Barker joins as head of sport at the new six-strong TVC Sport team having led at Soho Partners, a sponsorship consultancy set up by H+K in collaboration with content specialist Kameleon.
Also joining the new set-up is second-in-command Maryann Stevens, who has been hired from Brand Rapport as senior account director.
The division will focus on developing campaigns for brands that have, or want, a platform in sport.
Existing sports clients include British Gas SwimBritain, Betway, Whole Earth Peanut Butter, Castrol, Nike, Red Bull and Williams Martini Formula One.
Barker will be reporting to TVC Group MD James Myers, who said: "We live in an agency world where we're expected to know a little about a lot, and agencies are becoming more generalist.
"We believe there is an even greater need to build teams of specialist talent, and given that sport has always been part of our DNA it felt appropriate to create a dedicated sport offering."
Richard Millar, CEO of H+K, said: "Ben was a valued member of the H+K team for more than ten years. I have no doubt that he will do a great job at TVC and I personally, along with the rest of H+K, wish him the very best."
