Chris Sussman has been named the new Head of Comedy at BBC Studios.

Sussman, who is currently Commissioning Editor for Comedy at the BBC, will be taking up the role from the beginning of April.

BBC Studios is the corporation's production arm. Shane Allen remains the Controller of Comedy Commissioning for the BBC's television channels.

The BBC explains: "As Head of Comedy, Chris will be responsible for leading the BBC Studios Comedy team, across the UK - in TV, radio and online. He will manage the existing slate of productions and take the lead in developing new hit shows and working with exciting, diverse comedy writers and performers. Chris joins in-house production as it sets out on a new future. He will be part of the leadership team that delivers that change, with comedy at the heart of its content and talent strategy."

Crucially, the move comes at a time when the corporation is planning changes that will allow BBC Studios - previously known simply as 'In-house' - to develop, make and sell programmes to other broadcasters, much in the same way as ITV Studios makes programmes for the BBC, including Cradle To Grave.

Sussman has worked in comedy for a number of years. His writing credits include Monkey Dust and The Peter Serafinowicz Show whilst his producing and development career has involved time at companies including Rough Cut Television, Objective Productions and Silver River.

For the last five years, Sussman has been a Commissioning Editor for Comedy at BBC television, where he has overseen shows such as Bad Education, Cuckoo, Rev., Not Going Out, Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe and People Just Do Nothing.

Sussman says: "BBC Studios is the biggest comedy production company in the UK, with an incredible history in both TV and radio. Pretty much all of the shows I loved growing up - Hancock, Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, Steptoe & Son, Dad's Army, One Foot In The Grave, The Office, etc - had a BBC logo at the end of them, and the current slate includes some of the best and most watched comedies on TV at the moment. I can't wait to get started, and hope I can do justice to this brilliant legacy."

He was appointed to the role by Mark Freeland, the BBC Controller of Fiction and Entertainment who was previously Head Of Comedy himself. He says: "Deservedly, Chris has a great reputation in the industry, based on his knowledge and passion for comedy, plus his incredibly trusted editorial eye. I am really excited to get the chance to work with him, standing up for comedy at the BBC and beyond."

Commissioner Shane Allen adds: "Chris eats, sleeps and breathes comedy and his track record demonstrates impeccable taste. I'm gutted to lose him from commissioning as his finger is very much on the comedy pulse, but this is a terrific opportunity at a dynamic time for the powerhouse of BBC In-house comedy as it transitions to the new BBC Studios world. He's a highly regarded, hard-working and very articulate industry figure."