BBC SCOTLAND has appointed an award-winning broadcaster as its new director.

The corporation's current director Donalda MacKinnon is stepping down later this year, and will be replaced by programme maker Steve Carson.

In his new position Carson will be responsible for leading BBC Scotland staff across TV, radio and digital platforms.

Director-general Tony Hall said he was “delighted” to see Carson take on the role.

He went on: “He brings with him a combination of excellence in programme making, leadership and the respect and trust of the staff. Steve set up the BBC Scotland Channel brilliantly and I wish him every success in the future.”

Carson said he was “honoured” to be awarded the position.

“I’ve got a very hard act to follow in Donalda MacKinnon, an inspirational creative leader who has overseen a significant investment for Scotland including a new channel, the establishment of an advanced technology hub and an enhanced newsroom at a time of budget challenges for the BBC,” he said.

“Working with a talented BBC team and in partnership with the wider creative sector, I’m looking forward to supporting programme makers to make great content that reflects Scotland’s diversity and which can educate, inform and entertain all our audiences.”

Carson, originally from Northern Ireland, graduated from Manchester University before joining the BBC in several roles. He has worked in youth and entertainment features, and as a producer/director on Newsnight, Spotlight and Panorama.

The broadcaster ran his own production company from 1997 and has received awards from the Royal Television Society and the Irish Film and Television Academy.

He has now worked at BBC Scotland for three years and has been involved in the work on Yes No: Inside the Indyref, Children of the Devolution and Billy and Me.

He will take up the role in the autumn.