Williams will have overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the BBC’s communications strategy.
He will lead the BBC Press Office, Corporate and Parliamentary Affairs and a significant web publishing operation, and will work directly with the BBC Director-General and the Executive Board.
He succeeds Sally Osman, who left the BBC in September to pursue other interests after a distinguished period in the role.
He takes up his new post in the first quarter of 2008, reporting to Tim Davie, Director of Marketing, Communications & Audiences.
‘Ed Williams brings an impressive breadth and depth of corporate communications experience to this pivotal role within the BBC,’ Davie said.
Williams is currently Director of Corporate Affairs at Reuters.