Parfitt promotes at Radio 1 and 1Xtra

Jenny Abramsky, BBC director of radio and music, and Andy Parfitt, the controller of Radio 1 and 1Xtra have made a number of key appointments at the stations.

Ben Cooper, formerly Radio 1's head of mainstream who oversaw Chris Moyles taking over the breakfast show, has been made head of programmes at Radio 1. This will give him day to day responsibility at the station and see him reporting directly to Parfit.

Director general Mark Thompson has handed Parfitt, controller since 1998, the task of making BBC content across all media more relevant to 12- to 16-year-olds.

Parfitt said: "This restructure is essential to futureproof both networks and ensure that the strategies for Radio 1 and 1Xtra are delivered effectively."

Lorna Clarke, currently working as festival director of the BBC's Electric Proms, is to become head of programmes for digital station 1Xtra.

Wilber Wilberforce, who is currently editor of 1Xtra, becomes the digital station's deputy head of programmes.

Ian Parkinson, formerly head of specialist music and speech at Radio 1, has been made head of editorial standards for Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra, as well as overseeing interactive projects for BBC Radio and Music Interactive.