June 2005.

He was previously Head of News Interactive, responsible for the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú News website, Interactive TV, Ceefax and iCan, and before that Head of Strategy and Marketing at Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú News.

He joined the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú in 1992 in the strategy department where he worked on a variety of projects including Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Charter renewal and developing the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's response to multi-channel television distribution and the internet.

Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Press Office