Mark Freeland is to become the BBC's new head of comedy for Vision Studios.

Mark joins from independent producer Hartswood Films and takes up his post in September. His remit includes comedy production across all four television networks as well as radio comedy and entertainment.

Before joining Hartswood, Freeland was head of comedy commissioning at the BBC from 2002 to 2005, and responsible for commissioning, executive producing and developing comedy across the four BBC channels.

He said: "I am very excited to be going back to the BBC as head of comedy. I am looking forward to leading a department that has an incredible heritage, an exciting present and a future of outstanding potential."

Between 1997 and 2002, Mark was head of original programmes at Sky One where he commissioned and executive produced shows across comedy, factual entertainment and drama.

Prior to this, Mark worked as a writer and script editor on comedy series for Channel 4 and BBC Two and as a development producer at Planet 24 and senior producer of The Big Breakfast.

Peter Salmon, chief creative officer, added: "Mark is stepping into one of the great jobs in British TV and radio. He is a much respected figure in the industry and brings with him a wealth of experience and relationships from across the UK production sector that will prove vital for one of the key creative jobs in the entire BBC. Under Mark, comedy will continue to grow as one of the powerhouses of in-house BBC production."