Julia McKenzie, currently Creative Director at BBC Studios Audio, has been announced as the new Radio 4 Comedy and Entertainment Commissioner. She will start this new position in the summer.

The role will see McKenzie commission top pitches from both independent and BBC in-house programme makers, continuing Radio 4’s unrivalled array of sketch, panel, quiz shows, sitcoms and more.

Recently McKenzie played a key part in welcoming Andy Zaltzman and Sue Perkins as new hosts of Radio 4 staples, The News Quiz and Just a Minute. She has also overseen production of long-running favourites including Dead Ringers, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and The Now Show.

Over the last seven years she has led her BBC Studios team to supply Radio 4 with programming featuring comedy stars Miles Jupp, Sindhu Vee, Bridget Christie, Sandi Toksvig, Lenny Henry, Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam, plus new talents Daliso Chaponda, Ellie Taylor, Sarah Keyworth, Darren Harriott, Ken Cheng, Olga Koch, and Tom Mayhew - to name but a few. Numerous titles under her stewardship have been presented with Aria, Writers Guild, Chortle and BBC Audio Drama Awards.

Julia McKenzie says: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking this commissioning role at the home of audio comedy, Radio 4. I’m passionate about how important audio is in developing new comedy talent, and I’m excited to create opportunities for writers, performers and producers to thrive, all whilst making the nation laugh. It’s a dream job!”

Mohit Bakaya, Controller of Radio 4, says: “Julia has a wealth of comedy experience having overseen Radio 4 classics such as The News Quiz, Just a Minute and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, as well introducing many new and exciting voices in recent years. We are looking forward to the exciting new ideas, formats and performers she will bring to the network and BBC Sounds, as Radio 4 comedy enters a new phase.”

McKenzie has also produced comedy and entertainment programming for Radio 2, and her team at BBC Studios has delivered content to BBC Sounds as well as platforms in the commercial sector.

Her appointment follows the confirmation in January of this year that Sioned Wiliam would be stepping down as Radio 4’s Commissioner for Comedy.