Head of BBC news, Richard Sambrook, is the new Director of the BBC World Service, which is still stinging after its news operations were criticised by an official inquiry.

Sambrook will develop the BBC’s overall global news strategy across radio, tv and new media.

The moves follow a series of top management changes, since the inquiry into the death of British Government weapons’ expert, David Kelly.

Kelly committed suicide 12 months ago, after being exposed as the source of a BBC news report, which claimed Downing Street had doctored intelligence to strengthen its case for Britain joining the Iraq invasion.

The Chairman and Director-General resigned, but Sambrook survived the immediate fallout.

He will be succeeded as Director of BBC News by Helen Boaden, the Controller of Radio 4 and BBC 7.