MUMBAI: National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) has announced the appointment of Ian Jones as president of Explore International and senior vice president of NGT&F.

As president, Jones will oversee international sales, co-production and co-financing activities. A former deputy MD and general manager of Granada International and current chair of the British Television Distributors Association, Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role.

"Ian brings a unique combination of production and sales experience as well as a keen understanding of the global television industry with him to this position," said NGT&F president Tim Kelly announcing the appointment.

"We are excited by the opportunities this will create for Explore, both in the successful placement of our existing programs with broadcasters around the world as well as in forging strategic programming alliances that will assure us of a consistent flow of new programming prospects," he said.

Jones also serves as the chairman of the British Television Distributors' Association, the trade organisation representing the general interests of the U K television exports industry. He is also a member of the Department of Trade and Industry Sectors advisory panel on U K Exports.

Explore International is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Geographic, and is a leading distributor of blue chip factual programming worldwide. In addition to marketing National Geographic Television and Film productions, Explore International also licenses programming from some of the world's foremost production houses.