Dominic Coles has been appointed as the chief operating officer of the BBC’s Journalism Group.

Previously director of sports rights and finance at the BBC, Coles assumes responsibility for the financial and business operations of BBC News, BBC Sport, BBC Global News and Nations and Regions.

Deputy director-general Mark Byford, who leads the Journalism Group, said: “Dominic will be a key member of the Journalism team as we respond to the big challenges of changing audience need, new technologies and new competitors and driving excellence and value for money across all our activities.”

Reporting into Byford, Coles will retain full responsibility for negotiating sports rights, as well as remaining finance director for BBC Sport. He will sit on the Journalism Board and the BBC’s Finance Board.

Coles said: “For anyone with a passion for news, current affairs and sport, this is a dream job. It’s also a responsible one given how news and sport remain fundamental to the BBC’s ability to connect with its audiences in the digital age."