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New Director Joe Godwin will lead ´óÏó´«Ã½ Children's to its new Salford Quays home and be responsible for all aspects of CBeebies and C´óÏó´«Ã½ – 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 ´óÏó´«Ã½ – and is currently Head of News, Factual and Entertainment for ´óÏó´«Ã½ 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 ´óÏó´«Ã½ North.

Joe will be based in Salford Quays as part of the move of Children's to ´óÏó´«Ã½ North in 2011.

Damian Kavanagh, as Controller of C´óÏó´«Ã½, and Michael Carrington, as Controller of CBeebies, remain responsible for all content on their channels and websites and report to Joe.

Jana Bennett, Director ´óÏó´«Ã½ Vision, said: "The ´óÏó´«Ã½'s children's services are the cornerstone of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ and Joe Godwin's 20 years of experience working in children's media makes him the ideal candidate to build on the reputation of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Children's and lead the team to its new home as the creative heart of ´óÏó´«Ã½ North."

Peter Salmon, Director ´óÏó´«Ã½ North, said: "Joe has emerged as one of the outstanding creative leaders of Children's ´óÏó´«Ã½. 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 ´óÏó´«Ã½ North.

"´óÏó´«Ã½ 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 ´óÏó´«Ã½ Children's in outstanding shape to face its many challenges but remains close as Chief Operating Officer for ´óÏó´«Ã½ 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 C´óÏó´«Ã½. The fact that we're soon to become part of ´óÏó´«Ã½ North in Salford makes it even more exciting."

Starting his career at the ´óÏó´«Ã½ 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 ´óÏó´«Ã½ continuity.

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

Since returning to ´óÏó´«Ã½ Children's as Head of Entertainment, Joe has been Executive Producer of many C´óÏó´«Ã½ 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 C´óÏó´«Ã½.

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