Gwyneth Williams appointed BBC Radio 4 controller

A senior BBC World Service executive, Gwyneth Williams, has been appointed as the new controller of BBC Radio 4.

Williams, who began her BBC career in 1976 and was most recently responsible for the World Service's international radio programmes in English, will succeed Mark Damazer in the autumn.

Williams will also oversee the digital radio station BBC Radio 7, which is being rebranded Radio 4 Extra with closer ties to its parent speech station.

It is understood Williams will earn a basic salary of £180,000, less than the £185,000 currently earned by Radio 5 Live controller Adrian Van Klaveren and the £210,000 earned by Damazer.

Her most pressing issue is likely to be the succession process on the station's biggest show, Today. The BBC political editor, Nick Robinson, has been tipped for a permanent presenting role on the programme.

Williams was until recently director of English networks and news for the World Service, but the role was being merged into a new post in a management shakeup announced earlier this year.

Williams was previously head of radio current affairs, responsible for programmes such as File On 4, Analysis and From Our Own Correspondent, as well as editor of the Reith lectures.

The BBC head of audio and music, Tim Davie, described Williams as "an editorial leader of the highest calibre and a passionate supporter of Radio 4.

"She brings vast broadcasting experience, tremendous intelligence and a fresh perspective to one of the biggest jobs in broadcasting, and I look forward to working with her in building on Mark Damazer's success."

Williams said: "Radio 4 represents the BBC at its best: it is loved and trusted and stands above all for quality. It is a privilege and honour to be asked to lead the network through the next stage of its evolution.

"I am hugely looking forward to working with so many talented programme-makers, each with a unique contribution to make. I want to ensure that this creativity shows on air and delights and inspires our listeners."

Williams began her career in Bush House as a trainee talks writer for the World Service in 1976. She went on to become producer and duty editor of the World Tonight and deputy editor, special current affairs programmes, overseeing election coverage.

She was editor of policy and social programmes from 1994 to 1996 and oversaw the launch of current affairs programmes on BBC Radio 5 Live, edited Radio 4's The Week in Westminster and worked briefly for BBC1's On The Record.

She has also been editor of foreign affairs radio and the bi-media editor for home current affairs.

Williams was tipped among the front runners for the job, which became vacant when Damazer announced he was stepping down to head St Peter's College, Oxford.

Before moving into broadcasting, Williams worked as a research assistant at the Overseas Development Institute. She has published two books on South Africa and the third world.

She grew up in South Africa and was educated at St Hugh's College, Oxford.

The BBC's business editor, Robert Peston, who was on the shortlist for the controller's job, said Williams was "genuinely first rate. I really am delighted. She's fantastic."

Other contenders for the job included the former Newsnight editor Peter Barron.

Final interviews for the post took place several weeks ago. The unsuccessful candidates are understood to have been told they did not have the job just minutes before staff were told of Williams's appointment today.

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