Ken MacQuarrie appointed Controller of BBC Scotland

Ken MacQuarrie has been appointed to succeed John McCormick as Controller of BBC Scotland.
Taking over at the beginning of April, 51-year-old MacQuarrie has been BBC Scotland's Head of Programmes since 2000 where he was responsible for the production and commissioning of all BBC output broadcast within Scotland on television, radio and online.
He joined the BBC as a researcher in 1975, then worked as a radio producer for BBC Highland before moving into television, producing award-winning Gaelic programmes and introducing daily Gaelic programmes for children.
He became Head of Gaelic in 1992 and of BBC Scotland's Features and Children's departments, helping to establish BBC Glasgow as a major centre for network children's production.
In 1996 he was appointed Head of Broadcast, responsible for all Scottish output, and developed a number of major programme successes including ‘Chewin' The Fat’, ‘In Search of Scotland’, ‘Still Game’, and ‘Off The Ball’. He moved to his present role in 2000.
"BBC Scotland has enjoyed enormous success and expansion under John McCormick in the past decade," said MacQuarrie.
"It's my privilege to follow him and lead the organisation through what is certain to be a period of radical change in broadcasting.
"I'm determined that BBC Scotland should continue to be in the driving seat through this change as we move into Pacific Quay and beyond - delivering the very best programmes and services for all our audiences in all parts of Scotland and to the wider UK."
The BBC's Acting Director-General Mark Byford said: "Ken MacQuarrie is passionate about the BBC and about BBC Scotland. He has enormous energy and will bring outstanding creative leadership in his new role."
BBC Director of Nations and Regions Pat Loughrey said: "Kenny has been outstanding in his current role, leading the editorial success of Scottish programmes and making a major contribution across all areas of BBC Scotland.
"As Controller, I know he will build on that success. His clarity of vision will ensure an exciting future for BBC Scotland."
Sir Robert Smith, the BBC's National Governor and Chairman of the Broadcasting Council in Scotland, said: "I am delighted with this appointment.
"Ken MacQuarrie has proved a highly successful leader across all genres for BBC Scotland.
"Moreover he has a profound knowledge and understanding of the challenges of global broadcasting. This will be key to the challenges the BBC faces in this period of Charter Review and beyond."
(GB)