ITV poaches CBBC controller Sharman

Alison Sharman is joining ITV as director of factual and daytime, the broadcaster announced today.

In the newly-created role, the CBBC controller will be responsible for an extended department that includes factual, daytime, children's, current affairs, religious and arts programming.

The commissioners in each of the genres will report directly to Sharman, who in turn will report to programming director Nigel Pickard.

"I am thrilled to be joining ITV at such a pivotal and exciting time in its development," said Sharman today. "I am hugely grateful for the opportunities the BBC has given me, and most recently to put in place the strategy for CBBC for the coming years, but the challenge to deliver the best and most popular mainstream content for ITV in the digital age is an irresistible one that I relish."