Gail Champion will run the BBC’s Investigations Team in Salford and Birmingham.
When she joins in the summer, she will work closely with the new multi-media investigation teams based in each region which will be managed by Senior Heads of Content Production.
Champion joins from the UK Insight team at BBC News, where she’s been leading a new Leeds-based multi-platform group focused on under-served audiences. She’s previously worked on the File on 4 investigative strand and oversaw investigative podcasts for BBC Sounds.
“I am delighted to be a part of the BBC’s significant new investment into original investigative journalism, which remains just as important as ever in our changing media landscape,” she said.
“I am looking forward to working with the BBC’s talented local teams around the country to harness their unique abilities and regional knowledge to investigate the stories that really matter to people wherever they live.”
Last year the BBC said it would be developing a network of new local investigations teams with over 70 journalists working on original stories across the country.
These teams will produce local investigations available on television, radio, BBC Sounds and the iPlayer.
“This is a crucial and exciting appointment leading a brand new team for us. Gail is a very experienced, award winning editor, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality agenda setting journalism and is a really respected name in the industry,” added Jason Horton, Director of Production for BBC Local.
“Her appointment will help us reinvent and refresh what we do on all platforms in BBC Local, while delivering stories that matter to audiences across England.”
