BBC Worldwide has appointed Neil Ross Russell as its new MD of its Children’s division, replacing outgoing director Gill Pritchard.

Russell will be responsible for the cross-media, international exploitation of BBC Worldwide’s portfolio of children’s brands, including In the Night Garden, Teletubbies and Charlie and Lola.

Russell was most recently business development director for Sparrowhawk Media Group, which is now part of NBC Universal. He was a driving force in the creation of KidsCo, a new kids digital network set up by Sparrowhawk, DIC Entertainment and Nelvana.

He is currently working as a consultant in BBC Worldwide Channels and will begin his new role on August 11.

Additionally, Helen Kellie has been named as BBC Worldwide’s first director of marketing and will work across its lines of business to build up marketing and audience research functions. In her new position, Kellie will be responsible for BBC Worldwide’s marketing activity and spend around the globe.