Richard Deverell has been named to the post of BBC Children's controller with immediate effect, the BBC announced today.

Deverell, currently the unit's chief operating officer and acting controller, takes over from Alison Sharman who left for ITV back in November.

"Richard is an outstanding leader and strategic thinker who has the experience and vision to grasp the challenges and opportunities facing BBC Children's," said BBC creative director Alan Yentob. "I am confident he will build the output and reputation of the department both nationally and internationally."

The BBC also announced today that Anne Gilchrist will become CBBC's creative director, a new role covering control of the CBBC channel, CBBC output on BBC One and Two, and CBBC's online presence.

"Anne Gilchrist has a tremendous track record in children's programme making and commissioning," said Yentob. "She will inspire producers and content developers inside and outside the BBC to take the CBBC brand into a fully multi-media world."