Press Releases

The BBC has appointed Julian Payne as Head of Communications for BBC Vision. He is currently Head of Communications for BBC One & Fiction. He succeeds Paul Almond, who has been promoted to become the BBC's first Head of Digital Communications. Both will report to Ed Williams, Director of Communications, and will join the BBC Communications Steering Group.

The appointments follow the decision by Ed Williams to restructure the department.

In his new role Julian will lead the communications teams for the BBC's television channels and services and genre teams in drama, knowledge, comedy & entertainment and BBC Films. With responsibility for all external communications activity in the division, he will provide strategic communications counsel to Jana Bennett, the Director of BBC Vision, and her senior team.

Paul Almond will be responsible for leading BBC Communications' engagement in digital communications and social media. His new unit will include the BBC Future Media & Technology communications team and a new social media manager, who is to be recruited, as well as BBC Communications' web publishing operation.

After three years in the press office at BSkyB, Julian Payne began his career at the BBC as Head of Communications for Radio 1 & 1Xtra before moving over to run the Elstree press team with responsibility for continuing drama series, including EastEnders.

In 2005 Julian left the BBC to become a partner at Henry's House PR agency, specialising in entertainment clients such as Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, Channel 4, ITV and Virgin. He was appointed Head of Communications for BBC One in 2008.

Paul Almond began his career as a publicist for BBC Music & Arts and Youth Programmes under Alan Yentob and Janet Street-Porter. He became a senior publicist at BBC Films in 2001, and was appointed Publicity Manager, BBC Drama, the following year.

In 2005, he moved to BBC Three as Publicity Manager, and the following year was promoted to Head of Communications, BBC Future Media & Digital. He took up his present role as Head of Communications, BBC Vision, in 2008.

Announcing the appointments, Ed Williams, Director of Communications, BBC, said: "I am particularly pleased that two individuals with such a strong and impressive track record in television and communications have accepted senior roles within our new Communications team. These are very important roles within the BBC and I believe Paul and Julian will bring energy, ideas and excellent judgement to them."

Julian Payne said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity of leading the highly-talented communications team at BBC Vision. The BBC's range of television channels and services offer fantastic opportunities for communicators and I look forward to working closely with Jana Bennett and her team to ensure that viewers are aware of all that is on offer."

Paul Almond said: "This is the most exciting time for communications and the possibilities being offered by digital and social media. I am looking forward to delivering a new approach to communications and harnessing the full potential of the BBC in this area."

BBC Press Office