Jana Bennett to move to BBC Worldwide

BBC Vision director Jana Bennett will reportedly leave her post at the end of the year to take up a new role at BBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial arm.

In her eight-year reign in charge of the BBC's television division, Bennett has overseen the launch of digital channels BBC Three and BBC Four, as well as the return of Doctor Who to BBC One.

According to The Guardian, an announcement about Bennett's move to Worldwide is expected to be made by the BBC in the coming weeks.

The BBC and Worldwide declined to comment on the speculation, but a source familiar with the situation said: "As soon as the Christmas schedule is put to bed an announcement is expected about Jana."

Bennett's move will trigger the corporation to launch a major recruitment search outside of its organisation for a top flight replacement to lead BBC Vision.

Heading up the BBC's TV operation is one of the most high profile jobs in the UK industry, as it holds ultimate responsibility for the corporation's portfolio of entertainment channels, including BBC Two, CBBC and CBeebies.

External candidates could include former BBC Two controller Jane Root, head of ITV Studios Kevin Lygo and Lorraine Heggessey, who left her post as chief executive of Talkback Thames in June. The BBC is also thought to be keen to consider candidates from the US.

Several BBC executives could also be in the running, including BBC Archives director Roly Keating, BBC North boss Peter Salmon and BBC controller of knowledge commissioning George Entwistle.

Bennett, who is keen to increase her international and commercial profile, is understood to be close to becoming the new creative director of Worldwide, with responsibility for its international channels and the new global version of BBC iPlayer.