Sian Kevill, who was head of new political initiatives at the BBC, has been appointed as editorial director of BBC World, the 24-hour international news and information channel.

Kevill, who was also the former editor of BBC's Bafta-winning programme Newsnight, will have specific responsibility for shaping and building the overall editorial direction of BBC World. As Newsnight editor from 1998 to 2002, Kevill had led the programme to Bafta Awards for Best Presenter and Best News Director. Newsnight also bagged awards at the Monte Carlo Television Festival, the Royal Television Society and Race In The Media.

Kevill, who began her career with the BBC in 1984, grew steadily within the organisation, moving from deputy editor on the record to editor of radio foreign programmes and deputy head of political programmes. She was presented with an award for contribution to news and current affairs from the Women in Film and Television in 2002.