MUMBAI: Elaine Bedell who is currently the BBC's independent executive, has been appointed commissioning editor for features and factual entertainment.

She completes the line up of the BBC factual commissioning team. BBC controller of factual commissioning Glenwyn Benson said, "Elaine has a wealth of knowledge, gained both inside and outside the BBC, together with a strong track record in delivering a range of quality, popular television. She has been extremely effective in building relationships with the creative community and will be tenacious in getting the best ideas on screen as quickly and effectively and possible."

Bedell said, "My heart is in programmes and I'm incredibly excited about getting closer to the content again. This job gives me a wonderful opportunity to explore a variety of new ideas across four television channels, and beyond that into the multi media world."

Bedell joins Emma Swain (Specialist Factual), Adam Kemp (Arts and Religion), Richard Klein (Documentaries) and Peter Horrocks (Current Affairs) in the new factual commissioning team working to Glenwyn Benson. All five commissioning editors will now commission programmes from both in-house and independent suppliers, and are part of the BBC's new commissioning structure which is designed to speed up and simplify the commissioning process.

The BBC states that it will shortly make an announcement shortly about the BBC's plans to take forward Bedell's current role. In her role as BBC independent executive Bedell has been instrumental in helping to deliver a more effective working relationship with the independent sector, recently reinforced by the new terms of trade and the proposed introduction of the 'window of creative competition' (WOCC).