MUMBAI: Gwyneth Williams has been appointed director of BBC World Service's English networks and news.

She will be responsible for all the BBC's international radio programmes in English and for the nine streams that deliver that output to its 42 million listeners around the globe.

She is currently head of Radio Current Affairs and editor of the BBC Reith Lectures.

She has worked closely with Reith Lecturers such as Daniel Barenboim last year and the well-known development economist, Jeff Sachs, whose series, Bursting At The Seams, is currently being broadcast.

Her department produces BBC Radio programmes such as File On 4, Analysis, From Our Own Correspondent and In Business.

Gwyneth herself edits a number of special programmes and series for BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service.

She will join in June, taking over from Phil Harding who is retiring from the BBC after 38 years with the corporation.

BBC World Service director Nigel Chapman said: "Gwyneth brings a wealth of experience in radio journalism to this very important global role. She has the energy and credibility to head up our English language proposition, ensuring it makes maximum possible impact across all available platforms with original, creative programmes and news services always underpinned by the BBC's core values of independence, trust and creativity."