MUMBAI: Former BSkyB director of corporate finance and Goldman Sachs banker Neil Chugani joins BBC Worldwide as its chief financial officer, succeeding David King who has been appointed MD, Acquisitions. Neil will join BBC Worldwide in December 2007.

He will lead the financial team at BBC Worldwide, which in 2006/07 posted profits of £111.1 million from revenues of £810.4m – a three-fold increase in profits in just three years. He will be responsible for leading and developing all aspects of BBC Worldwide’s financial strategy, in particular the development of the five year growth plan.

BBC Worldwide CEO John Smith says, "I am delighted that Neil is joining the Board at BBC Worldwide. He brings tremendous financial, strategic and negotiating expertise to our team and joins us at a really exciting time of our international development."

Chugani adds, "This is a fantastic opportunity. BBC Worldwide is a dynamic and fast growing business with operations and partnerships around the world. The recent acquisition of Lonely Planet demonstrates the ambitions of BBC Worldwide and I am looking forward to playing a major part in the business achieving its strategic and financial goals."